Ideal Bite

I've been washing my clothes in cold water before it was the PC, eco-thing to do. Dawn, hven't you ever heard of fabric softener? Softens clothes beautifully whether you dryer dry or line dry. I would NEVER do my laundry without fabric softener! If fabric is going to touch my skin, it has to be SOFT!

I agree w/the Trader Joe's, soapnuts, and cold water suggestions. Also, a warning: the Melaleuca co. is not against animal-testing. It took some time for me to wrangle a statement out of them but what I got explained that they do condone it when they think it's reasonable [insert a rasberry from me here -- there's absolutely no reason to do it, there are plenty of non-animal ways to check safety!]

When we bought our first house (just a few weeks ago), we bought a front-load washer and then found out it requires special soap. Though I haven't heard all the ins and outs, my understanding is so that it doesn't produce the mass amounts of suds a la funny movies/TV shows. Of all these suggestions, do any/all of them work with front loads?

Katie, in response to your inquiry, most phosphate free laundry detergents tend to create less suds, but I don't want to suggest something that isn't right for your new machine. Linda, I'm wondering what type of "green" fabric softener you use, because most of the one's I've found contain animal tallow...that's why I don't bother with the stuff.

In response to Angie's comment on April 21: Just to set the record straight, no wrangling is necessary to get Melaleuca's statement about animal testing. Dogs were used to test Provex CV, a grape skin and seed extract dietary supplement containing a cardiovascular component which keeps blood platelets from sticking for people who would like a natural alternative to statin drugs. The lead researcher on this supplement is Dr. John Folts, University of Wisconsin, who developed the "aspirin a day" theory. There is no animal testing of personal care or cleaning products.

To expand on Melaleuca's animal testing history, they also paid for a test of a competitor's product which was tested on rats. To quote Melaleuca's President and CEO, "The rats died a horrible death". The fundamental issue here is that there are many other ways to test and prove dangers of products without testing on animals. Saving human lives: good! Most people agree with that. Not everyone agrees on how to test/prove safety though. I don't agree with Melaleuca's decisions. From the CEO's letter, I can see he doesn't connect how compassion to animals is a much deeper impactful issue than just how one animal feels. As Ghandi once said, "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Everyone may not agree or "get" that. That's OK; it's my choice not to buy their products anymore. Believe me, I was sad to make that decision because there were so many other reasons to like the Melaleuca company and its products. I was really pulling for them, but when I found out about this, I made a decision since there are other companies who also have great products and missions and make different decisions when it comes to testing. You're welcome to feel however you'd like about it, but I wanted to make sure anyone else who is against animal testing knew about Melaleuca's stance on it. If anyone would like me to forward the CEO's letter to them, just let me know. To bring it back to topic, there are thankfully lots of choices for how we choose to clean and be green and I appreciate Ideal Bite bringing this topic up for discussion!

Yes, I would like a copy of the letter. Send to asbwilkinson@yahoo.com

What a fantastic website....just found out about it today.A little green laundry tip...instead of bleach,I add white vinegar and baking soda to my wash.Good w/ whites, darks ,colors.I put Ecover soap in as the water fills(no clothes at 1st).Then I add the vin/bs...the combo of these 2 creates an enzymatic effect.It especially keeps whites really white. Good day to all!

Can you please send me the letter from the Melaleuca CEO concerning animal testing? jingermay@yahoo.com