Laundy Detergent: Eco-Friendly But Cleans Well
Is there an eco-friendly detergent that can actually clean well? Vivian posted this in one of our comments:
hey mamas ~ i'm looking for a laundry detergent that will still be very kind to my three-month-old's skin (and the environment) but will be perhaps a little more robust in the cleaning arena...i've been using seventh generation, which is great in general, but sometimes my partner's clothing -- especially those he uses for running in -- could peel the paint off walls, and shy little seventh generation just isn't up to the task. i've tried using an oxygen bleach to soak garments first, but i don't like the extra step or the weird 'feel' that it gives cloth...it might be a lost cause, but i thought i'd ask first! any suggestions?
charlie's soap is the awesomest. you can get it here in pdx at mother nature's or order it from charlie's website http://www.charliesoap.com/
Posted by: kyrie | March 29, 2007 at 07:23 AM
We use Bi-O-Kleen laundry powder. It has no fillers, borine, chlorine, metasilicates, borax, or caustics - basically nothing that will irritate baby's skin. Bi-O-Kleen has color safe oxygen-bleach in it so it should give you better results on the running clothes.
Posted by: Tony at Milagros | March 29, 2007 at 07:59 AM
Do you use cloth diapers with a diaper cover? I've read (unfortunately) that some of the nature-friendly laundry soaps contain a citrus oil that can break down the coating on the covers. Charlie's soap was recommended, as was E-Cover. Unfortunately I think Bi-O-Kleen might have it but I've used it in the past with no harmful results.
I normally use whatever natural soap is on sale and I will throw in a little bit of OxyClean if hubby construction clothes are really nasty, or if I have a diaper cover with a serious, um, blowout issue. Just a little bit goes a long way and so far (knock on something wooden) doesn't seem to bother my 7 1/2 month old daughter's skin.
Posted by: Melissa | March 29, 2007 at 09:07 AM
We use Bi-O-Kleen for cloth diapers, it works great! It has the a-ok from all the diaper cover and wrap manufacturers we carry at the store (which is extensive).
Posted by: Tony at Milagros | March 29, 2007 at 09:27 AM
Bi-O-Kleen works great! The powder is better than the liquid form.
Posted by: sg | March 29, 2007 at 09:59 AM
I can't live without Bi-O-Kleen laundry powder!!
Posted by: KW | March 29, 2007 at 01:49 PM
We like Planet, found at Fred Meyer. It has no citrus oils and always gets our stuff, including training pants, very clean.
Posted by: Amanda | March 29, 2007 at 02:38 PM
FWIW I read about the citrus oil here, in use with FuzziBunz:
http://www.fuzzibunz.com/faq.php#q8
" Q. What kind of detergent is recommended to use with Fuzzi Bunz?
A. Tide Regular or Free, Cheer Regular or Free, Arm and Hammer Regular or Free, Allen's Naturally, E-Cover or Purex and Charlies Soap – the two highest recommended are Allen’s Naturally (www.allensnaturaly.com) and Charlies Soap (www.charliesoap.com). Please note that most detergents sold in health food stores are NOT suitable for Fuzzi Bunz because they use citrus oils as a surfactant – what gets stuff clean. Citrus oils will cause repelling because oil and water do not mix. We have tested many “natural” detergents for use with Fuzzi Bunz and Allen's Naturally, E-Cover and Charlie’s Soap are the only three detergents that we have found that have been successful at cleaning Fuzzi Bunz and ARE natural alternatives to store bought detergents. Soap Products such as Dr. Bronners will leave soap scum on the fabric. Dreft has softeners which cause repelling as well."
Also on the Happy Heinys site:
"The following detergents will cause a soap build up. Do NOT use them.
· Dr. Bronner’s Soap
· 7th Generation
· Bio-Kleen
· Ivory Snow
· Dreft
· Any ALL free detergents.
· Sport-Wash and Sensi-Clean – These have the potential for detergent burn in babies."
So I guess if you aren't specifically a Fuzzi Bunz or Happy Heinys user then you should be okay with Bio-Kleen! I echo that it is a wonderful product. :-)
Posted by: Melissa | March 29, 2007 at 03:03 PM
Thanks for the detailed info Melissa.
The initial recommendation we had seen from Happy Heinys was in favor of detergents such as Bi-O-Kleen instead of laundry soaps. The concern was that soaps build-up in the microfiber.
I apologize if we missed a change in their recommendation on this. Our own experience with two Happy Heinys babies (and we only use Bi-O-Kleen) has been no build-up issues. But despite this experience, we can't formally counter a recommendation from the manufacturer itself.
On a related note, in October 2006 Happy Heinys informed all retailers via email that Charlie's Soap should absolutely not be used with Happy Heinys. It looks like that message hasn't made it to their website yet.
Posted by: Tony at Milagros | March 29, 2007 at 05:29 PM
Hi! We use Cal-Ben NON-detergeant laundry soap, that goes forever. Our daughter was allergic to detergents, so soap was the way to go for us. We love the soap. My husbands white t-shirts did not turn yellow in those "spots" around the collar and pits for much longer than other detergents. Clothes feel clean. We do add bio kleen oxygen scoops to most loads just to help the pure soap work a little better, but that's the only exta step. Hope this helps.
Posted by: Melissa | March 29, 2007 at 07:55 PM
Just wanted to throw Country Save into the mix. It was recommended by a cloth diaper board and I am very impressed so far. It is extremely reasonably priced and seems to rinse cleaner than any other eco detergents I have tried. I think they are local (PNW) as well. :) Good luck!
Posted by: Figlette | March 30, 2007 at 08:50 PM
PS For the paint peeling, have you tried Borax? It has worked miracles for me on some less than fresh pet beds and towels.
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Posted by: Discount North Face | November 21, 2011 at 09:46 AM
Try the seventh generation POWDER... a whole different beast compared to the liquid... really good with stain removing..
Posted by: debie | November 22, 2011 at 11:06 AM