Laundry water for gardening - detergent problems? (grass, nursery, leaves)

[Chaka]

I've been using my laundry water to water grass, and have recently started using it to water plants. However, I've noticed a few of my plants have developed yellowing leaves at the site where the water hits them (near the bottom) and one succulent just looks sick (I had poured the water directly on top rather than into the dirt, just 'cause I had to reach over the fence and it was easier that way).

I had read that soap was OK, even good for plants. But now am thinking twice. Is there a particular type of laundry detergent that's better or worse? I usually use 7th Generation detergent and if using a softener (since we only line dry clothes) use Ecover or 7th Generation.

Anyone know if 7th gen is ok for plants? It's not like I put tons of soap on them, it's just what's left in the laundry run-off.

FWIW - soil is mostly clay, but where new plants have gone in, have used "better" soil (a wide variety, but gardening soil from my local nursery).

[North Beach Person]

Graywater (also spelled greywater, graywater, gray water)

Safe Use of Household Greywater


Don't know if this well help.
There may be too many nutrients in your water, or the wrong type. Those are just WAGs.

[Chaka]

Thanks for the links. The second one does say - "If you plan to use water from your washing machine, avoid liquid fabric softeners and detergents with softeners. Use a dryer fabric softener sheet instead." which may be the problem. Since we don't own a dryer (only line dry), we use a softener. An eco-friendly softener supposedly, but perhaps a problem. Will have to try a few loads without the softener and see how the husband tolerates it