Scent-Free Dryer Sheets

I don’t use dryer sheets. I’m really not bothered by static cling, but for those of you who are and do not want to use toxic fragranced dryer sheets, here are some suggestions.

Several companies make fragrance-free dryer sheets. Seventh Generation is one of them.

Photo by Seventh Generation

Purecosheet is a non-disposable option. It is a reusable cloth dryer sheet that contains no chemicals. It is good for more than 500 loads.

Photo by Reuseit.com

Another option is to use a damp cloth in your dryer cycle. Also, a ¼ cup of white vinegar in the washer is known to reduce static. I use vinegar to freshen my laundry so I am also getting the anti-static benefits as well.

Chlorine Free Bleach

Don’t use chlorine bleach.  It’s toxic.

I’ve used Seventh Generation’s Free and Clear chlorine free bleach.  It is a non-toxic oxygen bleach, meaning it uses hydrogen peroxide.  There are no harmful fumes and won’t discolor clothing.

Seeing as this is a hydrogen based bleach, you can also hydrogen peroxide.  Vinegar and citrus acids, like lemon juice, are also effective alternatives.

Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder

I found Charlie’s Soap laundry powder at Whole Foods and I really like it.  Most of the time I use Ecos Free & Clear laundry liquid but someone had recommended Charlie’s Soap to me so I wanted to give it a try.

Charlie’s Soap laundry powder is non-toxic, biodegradable, and truly scent-free.  You do not need fabric softeners with it.  In fact, they are not recommended.  It is HE machine safe, and one scoop per load means you get 80 loads out of a small 2.64 lb container.  Charlie’s soap also makes a liquid laundry detergent, as well as an array of other laundry and cleaning products.

Charlie’s Soap

How to Use Green Cleaning Products

Conventional cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that pollute indoor air quality. Use these tips to get your home clean without chemicals. Remember, clean doesn’t have a smell.

Source: Patty Kim, Correspondent for National Geographic’s The Green Guide

Green Cleaning Your Home

Because of my sensitivities to synthetic fragrances, I clean my home with natural ingredients. There are so many wonderful green cleaners on the market, like Seventh Generation. I use a lot of their products. But it’s also easy to make your own.

The four ingredients I use to clean anything in my home is water, baking soda, vinegar and castile soap. Baking soda has a multitude of uses (which I will be blogging about later). It is a great abrasive agent to scrub your hard surfaces such as your sinks, showers and bathtubs. I even use it as a toilet cleaner. Vinegar is a great disinfectant. I use it with water to clean up after my little yorkie’s “accidents” around the house. When I need a soap to get the job done, I use Dr. Bronners, another product I will be reviewing and blogging about later.