Part 3 - Laundry and Dishwashing
The Non-Toxic GAPS Way
Everyday Exposure We Often Overlook
When considering toxic load, laundry and dishwashing are two areas that are often underestimated.
Clothes sit against our skin all day. Bedding surrounds us for hours each night. Crockery and utensils come into direct contact with our food.
What we use to clean these items matters more than we might think.
Conventional laundry detergents and dishwashing products often contain synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, enzymes, preservatives, and surfactants. While effective at cleaning, these substances can:
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Leave residues on fabrics and dishes
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Be absorbed through the skin
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Be inhaled through lingering fragrance
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Irritate sensitive skin and airways
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Contribute to the overall toxic burden on the body
For those following a GAPS approach, reducing this ongoing, low-level exposure can make a meaningful difference.
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A Note on Dishwashers (GAPS Perspective)
For more sensitive individuals—particularly those in the earlier, more intensive stages of GAPS — dishwashers can sometimes be problematic.
Many conventional dishwasher detergents are designed to leave a “sparkling” finish, which can indicate that residues remain on dishes and cutlery. These residues may then be ingested over time.
For this reason, some people choose to wash dishes by hand, where physical scrubbing helps to remove residue more thoroughly.
Dr. Natasha’s traditional and simple alternative is mustard powder:
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Fill the sink with warm water
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Add approximately ½ cup mustard powder
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Wash dishes as usual
Mustard powder acts as a natural degreaser, leaving dishes clean without introducing synthetic chemicals. As a food-based substance, even minimal residue is not harmful.
As always, this is a personal choice — many people find a balance that works for them. Please rest assured that I have included non-toxic dishwasher recipes below too.
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A Simpler, More Natural Approach
Just like cleaning the home, laundry and dishwashing can be simplified dramatically.
Rather than relying on multiple specialised products, a small number of natural, effective ingredients can do the job beautifully, without leaving behind unwanted residues.
This approach is:
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Gentler on the body
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Kinder to the environment
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Cost-effective
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Aligned with GAPS principles
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Non-Toxic Laundry: Back to Basics
What to Avoid
When transitioning to a non-toxic laundry routine, it can be helpful to gradually move away from:
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Synthetic fragrances (“parfum”)
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Optical brighteners
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Fabric softeners
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Dryer sheets
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Highly perfumed “bio” detergents
These are often the main contributors to irritation and chemical exposure.
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Simple, Effective Laundry Ingredients
Soda Crystals (Washing Soda)
Excellent for breaking down grease and lifting dirt—particularly useful for towels and heavily soiled items.
Bicarbonate of Soda
Helps neutralise odours and gently boost cleaning power.
Castile Soap
A natural, plant-based cleanser suitable for everyday laundry.
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Soapnuts (A Traditional, Natural Alternative)
Soapnuts are the dried shells of the Sapindus tree, traditionally used as a natural detergent.
They contain saponin, a plant-based substance that creates a mild, soapy lather when mixed with water, helping to lift dirt and odours from fabrics.
They are:
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Biodegradable and compostable
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Hypoallergenic and gentle
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Cost-effective (reusable for several washes)
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Suitable for laundry, cleaning, and even personal care
How they work:
When placed in the washing machine, the shells release saponin into the water, naturally cleaning clothes without synthetic chemicals.
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How to Use Soapnuts
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Place 4–7 half shells into a cotton bag or sock
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Tie securely and add to the washing machine drum
Wash guidelines:
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30–40°C: 5–7 half shells
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60–95°C: 3–5 half shells
They can typically be reused for 4–5 washes (until they turn grey and soft). After use, they can be composted.
Tips:
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Dry the bag of soap nuts between washes, if not re-using the same day.
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For heavily soiled loads, add 1 tablespoon of soda crystals.
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For a light scent, add a few drops of essential oil to the bag
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Everyday Laundry Recipe
Basic Non-Toxic Laundry Mix
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1–2 tbsp soda crystals
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1 tbsp Castile soap
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Optional: 10–15 drops essential oil
Use directly in the drum or drawer.
Batch Method:
Mix a larger quantity and store in a glass jar. Use 1 tablespoon per load (2 for heavier soiling).
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Natural Fabric Softener
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100–150ml white vinegar in the rinse compartment
This helps to:
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Soften fabrics
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Remove detergent residue
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Reduce static
(The vinegar smell does not remain once dry.)
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Tackling Stains Naturally
Before using harsh stain removers, try:
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Bicarbonate of soda paste (bicarb + water)
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White vinegar spray
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Sunlight — a powerful natural stain remover and antibacterial aid
Allow to sit before washing.
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Drying the Natural Way
Where possible, air-dry laundry outdoors.
Fresh air and sunlight:
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Naturally freshen fabrics
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Help reduce bacteria
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Eliminate the need for synthetic fragrance
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Using a Tumble Dryer (When Needed)
If air drying isn’t possible:
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Add a few drops of essential oil to a cloth or soapnut bag
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Use wool dryer balls to:
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Reduce static
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Shorten drying time
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Lower energy use
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Non-Toxic Dishwashing: Clean Without Residue
Why It Matters
Dishes and utensils come into direct contact with what we consume.
Even small amounts of residue from conventional products can contribute to cumulative exposure over time.
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What to Avoid
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Strongly fragranced washing-up liquids
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Antibacterial chemical agents
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Artificial dyes and preservatives
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Natural Dishwashing Options
Castile Liquid Soap
A simple and effective everyday option.
Bicarbonate of Soda
Provides gentle abrasion for stuck-on food.
White Vinegar
Helps cut grease and leaves glassware clear.
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Simple Washing-Up Method
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Hot water
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A small amount of Castile soap
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Optional: bicarbonate of soda for tougher residue
Wash, rinse thoroughly, and air dry or dry with a clean cloth.
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Dishwasher Alternatives (If You Choose to Use One)
For those who do use a dishwasher, more natural options are available.
Homemade Dishwasher Powder
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1 tbsp soda crystals
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1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda
Add to the detergent compartment.
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Rinse Aid Options
Option 1: White Vinegar
Add to the rinse aid compartment.
(If your manufacturer advises against vinegar, use an alternative below.)
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Option 2: Citric Acid Rinse Aid
Ingredients:
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80g citric acid
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80g boiling water
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80g clear alcohol (vodka)
Method:
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Dissolve citric acid in boiling water
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Stir in alcohol
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Allow to cool and store in a sealed glass container
Use:
Pour into the rinse aid compartment as needed.
Notes:
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Helps prevent limescale build-up
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Store in a cool, dark place
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Use at your own discretion depending on your appliance
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Use the cheapest vodka you can find
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A Note on Fragrance
One of the biggest adjustments when switching to non-toxic laundry and dishwashing is the absence of strong scent.
We’ve been conditioned to associate fragrance with “clean” — but in reality:
Clean doesn’t need to smell of anything.
Many synthetic fragrances are made up of complex chemical compounds that can linger on fabrics, dishes, and in the air long after use. While some people may not immediately notice the effects, others are far more sensitive.
Within a GAPS framework, individuals with more sensitive or overwhelmed nervous systems often react more quickly to these exposures. They may experience symptoms such as headaches, skin irritation, fatigue, or discomfort in response to perfumes, cleaning products, or chemical odours.
These individuals can be thought of as “canaries in the coal mine.” … As per Dr. Natasha analogy.
Just as canaries were once used to detect toxic gases in mines, reacting early as a warning signal, some people today respond rapidly to environmental toxins that others may tolerate without immediate symptoms. This doesn’t mean the exposure is harmless; rather, it highlights a lower threshold for what the body can comfortably manage.
Over time, many people find that as they reduce their exposure to synthetic fragrances, their sensitivity becomes clearer and their preference shifts.
Instead of strong, artificial scents, there is a growing appreciation for the subtle, neutral freshness of truly clean fabrics and dishes.
And that is where the body feels most at ease, lowering the toxic load.
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Supporting the Body Through Everyday Choices
Laundry and dishwashing are repeated week after week.
By simplifying these routines, we:
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Reduce constant, low-level chemical exposure
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Support skin health
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Lessen the burden on detoxification pathways
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Create a calmer, more natural home environment
These small changes can have a meaningful cumulative effect, especially when supporting gut healing through the GAPS approach.
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A Final Thought
This way of living isn’t about perfection.
It’s about awareness.
It’s about making informed, intentional choices.
And it’s about supporting the body in simple, sustainable ways.
When we reduce what we no longer need, we create space for the body to do what it does best:
restore, rebalance and heal.