What are the best clothes washing detergents to use if you want to recycle water on to the garden?

Question

Melbourne has just gone on to stage three water restrictions, which means we are very limited in using mains water to water the garden. I have a back yard full of fruit trees, and it is the height of a dry summer here.

I'm bucketing used shower water to my garden. I'd like to reuse clothes washing water as well, or at least the rinsing water, but I'm concerned the detergent residues could damage the plants. What sort of detergents give a reasonable rinse water for hortocultural use? I have a front loader.

Answer 1

Almost all detergents now days are degradable, meaning you can use them. It's a good idea. Remember though, sometimes fruit trees get enough water even though it's dry, you can over water simply by adding a little. Best to check with the Ag department of the local U.