Laundry

How To Save The World Podcast

PLEASE NOTE: This episode was recorded before things escalated regarding COVID-19. Please follow the health and hyguine advice of your local government, and/or WHO

As an addendum to our episode on cleaning products, this week Wave is focusing on keeping your clothes clean while keeping the planet happy.

Laundry Detergent Solutions
Soap nuts, kiwis can buy them at Ecoware house or grow your own tree.
You can check out Green Goddess' Laundry Powder DIY Kit or products at Ecostore.

Stain Removal
Check out Ethique's Solid Laundry and Stain Remover Bar – no plastic, no palm oil.
General tips on stain removal are available here and here's a useful super infographic.

Most eco-friendly bleaches contain Sodium Percarbonate, because it's way better for the environment than regular bleach. However Wave still has reservations and try and live without it. Here is the Safety Data Sheet for Sodium Percarbonate [warning: PDF].
Bluing Powder takes the yellowing out of sheets. We love it. Kiwis can grab it from Green Goddess

Outsmart Green Washing
Words like Natural or Biodegradable don't mean they are good for the environment
I take it as a warning sign if companies haven't listed, (or plainly listed) their ingredients. Take a moment to think about what they are silent on.

Watch out for SLS's: Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate. These are super common nasties because they are cheap and they work.
You can also wade through EcoStores ingredients index. It's the best we've seen for summarizing health and safety information on common household chemicals. Its alphabetical, non searchable but thorough, and based on independent industry findings.
Google the product you would like to check + Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to find the low down. If you can't find an SDS (assuming you are a competent Googler) it probably means the product doesn't need one, which is good – only hazardous substances (a lot cleaners in the supermarket) need them.

STAIN REMOVAL

FOOD and WINE STAINS:
Club Soda & Salt (sit overnight and then wash regularly.).
Vinegar (Soak then wash as normal)
White Wine on RED wine
SWEAT AND YELLOWING STAINS:
Lemon Juice & Salt
Baking Soda (Make a paste Let sit for an hour)
Aspirin (Crush and mix with warm water until a paste forms. let it sit for an hour before rinsing it off)
SHEETS & PILLOWCASES YELLOWING : Bluing powder!! Green Goddess. Needs SUN
DIRT:
Vinegar (just swap out your detergent for a cup of white vinegar);
Shampoo;
Stale Bread (If you have stale bread around just gently rub the bread - gluten absorb the dirt. Gluten free bread will not work).
BLOOD:
Lemon Juice
Salt & Cold Water
Baking Soda

Thanks to Auckland Council and Live Lightly for supporting this...

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