Swap of the Month: Laundry Supplies

Because fresh, clean clothes shouldn’t come with chemicals you never asked for.

As we slide into December — that cozy, curl-up-in-a-blanket season — it’s the perfect time to refresh what’s happening in your laundry room. Clean clothes should support your wellness, not sneak toxins into your life. And if your detergent smells amazing but your skin is irritated, your eyes are burning, or your allergies are acting up? Baby… it’s not giving “clean.” It’s giving “chemical cocktail.”

This month, we’re taking your laundry routine back to basics — safer swaps, cleaner ingredients, and a routine that actually helps you age well.

This post is part of my Back to Basics: A Lifestyle Renovation series — a season of clearing out, leveling up, and living well.

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Why Laundry Detox Matters (More Than You Think)

Your laundry routine is one of the sneakiest ways toxins enter your body

Why? Because your detergent doesn’t fully rinse out.

Those leftover surfactants, fragrances, dyes, and brighteners cling to the fabric — and you wear that ish all day long.

Most conventional detergents contain ingredients we’re actively moving away from on the path to aging well, like:

• 1,4-dioxane (classified by the EPA as “likely to cause cancer”)

• Ethoxylated alcohols

• Synthetic dyes & fragrances

• Optical brighteners (aka the “fake clean” glow)

• SLS/SLES

• Parabens

• Phosphates

• Sulfates

• …and a whole lot of “other” ish that does NOT belong on your skin.

Because remember — your skin is your largest organ.

If your detergent leaves residue behind (and it always does), your skin absorbs it.

This is why laundry detox belongs right next to your kitchen detox, cleaning supplies detox, personal care detox… all of it.

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The Laundry Swaps That Actually Matter

Let’s keep it simple and powerful — the Onarays way.

A cleaner laundry room starts with the basics.

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1. Swap Your Detergent (This Is the Big One)

Look for:

• Fragrance-free or scented with essential oils

• Enzyme-based cleaning (for real results without harsh chemicals)

• No optical brighteners

• No parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or dyes

• Plant-based surfactants

• A short ingredient list you can actually pronounce

Clean brands do exist — and no, they don’t leave your clothes dingy or funky. They clean just as well (and often better) without the chemical hangover.

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2. Swap Dryer Sheets for Wool Dryer Balls

Dryer sheets are basically thin sheets of petroleum-based fragrance + chemicals.

Wool dryer balls:

• reduce static

• cut drying time

• soften clothes naturally

• are reusable for YEARS

You can even add a drop of lavender or lemon EO if you want a light scent — not a “walk past me and get a headache” scent.

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3. Swap Harsh Bleach for Non-Toxic Brighteners

Traditional bleach?

Hard pass. The fumes alone tell you everything you need to know.

There are safer alternatives that whiten, brighten, and deodorize without the respiratory drama.

This month, I even created a 3 ingredient DIY Non-Toxic Bleach Alternative that shocked me with how well it worked.

The exact recipe is inside the December newsletter (only — not here).

Below, you can join the list if you want to try what I’m using at home.

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4. Natural Brightening Boost: Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the safest, most effective ways to whiten and brighten without the harsh

fumes of bleach. A simple ½ cup added to the wash cycle disinfects, lifts dinginess, and keeps your whites

looking fresh — all while breaking down into oxygen and water. No residue, no fragrance, no irritation, no

drama.

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5. Swap Fabric Softener for Vinegar or Wool Balls

Fabric softener is one of the biggest fragrance + chemical offenders in the laundry room.

A splash of white vinegar in the rinse cycle:

• softens

• removes odors

• helps break down buildup

• won’t leave your clothes smelling like salad, I promise

Your clothes will be softer than anything a bottle can do. And paired with wool balls? Chef’s kiss.

Bonus Tip: Swap Vinegar in the Dishwasher as well

Vinegar isn’t just a laundry hack — it’s one of the best natural rinse agents for dishwashers too.

It helps:

• eliminate foggy glasses

• cut grease

• prevent spots

• break down residue

• extend your dishwasher’s life

All without the chemical film rinse agents leave behind.

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A Cleaner Laundry Routine, Made Easy

You don’t have to overhaul your whole life. Just shift the things you use every single week.

• Clean detergent

• Vinegar rinse

• Wool balls

• Skip the softener

• Hot-water washes for towels

• Add ½ cup hydrogen peroxide for natural whitening

• Monthly washing machine clean-outs

• Proper ventilation

That’s your laundry detox.

Simple. Safe. Effective.

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Final Thoughts

Laundry touches your skin every single day.

It’s not a small swap — it’s a big one. This month is all about cleaning what cleans you so you can step into

winter not worrying about sneaky toxins hiding in your clothes.

If you’re ready to make the switch, start with just one swap — the detergent. Everything else becomes easier from there. You don’t have to overhaul your whole life. Just shift the things you use, one by one, every single week.

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Want the DIY Bleach Alternative?

The full recipe, measurements, and usage tips are inside the December Onarays Newsletter.

It’s exclusive — and yes, it works.

Subscribe here to get the recipe

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With love & clarity,

Ramona

Founder of Onarays Wellness

Live Well, Age Well

✨ Back to Basics: A Lifestyle Renovation ✨

Simple swaps. Lasting change. Follow along for more ways to create a lighter, cleaner, more intentional lifestyle.

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