Change Out: Easy Alternatives To Conventional Detergents

Good news: laundering organic materials doesn't require you to do anything different.  At Pact, we simply recommend washing your clothes in cold water and tumbling dry on low to conserve energy. (Bonus: The laundering process consumes tons of water and energy.  Washing less frequently or simply laying things out to dry can make a big impact.)

DIY Detergent:  Ambitious? Maybe Not.

Making your own laundry detergent might seem ambitious but it only requires 3 readily-available ingredients and less than 10 minutes.  If washing your clothes in sulfates, phenols petroleum distillates, etc. just seems kind of gross and the idea of shipping mostly water around the country in big detergent tubs seems unnecessary, then maybe making your own is worth a try?  Given there are no chemicals involved, this could even be an afternoon activity with the kids that's fun and educational

Ingredients:

  1. Washing Soda
  2. Borax
  3. Bar Soap

These ingredients can be found in most grocery stores or Amazon sells all 3 as a bundle here.

Directions:

  1. Grate the bar of soap or toss it in your food processor until its finely ground. (Remember: It's just soap. It washes out.)
  2. Mix 1 part grated soap with 2 parts Borax and 2 parts Washing Soda.  (Quick recipe: 1 bar of soap, 1 cup Borax, and 1 cup Washing Soda).
  3. Store in a closed container. Use about 2 Tbsps of soap per load.

 

If this still seems a little ambitious for you, we are big fans of Dropps. They create biodegradable laundry pods made of plant & mineral-based ingredients that dye-free, colorant free and fabulous. As a "friend of Pact" use code PACT to get 25% off your first order.

kamie kennedy