Natural Laundry Detergents

[peekyboo]

This is your challenge - convince me to give up my Tide, lol!

I am a total anal freak when it comes to laundry. I want everything to come out looking better than new. I have four kids so half of them live in hand-me-downs that I don't want them to look like hand-me-downs. But I also let them be kids, so there's a lot of stains and such to deal with (especially red sauce stains.)

I've been using natural cleaners all over the house, but haven't moved it into the laundry room. I have looked at the different ones at Whole Foods, but there's so many choices.

Any suggestions?

Oh, and I cloth diaper, so I really want those to come out clean!

[Arbonnemom]

I have been using Seventh Generation detergents and I think our clothes look as good if not better than when using other detergents. I'm not certain about our whites because Tide and other non-natural companies use a whitener that sits on your clothes so they appear white, but I did purchase their natural bleach to use on our whites, but I have only remembered to use it once so I can't really say anything about their bleach yet. I really am impressed with their detergent. Everything seems to smell cleaner (I purchased the free and clear version) such as the towels. I had no problem giving up Tide, Gain or whatever else I had used in the past. Hope this helps!

[darkstar]

I use trader joes natural laundry soap, the powder kind. Along with their version of oxyclean, which is biodegradable. I guess no one but yourself can make you decide to switch. I could never stand the smell of comercial detergant, and DP has really sensitive skin, so we have always used something natural. I dont remember the last itme I washed a load of wash with comercial soap.

darkstar

[Bella's Mama]

I use Bi-O-Kleen products and I love them! I use the laundry liquid for everything, including cloth diapers, and I have never had any problems. My diapers always smell like nothing (which is what you want) and they have lasted for two kids. I use Bac-Out Stain and Odor Eliminator for really tough stains. It says on the bottle that it "contains more strains of live enzyme producing cultures" for multiple uses. I also use the Oxygen Bleach Plus (like OxiClean but it's made by Bi-O-Kleen) with good results. Could you just use your Tide as a spot treatment instead of washing a whole load with it? Just an idea. But keep in mind, mainstream products have a petrochemical base that is extremely effective at lifting an armpit stain from a white shirt, but is dangerous to inhale and irritating to the skin. I like my kids to look nice too, but not at the expense of their health. After all, they are ONLY clothes...(you said convince you...)

[celestialdreamer]

I agree with Belle's Mama! We love Biokleen here too! We use Biokleen's Premium Plus powder, bac-out and some oxygen bleach stuff. My diapers come out awesome as do DH's dirty work clothes. We don't even need fabric softener (although I do use a tiny bit of vinegar in the softener cup for towels and sheets to get them extra soft) because it rinses so clean. Tide and other detergents like that leave a lot of residue which makes it so the fabric is stiff (hence the need for the dreaded fabric softener). I've heard the stuff like Tide actually leaves a residue on your skin ...and can't imagine that residue is good for you! I even find that my clothes dry faster using that stuff. I usually use the bac-out in the cold wash for our diapers, the enzymes in it eat up all the ickies! Coming from one laundry freak to another, you will love it!

I swear I don't work for Biokleen, just love the stuff :LOL

[celestialdreamer]

One more thing- if you need to pretreat stains (this has even worked on DH's engine grease stains and DD's poopy clothes) use a combo of biokleen and oxygen bleach (like oxyclean but made by Biokleen) in a sinkful of water. If I use a toothbrush to lightly scrub it in, then let it sit or soak for an hour or so. Then the stain is GONE and you can wash like normal. Make sure to use cold water for anything protein based (like poop, blood, etc) while doing this though (if using powdered oxygen bleach dissolve it in some warm water before mixing in to the sink)!

[cachet]

I've used both seventh generation and trader joe's detergent. LOVE them! Like a PP mentioned, I can't stand the smell of commercial detergent either.

[julesinottawa]

I like Indisposables brand laundry concentrate and laundry brightener (non chlorine bleach). You can get them through www.mylilmiracle.com. I use the laundry concentrate for everything, not just diapers and it's so concentrated that you only need a little over a tablespoon for a full load.

[meggles]

Originally Posted by Arbonnemom

I have been using Seventh Generation detergents and I think our clothes look as good if not better than when using other detergents.

I second seventh generation! I love the liquid Lavender kind. Also, I use this natural stain remover called Ecover and it is the BEST! It doesn't contain chemicals, yet removes red wine, salsa, everything! It's only $3 for a bottle and lasts forever!