Maybe a strange way to start my Blog – Laundry, but I am a bit obsessed with Natural, Earth Friendly washing solutions… it all started with my first child and his Eczema journey, and now with four kids I am a bit of a laundry expert!
Eco Nuts – Natural Laundry Alternative
Eco Nuts are one of my favourite natural laundry alternatives and a brilliant swap for conventional detergents. They wash clothes really well, offer excellent value for money, and crucially don’t leave harsh chemicals sitting in fabrics — something that really matters when you’re washing clothes for children, or anyone with sensitive skin. They’re particularly good for conditions like eczema or psoriasis, much like the Eco Egg, as they clean without the usual irritants.
A useful thing to know is that it can take up to ten washes to fully remove residues from standard laundry detergents, so you might not notice the full benefit straight away. Once those old products are properly out of the fabric, many people find clothes feel softer and kinder on the skin.
Eco Nuts are very easy to use, but because they don’t contain bleach or heavy synthetic cleaners, it’s important to run a hot wash or use a washing machine cleaner every month or two. Without that occasional clean, the drum can start to smell a bit foisty — and then your clothes can too. It’s a small trade-off for avoiding unnecessary chemicals, but worth being aware of.
They’re also completely fragrance-free. From a skin and toxin point of view, that’s a good thing, but if you’re used to heavily scented laundry it can take a little adjustment. My workaround is adding a few drops of essential oil to the canvas bag that holds the nuts, or better still using dryer balls or a dry flannel with a couple of drops of essential oil in the tumble dryer — this tends to have more impact.
You also don’t need fabric conditioner when using natural laundry products like this. Conditioner is mainly designed to counteract the residues left behind by conventional detergents, which can otherwise make clothes feel stiff. When those residues aren’t there in the first place, conditioner becomes unnecessary.
From a cost point of view, Eco Nuts are excellent. Each nut can be used around four times, and you only need three to five per wash. If you live in a hard water area you may find you go through them a little faster, but up here in Yorkshire we’re lucky to have beautifully soft water, which definitely helps them go further.
Eco Egg – a gentler, more eco-friendly way to wash
Another great option if you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly, economical and skin-kind washing solution is the Eco Egg. The original version of these (Eco Ball) was a real turning point for us as a family. As I mentioned my son suffered badly with eczema, but interestingly it was never too severe on his face or nappy area, which led me to question whether it was actually what I was washing his clothes in that was aggravating his skin.
After doing my research, I switched to the Eco Ball. I followed the general rule of thumb that it can take up to 10 washes to remove residue from modern detergents, and sure enough, it paid off — his skin gradually improved. Alongside this, we added omega supplements and avoided harsh chemical cleaners and bathing products. He’s now completely eczema-free.
This experience is honestly what sparked my whole love of researching everyday products and understanding their wider effects — questioning what we’ve come to accept as “normal” and whether it’s actually the best option for our health, skin and the environment.
Wool dryer balls
Wool Dryer Balls are one of those small but brilliant laundry tools that genuinely make life easier and last forever. These 100% wool balls naturally soften clothes, reduce static and help cut down drying time by helping hot air circulate more efficiently through your laundry — which means you use less electricity every load. They’re reusable, long-lasting, and a great alternative to chemical-laden dryer sheets. A couple of drops of your favourite essential oil on the balls before you start the cycle gives your washing a lovely, subtle fragrance — perfect if you’re using an unscented washing solution like the Eco nuts
Essential oils – simple, natural fragrance with added benefits
That really just leaves essential oils. I tend to use a few drops on the little canvas bag that comes with the Eco Nuts, or around 2–3 drops on the wool dryer balls. I’ve found the scent is captured far better at the drying stage, so you get a gentle, natural fragrance without overpowering your clothes.
You can absolutely choose oils simply based on your favourite scent, but some essential oils also have well-known antibacterial, deodorising or holistic properties. Orange essential oil, for example, is often recommended for neutralising urine smells — ideal if you have little ones, elderly relatives or pets. When the kids were potty training, I even made my own fabric spray using orange oil and water, and it worked brilliantly.
For that fresh, “properly clean” smell with antibacterial benefits, tea tree is a classic. Eucalyptus is lovely through the winter months, lavender is perfect for bed sheets and sleepwear, and peppermint is great for deterring flies and pests (particularly useful for outdoor cushions). Lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint are also commonly used for their natural antihistamine properties. You can mix it up!
Laundry Sheets
If I’m caught short and just needing to grab what I can from the Supermarket or B&M, my most recent favourite is the Dr Beckman Laundry Sheets. They’re not quite the natural healthy option like the above, but they are extremely easy to use, work well and packaging is minimal making them kinder on the environment but also easy to carry home and find room for on the shelf.
Well I did warn you when I get on to something I am passionate about I can go on a bit, but I hope this has made you rethink the laundry products you use, and how you could make some small changes that would benefit your health, planet and pocket!
If you want to try any of these products yourself, click on the below image to be taken to the product page on Amazon.
