Do you take good care of your clothes? If you think that washing and drying them is good enough, think again. The detergent you love because of its fresh fragrance is also most likely filled with harmful chemicals and other toxic ingredients that are bad for your skin, the environment, and destroy your clothing.
Caring for your clothes is crucial if you want them to last longer. It’s essential to separate colors, whites, and different fabrics when you do a load of laundry. Remember to close zips, empty pockets, and unentangle trouser legs and long sleeves. Choosing the right laundry products is also crucial. Instead of picking the most potent formulations to keep your clothes well-scented and wrinkle-free, consider natural options. If this is your first time attempting more sustainable, eco-friendly laundry options, here’s where to begin.
Wool Dryer Balls
Do you know what’s in those dryer sheets you love so much? You probably don’t want to know. Dryer sheets leave your clothes with a beautiful fragrance, but they contain harmful chemicals. The ingredients in regular dryer sheets can ruin your clothes and increase instead of decrease static cling.
Besides, the chemicals and fragrance they release into your dryer can ruin the machine too. A good option is to use a wool dryer ball instead of a dryer sheet. Natural wool dryer balls soften your laundry naturally, help cut down on drying time, and are eco-friendly.
Baking Soda
Not all of the natural laundry detergent options will smell as good as you’d like them to. You can sometimes use a drop of essential oils, but consider baking soda if you want a more natural scent. Adding a little baking soda to a load of laundry keeps it smelling fresh, but that’s not the only benefit.
Scented detergents can ruin delicate women’s clothing like petite sweaters, cardigans, and wool sweaters. Some essential oil can destroy fabrics, especially wool yarn on sweaters and pullovers. Baking soda is a no-risk option to add to your washer the next time you do a load of laundry. It may not have a specific fragrance, but your clothes will be fresh and stain-free.
Wooden Hangers
How you dry and store your clothes also affects their quality. Not all wet clothes should go straight into your dryer. Air-drying can prevent delicate fabric like knits and natural wool from getting destroyed in a tumble dry machine. After your clothes are dry, fold them immediately to avoid any wrinkles from setting into the fabric.
And, if you’re hanging sweaters, jeans, and knits in your closet, ensure your hangers are of good quality. Plastic hangers can stretch out petite clothing, dig into and tear your knits and create permanent marks on the shoulders of more delicate sleeves. Pick natural wooden hangers instead. Hangers made from material like bamboo wood are a great way to maintain and care for your clothes.
Natural Detergent
If you don’t want to destroy your clothes with harmful chemicals, ditch your laundry detergent for a more natural option. You can pick from natural laundry soaps, make a homemade detergent, or look for a chemical-free store-bought option. If it’s your first time selecting an all-natural option for your washer, it’s best to do your research.
Consider shopping around for an eco-friendly option that suits your fragrance and price options. While most natural laundry detergent is eco-friendly, it’s not always great for your clothing. Ensure the ingredients are suitable for the fabric on everything from your blankets and tees to your skirts, sweaters, and jackets.
Vinegar Solutions
Forget about fabric softeners and harmful chemicals for your clothing. Vinegar solutions are a more natural alternative to liquid fabric softener, and they can help with stains too. Simply mix a little white vinegar with water for a pre-soak option. You can add lemon too, just make sure the solution is not too harsh for delicate fabrics. Remember to use distilled vinegar, especially if you’re adding it into the machine undiluted when you wash your clothes.
Cover photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels
