Budget-Friendly Non-Toxic Laundry Swaps

Swap Conventional Laundry Detergent –> With Plain White Vinegar

Conventional laundry detergents contain harmful chemicals known to cause a wide range of health problems. These detergents leave residues behind, and once in contact with your skin, can cause inflammation, eczema, itching, and other allergic reactions. The residues are also linked to headaches, respiratory issues, hormone disruption.

A safer (and cheaper) option, is to use plain old white vinegar! Now hear me out, I know this sounds crazy and you might be thinking, won’t my clothes smell like vinegar!? No, they won’t, I promise! There are so many benefits to washing clothes with white vinegar: it’s hypoallergenic, removes stains, brightens clothes, eliminates odor, softens fabrics, and keeps your washing machine clean! A little goes a long way too!

** Vinegar should not be used in laundry when washing clothing with elastic, or when other cleaning ingredients like bleach, ammonia, or baking soda are present.

Practical Example:

Tide Original Liquid Laundry Detergent – $12.99 for 84 fl oz = $0.20/load (assuming 64 loads per 84 fl oz).

Distilled White Vinegar – $2.89 for 128 fl oz = $0.09/load (assuming 32 loads per 128 fl oz – using 1/2 cup per load).

If you’re still not convinced and cannot stand the idea of only using white vinegar, there are many other “less-toxic” detergents out there. While some can be quite expensive, there are more budget-friendly options. One example is Molly’s Suds Liquid Laundry Detergent (they have scented and unscented options) averaging about $0.22/load which is comparable to the Tide example, and can be purchased on Amazon.

Swap Dryer Sheets –> With Dryer Balls

Dryer sheets are coated with a substance infused with fabric softeners and fragrances. The heat of the dryer melts the substance and allows it coat clothing as it dries. The chemicals and fragrances in these sheets can cause rashes, eczema, headaches, and respiratory problems like asthma. Not to mention, they’re another wasteful item that ends up in landfills and are often expensive.

A safer (and cheaper!) alternative are wool dryer balls. These dryer balls can be found in retail stores, and online stores. Amazon sells a 6 pack of wool dryer balls for just $8 and can last up to five years! Compare that to the leading “Bounce” dryer sheet that sells for about $10 for 240 sheets. While the costs savings are not massive, every little bit adds up and you’re still saving money while reducing waste and protecting your family from exposure to harsh chemicals. It’s really a win-win!