Washing Soda and Household Soap
It is ecologically advisable to replace synthetic chemical detergents for eco-friendly ones, however shop bought eco-detergents can be quite expensive or difficult to source.
So, besides preserving the environment and protecting our health, it is the depth of our purse that persuades many of us to abandon shop-bought cleaning products.
An additional benefit is that natural soaps can be utilized for many different purposes. Also, making our own homemade products creates an opportunity to be creative.
Washing soda (sodium carbonate)
Washing soda is a general household detergent, dissolving grease and softening water; it is alkaline, which means it is effective in removing built up calcium in places like the insides of a kettle. Washing soda dissolves easily in hot water. In the process of its production there are no by-products which have a negative effect on the environment. It is also inexpensive. It can be found in both health shops or supermarkets.
Washing soda and other natural cleaners, when used properly, are more gentle than chemical detergents and therefore using them might require a bit more elbow grease and time.
When washing clothes 1/2–1/3 of your normal washing powder can be replaced with washing soda. By doing this, your clothes will be softer and their colour will last longer – to achieve this wash your clothes at 40–60 Celsius.
Washing Gel
It is possible to make washing gel from household soap.
First, grate the soap, then boil it in distilled water. For white clothes add sodium carbonate to the gel. When rinsing the clothes add a mild acid such as cider vinegar – this neutralizes any alkali left in the cloth. It is also nice to add essential oils when washing clothes, e.g. tea tree oil (which has fungicidal and bactericidal effects), or lavender oil (which is soothing). Citrus oils can also be used. This gives the clothes a pleasant odour.
Another use for washing gel is to wash cooking and eating utensils.
Put 1 spoon of sodium carbonate in 5 litres of hot water (after washing glass with this detergent, rinse the glass with vinegary water, to remove streaks). Do not clean aluminium with this type of washing gel. If you have sensitive skin, use rubber gloves when doing the washing up to avoid skin becoming dry.
Comments