I found your green cleaning recipes, but what do you mean by “soap granules” used in the liquid laundry soap recipe? Would this alternative be safe to use in HE front load machines?
Marie, Guelph
Welcome to the rid-your-home-of-toxic-chemicals-and-petroleum-based ingredients club! Tested by yours truly, my homemade green cleaning recipes are versatile, affordable, and eco-friendly.
Soap granules or flakes are just that: bits of soap that cut grease and lift dirt. Look for brands that are biodegradable, petroleum-free, without added fragrance or perfumes, and not tested on animals. If you can’t find soap granules in the laundry aisle of your grocery store, try a local health food store or search online. You can also make your own – grate a bar of soap or use those leftover soap slivers.
Still stumped? I’ve added another DIY recipe using liquid castile soap, which is made of plant oils like coconut, olive, and hemp. Look for liquid castile soap in the laundry or personal care products aisles of your grocery or local health food store, or purchase online.
All of my laundry soap recipes work in cold water and in HE machines. Since water hardness varies across the country, it’s best to test them yourself and see the amount you’ll need to add per load. HE machines use less water, so the general rule is that you can use less soap!
Lindsay Coulter gives you the straight goods on living green. Send your questions to queenofgreen@metronews.ca. For more great tips, visit The David Suzuki Foundation at davidsuzuki.org.
