Story of my life: laundry to do. My sweet housekeeper, who did laundry, went home to Peru when the calendar flipped to 2010. I guess she decided to stay because my “to iron” pile hasn’t been touched since 2009. Let’s face it: laundry stinks. I hate it. I want the laundry fairy to visit my house, preferably three times a week. Here’s the thing – if we must do mundane tasks, let’s look for ways to enjoy it a little more. Here are four eco-friendly ways to enjoy your next load of laundry: Happy Earth Day!
The Farmhouse Laundry Line, by Sweet Grass Farms
This has a funny story which involves me. A good friend was turning 40 and I couldn’t decide what to get her, so I bought her laundry detergent. How lame am I? It was just this: I was at that fabulous A La Maison store on 8th Avenue and I was overcome with just how PRETTY the packaging was – I’m a sucker for a pretty package – and it made me WANT to do my laundry.
With a bottle of Farmhouse fabric softener, and the oh-so-good smelling laundry sachets, I was hooked and bought the whole set for the her big day. My rationale: my dear friend with the birthday will moan – just like I do – about the never ending laundry that 3 kids within a 5 year spread will produce. So, while others gave her jewels and bags, I gave her laundry detergent. With a giggle I say, “What are friends for?” But, I wanted to make that low and dark point of her life a little brighter and feast your eyes upon this detergent and tell me this wouldn’t make you want to do an extra load tonight?
Add the Laundry Sachet bags to the dryer cycle and you have a green way to add a fresh scent to your clothes. Each sachet bag lasts 5-6 washes and they are great for sock and underwear drawers as well. By the way, I did add a nice candle with the theme of a brighter life. But, when the next 40th birthday comes my way, I may just go the conventional route….jewelry. The Farmhouse
Martha Stewart Clean
Martha Stewart has tackled laundry from a green point of view. No, I don’t mean she hand stitched a green monogram to each sock – well, maybe she did that as well. But, she really is on a mission to make you change the way you think of clean. Clean does not smell. Clean is pure. Clean is clear. Clean is only available at Home Depot or at www.marthastewart.com. Here is the description for her new line called Clean.
Martha Stewart Clean Laundry Detergent uses a powerful 99+% plant- and mineral-based formula that removes stains, keeps colors looking new, and leaves your clothes smelling fresh without added perfumes. One double-concentrated bottle of detergent is enough for 85 loads of laundry, making it a great value. It works in both regular and high efficiency (HE) machines and a built-in measuring pump means you won’t accidentally pour too much or spill. What’s more, Martha Stewart Clean Laundry Detergent has no artificial colors or preservatives and is free of SLS and other skin irritants. It comes in a unique 128 fluid ounce bottle that is made of recyclable HDPE.
It’s $17.98 – for 85 loads – and the reviews online are 5 out of 5 stars. Hoping to be inspired, I bought some and I agree: 5 stars. I liked the product so much that I decided to buy practically the whole line: glass cleaner, all purpose cleaner, laundry softener and dish soap. To see all the Clean products available, click here.
Next time you’re at Home Depot, check out the Clean line. It’s located near the mops, which was convenient as I needed one of those as well.
Green Wash Ball
A product that has piqued my interest, but I have yet to try, is the Green Wash Ball. For $29.99 you get this little green ball that apparently cleans your clothes by changing the ph level of the water in your machine. The ph level change removes the dirt. The video says simply, “It’s science!” It lasts for 1,000 washes. Yes one thousand washes. It’s made by the same company that markets those spiky looking blue dryer balls that are used instead of fabric softener. I’d love to try this gizmo and when I do, I’ll be sure to post the results on our StyleBlueprint Facebook page. The online reviews are mixed; here is one from Amazon and this one from Lighter Footstep. I do question the ability to sanitize with this GreenWashBall. If anyone has further information, by all means please comment! Green Wash Ball
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap
You are either part of the Dr. Bronner’s cult, or you don’t know anything about it. That seems to be the extremes this company cultivates. Dr. Bronners has been in the soap making business for 150 years and is certified under the National Organic Program AND is Fair Trade. And, of course hemp oil is one of the ingredients…. Actually, I say that in jest as the Industrial Hemp Movement is one worth knowing about. The most interesting thing about these Dr. Bronner’s cleaners is that you can use them on your counter top, your bathroom, your clothes and then soap up and wash your hair and your dog with it! Ahhhhh, now you see it. Every camper in America falls into the Dr. Bronner cult because it’s truly the all purpose magic cleaner needed out in the woods. I’m not sure how a washing machine would handle the soap, but for sink washing while traveling, this product is great. See the website for information on all the products offered from this eco-friendly company. Available at Whole Foods.
There are many others out there and with all this laundry I’m sure I’ll eventually try them all. Bye for now. I really do need to get back to my laundry….
