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Cleaning Up:  Homemade Laundry Detergent  |
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campchic
True Blue Farmgirl
312 Posts
Erin
Nebraska
USA
312 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 05:24:50 AM
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I just made my first batch of laundry detergent. I waited the recommended time before using. It says it will thicken to a gel consistency. Mine is still very watery. What did I do wrong? Can I still use it? Any thoughts on this would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Erin |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 11:38:44 AM
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Hi Erin-
Most likely you might have added just a bit to much water or the soap hasn't absorbed it yet. Did you use the Fel's? If not you might not get the gel stage.
You sure can still use it though! I have had batches that didn't gel before and it is fine. Just shake/mix it really well before use.
I usually make the powdered version now. It isn't as messy.
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 1:05:13 PM
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I do the powdered version now...
I agree..probably just too much water..but it will work just fine for sure! I have done that same thing before..more than once. It is actually easier to get scooped out when it is more liquid and less gel..haha
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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campchic
True Blue Farmgirl
312 Posts
Erin
Nebraska
USA
312 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 1:49:50 PM
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Alee & Jenny,
Thanks for the input. I did use Fel's. But thankfully I can still use it. I'd hate to have wasted it. I think I'll try the powdered version next time. Does the powdered dissolve well?
Erin |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 2:57:20 PM
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it sure does...if you are using cold water for wash just dissolve it in a cup of hot water before adding it...it does fine in warm or hot loads without doing that first.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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cabinmoose
True Blue Farmgirl
218 Posts
Lorna
Forest Hill
MD
USA
218 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 3:29:48 PM
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ok so is there a recipe for the powder version somewhere?
Lorna
Forest Hill, MD
“I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry.
And I know you do the same things too, So we're really
not that different, me and you.” ~Colin Raye |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 7:26:13 PM
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I know it has been posted here somewhere...I will see if I can find it. I have posted it on my blog about a month back too...link is below
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 7:34:34 PM
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I love Jenny's recipe for laundry soap. I use it all the time, and made some for my sister when I visited her last week. She loved it as well! And you can make it scneted to suit your fancy! Right now mine smells like geranium.
Karin
Wherever you go, there you are.
Come visit me at:
www.madrekarin.etsy.com
www.madrekarin.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 8:21:54 PM
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Use equal parts of Washing Soda, Borax, and Soap. I also add baking soda as it neutralizes odors and conditions the water even more. The traditional recipe is 1/3 cup for all ingredients. Then you use a tablespoon of the mixture per load. It comes out to be less than a penny per load depending on your area.
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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Annie S
True Blue Farmgirl
756 Posts
Annie
Custer
S.D.
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 12:57:32 PM
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My DH thought I was crazy to start making "home-made" laundry detergent. But when I told him how much it cost to make he didn't think I was that crazy after all. One batch last forever and it's so easy to make. Now I've made my first batch of fabric sofener as well. Have a friend that I got interested in making it too.
Peace and love.
Annie |
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EagleNest
True Blue Farmgirl
192 Posts
Mary
Yakima
WA
192 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 3:57:40 PM
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I made the liquid laundry soap and I love it but it is messy. I want to try the dry version. What kind of soap do I use? Alee how does the dry version work on Nora's things?
Thanks
Mary
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Gal 5:22 |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 4:07:05 PM
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mary, we use only homemade and I cloth diaper my baby and everything is amazingly clean and wonderful. I recently gave a worshop at the county fair about green cleaning and gave out a ton of different recipes, some my own, some found, onhow to make your own cleaners and I have had four people call just this week telling me how they love their homemade laundry powder and thanking me for clueing them in to this earth saving, money saving idea.
I use castille soap, either homemade stuff I get from a friend, or kirks fromt he grocery store. I grate it, dry it and them hand mill it so it is a fine fine powder that dissolves easily. Once you start using homemade laundry powder, you really notice a difference in your clothing, your skin and your washing machine!
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
Birth is safe, interference is risky; TRUST BIRTH |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 4:08:41 PM
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The dry sounds great. When you say washing soda, borax and soap, do you mean powdered soap? If so, what's the point? Aren't you just adding boosters to regular store-bought soap? Not challenging you, gals, just bein' DUMM!
Also, a reminder that white vinegar makes a really good fabric softener. Just fill up the fabric softener cup with it. There's no vinegary smell once the laundry's done. It just smells fresh. It's especially good for towels, which become non-absorbent and harsh on your skin (well, on mine) when you use regular store-bought fabric softener on them, but they do need a little something.
ps: Oops! Just saw Tasha's post and also read Aunt Jenny's blog about this. So now I know where ya'll are coming from. I've recebntly used Kirks Castile soap in the shower and really like it. It's pertty expensive, though, at nearly $2 a bar (at my Safeway). Does anyone know of a cheaper way to get it? |
Edited by - Rosemary on Jul 31 2007 4:16:58 PM |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 8:28:00 PM
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| What about homemade laundry soap for people with high efficiency washers? Does the homemade soap have a lot of suds? Does anyone know of any high efficiency soap recipes? |
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Cheryl
True Blue Farmgirl
919 Posts
Cheryl
Magalia
CA
USA
919 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 8:37:33 PM
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Thank you for the great idea on making laundry soap. I am going to try this. I am learning so much from so many of you. Thank you, Thank you!
Cheryl :) |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 9:05:29 PM
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I've tested my laundry soap in the high efficiancy washers and it works great. The bonus is that it goes twice as far because you only need to use half as much in an HE machine.
Babs a.k.a. Mugwort Maggie ;)
Laundry Soap at Etsy: www.mugwortmaggies.etsy.com
Connect to me on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mugwortmaggie
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 11:07:30 PM
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Awesome! Doesn't it feel great to be making yet one more thing for yourself?
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2007 : 05:59:59 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by PlumCreekMama
What about homemade laundry soap for people with high efficiency washers? Does the homemade soap have a lot of suds? Does anyone know of any high efficiency soap recipes?
We have a front loading LG rand HE washer and it works famously. I have had others who use HE machines tell me the same thing after using the blend that I make. We use vinegar as a fabric softener and hyrogen peroxide for bleeching. I put everything in it's nplace in the washer and the washer does the rest.
I have never ever had a better result washing anything than when I started making and using my own powder and natural remedies for softening and bleeching.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
Birth is safe, interference is risky; TRUST BIRTH |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2007 : 8:34:41 PM
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| Thanks more, Tasha. I plan to get going with this over the weekend. |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2007 : 6:16:16 PM
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| Thanks, Tasha and Babette. Tasha, do you just use the castile soap? How much do you put in? |
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LauraH
True Blue Farmgirl
305 Posts
Laura
North Creek
New York
USA
305 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2007 : 6:29:09 PM
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I am so glad to have this recipe! thanks to all who put the time & effort in to these threads!
I am going to try this recipe
where online are you findig the kirks castille soap?
LauraH |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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OregonGal
True Blue Farmgirl
511 Posts
Chris
No. IL
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2007 : 7:30:41 PM
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I find the Kirk's castile soap in the supermarket - most should have it....its in the
bath bar soap area, where the Dial, Dove, Irish Spring, etc. is located. |
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Trace
True Blue Farmgirl
247 Posts
Tracey
Canton
New York
USA
247 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2007 : 12:41:16 PM
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I've been making the powdered version and love, love , love it!! It really seems to do the trick. I also use white vinager in my rinse cycle. The clothes have this awesome fresh smell to them.
pics from my world.. http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/tra-dun/ |
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gateway girl
True Blue Farmgirl
135 Posts
Shari
Missouri
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2007 : 3:09:26 PM
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I just made my first batch of liquid gel laundry soap and it gelled perfectly. Yesterday my DH got greasy dirt from a blacksmithing forge blower on his brand new, first time worn jeans. I washed them in my soap, (what better test). The soap got the stain out without a trace left. I was very impressed, so was DH.
I do have a question about the vinegar for a fabric softener. If you use an essential oil or scent oil in the laundry soap, does the vinegar neutralize the scent?
I know that's probably a really Dumb question but I have to ask.
Shari
Life is a chain of moments of enjoyment, it's not just about survival. Live every second to it's fullest!
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Cleaning Up: Homemade Laundry Detergent |
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Homemade 
