My Family’s Health Is Very Important to Me
Caring for my family’s health includes paying attention to what comes in contact with our skin—especially our clothing. Our laundry routine plays a key role in maintaining a healthy home environment.
Simplify My Laundry Routine
To keep up with laundry without feeling overwhelmed, I had to simplify our routine. One of the biggest changes was minimizing how many clothes we own. You can only manage what you have, and owning fewer pieces makes laundry more manageable.
I used to buy clothes impulsively, without understanding my personal style or needs. Over time, I’ve learned that for me, comfort and practicality matter most. Choosing the right clothes starts in the store. I now look for healthy natural fabrics and easy-care materials. If something requires dry cleaning, I don’t buy it. Simplifying starts with making better decisions at the source and decluttering in a variety of ways has many benefits.
Non-Toxic Way
Why are natural fabrics and non-toxic laundry products better for our health? Our skin is our largest organ—it absorbs what we put on it and also plays a key role in detoxification. When the body is out of balance, the skin often shows it first—like a check engine light in a car.
Many people are careful about what they eat and apply to their skin, but they forget about laundry detergent. We use fragrance-free, biogradable detergents that are tough on dirt but gentle on skin and lungs. With a husband who works on cars and a home, and two active boys who are now helping their father in the garage, we needed something powerful but safe. I have researched and found great results with a diy, non-toxic laundry detergent and Charlies soap.
Deciding on Clothing
Simplifying starts with knowing how much clothing you really need. Create a realistic laundry schedule—for us, it’s two loads a day, which works well with our septic system.
Most people wear only 20% of what they own. The remaining 80% clutters the closet and adds to laundry stress. Letting go of unused items creates space and clarity. Whether it’s the fit, style, or just a piece you never reach for, it’s okay to move on.
Your personal style, work situation, and family size determine the clothing volume you need—but simplifying leads to fewer loads and less stress.
Simplify
Breaking laundry into smaller loads throughout the week makes the full process—washing, drying, folding, and putting away—easier to manage. Washing is fast thanks to machines, but folding and organizing are often where we fall behind.
To streamline folding, I use my ironing board. It’s height-adjustable, portable, and non-slip, making it ideal for folding. I often fold clothes on the deck in the spring or while chatting with family. The board’s edges also guide me in making consistent folds, making the task faster and more enjoyable.
Choosing a healthy detergent
Fragrances in laundry detergents can contain VOCs and phthalates, which are linked to hormone disruption, allergies, and respiratory problems. When I was washing cloth diapers years ago, I discovered Charlie’s Soap, a non-toxic laundry detergent. I’ve used it for 17 years and trust its performance and safety. Once, I bought secondhand cloth diapers that looked dull gray, but with each wash using Charlie’s Soap, they brightened up.
Washing frequently also helps prevent stains and odors from setting in—nothing sits in the hamper for too long, so it doesn’t have time to marinate in the dirt and sweat.
Creating a load
Using a front-load washing machine has been a game-changer. It gently yet thoroughly cleans our clothes and adjusts water based on the load size. This makes it easy to separate and customize loads—like doing one just for kitchen towels.
I keep used towels in a designated spot until I’ve collected enough. I add OxiClean (a non-toxic bleach alternative) and a tablespoon of Charlie’s Soap, then wash them on the hottest setting with an extra soak cycle.
After sports practices, my boys toss their gear into the washer. A quick wash gets it clean while we prep for bed. I line-dry most of our clothes, which preserves the fabric and avoids dryer damage.
For tougher stains—especially from garage work or dirty play—I soak clothes for a day before washing.
A simple addition like a wall-mounted lint holder by the dryer makes filter cleaning fast and easy, helping reduce fire risk and encouraging good habits.
Loading the washing machine
While dishwashers work best fully loaded, that’s not true for washers. Overloading reduces cleaning effectiveness and strains the machine. A full but not overloaded washer is ideal. It protects the washing machine drum and extends your appliance’s life.
Hard to clean spots
As a busy mom, I rarely had time to treat stains immediately. My go-to solution is soaking. If there’s a stain, I add some gentle soap and water and let it sit in a shallow container until I can wash it. This pause method halts the stain from setting, giving me better results when I finally get to it. When I’m ready to start a load, I just add the soaked clothing.
Fabric softener
This is another area where we simplified and improved our health. I used to love fabric softeners and would even pause the wash to soak in extra product. Over time, I had to use more and more because I stopped being able to smell the product. Yes, you read that right. I used so much fabric softener that after a while I couldn’t smell it. That strong fabric softener scent comes at a cost.
I’m not gonna go down the rabbit hole on why fabric softener is so harmful to you, but here’s a little info in a nutshell: Fabric softeners often contain hormone-disrupting chemicals and toxic fragrance binders. These stick to clothing and can transfer into your lungs and skin.
Fabric softener clogs the pores of the material and creates a film layer around it. This same film attaches to lint and can clog up your filter. What it means to your dryer? It can catch on fire.
Now I use wool dryer balls, and if I want a scent, I add a few drops of essential oils. It’s safer, natural, and still gives a soft feel to laundry without the long-term health risks.
Simple means health and peace
Simplifying our laundry routine has brought more than just cleaner clothes, it’s created a healthier, more peaceful home. By being intentional with what we buy, choosing safer products, and streamlining our process, I’ve reduced stress and supported my family’s well-being. Laundry no longer feels like a never-ending burden, but a manageable part of our rhythm. Small changes like using natural fabrics, skipping harsh chemicals, and keeping only what we need really add up. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with one step. A simpler, healthier approach to laundry is possible and it starts right where you are, one load at a time.