Several years ago I revolutionized the way I ate (Maker's Diet & Metabolic Type), and who would have known where the journey would take me!  As I began to learn the truth about nutrition, it spilled over into every area of life.  I've gone organic with my soaps, shampoos, lotions, and fluoride free toothpaste.  The next area for change is my cleaning products.  I currently use Tide, but that will be changing.  I love this website and the useful, practical, healthy advice given.

Thanks to Dr. Mercola and all the faithful Vital Voters.  You all have taught me so much. 

Oh man. I feel like an idiot. For all these years I've enjoyed the "homey" smell of Downy fabric softener on my clothes. One by one I'm replacing bad habits with good. I started with the food, then tossed the microwave, then tossed the body wash and other toxin-containing personal care products, then tossed the antiperspirant (slow learner?). NOW, finally, I've ordered Shaklee laundry products. I feel better just thinking about my good choices. I'm one of those people who just loves really nice smells, and for me it's a challenge to give up the lucious smell of clean towels bathed in fragrance. Hubby HATES the smell, and is very happy that I've come around. Thanks to this website, I'm doing a LOT more healthy things for me and my family. So don't ding me, I'm trying!!!!

For 3 years I've been using my own laundry formula. Everything is biodegradable and has minimal impact on the environment (vs. traditional detergents). You can adjust the amounts to your liking or make some substitutions, but this will give you some good ideas.

For wash cycle I add 1/4th cup of baking soda, 1/4th cup borax to improve the cleansing power, allowing me to use less detergent. As for detergent I use a small amount, about 1-2 ounces of "Sal's Suds" by Dr. Bonner. It's concentrated liquid detergent (sls) without any additives. For a cheaper alternative (vs. sal's suds) , you can buy a pure laundry detergent bar (sls) and dissolve it in water for easy use in washing machines.

Natural soaps would seemingly be better (than sls) , but I have heard that they don't clean clothing well enough (for synthetic fibers at least which I must wear for work). I'll save those (natural soaps) for washing my skin and use vinegar to remove any detergent (sls) residue from my clothing.

Then add 1/4th cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Don't use apple cider vinegar or any other types as they will stain clothing. The vinegar softens the cloths, removes detergent residue, reduces static cling, and helps to normalize the ph level of the clothing making them last longer.