Lavender Laundry Detergent by Seventh Generation

Jenn A.
378 reviews
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Biodegrades but really green?

I really like the way the liquid lavender detergent smells -- and it does a great job on my clothes. They smell fresh AND clean -- the soap is biodegradable.

The downside: liquid soap isn't as concentrated as most powdered soaps. It's mostly water -- think about the amount of fossil fuels being used to transport something that is mostly water.... not pretty.

And, of course, you're using a plastic (albeit recyclable) container. Powdered soap comes in cardboard. Powdered soap has it's own problems -- it can be difficult on septic systems.

Of course - you could easily make your own laundry detergent -- with ingredients common to most grocery stores. Here's a recipe:

Homemade Laundry Soap
1/3 bar Fels Naptha
1/2 cup Arm and Hammer washing soda
1/2 cup borax powder

You will also need a small bucket, about 2 gallon size

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it and it will gel. You use 1/2 cup per load.

The finished soap will not be a solid gel. It will be more of a watery gel.

You should be able to find all these ingredients in the laundry isle of your local super market.

Make sure you get WASHING soda, NOT BAKING soda.

This recipe works well, and the only waste products are two cardboard boxes, and the paper wraper from the Fels Naptha soap bar.

More soap recipes: http://waltonfeed.com/old/soaphome.html

Jenn's keywords: soap laundry detergent DIY

Stephanie P.
200 reviews
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keeps clean

I've been using this for several years at various laundromats. I hate the plastic packaging, but the product works for me and smells good too. Some reviews say it doesn't work, you might try adding a water softener. To reduce the amount of laundry detergent you need to use, add baking soda or washing soda. These minerals soften the water, which increases the detergent's power.

Stephanie's keywords: laundry soap lavender detergent

Tricia A.
45 reviews
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Cleans well, but expensive

This detergent cleans well but at every store I go to that sells it it seems to be the highest priced laundry detergent per ounce. I really like the smell of lavender but if there is another detergent at the store that is eco-friendly (I only buy eco-friendly cleaning supplies) and smells like lavender I am going to buy that one.

Tricia's keywords: laundry detergent

Denise S.
3 reviews
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Finally, an affordable option!

I have been trying my best to make conscious decisions for many years but could not afford cleaning products that were phosphate-free or the products were sold by obscure natural stores that were not convienent or close to my home. Seventh Generation has changed that since showing up in my local grocery (Thanks Kroger!).
I can now afford to use environmentally friendly, and healthy cleaning products in my home! YEAH! Seventh Generation laundry liquits is priced at a competitive, if not much lower, price compared to those "other" laundry detergents.
The laundry liquid works very well and I LOVE the lavender scent! Our clothes come out soft and clean and I'm not polluting our rivers and streams with phosphates. PLUS! I'm becoming more and more less dependent on petroleum-based products!

Denise's keywords: Laundry detergent Seventh Generation

Dominique S.
1 review
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Smells great, cleans well

Though I will always miss the memories that the smell of Tide brings me, this detergent is a great find. Many other 'green' detergents do not really clean, or smell citrusy. This one is definitely recommended, and comes in a HE formula for more loads per cup.

Dominique's keywords: detergent laundry

Laura Z.
1 review
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Cleans with the soft scent of lavender

The lavender laundry detergent cleans powerfully and leaves your clothes with the calming scent of lavender. Best of all, the product is safe for your family and the environment.

Laura's keywords: laundry lavender detergent seventh generation

Sasha D.
1 review
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wash your clothes gently and smell nice

Seventh Generation laundry detergent is gentle on your clothes but still cleans them, gentle on the environment, and best of all perhaps leaves your clothes with a nice lavender smell (in aromatherapy lavender is relaxing!) The detergent works, is friendlier to the earth and my body, and smells great. I highly recommend it!

Sasha's keywords: detergent

Kris B.
1 review
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Reduces eco footprint and smells good!

I love this product. Seventh Generation products work just as well as any cleaning product filled with chemicals. They all smell wonderful. And its an amazing feeling knowing that none of them are made with petroleum-based ingredients. Read the label...if everyone used petroleum-free soaps, we could reduce the worlds used of oil dramatically.!

Kris' keywords: Seventh Generation Soaps

Brynne M.
1 review
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green detergent smells good

This detergent is great- none of the chemicals or bleach or anything else that other detergents have. What I especially like is the fact that I get to do my part with the (using a green detergent) but that it also smells good. You don't have to sacrifice anything (ex: the sweet scents of detergent that stays on your clothes) to use a natural, wonderful product. Nice work, Seventh Generation :)