Using greywater to irrigate your garden or plants can definitely save you a lot of money from watering using a clean drinking water. However, depending on the content that the greywater carries, it might not be eco-friendly to use it for a longer period of time.
As we already know, untreated greywater contains different chemical compounds from household soaps and laundry detergents. These chemicals can contaminate the soil, thus altering a lot of properties that a healthy soil should have.
However, there are a few cleaning products that are compatible with greywater. By using eco-friendly products in the house, you can safely use your greywater to irrigate your gardens without having to worry about any harmful toxins.
To find cleaning products that are compatible with greywater, look for the ones that are biocompatible or biodegradable. If possible, avoid any products that contain:
- Coloring agents
- Synthetic fragrance
- Sodium/salt
- Boron/borax (sodium borate)
- Petroleum distillate
- Chlorine-based products
- Artificial preservatives
- Anti-bacterial cleaners and soaps
- Parabens-based products (including methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl)
- Chromium oxide
- Whiteners/softeners
- Sodium perborate/peroxygen
Below, we have listed the best 10 greywater compatible cleaning products that you can safely use for your household:
1. ECOS
- CLIMATE POSITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE – Not only is this laundry detergent formula effective and kind to sensitive skin, but it’s also pH-balanced.
- 100% VEGAN – Containing enough detergent for 200 loads of laundry, plant-powered ECOS Laundry Detergent is both cruelty-free and vegan, making it an ideal choice for planet-conscious households.
- PARABEN AND PHOSPHATE FREE – Unlike most conventional laundry detergents, ECOS does not contain any harsh chemicals or ingredients that can pollute water when it enters the ecosystem.
ECOS is well-known for their eco-friendly cleaning products. They produce detergents that are free from sulfates, bleach, brighteners and other chemical compounds.
With their 100% vegan formulas, ECOS uses plant-based enzymes to remove stains from your fabrics. Their detergents can also be used in all temperatures for both white and colored shirts.
Unlike other synthetic cleaning agents, ECOS’s products have been formulized to have a balance pH level that won’t cause any harm to the environment.
2. Puretergent
Puretergent is another natural cleaning product that is greywater-friendly. Produced in Oakland, California, this brand is proud of their biodegradable products that are eco-friendly, effective, and hypoallergenic.
Some of the ingredients that you can found in Puretergent products are essential oils, plant-based conditioners, natural degreasing agents, and botanical surfactants.
Aside from being fragrance-free, they are also hypoallergenic and contain aloe extracts that are suitable for baby, kids, and people with sensitive skins. You can use puretergent both in hot and cold water.
3. Vaska
No products found.
Vaska are eco-friendly, chemical-free cleaning products that have been formulized with natural ingredients derived from herbs. Found in 1999, in Berkeley California, Vaska’s products are certified “natural” by the EPA because they don’t contain toxins, pollutants, dyes, binding agents, and any hazardous chemicals.
Unlike synthetic cleaning agents, you can seamlessly wash out Vaska’s products out of your fabric. Although they are made from herbs, these cleaning products can remove stains, marks, dirt, and odor from your fabric effectively.
What’s more interesting is that Vaska’s name precedes its reputation when the company was a winner in a Clean Choice Award in 2013 and 2014 in Clean Eating Magazine.
4. Oasis All Purpose Cleaner/Dishwash
- THE ORIGINAL GREYWATER-FRIENDLY, MULTI PURPOSE CLEANER: Oasis is biocompatible… that means it breaks down into healthy nutrients that are good for fruit trees, gardening, and landscapes. Other biodegradable general purpose cleaner brands contain dangerous chemicals which can kill plants. For decades, Oasis multipurpose cleaner has been used in greywater systems with water that can be reused safely for watering plants, and nourishing edible & sustainable landscapes.
- SAFE FOR GREYWATER SYSTEMS: Unlike other all-purpose household cleaners, water that contains Oasis dish washing liquids can be reused for greywater irrigation, reducing millions of gallons of water waste. No sodium, no chlorine, no boron and the surface cleaner does not significantly affect soil pH. By recycling water and nutrients, natural waters are kept pure. Oasis biodegradable dish soap is also suitable for septic tank or sewer disposal.
- EFFECTIVE & VERSATILE CLEANER: Oasis liquid dish soap & all purpose cleaner excels at washing dishes, hand washing laundry, carpet cleaning, hand cleaning, bodywash, and as a biodegradable shampoo. Also use it as a kitchen counter cleaner, glass cleaner, pet safe cleaner, dish soap liquid, and off grid supplies for living off the grid. The multi surface cleaner & liquid dish soap is super concentrated, so a little goes a long way and produces excellent suds.
- SAFE FOR PLANTS & YOUR FAMILY: This multi-surface cleaner cleans effectively and also prioritizes environmental and user safety. Our plant-friendly kitchen cleaner formula ensures that it’s not only safe for your cleaning needs, but also for your family, pets, and the planet. Oasis house cleaner is for those seeking effective yet clean cleaning products. This multisurface cleaner is truly the only choice for reusing wash water for irrigating plants.
- LIVE OFF THE GRID OR EMBRACE VAN LIFE – This dish liquid / all purpose cleaner concentrate can help you achieve a more sustainable lifestyle, whether at home or while enjoying the van life! Use it as biodegradable soap for camping if on the open road or add it to your essential off grid living supplies list. Unlike other dish detergent brands, Oasis is formulated for greywater and septic systems. Safe for disposal or reuse, you won’t release toxins into the environment.
Oasis’s All Purpose cleaner is one of the biodegradable cleaning that you can use for greywater system. Some biodegradable products clamied that they are eco-friendly but their ingredients contain plant toxins such boron, chlorine, and sodium.
However, Oasis’s products are different from other because they are free from any of these toxins. Aside from dishwashing, this product can also be used for general cleaning, handsoaps, outdoor activities, as well as hand and body soap during travel.
5. FIT Organic
- USDA-certified Organic & Kosher (Orthodox Union) produce wash
- Certified USDA organic product – doesn’t use chemicals
FIT Organic is an eco-friendly brand that are Certified USDA Organic by the Oregon Tilth Company (OTCO). It contains no artificial surfactants and synthetic detergents.
This makes it ideal for people with sensitive skin or anyone that is allergy to surfactants.
The company claims that FIT organic products leave no taste or after smell due to their ingredients that are made mostly from organic plant-based oils and natural minerals.
6. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap
- MADE WITH ORGANIC OILS & CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS: Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Magic Liquid Soaps are made with over 70% certified organic & fair trade ingredients—an ethical, sustainable choice and a gentle unscented body soap for all!
- ORGANIC & FAIR TRADE PALM KERNEL OIL: Grown by fairly-paid farmers using sustainable methods that protect habitats—creating the rich lather in Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap while supporting people and planet with every bottle
- NO SYNTHETIC DETERGENTS OR FOAMING AGENTS: Our castile liquid soaps are made with plant-based ingredients you can pronounce—no synthetic detergents or foaming agents. A gentle, unscented body wash that’s great for skin and planet
Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile liquid soap is an organic, biodegradable soap that removes bacteria and stain without harming your skin or the environment.
This brand was founded in 1948 by Emmanuel Bronner, a German-Jewish soap maker. All the soaps are made from organic and fair trade ingredients. They are also free from any chemicals including foaming agents and synthetic preservatives.
7. Oasis Biocompatible Laundry Detergent
- THE ORIGINAL GREY WATER FRIENDLY LAUNDRY DETERGENT: Oasis is biocompatible… that means it breaks down into healthy nutrients that are good for fruit trees, gardening, and landscapes. Other biodegradable laundry detergent brands contain toxins that can kill plants. Since 1990, Oasis laundry soap has been used in greywater systems with water that can be reused safely for watering plants, and nourishing edible & sustainable landscapes.
- DESIGNED FOR GREYWATER SYSTEMS: Unlike other laundry supplies brands, water that contains Oasis laundry detergent liquid can be reused for greywater irrigation in systems like Laundry To Landscape (L2L). One gallon of Oasis liquid laundry detergent yields more than 3,200 gallons of washwater you can irrigate with. No sodium, no chlorine, no boron, no phosphates, and Oasis does not significantly affect soil pH. Oasis septic safe laundry detergent is also the best choice for septic tank disposal.
- EFFECTIVE & SUPER CONCENTRATED: A small amount of Oasis sustainable laundry detergent cleans laundry effectivley. Oasis harsh chemical free laundry detergent is formulated to be super concentrated so just 1/8th of a cup can clean a load of laundry. This means you get more washes out of a single bottle, a cost-effective choice for your laundry needs. This high concentration laundry soap liquid ensures that your clothes come out fresh.
- SAFE FOR PLANTS & YOUR FAMILY: Oasis washing soap for laundry prioritizes environmental and user safety. The cruelty free laundry detergent ensures that it’s not only safe for cleaning clothes, but also safe for your family, pets, and the planet. Oasis laundry liquid detergent is for those seeking effective yet gentle cleaning products. This liquid laundry soap is truly the only choice for reusing wash water for irrigating plants.
- LIVE OFF THE GRID OR EMBRACE VAN LIFE – This concentrated laundry detergent can help you achieve a more sustainable lifestyle, whether at home or while enjoying the van life! Use it as a hand wash laundry detergent if on the open road or add it to your essential off grid living supplies list. Unlike other laundry products, Oasis is formulated for greywater and septic systems. Safe for disposal or reuse, you won’t release toxins into the environment.
Similar to Oasis All Purpose cleaner, this product also doesn’t contain any traces of sodium. It has been formulated to be compatible with plants and soil without any plant toxins such boron and chlorine.
This detergent is also the best choice for reusable greywater, septic tanks, and sewer disposal. Although this detergent can biodegrade into plant nutrients, it is still highly concentrated and works effectively to remove stains and dirt. You can use it both in hot and cold water.
8. Everyday Shea
- SHEA BODY WASH. Our EveryDay Shea Body Wash is sulfate-free and clean, handcrafted with neem extract, fair-trade unrefined “raw” shea butter, and virgin coconut oil. Gently cleanses for radiant and renewed skin.
- CLEANSE, NOURISH & PROTECT. Lather up with our ultra-gentle and deeply moisturizing shea body wash. This handcrafted nourishing and nutrient-rich cleanser, softens & revitalizes dull, dry skin. For EveryDay use on normal to very dry skin.
- LAVENDER. A calming and herbaceous aroma with soothing floral notes that create a relaxing and refreshing spa-like shower experience.
Everyday Shea’s products are made from organic and fair trade ingredients. They are sulfate-free and contain different kinds of organic ingredients including lavender oil, butter and coconut oil, neem extract, natural saponifier, and other plant-based materials.
Their products are also paraben-free and less concentrated than other organic products. But they can deliver the same result and effectively remove stains, odor, and dirt.
9. Aubrey Organics
- 98% Organic: Made w/ straight-from-the-leaf aloe certified by The International Aloe Science Council
- Sun-Exposed Skin: Hydrates and soothes stressed or sun-exposed skin
- Face & Body Favorite: Excellent light hydrator for oily or sensitive complexions
- Aubrey Quality: No artificial thickeners, no colors, no fragrances, no parabens, no animal testing
Since the day it was founded in 1967, Aubrey Organics has been producing a lot of natural and biodegradable beauty, skincare, and cleaning products.
Some of the natural ingredients that you can find in their products are sea buckthorn oil, camellia oil, blue green algae, and rosehip oil. Most of their products are also manufactured in Tampa, Florida.
10. Soapnuts
Soapnuts are one of the eco-friendly products that you can use to replace synthetic soaps or detergents. Also known as the Indian soap berries, they are harvested from the fruits of small tree named Sapindus Mukorossi that is native to the Himalayas.
Soapnuts contain a natural compound called saponin that has the same cleaning properties as soaps. Since they are 100% naturally-made, soapnuts are biodegradable and free from any chemicals. They are also hypoallergenic, odourless, and suitable for people with sensitive skins.
Final Thoughts
Above all, before purchasing any biodegradable cleaning products, be sure to read the label thoroughly. Some commercial products might claim that they are safe for plants and greywater-friendly. But don’t take everything at a face value until you are sure that they are totally safe.
The best place to buy greywater compatible cleaning products would be at any eco-friendly convenience stores.
Resources
- https://greywateraction.org/greywater-plant-friendly-products/
- https://www.harvestingrainwater.com/resource/greywater-compatible-soap-detergent-info/
- https://ecologycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Greywater-Cleaning-Fact-Sheet.pdf
- https://offgridpermaculture.com/Water_Systems/Safe_Detergents_and_Soaps_for_Grey_Water_Systems.html
- https://www.thisoldhouse.com/gardening/21015581/plant-friendly-soaps-that-are-safe-for-greywater-irrigation
- https://www.eucaonline.com.au/blog/eucas-greywater-safe-laundry-and-cleaning-products
- https://shamelesshousewife.wordpress.com/tag/soaps-to-use-for-greywater-systems/
- https://www.seventhgeneration.com/blog/dos-and-donts-greywater-systems
- https://www.peacewiththewild.co.uk/what-are-soapnuts-and-how-to-use-them/
- https://www.fillgood.co/products/puretergent-gentle-laundry