Launder Your Clothes Responsibly

You may be contributing to the demise of streams and lakes without even realizing it:

• Many detergents contain excessive amounts of phosphates. When the sewage system deposits the waste water in bodies of water, the phosphates stimulate the growth of algae and other plants. The end result is a decrease in the oxygen content of the water, fish kills, and in extreme cases, a river to lake devoid of life. Some states have banned the use of phosphates in detergents.

• Chlorine bleaches increase the chlorine content of water bodies to the detriment of plant and animal life.

• Some pretreatment stain removers contain toxic ingredients.

You can get your clothes clean without harming the environment:

• The side of your detergent box contains information about the amount of phosphorus, in the form of phosphates, that it contains. Multiply the percentage of phosphorus, it contains 15% phosphates.

• If the amount of phosphorus in your detergent is over 2%, switch to a different brand. Some contain no phosphorus at all, while others are as low as 0.5%. Most liquid detergents are phosphate free.

• An alternative is to use pure laundry soap (powder or flakes) instead of detergents. If your water is hard, add borax along with the laundry soap.

• Use washing soda instead of bleach to remove stains.

• Hers is a recipe for a pretreatment spray that is a winner on three counts. It is not harmful to the environment; it does not come in an aerosol can; and it is inexpensive. Ingredients: ¼ cup ammonia, ¼ cup white vinegar, 1/8 cup baking soda, 1 tablespoon liquid soap, 1 quart water. Mix, label, and store in a pump-spray container.