Thursday, May 21, 2009

“Natural” verses Homemade Detergents

We have always used a free and clear detergent for washing diapers, but we used a homemade detergent (borax, washing soda, and castile soap) for everything else. We recently started using ECOS Free and Clear Detergent for everything (mainly because we got it for a good price), and after reading a post about Borax, I'm so glad we did! Those of you who make homemade detergent using Borax, look into it!! Just because something is labeled natural doesn't mean that it is. Borax is boric acid which is labeled a poison by the government. It says to wear gloves while handling. Interesting.

100 ml of ECOS detergent is about $11-15 online, and we buy it for $8.99 at HEB!! This lasts for 100 loads in a high efficiency washer (which is what we have). Their cleaning products are super inexpensive at HEB too. ECOS products are phosphate, formaldehyde, and petrochemical free. They are safe in all temperatures. They are good to sensitive skin. They have a neutral pH. They contain plant based, non-polluting ingredients. They are septic and greywater safe (we have a septic system here at camp). They are 100 % biodegradable, and they use a recyclable bottle and cap.

Another good one is BioKleen (which, this is the brand that we use for our dish washer detergent and dish soap). The BioKleen laundry detergent is a bit too expensive for us, though J.

I make my all purpose cleaner (vinegar, water, Dr. Bronner's, and lavender essential oil), toilet cleaner, and floor cleaner, but everything else I buy now.

Anyway, I just thought I would share.

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