Hi there fellow Steemians. I wanted to firstly start this post by thanking @eco-alex and everyone @EcoTrain for welcoming me aboard an amazing community here on Steemit. This will be my first contribution to the group and I must say that I am feeling rather elated.

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Loading my washing machine(original image)

Laundry detergents, washing up liquids, fabric softeners, kitchen and bathroom cleaners.

Since 1933 following the introduction of synthetic cleaners, the modern world has been happily keeping their families clean. However studies over the years have increasingly shown that using these cleaners can not only pose a risk to human health, but also contributes to water pollution and disruption of the ecosystem and aquatic life, with potential long term effects.

Synthetic cleaners were created and introduced as an alternative to soaps which were known to leave residue and buildup. Today they come in an array of packaging with different scents to appeal to our senses and promise to rid your house and clothing of dirt and germs. They are often quite costly and their packaging, for the most part is also another huge contributory factor to environmental devastation. The way in which they are produced in factories that emit chemical clouds, dispose of high concentrations of chemicals into waterways and the emissions used by the trucks that transport the finished products to warehouses and supermarket are all wreaking havoc to the environment.

According to a number of studies, the adverse effects to wildlife, and in particular that of aquatic life could lead to a significant negative impact. Slowed growth and changes in feeding behavior along with an effect on chemoreceptors (the sensory cells that can detect and inform the body to remove toxins) are among some of the alarming discoveries made in these analyses.
Essentially when you mess with the balance of an ecosystem, you are creating a much wider impact to the environment. Everything in nature is in balance and when you upset that balance, it leaves open gaps for other species to become invasive. Not through any fault of their own, but because the opportunity has presented itself for the stronger one to thrive. This in turn leads to further decimation of other species who are dependent on the depleted one for food, which then further contributes to extinction of plant and animal life.

Toxic To Humans

There's no denying the amazing smell of laundry drying. However, did you know that the chemicals used to create these amazingly attractive scents can be hazardous to our health? Scientists have been looking into the potential carcinogenic effects of these products, in particular the volatile organic compounds that are released in to the area around us, when they evaporate. Currently, there are no laws in place that require manufacturers to list the toxic ingredients in their products and it is suggested that further studies are done in order to prove their safety.

What Are The Alternatives?

There are a number of ways you can reduce your impact on the environment and your health whilst still keeping your house and clothing clean and fresh.

Soap Nuts that I have at home

1>Soap Nuts
Also known as Soapberries or Sapindus. These little balls are actually the fruit of the Sapindus tree which is closely related to the Lychee. They grow in abundance, producing a small fruit which is harvested and used as a soap alternative. When soaked in warm water they release saponins, which are a natural soapy liquid that can be used to clean anything around the home. I use them in my laundry (except lights as they can leave a brown tinge over the long term). Just pop about 7-10 f them in a little muslin bag and stick them in the wash with your clothes. Because they don't produce excessive suds they are safe to use with even the newest washing machines.

Simmering the soapnuts to make a liquid

For dishes a liquid can be made by simmering the berries for about 1 hr and straining off the liquid. (I must admit the smell is a little funky and fruity, but when it's cooled a few drops of essential oil make it amazing. I like grapefruit EO or a mix of Lemon and Chamomile). The liquid can also be used as a kitchen and bathroom cleaner too, adding a few drops of tea tree oil or another antibacterial EO will keep germs at bay also.

The strained liquid from the stewed soapnuts

2>Soap
Whilst natural soap bars can often leave a scum residue on clothing and surfaces they are still one of the original cleaners that needn't be overlooked. For my laundry I grate about half a cup from a bar and add some Baking soda (aluminum free, not to be confused with baking powder). They work well together and I haven't yet found any scum residue from doing this method on my lights and white clothing.

3>Eco Friendly Detergent Brands
There are currently 2 brands available that stick to their ethos of finding environmentally friendly cleaning products.
bio D is a company that I really like the ethos of. Their products are plant derived and ethically sourced. They have been given accredition by The Vegan Society and Cruelty Free International. They are UK based and although they don't currently ship overseas, they do provide a list of worldwide shops that stock their products.

Faith In Nature are another brand that predominantly make beauty products, however they have recently introduced household cleaning products to their portfolio. The video below talks about how they came about and their mission statement.

4> Grow Your Own Soap
There is a little known plant called Saponaria Officinalis, or Soapwort. If you are a keen gardener or permaculture enthusiast it is a welcome addition to the garden. The leaves, when soaked in water produce a soap like solution that cleans just about anything, gently and effectively. Museums have used a highly concentrated version of it for years to restore old paintings and precious works of art. The seeds are fairly easy to get hold of. I intend to grow some this year an see how it goes.

With so many solutions available to clean house and home, it makes sense to opt for those that will not damage our bodies and the environment. I hope that this article helps inspire as many people as possible to try some of these alternatives, if you haven't already.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. If you found value in what I have written, please support me with an upvote, follow or resteem. I love to interact with everyone here on Steemit and enjoy reading and replying to comments too. Thanks again to @ecotrain for giving me the opportunity to become a passenger.

One Love Everyone