Originally Posted by
gardener
I use shampoo as well. Don't use a highly perfumed one.
Woolite is (or at least used to be) just linear alkylbenzene sulfonate in water. Any of the typical anionic surfactants will work and work well. Sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium lauryl ether sulfate are the ones typically used in shampoo or LDLs (light duty liquids, or hand dish detergent). For that matter, the only major difference between shampoo and hand dish detergent is the perfumes.
Liquid hand soap is not soap and could also be used. A bit foamy so may require extra rinsing. They are typically based on alpha olefin sulfonates and or betaines.
About the only thing you wouldn't want to use is machine dish detergent. Even liquid tide can be used in a pinch, very dilute. But if you are looking for mild it is best to avoid the products with alkaline "builders" (phosphates, sodium carbonate, etc)
I once spoke to a producer of cashmere pullovers. She said to use shampoo, too. She actually pointed me to a particular product with silk proteins, IIRC. Might have been just a marketing gimmick but the sweaters sure came out great.
I think there are three factors that need to be considered for hand washing clothes:
1. How well does it clean?
2. How good or bad is it for the textiles?
3. How well does it rinse?
Could you elaborate a little bit on available products, on how they perform in these categories, please? I am thinking of Woolite, Shower gel, camp suds, normal shampoo, shampoo with conditioner (2-in-1).
Thanks,
Till