The Smart Way to Do Laundry: Ditching Chemicals and Embracing DIY Solutions

In today’s world, the laundry routine has become a major waste of time, money, and energy. The chemical industry and “throw-away” culture have led us to believe that we need to buy a plethora of laundry-related products, many of which contain questionable chemicals that are harmful to our health and the environment. As a result, many consumers are spending more money and time on laundry than necessary. However, there are simple and smart ways to do laundry that can save time, money, and even the environment.

Brand Name Laundry Detergent vs. DIY Laundry Detergent

Many consumers believe that they need to buy expensive brand name laundry detergents to get their clothes clean. However, most commercial detergents contain chemicals that can be harmful to our skin and the environment. For individuals with dry or easily irritated skin, store-bought detergent may be contributing to skin issues as most of them contain ingredients known to cause skin irritation. Additionally, these detergents are expensive, adding an unnecessary expense to your budget.

One simple and smart solution is to make your own laundry detergent. This way, you will know exactly what is in your detergent and avoid any harmful chemicals. Homemade laundry detergents are easy to make and much cheaper than buying brand name products. You can find many DIY recipes on websites like DIY Natural, The Simple Dollar, and The Humbled Homemaker.

Dryer Sheets vs. Dryer Balls

Dryer sheets are wasteful and require constant purchase. Additionally, most dryer sheets do not have ingredient reports, which leaves you unsure of what chemicals are being exposed to your clothes. Exposure to these toxic chemicals has been linked to neurological disorders.

Instead, opt for dryer balls. These are reusable and not too expensive. You can find dryer balls made of wood, wool, plastic, or rubber. Many brands specify that their dryer balls are free of harmful chemicals. If you would prefer to make your own, there are many tutorials available online.

Expensive Stain Removers vs. DIY Fixes

Most commercial stain removers are full of harsh chemicals. Additionally, they are expensive and only add more unnecessary expense to laundry routines. Instead, you can use simple and natural methods to remove stains without spending a lot of money.

For example, hand sanitizer and hairspray work wonders on ink and many other types of stains. Use some lemon juice or ammonia on armpit stains before putting them in the wash. Club soda, salt, or milk can also be used on red wine spills. These natural methods are convenient and cheap.

Washing Items After One Use vs. Making Them Last

Many people have the misconception that they need to wash their clothes after one use. This behavior results in increased energy, water use, expense, and wears out clothes faster. However, in most cases, clothes do not need to be washed after one wear.

To save time and money, you can make a spray to keep clothes fresh through a few uses. For example, white vinegar, lemon juice, and vodka can be used as sprays to deodorize clothes between wears. This will reduce the number of extra laundry loads and the corresponding expenses.

Fabric Softener vs. White Vinegar

Most fabric softeners contain harmful chemicals and add to the toxic soup of laundry products we use. White vinegar, on the other hand, is a natural fabric softener that is cheap and effective.

To use white vinegar as a fabric softener, add half a cup to the rinse cycle during laundry. This is a great alternative to expensive fabric softeners.

Constant Ironing vs. Hanging Clothes to Dry

Ironing can be time-consuming and add to energy bills. However, some items can be hung to dry and will eliminate or shorten ironing time. If hang-drying does not eliminate wrinkling, a steam dryer can quickly de-wrinkle clothes and even treat some “dry clean only” items at home, saving time and money.

In conclusion, laundry routines can be done smarter and cheaper without sacrificing the cleanliness and appearance of clothes. By avoiding harmful chemicals, wasteful products, and unnecessary expenses, individuals can enjoy a more eco-friendly and healthy laundry routine.