Has anyone stopped using or cut down on detergent?

[FLOrenze]

I read that it is the agitation of water that cleanses the clothes and that detergent is not necessary. I have started to wash woollen clothes this way but am wondering about other wash loads.

What would you risk washing without detergent and what is an absolute must.

We started using an eco egg a while ago due to wanting to cut down.
Although fine, our washing definitely didn't look or feel as clean, so I would imagine that using nothing at all would have a similar impact (not looking/feeling as clean)

We've since settled on SMOL and are happy with that.
smolproducts.com/pages/our-capsules

We use a cheaper version of the eco egg as i wasnt sure. It works a treat, haven't bought detergent since so significant saving on money. I've used on everything inc wool and linen. Havent tried it with cashmere (as thats dead anyway)Took out a nice yellow stain in a white linen skirt. Always wash at 40°

But if i was buying now with a bit more knowledge I would buy a genuine eco egg. Mine you can't replace the contains which means eventually its rubbish.

I've been "making" my own laundry powder for more than 10 years now.

Equal amounts of non-bio sensitive detergent and soda crystals.

I don't use fabric conditioner

I also never use as much as is advised (this is a marketing con!)

I use less than half the 'box recommended' amount and not noticed a difference in cleanliness. Also only use fabric conditioner for
Towel and bedding washes, again not noticed a difference in the clothes.

We use soap nuts and a tiny amount of detergent.

I've used soap nuts lots of times, i find things come up looking just as clean as with detergent (including washable sanitary pads). The only thing I miss is the laundry powder smell. I do find that using them on something that's going to be folded and stored for a while, like spare bedding, can leave them not smelling as fresh as with proper detergent.

To cut down on plastic I was thinking of changing to tumble dryer sheets but I don’t know,how environmental friendly they are. Does any body else know?

You can make your own tumble dryer sheets (though shouldn't you be trying to drop using the tumble dryer anyway?)

I live in very rainy Scotland with a small house. I manage without a dryer. It's a nuisance but I manage. My hall is full of clothes drying right now as it's pouring down outside.

I tried this for a while. Agitation of water helps remove dirt, but you need detergent or a chemical with similar properties to break down grease.

After a while, our white things became beige, and they had an unwashed smell to them. I switched back to small amounts of laundry powder.

Yes, we use soap nuts and sometimes also a tiny bit of Splosh detergent, and clothes are generally fine. We've been doing it for over a year, so in all seasons. We do a proper detergent wash if things are particularly grubby or need deeper cleaning. The only problem we've had is getting rid of grease spots - we have to treat those locally before a wash as the soap nuts can't shift it. Other than that, they're great!

if you are using soap nuts then i bet you wouldn't believe that you can get similar from this country for free
horse chestnuts (conkers) do the same thing as soap nuts.
Google how to use them for washing

I use half or less of the recommended amount of washing powder. This was recommended by the washing machine repair man. He also said if there are still bubbles during the rinse you are using too much. I have been doing this for a few years now and clothes are perfectly clean.

Tumble drying... I use those knobbly ball things be quiet at the back, stop giggling I've never used dryer sheets as I don't like the smell. I got mine from Lakeland, years ago. They're plastic but they are made from recycled material and can be recycled again when they break (the nobbles will break off eventually).