Laundry is my least favorite chore. Don't get me wrong, I love all the smells, clean clothes and things. I even don't mind the loading, switching and folding all that much, BUT the putting away is basically non-existent.
Do you loathe it too?
I need all the simple laundry tools that make it fun and easy. Laundry is something that's supposed to be clean and delightful, but often times we find even the "cleanest" or "baby-safe" brands are filled with greenwashing marketing ploys to get us to buy them.
In this blog, you'll learn 4 Dirty Laundry Habits that the typical household practices and ways to make simple swaps that are green and clean for your family. And, in case you missed our Laundry for the Fruga Mama check it out for doubling your Thieves Laundry Soap Hacks and my Dryer Ball Spray Recipe.
#1 Dirty Laundry Soap:
Some [dirty] Ingredients you're likely to find in detergent at your local supermarket:
-Diethylene Glycol-(DEG) EU Cosing Prohibited Ingredient; Neurological effects & fatal if ingested; warning for pregnant women to avoid
-Fragrance- Possible Allergic Reactions, possible carcinogen; A combination of up to 3000 fragrant chemicals - added to most personal care products
-Borax- Boric Acid; Respiratory and Skin Irritation with chance of damaging fertility; on the Canadian "Hotlist"
-Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate- Respiratory and Skin Irritation
-Methylisothiazolinone- May trigger eczema, skin and eye irritation likely, respiratory irritant; Environmental Defense Canada Toxic Ten List
And that's in adult detergent, there are detergents out there made specifically for baby clothes. These, sadly, aren't any better. There is a specific one on the market that I used with my newborn because, it smelled like baby! It is labeled "Stage 1:Newborn Liquid Laundry Detergent" and yet it contains DEG, fragrance, and borax. How scary?! These are ingredients that cause respiratory issues in adults, can you imagine what they do to tiny baby lungs?!
Laundry Soap Simple Swap:
With a formula that effectively and gently cleans clothing, Thieves Laundry Soap is made up of plant-based ingredients and leaves no chemical or synthetic residue. Natural enzymes and powerful essential oils leave your clothes fresh and clean with a light citrus scent—something that everyone in the family will love. Not only does it clean well, but a little also goes a long way!
We double ours. Get the hack here.
Want to create your own laundry smell boost? Here are some recipes!
Pure and Simple
Incorporating some of our best odor-busting scents, this blend offers a crisp, clean fragrance that’s perfect for everything in your gym bag and beyond.
2 drops Purification® essential oil blend 1 drop Tea Tree essential oil
Citrus Refresher
When life gives you lemons, put them in your laundry for a fabulously fresh citrusy splash that goes everywhere you do!
2 drops Lemon essential oil 1 drop Grapefruit essential oil
Dreamy Drops
Try washing or drying your sheets and pajamas in this luxurious, on-point blend of spa-like florals and fruit.
2 drops Bergamot essential oil 1 drop Lavender essential oil
Mediterranean Seaside
Get away from it all by turning your pile of dirty laundry into a fresh stack of vacation-inspired fluffiness.
2 drops Orange essential oil 1 drop Rosemary essential oil
Recipes and info from Young Living
#2 Dirty Stain Remover:
The KNOWN (there are unknown) ingredients that we should be concerned about are:
-Sodium Borate- developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, skin irritation/allergies/damage, respiratory effects
-Acrylamide- developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, general systemic/organ effects, cancer, damage to DNA, nervous system effects, skin irritation/allergies/damage, damage to vision, respiratory effects
-Fragrance- Possible Allergic Reactions, possible carcinogen; A combination of up to 3000 fragrant chemicals - added to most personal care products
-Ethylene Oxide- cancer, developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, damage to DNA, respiratory effects, nervous system effects, skin irritation/allergies/damage, damage to vision, general systemic/organ effects
And the list goes on...
Stain Remover Simple Swaps:
1- 30ml bottle
Fill halfway with Thieves Household cleaner
Fill the rest with Thieves Laundry Soap
#3 Dirty Dryer Sheets:
The 2 most concerning ingredients in dryer sheets are fragrance (why is it everywhere?) and Dipalmitoylethyl Hydroxythylmonium Methosulfate; concerns regarding acute aquatic toxicity, developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects.
3 Dryer Sheet Simple Swaps:
Drop a few drops of essential oils to each of your balls and then toss them into the load to give a fresh smell. Refresh the drops as needed (usually every 5-8 loads).
Here are a few combos to try.
"Wool dryer balls are amazing. They reduce drying times and damage to clothes, help save $$ on electricity bills and the environment. I recently discovered them and after using them for the last couple of months I can confirm that they definitely work! These little balls live inside my dryer and have reduced drying times by roughly 15 mins per load. Isn’t that cool?! The science behind it is simple - when dryer balls bounce around the in the dryer, they separate our clothing and linen to allow hot air to circulate more evenly and efficiently, therefore reducing drying time.
... I’m very happy with the results and I highly recommend them if you use the dryer a lot like I do! They’re inexpensive, made from natural materials, so easy to use and yield tangible results. What’s not to love?"- thebuddingeco
#2 Dryer Ball Spray
Make your own dryer ball spray with your favorite oils, blends, witch hazel and water. Here are some great combinations.
Here a the supplies you'll need:
Spray bottle- 16 oz. Bottle
Witch Hazel- 1 TBSP
Essential Oils- 20-30 drops of oil (You can use the same suggestions from the dryer balls or make your own. Lemongrass and Cedarwood are also great at deodorizing.)
Want to see me make it in action? Check out this video.
Simply add one of these lavender scented baby wipes to your load for a toxin-free dryer sheet that will make your clothes smell amazing!
#4 Dirty Wrinkle Release:
According to the Environmental Working Group Wrinkle Release has "poor disclosure; May contain ingredients with potential for skin irritation/allergies/damage; acute aquatic toxicity; respiratory effects." It definitely contains fragrance that we should be weary of as consumers.
Wrinkle Release Simple Swap:
Super simple swap for wrinkled clothes... just take your Thieves Household Cleaner and apply it as you would the wrinkle release. Pull shirt and then rub your hand over the wrinkles... and voila!
Plus, you'll smell like all things fall and fresh!
Want to learn more about Ditch and Switch?
Join us over the next few weeks as we journey through some of the household topics- including simple swaps you can make, hacks, and DIY things to make this lifestyle tangible for you and your family.
Join the FREE Ditch + Switch Challenge Now!
Schedule
Week 1: Bath and Body {Sept. 9-14}
Week 2: Household Cleaners {Sept. 16-21}
Tuesday: 12+ Thieves DIY Recipes
Wednesday: Thieves Dish Soap Hacks
Thursday: DIY Thieves Wipes
Friday: All About Laundry: Double Laundry Soap, DIY Stain Stick, Dryer Balls, + Wrinkle Release
Week 3: Home Fragrances {Sept. 23-28}
Blog with info coming Sept. 23rd
Oils Made Simple
Join our oily community, where I'll take you on an exclusive journey of learning about all the essentials of an oily life. Includes: ✨ a Lifetime JPF Oils Made Simple Membership {which is basically endless recipes, DIYs, and info on oils and wellness}
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🌱 Stress Away
✨ DIY Materials for Starter Units including roller bottle blend and bath salt soak
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*This community is only available for non-young living members.
Young Living
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It includes all the oils above, plus a diffuser, Ningxia Red packets, Thieves Hand Purifier, and Thieves Spray!
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Happy Switching,
Kenzie and Lauren
References: Young Living, EWG