Washing clothes is a daily necessity, which can require a significant impact on electricity, water and natural resources. In order to reduce this type of consumption without affecting home hygiene, here are some effective tips for washing clothes in an ecological way:
– Wash less frequently
This will not only reduce the consumption of water and natural resources, it will also prevent the fibers of the clothing from deteriorating. One garment can last a couple of times before putting it in the washing machine. In the case of sportswear, it is recommended that after use, it is spread to air out the sweat molecules, reused once more and then washed.
– Avoid using dryers
Leaving clothes in the sun is cheaper and more ecological than tumble dryers; because, in addition, it prevents them from reducing in size or that the fibers of the fabric become discolored or damaged.
– Use ecological alternatives
While the washer is filling, add 1/3 cup of soda salt, 1 and 1/2 cups of soap. In case of very heavy or very dirty clothes, add 1/4 breed of baking soda or 1/4 cup of vinegar during the first rinse. You can also soak heavily soiled clothing in hot water, adding a half cup of baking soda for 30 minutes. To remove stains, scrub with liquid soap and a solution of 2 tablespoons of sodium salt and 1 cup of hot water.
As a fabric softener, use 1/4 cup of white vinegar with the rinse water.
To unshrink the wool, dissolve 2 cups of salt in hot water and let it cool until lukewarm. Soak the garment for three hours.
As a white clothes bleach try adding 1/2 cup of sodium salt to each wash load; or you can also add lemon juice to the rinse cycle and hang the clothes in the sun.
– Remove stains with natural products
Once the clothing gets stained, try to wash it as quickly as possible. The stain needs to be neutralized with a cleaning agent like lemon juice or vinegar and an alkaline like baking soda; once this mixture is added on the stain, it is washed off with cold water.
For stained diapers: Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in hot water and let it soak for a few minutes. Then wash them.
For fruit and wine stains, it is important to cover them with salt or cold mineral water.
As for the greasy stains, filter the boiling water through the stained –white and cotton–, then put baking soda on it and scrub them with soap in water. You can also use a towel and dampen the stain with water, scrub with soap and baking soda, wash in hot water, and use extra soap.
To remove blood from clothing, simply cover the stain with salt or cold mineral water, soaking the garment in cold water. You can also mix corn starch with talc or corn flour in water. Wait for it to dry and with a brush remove the residue.
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