graywater safe home made detergents

Hi. I have been making my own laundry detergent for several years. As I was recently researching gray water systems, I discovered that borax will harm my garden. I have googled for recipes, but I haven't found anything. I am looking for a recipe for a cheap home made laundry detergent that will be safe to use on my garden. I would also like a recipe for dishwashing . . .

If anyone has anything, I would be eternally grateful.

april

Howdy April, welcome to permies.
Here is a thread that might have some info for you?

https://permies.com/t/30558/grey-water/Dishwasher-detergent

Thanks, Miles. I had only looked in the toxin-ectomy and frugal forums.

april

While this link is not about homemade detergents, it does list most major brands of commercial detergent, and their contents of harmful ingredients. The table on page 2 would be very handy for those who do not make their own detergents.

This was part of a study by ASU for Tucson Water:
Grey water vs. detergent

I rinse my dishes with warm water from the sink to remove any debris then I put them in the dishwasher and do a hot wash when the dishwasher is full. No soap, no detergent just water.

Pretty much the same thing for the laundry, except sometimes I put in a couple of tablespoons of vinegar. Then line dry them in the sun if the weather permits.