Dryer Balls and Home Made Laundry Soap

We found these at Gilroy's Hardware

Since our personal experience with cancer, my husband and I have done everything that we can to avoid and protect ourselves from exposure to toxins.  We have found that natural cleaning agents in our home have saved money as well as protected our health.  I have been making my own laundry soap for more than a year.  It works very well, saves the environment from the constant consumption of plastic jugs and costs just a penny and a half per load!  I will post the recipe that I use at the bottom of this post if you are interested in trying it.

Dryer Balls?
Yes, dryer balls!  They look more like baby toys, but the purpose is far different.  Dryer balls work inside the dryer while the clothes are being tossed around.  They help to keep the clothes separated and offer a reduction in static.  I like how they keep certain clothing items from getting twisted and wrapped around other garments.  I only have two but the manufacturer recommends using up to 6 balls per dryer load.  This has allowed me to greatly reduce the use of fabric softener.  We currently purchase the Seventh Generation brand of plant based fabric softener.  However, I only use a quarter cap full in select loads when I need static control - fleece lovers know this.  Static issues are only a problem in the cold, dry, winter months.  

Dry cleaning? NO!
The chemical used by professional dry cleaners has been known for decades to cause cancer.  When the dry cleaned articles of clothing are handled, toxic chemicals can be absorbed through the skin (even when dry) or inhaled.  I have made the choice to no longer purchase clothing or sewing material that requires dry cleaning.  There are a few dry cleaning companies who have changed their solvents to organic and non-toxic alternatives to the chemicals that have been used since the 1930's.  If I ever had to use a dry cleaner, I would search for the "green" option.

Sprays and Fragrances?  NO!
Do you love the clean smell of window cleaner, all-purpose household cleaners or the latest anti-bacterial disinfectant spray that you use on surfaces?  Beware!  The chemicals are gaining entrance into your body through the most efficient route you have - the lungs.  If you can smell it, you are pumping it right to your liver, brain and every other cell in your body.  There is only one living cell between the air you breathe and the blood you pump.  If you are wiping it off the surface with bare hands, the chemicals are seeping into your skin and entering the blood stream through the blood system that serves every living cell of your body.  How about adopting a new concept of how "clean" should smell?  Maybe no smell at all is a "clean" smell.  Perhaps fresh air and warm potable water with a douse of vinegar can give you the "cleanest" result to your housekeeping efforts.

Laundry Soap!
I really love this stuff.  The ingredients are a bit of an investment up front, but the cost per load is only 1.5 cents.  

1/3 bar Felsnaptha soap, grated
6 cups water
1/2 cup Borax powdered detergent booster
1/2 cup Washing Soda - Arm & Hammer is one brand

1. Add grated Felsnaptha soap to 6 cups water in a sauce type pan.  
2. Heat on the stove, stirring until soap pieces melt into the water.
3. Add Borax and Washing Soda, stirring until dissolved.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Use a large pail or other 2 gallon container to finish the laundry soap.
6. Pour 4 cups hot water into container and add the hot soap mixture from the pan.  Stir.
7. Add 1 gallon plus 6 cups water.  Stir.
8. Allow to sit at room temperature for 24 hours, stirring as often as you desire.
9. Store in air tight container - I use old laundry detergent containers to keep mine.