I just treated a load of laundry with a half cup of WASHING SODA - the results were amazing. I didn't use any soap at all, just cold water and the washing soda. I checked on the clothes after letting them agitate for a few minutes and the water was murky and grey. By the end of the cycle, everything was noticably brighter. Did I find the secret of color safe bleach???

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Soapnuts are great for removing normal dirt and smells, but you need to remove stains first. They produce hardly any lather, so you can save water on rinsing. I've used them for more than a year now, both hand washing and in the washing machine on the shortest possible cycle. They're economical because you can use them a couple of times on the same day. I use them first time for dirty things, second time for things like towels etc. They also act as a natural fabric softener. I've read that you can also blend them with water to make liquid soap but haven't tried this yet. When finished they can go on the compost heap or with organic waste.

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gr Een:
I understand your comments regarding costs. Personally, we use rubbing alcohol+water to clean our countertops and mirrors; it's cheaper than Windex and works better (no streaking or fogging!). Baking soda is an excellent scrub for sinks, caked on grease, etc., and is 2lbs/$1 at most dollar stores. Vinagre, peroxide, lemon juice, and rubbing alcohol are at similar prices at the dollar stores. When it comes to items like bleach, laundry or dish detergent, they're actually more expensive at the dollar store because the concentration is so low that more has to be used.

I use products from our kitchen to clean my face (honey, baking soda, olive oil, fresh fruit). I do know that when I lived in Newark, there weren't any real grocery stores, so getting anything fresh (let alone organic or local) was impossible. There are tons of fresh fruit/vegetable markets in most of the neighborhoods I've lived in across the country; many ethnic neighborhoods have great variety at unheard of prices elsewhere.

The "smug" get to most of us; those super-consumers who get the same over-priced stuff but now are getting "more natural" versions of the same thing (most of which get their natural or organic monikers through green-washing).

Caring for the environment AND oneself and family doesn't have to be expensive. Most of us are on a tight budget. Switching to wind-energy from other sources would cost my household an additional $12-20 per year, not month. There are choices.

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Until we have a house, hanging things outside is not an option (I'm sure that there are laws against it in New York). Aside from undergarments and dress shirts, I never buy anything white. That said, I don't think that there has ever been anything that has been able to completely ride collars/pits of sweat stains (natural or otherwise). Soap, borax, chlorine bleach, baking soda, lemon juice, peroxide, oxy clean--none work on pure cotton sweat stains--once the stain is there, it's permanent. Trying to dye the fabrics afterwards won't work either (the sweat area will be highlighted).

What I am curious about, however, is whether anyone has tried Soap Nuts (Chinese Soapberry). I've read good reviews on the various sites, but there's nothing on Care2 regarding them. Has anyone tried them?

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This comment can apply overall to this web community--care2 and all its concerns, petitions, wishes and desires for the universe. If no one has ever heard of Maslow's Hierarchy, they should look it up. It's more than I have the energy to explain right now, but the bottom line is that if a person's immediate needs are not being met, they cannot focus on any of the levels of needs or values that are next in the hierarchy, including environmentalism or concern for anything or anyone. There are several levels on this hierarchy that is shaped like a pyramid with the basic necessities being on the bottom and largest level. My point is this. Let's suppose that someone's ability to work has been interfered with, sabotaged, and abused to the point that they can no longer hold a job. When they're at the cheapo store, they're probably going to buy a .93 bottle of bleach which will last and sanitize their home for an extremely long time as opposed to stocking up on much smaller bottles of vinegar and lemon juice, regardless of that person's true, honest concern for the environment. This applies to their reactions to anything and everything in need beyond their need to have sanitary food, clothing, shelter. The pets will get cheap food, they themselves will get cheap food, all miscellaneous household items will be cheap, etc. I think you get the point. To onlookers who should be minding their own business, this might appear to be something entirely different.

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I add lemon juice in the rinse, and my whites always look bright and clean.

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I think the comment on “About Light” on fabrics dried outdoors above is vague; since I did some research I wanted to let you all know what I found out.
Sunlight for some natural fibers is not recommended, especially protein based like silk and even on cellulose based. Silk will deteriorate if exposed to sunlight too long too often; wool, cotton, linen, will fade. The best way to dry any natural fabric outdoors is out of sunlight in shade. Whites, like sheets, towels and clothing can be sunlight dried but should not be left out longer then it takes to dry them depending on the climate you live in. Table lines made of linen should be stored rolled on tubes or hung straight like trousers because the fibers are stiff and it breaks the fibers when they are folded and stacked on top of each other. This will eliminate snags, holes and wear in spots. The comment on “keeping whites in the dark will make them yellow” is only if they are not worn or used. Yellowing is caused by oxidation just like paper or anything that has been exposed to air and light it is a natural effect on pretty-much anything white. Yellowing can also be caused by poorly made detergents and whitening and bleaching products as well as fabric softeners, but also your deodorants, body lotions and oils. These products usually leave a slight residue unless your washing machine goes through several rinse cycles, especially after fabric softeners. (I only use them every third or fourth time in the wash). To keep things from wearing down from air and light keep seldom used fabrics in vacuum-packed containers in dark dry places like a closet or attic.

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THANKS A LOT FOR MAKING OUR LIVES EASIER AND ECOFRIENDLY!

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I just wanted to bring up Miracle II Outreach Products. They are great and beautiful gifts from God that are ALL Natural and healing as well. I can use them for everything from steam cleaning my carpet to washing my skin every morning. Washing my hair - helps my dandruff mightily. I still need to try out the sea salt Miracle II combo and sea what all happens there. Check it out. I also haven't had those extreme sugar OR food cravings since I started taking the Nuetralizer. I have the Soap, used both moisturizing and non, the gel is my favorite because I have flaky skin using my intense acid skincare. I look blooming like why use makeup! It is great. It detoxes you and I did my laundry with it and am completely satisfied. The list goes on but the fun is looking it all up on the net. In these times I am not upset to be less hungry for junk and not need to consume so much food anymore. It was ridiculous.

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Tim could you please give me your recipe for laundry detergent with borax, washing soda, and ? Thanks!

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