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Cleaning Up:  laundry detergent- MORE QUESTIONS! (see ETA )  |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 21 2007 : 07:19:01 AM
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I've made both now, and I seem to have better results with the liquid. The powdered just doesn't seem to work as hard. I wash all loads in cold water- could that be it? I know some of y'all prefer the powdered, what could I be doing wrong? Here's the recipe I'm using:
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
1 cup grated Fels Naptha (I get just more than a cup grated...)
(this time I used 1/2 cup oxyclean stuff like Aunt Jenny)
I mix all of that together and use just shy of 1/4 cup (which is two of those little measuring cups that come with kid medicine).
Any suggestions?
Thanks-
Kim in NC
ETA (12-27)- I got until the weekend before I can get my Fels Naptha. Meanwhile I picked up some Ivory, which I've seen mentioned in several recipes. It's terribly soft when grated! Does anyone have experience with Ivory? As far as soaps go, I've read that I shouldn't use one with lots of fat (I think)... how do I know what has lots of fat?
Thanks again!
Kim |
Edited by - Carolinagirl on Dec 27 2007 6:35:41 PM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2007 : 09:47:27 AM
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Kim-
I do mine powdered and I only use a tablespoon. Are you perhaps using too much?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8 Just call me Calamity Jane!! |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2007 : 09:51:54 AM
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I think the liquid does work better in cold water. I prefer the powdered but I use warm water for most loads (lots of dirty kids, and a husband who gets extra grungy at work..haha) I use two scoops of the powdered most loads..but I have a really big washer too. It could depend on your water too, I think.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
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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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2007 : 11:04:03 AM
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I'll try the warm water next load and see how it works.
I wondered about how much to use, because the different recipes I found fall between a tablespoon and a quarter cup.
I'll continue experimenting!
Thanks, y'all!
Kim in NC |
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debinmtns
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Debi
Hope
Idaho
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2007 : 09:26:42 AM
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Well, today the powder they put in ground corn cobs and peanut shells to help the washing action for cleaniness. I don't know what's in the liquid. But I do like the powder I made. What I do is put in washer and put it on small load let it mix, and switch to extra large load add our clothes and I am good to go. I have to admit I have not found a good stain remover recipe yet. I am going to make some liquid after christmas.
debinmtns farmgirl #63
Have a Thankfulness Gratitude Attitude.
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2007 : 9:16:27 PM
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Debi-
For stain removal I have a bucket that I throw all my odds and ends soap into and fill with water. I let it sit until it is a gelled slurry and I stick the stained items in and let them soak overnight. I then wash them as normal once it has sat overnight. It got nasty under-arm stains out!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Nora has me wrapped around her little finger! |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2007 : 9:26:12 PM
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I have good luck with alot of stains using hydrogen peroxide... I have used it on blood stains, grass stains and food stains with good success...it is especially nice on blood stains. It dosn't work as well with hot water though...use cold or lukewarm
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
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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debinmtns
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Debi
Hope
Idaho
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2007 : 9:45:01 PM
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Alee & Aunt Jenny, I took notes and have the info in my book. I will try them both. Many thanks to the both of you.
debinmtns farmgirl #63
Have a Thankfulness Gratitude Attitude.
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Dec 27 2007 : 7:25:08 PM
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Kim-
I am not sure how much superfatting Ivory has in it, mostly you won't know unless you make the soap bars yourself. I personally wouldn't suggest using Ivory because I know it leaves horrible soap scum- aka lots of residue that will be in your clothes. If you don't have any homemade soap on hand that will work and you can't get Castille soap or Fels (both are usually in the laundry aisle. The castile is usually with the "fancy" soaps in the laundry aisle) then I suggest trying the Boraxo powdered Hand soap. No grating needed and it seems to be working great for us (it is basically powdered hand soap). I also haven't noticed any scum in the water or in my washer afterwards. It is usually also in the laundry aisle in a round container.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and I our our new blog: http://FarmgirlAlee.blogspot.com |
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debinmtns
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Debi
Hope
Idaho
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 4:42:57 PM
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In some of my recipes they use ivory for liquid detergent.
debinmtns farmgirl #63
Have a Thankfulness Gratitude Attitude.
http://handcraftedncreatedblogspot.com
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 08:08:17 AM
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I've quit using the homemade laundry soap. With my hard well water, my clothes came out looking dirtier than they went in. It is a great idea though.
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sissysquilts
True Blue Farmgirl
368 Posts
sissy
wa
USA
368 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 08:26:33 AM
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I made Alee's recipe of the powdered soap - didn't grate soap though, used the powdered Borax Hand soap as someone mentioned. It's working great *~* Our clothes are softer and even brighter it seems and the sheets...ohmygosh, love them washed in this :) Friends took samples and are some are making their own now as well. I do always wash in warm water now which I never did before but I still rinse in cold.
I always used really good brands before with all the little add ins so it could be quite expensive. With the batch I made of the homeade soap, even with friends taking some, I'm pretty sure I'm good for the next 6 months or so :)
Thanks again Alee for sharing! *~*
Farmgirl Sister #117
"The good stars met in your horoscope. Made you of spirit,fire and dew"
Robert Browning |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 08:34:49 AM
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I am so glad you like it! I love using the Boraxo powdered hand soap since it makes it soooo easy! :D I wash all my clothes in cold unless Doug's work stuff starts to get stinky...and his socks... I think he has acid feet! If I start to worry about the dissolving which is normally just fine- i just run a cup of hot water and dissolve my soap into it and then dump it into the wash. :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Cleaning Up: laundry detergent- MORE QUESTIONS! (see ETA ) |
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