Top 5 Green Laundry Room Tips

How can you go green in the laundry room? There are various ways. Not only is it healthier to go green with your laundry, but you can potentially save a lot of money. For example, it is less expensive to make your own healthier detergent alternatives, and you will know exactly what is in them, so you know you aren't using dangerous chemicals. 

Try these tips for going green in the laundry room:

1. Make your own detergent

It is very easy to make homemade detergent. You can make either liquid or powder laundry soap--it depends on your personal preference. For either recipe, you will need a bar of soap, washing soda and borax. You will find the green laundry detergent recipes by clicking on the link. 

2. Use less detergent

Whether you make your own laundry detergent or decide to stick with store-bought soap, you probably don't need to use as much as you think. Use half the amount the bottle recommends; too much soap can actually harm your washing machine. 

3. Skip the dryer sheets

They may smell great, but dryer sheets are loaded with yucky chemicals. A healthier option is to buy a couple wool dryer balls (affiliate link) - which last a very long time - to de-wrinkle your laundry, along with a bottle of lavender scented essential oil. Place a few drops of the oil on the wool balls and dry with your laundry. 

4. Hang clothes to dry

Whenever you can, it is much cheaper to hang clothes to dry. This may not always be your best option, however; in these cases, even taking ten minutes off the drying time can save a lot of money. The clothes will be slightly damp, so hang them on a drying rack to finish.

5. Avoid using bleach

Bleach is a very harmful cleaning product. It can burn your skin and lungs and cause long-lasting damage to your body. Instead, try healthier, greener alternatives for whitening laundry. For example, borax is known to help remove stains and it is not harmful. 

There are many ways you can go green in the laundry room, which will assist in keeping you healthy as well as save you money. By making your own laundry products, you know you will be healthier and it will cost a lot less money. 

And for those of you who haven't been following my 2014 green challenge...

Why you should "go green" in the laundry room - plus more ideas for ways to do so!

Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed. 

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Daniela Vladimirova