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| Thursday, March 29, 2007 |
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A GUIDE TO LAUNDRY DETERGENTS FOR GREYWATER
By SuperUser @ 4:22 PM :: 4364 Views ::
2 Comments ::  :: Marg
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Information – a guide to laundry detergents for greywater usage
With everyone having to be so water conscious and saving those buckets of water from the shower, or using greywater from the washing machine – it is important to know exactly what it is you are putting on your plants!
The main cause for concern in detergents is the sodium (or salt) load and phosphorus concentration. Levels of sodium above 20g per wash are likely to be detrimental to most plants although tolerance may vary depending on the soil and species of plant.
Likewise phosphorus in high levels, particularly using it on phosphorus sensitive natives such as Grevillea, Banksia, Hakea, Protea, Leucodendron, Leucospermum, Boronia, Hardenbergia, Alyogyne and some Acacias. Generally, Eucalypts (gums), Callistemon and Melaleuca are not generally phosphorous-sensitive, but will be adversely affected by a high salt load.
pH is also an important factor in water. pH is a measure of the acid or alkaline status of the liquid. Acids have a pH <7, while alkaline solutions have a pH>7. A preferred pH is between 6-8. Generally laundry liquid (average pH8) is lower than powder (average pH 10.5).
Meredith mains water usually has an average pH of 8.5 and a sodium level that has been as high as 1800 EC in November 2006. So if your greywater is also from the mains water bear in mind that you already have high sodium and pH levels to contend with.
I have selected the ‘best’ five and the ‘worst’ five detergents, all others falling somewhere in between. The results are gleaned from the use of greywater from either a top loading or front loading washing machine on a full wash cycle of up to 150lts.
The five Best : (L=liquid : P = powder) These have negligible phosphorus and less than 1g sodium per wash. All are suitable for top or front loading machines.
1. Ecologic Lavender Laundry Liquid (L)
2. Earth Choice Wool & Delicates(L)
3. Am-O-lin Sensitive Laundry Liquid(L)
4. Aquarius Laundry Liquid(L)
5. Earth Choice Laundry Liquid(L)
The five worst:
1. Price Saver LP(P) >50g sodium
2. Bright & Fresh Laundry Detergent (P) > 50g sodium
3. Saving LP (P) > 50g sodium
4. Bi-Lo LP (P) 48g sodium
5. Home Brand LP (P) 35g sodium
The five you should not use on any of the phosphorus sensitive plants listed above:
1. Omo Matic (Front loader only) > 80g phosphorus (P) >55g phosphorus (L)
2. Dynamo Matic (Front loader only) > 80g phosphorus (P) > 50g phosphorus (L)
3. Duo Matic Front Loader Concentrate >45g phosphorus
4. Radiant Matic Ultra Concentrate >42g phosphorus
We have a chart available at the nursery, which lists probably every laundry detergent on the market. You are very welcome to come in and check out your laundry detergent if it is not on the above lists.
Some helpful websites if you want further information or research are:
www.lanfaxlabs.com.au/laundry.htm
www.lanfaxlabs.com.au/publications.html
Happy gardening!
Marg, Lloyd and the team at Meredith Nursery
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| Comments |
 By
Mandy @
Thursday, April 26, 2007 4:12 AM 
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I just wanted to let you know about a detergent that has recently come onto the market as a domestic product. It has been available for some time as a fundraiser (a school would sell bottles and continue to receive proceeds of refill sales). We have had it tested by Lanfax labs, who prepare the tests for Choice. It rated very highly for its negligible phosphate and sodium levels. It is made in Brisbane, and available online at www.herowash.com.au. It is a liquid in a portion control bottle, and does an excellent wash. If bought in 5 pack refills, it works out to about half the cost per wash of leading supermarket brands, even factoring in the cost of postage.
thanks
Mandy
HeroWash.
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By
michael @
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 2:43 AM
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We have also been using soapnuts and soapnut powder which are as natural as you can get for detergent - they are being sold at www.soapinanutshell.com.au
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