Cleaning your organic fabrics and bedding

If you've recently purchased organic clothing, bedding or towels, the last thing you want to do is add chemicals back into the fabric when you wash them. Commercial laundry soaps and fabric softeners are loaded with chemicals that can cause skin irritation and allergy issues completely defeating the reason for going organic - getting away from harsh chemical residue and creating a healthier environment.

So what do you use to wash and freshen your organic fabrics the natural organic way?

I recommend and use Dr. Bronners magic soaps in my laundry and in my shower/bath (tea tree soap is excellent for the bath). Not only are Dr. Bronner's soaps certified under the USDA National Organic program but also certified Fair Trade. Any of the castile liquid soaps will work but the Lavender and Lemon are excellent choices for laundry. I have found that about a 1/4 to 1/3 cup for a full load does the trick and that's with cool water. They are very concentrated so a little goes a long way.

To naturally lighten and brighten your whites,  a cup of lemon juice added to your wash will do a wonderful job - so much better than caustic bleach which also makes fabrics break down more quickly. Let your laundry soak for awhile after adding the lemon juice and before running your wash cycle if you have really stubborn stains. It's also a great way to use up your lemons - my little meyers lemon tree is a prolific producer and they can quickly pile up!

Rinse cycle. Adding chemical softeners with fake scents simply coats and flattens the fabric and keeps them from doing their job of absorbing water (especially on towels and bathrobes), not to mention putting you right back at square one with chemical residue. Use one cup of white distilled vinegar to soften and help release soap residues (although Dr. Bronners releases from fabric very easily, the vinegar is a great sanitizer and softening agent). If you still feel you need dryer sheets, try products that are free from the fake scents - these are simply more chemicals.

Making soap. I have not done this but know there are a lot of great websites out there that can help you make your own laundry soap which is not only a money saver but also another way to avoid the onslaught of chemicals. Anyone out there try this? How did it work for you? What can you recommend?

Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to Organic Talk & Tips! Here you will find a variety of topics about organics, organic living and ideas for creating a healthier, safer and more eco-friendly home environment for you and your family, plus some personal things from time to time. I also welcome any ideas and tips from visitors to Organic Talk & Tips or suggestions. This is a forum for information but also a place to share and help each other change our world to a more natural and organic way of living and being.

That old saying "less is more" is true when it comes to our food and our environment. Over the years, I have found that doing just a few simple things can make a big difference. Organics is not just a life style, but also a new way of looking at the things we do every day. It's really about following our instincts and getting back to basics as we eliminate things that can contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle while improving our overall well-being. As we all know some days are better than others, but we can always start fresh and try again tomorrow!

While I have maintained an organic vegetable and herb garden for years, I am most passionate about products for the bed and bath - especially organic bedding. There is nothing like an organic bed and sleeping on cotton and wool fabrics. Resting on pure and natural fabrics, free from chemicals and pesticides really can help induce a more deep and restful sleep!

Although we are headed into spring the nights are still chilly and I'm not ready to take my organic wool comforter or thick, cozy cotton blankets off the bed just yet.  Maybe in a month...or two!     Deb