Clean and Green for Your Washing Machine

The simple chore of doing a load of laundry is enough to give you a huge eco-guilt trip. After all, if thinking about the amount of water and electricity your washing machine uses doesn't get you depressed, the harsh, non-biodegradable chemicals in typical detergents will. It makes getting your clothing clean seem like a dirty job ... but we've all got to do it.

Feeling better about doing the wash is actually as easy as going to your local megamart. Clorox has just launched two new products in its Green Works line, a laundry detergent (pictured) and stain remover which clean with biodegradable ingredients and essential oils. Both carries a "Design for Environment" logo, which means they've gotten the thumbs up from the EPA; each also has a Sierra Club logo too, since the brand gives them a part of their profits to help conservation efforts.

And yes, these products are just as effective on summertime stains like grass and picnic ketchup as the traditional chemical versions ... they just don't harm the environment (or sensitive skin!) the way the usual versions do. And, since they're made by Clorox, you can find them pretty much anywhere.

Maybe "laundry" isn't such a dirty word after all.