Issues > March/April 2007 (#119) > Cleaner and Greener Laundry

Cleaner and Greener Laundry

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Laundry Detergents

The products below are all made with renewable, vegetable-based ingredients (corn, palm kernel or coconut oil) and are either fragrance-free or scented with essential oils.

Bi-O-Kleen All-Temperature Laundry Liquid and Laundry Powder (www.bi-o-kleen.com, 503-557-0216)

Cal Ben Seafoam Laundry Cleaner (www.calbenpuresoap.com, 800-340-7091)

ECOS Liquid Laundry Detergents and Delicate Wash (www.ecos.com, 800-335-ECOS)

Ecover Natural Laundry Powder and Natural Laundry Wash (www.ecover.com, 800-449-4925)

Seventh Generation Laundry powders (www.seventhgeneration.com)

Mountain Green Skin Sensitive (www.mtngreen.com, 866-686-4733)

Our House Concentrated Laundry Care (www.ourhouseworks.com, 877-236-8750)

Trader Joe's Next To Godliness (www.traderjoes.com)

Vermont Soap Aloe Castile Liquid Soaps in unscented and essential oil-scented varieties (www.vermontsoap.com, 866-SOAP-4U2)

Dr. Bronner's Liquid castile soaps (www.drbronner.com, 877-786-3649)

Fabric Softeners

Conventional fabric softeners contain harsh chemicals and fragrances that can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Before buying any fabric softener, whether conventional or eco-friendly, try making your own at home with baking soda or white vinegar. For suggestions, see "Tips and Alternatives" below. If your home remedies don't work, consider these vegetable-based, essential oil-scented alternatives:

Seventh Generation Natural Lavender Scent Fabric Softener (www.seventhgeneration.com)

Ecover Natural Fabric Softener (www.ecover.com, 800-449-4925)

Bleaches and Stain Removers

Chlorine-based bleaches are harmful to your health and to the environment, while stain removers are frequently made with petroleum-based ingredients. Again, there are do-it-yourself solutions to bleaching and removing stains (see "Tips and Alternatives" below), but if those don't work, try these store-bought alternatives. The bleach alternatives are made with either hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate, an environmentally benign mixture of washing soda and hydrogen peroxide that breaks down into oxygen, water and soda ash.

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