What natural things can I use to wash clothes, instead of detergents? and to wash utensits?

Question

I'm planning to give up the use of chemicals that ruin our environment as far as possible. I have already given up a lot of things ----- including the use of body soaps ( I use multani mitti) and mosquito repellar.

I want to know is there any natural ingredient which can be used to wash clothes, so that I don't have to use detergents.

In Indian villages in the past they used Donkey's **** to wash clothes (that's what I've been told ----- but that is kind of impractical in city life).

Is there anything to wash utensils apart from 'ash'?

Answer 1

I hope you haven't given up deodorant.  

You can always use rocks live the cave people did, or find a recipe for soap that does not contain phosphates (like the kind of soap your great grandmother used - lye soap, etc...)

Use a blow torch to clean utensils.  Or, use a steel wool or a scrub brush, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and/or water.  The hydrogen peroxide is a biodegradable chemical that will dissipate.  You will not want to get it on you though, if it is concentrated as it will eat flesh.