How I Wash and Dry My Laundry

If there’s been one area of my housekeeping that keeps fluctuating over the past decade, it’s my laundry routine:

• For four years, I faithfully used a scented variety of Tide – but no fabric softeners.

• For two years, once I was ready to welcome my first child into the world, I switched to fragrance-free, dye-free detergent. I bought whatever was on sale, so I bought everything from Tide to Era to Purex. I still didn’t use fabric softeners.

• For another two years I made my own laundry detergent out of Borax, Fels-Naptha and Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda. I created this concoction every month and used it to wash a LOT of laundry, including load after load of baby clothes and cloth diapers.

• During the six-month transition of a move, I switched back to fragrance-free, dye-free Purex. As I got settled into a new home, I was ready to make my homemade detergent again, then discovered I shouldn’t use Fels-Naptha. Later I decided I didn’t want to use Borax.

• Over the past year and a half I tried – and liked – Soap Nuts. I tried – and didn’t like – Ecover liquid detergent. I’ve been enjoying complimentary packages of Dizzolve detergent strips. And I’ve found my absolute favorite detergent, Molly’s Suds.

My laundry routine

So what does my laundry routine look like on most days?

Typically I wash one to two loads of laundry a day. I use about half a tablespoon of powdered Molly’s Suds – and their 4 pound package lasts about six months.

Once my clothes are washed, I dry them with six wool dryer balls. (I made three of them and they’re in terrible shape. I bought three of them and they are wonderful.) Once the weather’s nice, I’ll line dry most of our laundry.

I’ve just started a new practice of washing and drying several loads of laundry on one day, then putting it away the next day. I struggle with getting clothes put away once they’re washed, dried and folded, so leaving specific days for the chore seems to be helpful. But this routine isn’t ingrained as a habit yet.

What’s in my laundry room?

I have just a few laundry products in my laundry room – my six wool dryer balls, a bag of Molly’s Suds, a bag of Soap Nuts, a container of oxygen bleach, and a box of Dizzolve. (I’m trying to save it for our summer trips – it should be helpful to carry just a few strips of detergent for my family’s week at the beach.)

What products are in your laundry room? What do you choose to use to effectively and safely clean your laundry?

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Hilary Kimes Bernstein

Hilary Kimes Bernstein is a Christ follower, wife, mama, and journalist. She writes about making healthy decisions that honor God and happen to help the environment at Accidentally Green. Short and sweet - like her writing - Hilary is the author of several healthy living eBooks.

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