How do I use my washing machine grey water?

[MrsFabuloso]

I would like to be a little more enviro friendly (baby steps right?) Can I just hook up a hose that leads out the window to the garden? What sort of detergents can I use, what should I avoid? Anything else I should know?
TIA

[Phteven]

Look for detergents that say they are safe for garden use.

If you are washing cloth nappies then you need to take extra steps to kill any germs because of the fecal matter.

[MrsFabuloso]

No clothies here (sadly!)

[HotI]

We have done it a few different ways. At a rental property, the laundry was outside and we had hose connected directly to machine outlet and hose went out to square grass area. Hose went into larger diameter hose with holes (can't remeber proper term) that spread water out more. Went from scrappy, dusty, horrible area to luscious green grassed area. Just have to make sure there is no restriction that stops water from flowing at the pace that washing machine wants to pump it out.

Our current set-up is a t-piece on plumbing from laundry/shower that directs water to a large drum. Inside drum we have pump that directs water to tap at front yard which is attached to purple hose that has sprinkler head that waters the grass. There are some laws around stopping grey water from going/spraying on neighbours property but ours is not close to neighbours so sprinkler is ok. I turn the t piece to direct the water to waste when i am washing nappies. I think this cost about $200 to get all the fittings and pump and hose etc.

[Astrid]

Would not use grey water on edible plants and also would not rely on it at the only source of watering.

Detergents are getting better, but there is still the risk of long term damage to the soil from grey water, mostly due to the salt in detergents. Apprently gum trees are one of the better plants to cope with grey water.

[emc2]

Just watch you use the right detergents.

My parents stuffed up an area, and the soil became water repellent.