Most hardcore washing machine will be happy to know that there is a solution for them: D. This is c

In the first part we talked about washing balls, sodium bicarbonate which by their mechanical action, wash ease. But what are the alternatives to detergents proper so full of phosphates and other harmful stuff for environment and health?
A few years ago I had more to say, at the time being virtually unknown in the country. Currently, however, believe that there is people who have not heard of them and probably a lot of people tried them and so they will present very briefly.
Soap nuts are a natural alternative to washing clothes is rich in saponins (15-30% compared to other plants that contain a much lower percentage, such as Soapwort, ivy, chestnuts, etc.). If you are fond of experiments (like me: P) you can make detergent for sensitive fabrics, or even shampoo chestnut (inedible), but a version more laborious and less effective (chestnuts finely cut / crush and then Boil for about an hour).
Returning to the Indian nuts, they are an environmentally friendly alternative (unless we consider that come from India, so consuming enough transport CO2) and efficient, easy to use. And economical given that can be reused 2-3 times to remove all saponin. In addition, and are very versatile and can be used not only for laundry but for various home cleaners as shampoo etc. A very complete article on their + More documentation can be found here (in French) and here you have various ways of using (in Romanian).
An interesting variant for the most daring is homemade detergent. May take various forms (solid, liquid, flakes) can be made from scratch or purchased ingredients can be complex or simple. The sky is the limit! It is an environmentally friendly alternative and simple.
In theory you need 2-3 ingredients: laundry soap (bought sodium bicarbonate or homemade, but if you take care home shall have a minimum fat excess, ie 0-2%), washing soda (sodium carbonate, Na2CO3) - high cleaning power, removing stains, remove limescale baking soda - cleans, remove limescale water sodium percarbonate bleach and borax to increase cleaning power and against limestone (but not a very organic substance). sodium bicarbonate
For a while but I've been meaning to change rapidly turned into soap flakes with a knife econom (peeler), placed in a cloth bag (essential step if you want to stay with undissolved soap on clothes) directly in the car washing. In the detergent for cleaning sodium carbonate and sodium carbonate limestone counter if clothes are white. The result is impeccable. For perfume put a few drops of essential oil in the closet when the clothes are already dry (use flavor broadcasters made a century ago and which still hold good :)).
Some recipes for homemade detergent: http://herbine.blogspot.fr/2011/06/detergent-pentru-rufe-cu-mirosul-tau.html http://mijnzeep.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/ma -poudre-for-less-faite-maison / http://codulrosu.blogspot.ro/2011/07/detergent-de-rufe-facut-in-casa.html http://frugallysustainable.com/2011/10/ my-homemade-liquid-laundry-soap /
Most hardcore washing machine will be happy to know that there is a solution for them: D. This is called lye laundry (or potash but not really used the term) and requires the presence of fire. Or rather ashes that result from a fire, so a stove, so a home .. So it's the version that I have not tested it yet.
Certain plants contain sodium bicarbonate a significant percentage of potassium carbonate (such as, for example, banana leaves, whose ashes are made from African black soap, or more on the new wood of the vine). sodium bicarbonate The resulting combustion ash, which contains a variable percentage of potassium hydroxide (so basis), and potassium carbonate. By digesting the resulting ash lye water softener (potash) which has cleaning power. Possibly can be used in the manufacture of soap from home but the process is longer in this case.
Recipes lye laundry: 2 cups crushed ash very well (should not have pieces of wood) let it soak in a liter of water, at least 24 hours and then filtered through a cloth wrapped sodium bicarbonate in several layers or more rags. Use 2-3 tablespoons in the dishwasher. ATTENTION, leaching is highly corrosive! Avoid contact with skin (in case of accidents quickly rinse with vinegar). Quick method: the same amount of ash is placed in a thick cloth or several rags, binds well and simmer for a few minutes in boiling water. Let it soak until the water cools then can use.
More about lye: http://permaculturenews.org/2012/04/21/domestic-uses-for-wood-ash/ - how it can be used ash http://zarina-ivanova.blogspot.fr/2010/ 11/intretinerea-casei-dezinfectanti.html - ide