What is the right natural laundry detergent for you?

Are you one of those people who loves doing laundry? No, me either. But it has to be done, and we have so many fab options for those of us wanting to go natural, ethical and chemical free you might find yourself loving laundry time.

So we've put together this list of some of the great tox-free laundry detergents we have at Natural Supply Co to help you find the right one for you. And hopefully make doing the laundry a little bit more satisfying knowing that you are pitching in to help the planet!

Best if you don't want a strong fragrance / Best refillable option

Dirt Laundry Dispenser Bottle - original 

This comes in a glass dispenser bottle with a pump for easy use and no wastage. It has a very light 'spring' fragrance which is not overpowering at all. We love it because it is made in Australia and can be refilled with the Dirt refill pouches. We also have it in bulk so if you can make it in store, you can bring in any container to fill up from our drums.

Best plastic-free alternative

Seed and Sprout Laundry Stain Remover Bar Duo

No plastic bottles here, just two little 40g size bars that are 100% palm oil free with a refreshing fragrance from natural lemon myrtle and eucalyptus essential oils. The half moon shaped half means you can grip it easily and go to work on the tomato sugo splatter stains from last night's bolognaise.

Best for sensitive skin

That Red House Organic Soapberries

We love this zero waste laundry hero because they literally contain just one ingredient - 100% Sapindus Mukorossi Pericarp (also known as soapberry) meaning they are perfect for people with allergies.

You pop the berries in the wash in a wash bag and put in the wash. You can use the soap berries over and over again and then they completely biodegrade in your home compost.

Best multi-purpose cleaner

Dr Bronners Sal Suds  

You can add a couple of teaspoons for this concentrated spruce-scented cleaner to an average washing load but it can also be used to mop floors, wipe down benchtops or even mixed with baking soda to make a natural, non-toxic Jif alternative for sinks and baths. Super economical!

And lastly, some tips to save energy with your washing

• If you’re not using your washing machine, unplug it. Most people don’t realise that it’s still drawing energy even though it’s not on. And stop using the standby mode (yes it’s still using energy even then)
• Only wash full loads, because it takes just as much energy as a half-empty machine
• If clothes are highly soiled, be sure to pre-treat them. Doing so means you need only wash them once
• Did you know up to 90% of the energy to wash clothes is heating the water? So go ahead and turn the thermostat down and use less energy. Even better, turn it to cold. Be sure to choose laundry detergents that work best in cold water
• Special note: if you wash in cold water, be sure to clean out your machine with an occasional hot wash. We recommend the Dirt Drum Wash for a fail-safe way to clean your washing machine

Useful tips to save energy if you have to use your tumble dryer

• Use Wool Dryer Balls: They reduce drying time and your electricity bill, by absorbing moisture and creating air pockets in the load for better circulation and a more even distribution of heat.
• Wash clothes assembly line style: When you use the residual heat in your dryer from the previous load to help start a new load, you save energy. So get in the habit of washing multiple loads sequentially. Pull one load out of the dryer (to fold elsewhere), and then put a new, wet load in right away
• Use timed drying: Timed dryer settings are convenient and eco-friendly, so be sure to match the drying time to the load every time you dry clothes. For instance, nylon underwear dries faster than, say, a load of denim jeans

Best Zero or Low Waste Swaps for the Laundry

• Dirt Powder Booster: Dirt's all new powder booster is an all-in-one stain remover and whitener designed to give your washing a powerful, special ‘boost’. Formulated with plant based and organic cleaning ingredients, it specifically targets tough stains, and leaves clothes bright and fresh.

• Tuffy Stain Remover With Net: This handmade Tuffy soap is the magic all-rounder when it comes to removing tough stains. It's packed full of Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil, and covered with a net to enhance friction for greater stain removal. Use as a stain remover or pre-treater for machine or hand washing. It's great on upholstery, carpet, clothing, bed linen, make-up brushes/pads and more. 

NB: Re Laundry Sheets

• We know laundry sheets are all the rage at the moment and we were initially excited by them; but it has since come to our attention that most of these sheets contain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) which is a fossil-fuel based thermoplastic. We did a bit of investigating and although PVA is technically biodegradeablee, most wastewater treatment plants don't break down or capture PVA due to the specific conditioners needed for the degradation process. Meaning it ends up in our waterways and soil. Once PVA is in the environment, it can enter and rise up the food chain. This worries experts because it can potentially absorb dangerous chemicals, antibiotics and heavy metals at high concentrations. So our search continues for PVA-free laundry sheets. Please let us know if you come across one!

Happy Laundering!

Sarah x