I feel profoundly grateful every time I load the washer. Modern washing machines save so much time and effort; I appreciate the ingenuity and curiosity that brought them into our homes. The active part of doing a load of laundry takes only a few minutes: a couple of minutes to start the machine and a few more to move or hang the clothes. Of course, thinking about laundry, getting distracted, or rediscovering a damp load after a week can stretch the process, but the core task is efficient and freeing. While we haven’t yet automated folding and putting clothes away, the convenience of starting a load while the coffee brews or reading the paper makes the routine feel productive.
In my household, the single largest use of Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds is laundry. Not because each load uses much product, but because we simply do a lot of laundry—five people, two cats, one dog, and plenty of outdoor mess means frequent washing. My laundry cabinet contains both Sal Suds and Dr. Bronner’s Castile Magic Soap, but I generally reach for Sal Suds more often. It handles stains well and performs reliably in hard water. After learning about problematic ingredients in many cleaning products, I decided my laundry detergents should be clean, biodegradable, and gentle on skin—especially since fabrics stay in contact with our skin for hours. That led me to favor Sal Suds and the Pure-Castile Magic Soap for everyday washing.
Table of contents:
- My laundry regimen
- Then comes the drying
- Dr. Bronner’s in HE washing machines
- The three foundational pillars of my house
My laundry regimen
My approach is simple and consistent. For clothing in a high-efficiency (HE) washing machine, I use about 1 to 1½ tablespoons (15–22 mL) of Sal Suds, or 3 to 4 tablespoons (45–60 mL) of Pure-Castile Magic Soap for a large load. If you’re using a standard (non-HE) washer, double those amounts. These quantities keep suds under control in HE machines while providing effective cleaning.
For heavier soiling—towels, muddy garments, or very grimy loads—I sometimes add a quarter cup (about 70 g) of baking soda with Sal Suds. When I use Pure-Castile Magic Soap and we have hard water, I add half a cup (120 mL) of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle via the fabric-softener compartment to help remove mineral residues and keep fabrics soft. Both Sal Suds and Castile Magic Soap biodegrade readily and are suitable for septic systems and greywater setups.
For stains like ketchup, grass, or food, I pretreat by dabbing a small amount of Sal Suds directly onto the spot before washing. For general stains, I make a 1:1 dilution of water to Sal Suds and apply that. For lighter stains or collar rings, I often use a Sal Suds all-purpose spray prepared ahead of time and spritz the area before laundering. These simple pretreatment steps reduce rewash cycles and preserve fabric color and texture.
That straightforward routine delivers clean clothes, keeps colors vibrant, and prevents unnecessary wear. I don’t need complex processes to get reliable results—consistency and the right products do most of the work.
Then comes the drying
Drying is one of the harshest treatments clothes undergo and often shortens their lifespan. Clothes tumbling in a heated dryer experience more wear than air-drying. Dryers also use substantial energy. Whenever practical, I air-dry clothing: it preserves fabrics, reduces energy bills, and is better for the environment. Sunlight can help brighten whites and naturally freshen fabrics; hanging items on an indoor rack or outdoor line extends garment longevity and reduces the need for replacements.
Dr. Bronner’s in HE washing machines
Many customers and colleagues have reported that Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap and Sal Suds perform well in HE washing machines. These machines use less water and require low-foaming detergents. Third-party testing has confirmed that, when used at the recommended dilutions, Sal Suds and Magic Soap meet criteria for acceptable HE detergents. Proper dilution prevents excess suds, avoids lengthening cycle times, and eliminates suds-lock errors. Following recommended amounts ensures efficient cleaning while protecting both the machine and the clothes.
- Suds should not fill the machine window past one-third at any time.
- Average cycle time should not exceed the estimated cycle by more than about 15 minutes, which would otherwise indicate excess suds are lengthening rinse times.
- No suds-lock errors should be triggered during the cycle.
- Consistent, repeatable performance is required across multiple test cycles to validate compatibility with HE machines.
The three foundational pillars of my house
Over time I’ve come to think of three household tasks as foundational to how my day feels: making the bed, starting the laundry, and loading the dishwasher. When those three items are checked off, the rest of the day feels more manageable. If I let those tasks slide and begin elsewhere, the house can quickly feel chaotic even if I cross many other tasks off a list. Starting the day with these simple, repeatable chores creates structure and reduces indecision, freeing me to spend time on what matters most—often time with family rather than more chores.
I no longer see life as an enormous, ever-growing pile of laundry; the routine keeps things under control and gives me space for living. I don’t mind doing laundry, but I prefer that it doesn’t take over my time with the kids or other priorities.
Further reading
- Pretreating Laundry Stains — tips for tackling common food and grass stains before washing.
- Sunshine & Sachets: Best Ways to Dry Clothes — advice on air-drying for fabric care and freshness.
- Why (& How) to Ditch Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets — alternatives that protect fabrics and reduce residues.
- Washing Cloth Diapers with Sal Suds & Sunshine — practical guidance for cloth-diaper care.
This and many other practical cleaning and home-care ideas are included in my book, Soap & Soul: A Practical Guide to Minding Your Home, Your Body, and Your Spirit with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, available in hardback, ebook, and audiobook editions.
Note: Sal Suds cleaner shows greater than 60% biodegradation after 28 days per ISO 14593 testing standards.