Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- scours, deodorizes, softens water, boosts the cleaning power of soaps and detergents, and removes stains. Baking soda is edible, and fully biodegradable.
Pure Soap (as opposed to detergent)
- made from natural fats rather than petrochemicals, pure soap is fully and safely biodegradable.
Washing Soda (sodium carbonate)
- in laundry section of grocery store -- cuts grease, scours, softens water, brightens laundry and removes detergent residues from fabric. Washing soda is slightly caustic, so wear gloves to protect skin from drying. It is moderately toxic.
White Vinegar
- cuts grease, freshens, removes and inhibits mould and mildew, removes stains, waxy polish build-up, hard-water deposits, reduces static and removes residues of laundry products from fabrics. Vinegar is edible, and fully biodegradable.
Other common ingredients: