What’s the number one problem you face in your laundry? The seemingly never-ending pile of clothes that never goes away? Your socks mysteriously being eaten by the washing machine? Or the amount of environmentally harmful products that seem to live in this one room? They’re probably all as equally frustrating. While I can’t click my fingers and make your laundry pile disappear or solve your sock-kidnapping issue (but seriously – where do they GO?), I can give you tips on how to make your laundry more eco-friendly.

Swap your chemical-filled laundry detergent to one that’s plant and mineral-based

Let’s start with the biggie – laundry detergent. We all know that regular laundry detergents are bad for the environment. They are not biodegradable, they contaminate our waterways, rivers and oceans with toxic metals like cadmium and arsenic, and studies have shown that phosphate, a common chemical in detergents, builds up in our waterways and leads to eutrophication – that is, big algae blooms that starve fish and other plant life dependant on oxygen.

EcoStore’s Laundry Powder is a plant and mineral-based powder. First things first – if you have sensitive skin or skin allergies… look no further, this one’s for you! Being free from harsh chemicals, such as phosphates, optical whiteners and artificial fragrances, their laundry powder is not only kinder to your skin, it’s also greater for your overall wash and our waterways. EcoStore’s Laundry Powder comes in 1kg packs, and as they’re safely super concentrated, that gives you 32 washes per pack! How’s that for a bang for your buck?

Swap your plastic pegs to stainless steel pegs

Plastic pegs… They’re durable and they last forever. And by that, I mean the peg’s remains and the shards of plastic scattered all over your backyard after they’ve done their job of snapping, rusting and staining your clothes for only a mere 3 months.

Metal pegs are the pegs you will pass onto your children! That Red House’s Stainless Steel Pegs are 100% waste free, eco-friendly, and will be the last set of pegs you’ll ever buy again in your life. They also have a minimal design as they’re made from one piece of metal, and trust us when we tell you they’ll last a lifetime, won’t rust or stain your clothing.

Swap out your ordinary laundry detergent and try soapberries!

But wait… what are soapberries? Soapberries are the fruit of the Sapindus Mukorossi tree. This tree grows in different regions of the world, but is most prevalent in the Himalayas – that’s where That Red House’s Soapberries are from – and they are harvested by small local communities under ethical conditions.

Soapberries are 100% organic, biodegradable, zero waste, scent free, plastic free, chemical free and vegan. They’re also hypoallergenic, so they’re a great choice for babies, children, and those with sensitive skin or skin allergies. But how do you use soapberries? Easy.

Step 1: Place five soapberry shells in the small cotton bag provided.
(Optional: If you prefer some scent in your laundry, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil on the wash bag.)

Step 2: Add the bag to the wash load.

Step 3: Once the shells turn thin and brittle, add them to your compost or bury them in the garden for them to break down naturally. That’s it!

Did you know that soapberries can also be used as an all-round household cleaner, shaving cream AND hand wash, amongst other things? Don’t worry, I won’t overwhelm you with too much information – I’ll save that one for another blog!