Five Organic Laundry Techniques to Wash Your Garments Without Harmful Chemicals
Natty Laundry: Ditch Toxins and Save Bucks with These 5 Chemical-Free Laundry Hacks!
Are you sick of constantly lugging heaps of laundry around your home, wondering where on earth all those clothes magically grow to be? With an average U.S. household washing around 50 pounds of laundry each week, we're always on the hunt for affordable, chemical-free laundry tricks. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals that irritate little ones' sensitive skin!
Here's a sneak peek into the secret laundry wisdom of the French (who, let's face it, tend to always look style-savvy and fresh). These five chemical-free laundry techniques will transform your towels, make your whites display sophisticated whiteness, and free you from the shackles of bleach bottles!
1. Get Vinegarish**
Might sound surprising, but vinegar is a wonder worker for refreshing your clothes, especially items that often stay damp, such as sports gear or bath towels. According to cleaning protégée Melissa Maker of Clean My Space, the acid in distilled white vinegar breaks down residue from harmful products, eliminating odors, leaving fabrics soft, and making them look less dingy. Simply load up the fabric softener compartment to the line with vinegar! No need to overthink it. Vinegar can replace fabric softener, leaving your microfiber towels free to absorb water better, but it can also work as a substitute for detergent.
2. Essential Oils: Perfume Par Excellence**
Melissa Maker swears by lavender essential oil, with its naturally antibacterial, antimold, and antimildew properties. Add a few drops to the vinegar or your regular laundry detergent to ward off the stench of mildew and prevent it from building up. For lavender haters, tea tree oil is another solid option, boasting the same antibacterial powers. Always make sure you're using therapeutic-grade essential oils to avoid skin sensitivities.
3. Baking Soda's Magic Touch**
Deodorizer and brightener extraordinaire—baking soda is probably already gathering dust in your pantry! Boost your detergent's powers by adding 1/2 cup to the rinse cycle in your washing machine. Baking soda will help balance pH levels in the wash, lighten stains, and banish lingering smells.
4. Drop Dryer Sheets**
Love the intoxicating aroma dryer sheets infuse into laundry, but worry about long-term consequences? Dryer sheets coat clothes in chemicals and fragrances, which can accumulate dirt and odor. Ditch the sheets in favor of dryer balls! Wool balls are popular, but the humble tennis ball trick also works. Toss a few in the dryer for fluffy, chem-free clothes and quicker drying times!
5. Fold Faster for Less Wrinkles**
While it's not always possible, when you can, take clothes out of the dryer while still warm and fold them quickly. Folding hot laundry eliminates wrinkles, leaving you with crisp edges and minimal—or even no—ironing needed! If you can't fold right away, prioritize items prone to wrinkles, like jeans, dress shirts, and bed linens.
In a pinch, simply shake out wrinkly clothes and set them on top of the rest of the laundry to avoid the dreaded crumpled mess at the bottom of the basket. A touch of effort now will save you hassle later and leave you with impressive laundry chops!
- To keep your towels fresh and free from mildew odor, consider adding lavender essential oil to your laundry cycle, as recommended by Melissa Maker from Clean My Space.
- If you're sensitive to essential oils, tea tree oil could be a suitable alternative, offering the same antibacterial benefits.
- To balance the pH levels in your wash and improve the lifespan of your clothes, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle of your washing machine.
- Instead of using dryer sheets with their chemical coatings, opt for dryer balls, which will leave your clothes fluffy and chem-free while also reducing drying times.
- To minimize wrinkles in your laundry, fold clothes while they're still warm or prioritize items prone to wrinkles, like jeans and dress shirts, for a quicker ironing process and less overall maintenance.
