Detergents

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Good Guide rates "green" products, see http://www.goodguide.com/

.. Their top 3 choices for laundry are:Seventh Generation Baby Laundry Liquid DetergentEcos Powder Laundry DetergentEarth Friendly Products Ecos Ultra Concentrated LiqudTheir top-rated dishwashing products are:Method Dish Soap, CucumberSeventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Gel, LemonECOS Dishmate - AlmondThey don't seem to be as comprehensive as I'd like in which products they rate, but you can also filter the search for specific criteria. You can't go wrong with Dr. Bronner's products.Environmental Working Group publishes research reports on a variety of topics. http://www.ewg.org/.Here's an article republished on the EWG site:Eco-friendly options for the laundryThe Myrtle Beach Sun News, Knight-Ridder StaffPublished March 18, 2006While a finished load of laundry often results in clean clothes and a fresh feeling, the detergents, synthetic whiteners and fabrics softeners usually involved in the process can take a toll on both the garments and the environment.Laundering clothes with natural products rather than petrochemical detergents can help extend the life of clothes, and contribute to a cleaner environment.Here are a few examples where you can replace commercial laundry products with cost-effective, eco-friendly alternatives.DetergentBaking soda or washing soda can reduce the amount of laundry detergent needed to clean a laundry load.They also increase a detergent's efficiency by softening the wash water. As a general rule, add _ cup of soda to liquid detergent at the start of the wash.For detergents in powdered form, put in _ cup of soda during the rinse cycle. You can also purchase an eco-friendly detergent produced with biodegradable, nonpetroleum-based chemicals.BleachUse hydrogen peroxide or a nonchlorine bleach in the wash. You can also soak clothing overnight in a wash instead of chlorine bleach.Another whitening option involves soaking clothes overnight in a liquid combination of one part hydrogen peroxide to eight parts cold water, and then wash as normal.Rinse cyclePlace approximately _ cup of white vinegar during the wash rinse cycle. This will help remove detergent completely from clothes, but not leave clothes with a vinegar odor. _Fabric softener alternativeAdding _-cup baking soda to the rinse cycle can provide an alternative to using a commercial fabric softener. If you decide to go with a fabric softener from the store, select unscented sheets rather than liquid form, or check out a commercial green softener.Source: Consumer's Union; The Twin Cities Green Guide; Co-op America Foundation An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps!