| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| rabbithorns |
Posted - Feb 01 2009 : 11:53:06 AM
Just figured out my new batch of homemade dry powder.
2 bars Kirk's Castille bar soap
6 cups washing soda or borax
Total cost: $4.85
Will do 130 loads of laundry and I do 2 loads a week. That's a year's worth of soap for less than $5. Less than 4 cents per load for soap.
I use washing soda OR borax, not both, because they are almost the same chemically. Washing soda is a bit less caustic and easier on clothes. They are meant to help wash the soap residue out of the clothes.
I used to use Ivory bars but they added a new fragrance recently and it makes me wheeze.
http://www.rabbithorns.etsy.com & www.wayofthewife.blogspot.com |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lulu bell |
Posted - Feb 04 2009 : 1:21:42 PM
Dawn with this mixture for soap how much do you use per load?
Karen |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Feb 04 2009 : 11:45:30 AM
I've been making my own laundry soap for two years now. Our colors come out just fine. I use a mix of 1/2 cup Castile soap, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup washing soda, 1/4 cup borax & 4 drops of tea tree oil. I also put in half a cup of white vinegar in the rinse dispenser. Our whites come out nicely and there isn't any static cling either. We have our own well water here. Have fun making your own laundry soap, experimenting is half the fun!
Dawn in IL |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Feb 04 2009 : 11:30:26 AM
I notice that you say the washing soda is easier on clothes than borax...
I've been meaning to ask, with all these homemade laundry formulas showing up lately, whether homemade laundry soap is hard on colors? I use the kinds of laundry soap with "bleach alternative" or "won't fade colors" on the package. I wear a lot of black and I hate when it looks dingy and washed out! Which laundry ingredients will be good for me? |
| chessie |
Posted - Feb 04 2009 : 08:28:38 AM
well, that's what i thought at first but the buing has to be diluted... but then the bleach dispenser is so small that bluing doesn't work. i'm afraid to do too strong a bluing solution, that I'll stain everything, the machine, the clothes, the floor, me.... Also the same with the fabric softener dispenser too small to work with the dilution. hum...maybe i need to buy brown or gray towels and give up. Thanks for the laundry soap recipe, It is a winner! Karen
www.edgehillherbfarm.com "where the name is bigger than the farm, but no one seems to mind"
blog http://edgehillherbfarmer.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
happy farmgirl #89 |
| rabbithorns |
Posted - Feb 04 2009 : 08:19:15 AM
Karen, I don't have a front loader so I don't know about soaps. Thanks, Karin for the tip. Since bluing is liquid, could it be poured in where the bleach would go?
Allison
Farmgirl #473
http://www.rabbithorns.etsy.com & www.wayofthewife.blogspot.com |
| chessie |
Posted - Feb 04 2009 : 08:11:49 AM
Karin! Thanks. Here's another question, have you or anyone tried to use bluing in your hefl? If so, how did you do it and did it work?
www.edgehillherbfarm.com "where the name is bigger than the farm, but no one seems to mind"
blog http://edgehillherbfarmer.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
happy farmgirl #89 |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Feb 04 2009 : 07:43:33 AM
Karen- Try dissolving your laundry soap in 1/2 cup hot water and add it to the dispenser. I have a front loader as well and that is what I had to do. Works like a charm now!
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
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| chessie |
Posted - Feb 04 2009 : 07:29:03 AM
Allison, What kind of washer do you have? I have a frontload high efficiency washer and am having trouble with the dispenser and homemade products. Not compatible. I need to figure out a system that works with a recipe like yours and my machine...I ave found that these "smart" machines that use less water can not dissolve my homemade soap. So i am trying to make it liquidy first, etc...
www.edgehillherbfarm.com "where the name is bigger than the farm, but no one seems to mind"
blog http://edgehillherbfarmer.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
happy farmgirl #89 |
