| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Jan 02 2013 : 10:08:58 AM
I found Zote soap at my store the other day. I picked it up to try it in my homemade laundry soap. I like to make and alternate between homemade liquid and homemade dry soap. I usually use Fels Naptha. I tried that coconut soap (I can't remember the brand name!) but it didn't clean or freshen as well as the Fels Naptha. My recipe for dry soap calls for finely grated Ivory soap. Has anyone used Ivory soap in their homemade laundry soap?
How about Zote? Does that clean well in homemade laundry soap? How would I use it- Dry or Liquid? Does it stain treat like Fels.
Are there any other good bar soaps (other than homemade bar soap)for use in homemade laundry soap? Thanks for input!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
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| Sharon65 |
Posted - Aug 04 2013 : 06:55:58 AM
I used Ivory for over a year and then switched to Fels. I like the smell of it and I've noticed that the clothes come out cleaner with the Fels. I didn't know about the origin of the ingredients so will have to give that a look. Have not seen Zote in the stores here, but will search for it. |
| michgirl |
Posted - Apr 23 2013 : 10:09:07 AM
I use Ivory Soap in my laundry detergent. I have a top loader and will never go back to other kinds of soap- I love it. It cleans beautifully and the smell makes me happy! |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Apr 22 2013 : 1:38:35 PM
I used to use Fels Naptha. The dermatologist recommends Ivory so I use that sometimes. It is not harsh.
farm girl sister#43
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--Edmund C. Vance.
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| teacups |
Posted - Apr 22 2013 : 08:51:02 AM
I have used both Fels and Zote. They both seem to work just as good for me. Now that I have read the info on the Fels, I believe that I am going to stick with zote. I do like the way that the Fels grates. I am going to try leaving out the Zote and see if that helps the grating for me. I like the smell of Zote better. I also alternate between liquid and dry mixes. It all depends on how much time I have to make it. The dry is faster to make, so if I am running short on detergent and short on time, I just make the dry. I have had no issues with the HE Washer at all. |
| MrsRooster |
Posted - Feb 18 2013 : 06:36:20 AM
I unwrap my Zote bars and let them harden up a few days before I grate them. It makes it easier.
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Farmgirl #1259
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| Rosemary |
Posted - Feb 17 2013 : 2:55:53 PM
Soft-versus-hard Fels bars has more to do with storage than ingredients, I think. A humid environment makes them softer. Of course, laundry rooms are usually humid. Probably best to store unused bars in a closet somewhere rather than right near the washing machine. |
| Annie S |
Posted - Feb 17 2013 : 12:18:46 PM
I've experienced both hard and soft with the Fels myself over the years. Don't know if they've changed the formula or what. But after what Amy said about it, I think I'll switch to Zote. Only problem is I can't find it down here where I live, so will have to order from Amazon. |
| Katlady93 |
Posted - Feb 11 2013 : 12:11:48 PM
i have only bought three bars of Fels, but i wouldn't call them soft by any means.
Some dreams are worth the risk it takes to make them real.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footsteps on the moon. |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Feb 10 2013 : 3:38:38 PM
Has anyone noticed a difference in Fels lately? I just picked up a new bar last week and it was really soft just like the Zote! Have they changed the formula so its not a hard bar anymore or should I contact the company because maybe something was wrong with it?
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| Katlady93 |
Posted - Feb 10 2013 : 2:20:23 PM
i love my homemade soap. i used Fels as that is what i found. and i do the vinegar rinse. so far i am very pleased with it.
Some dreams are worth the risk it takes to make them real.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footsteps on the moon. |
| texdane |
Posted - Jan 17 2013 : 06:05:52 AM
@ Mrs. Rooster I do the vinegar rinse, too. Love it! I still get a bit of nasty scum but think it has to do with my well water as well. See you use Zote. I'll try that next time. :)
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
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http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
| MrsRooster |
Posted - Jan 16 2013 : 11:01:40 AM
I use vinegar for a rinse (in my Downy ball) and I don't have this problem. I don't need fabric softner either except with fleece or sweats.
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Farmgirl #1259
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| texdane |
Posted - Jan 16 2013 : 08:27:46 AM
I've used Fels Naptha for the last few years in my dry laundry soap, which I love. The only thing is every few months I do notice a bit of soap scum ring around the edge of the inside of the washer. I clean it out with an all-natural citrus based scum remover. I wonder if Ivory would eliminate that? My detergent recipe calls for one third bar grated Fels-Naptha or 1 whole bar Ivory. Wiki-pedia has an interesting entry on Ivory. Their website redirects you to their Facebook page, where someone recently posted that they test on animals. When I looked at it, they had not responded. Anyway, wonder if anyone finds soap scum in their washer, too?
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Jan 14 2013 : 07:52:48 AM
I really like the 'clean' smell of Zote, I didn't mind the smell of the Fels either. Now I am wondering if I can use half Zote and half Fels in my laundry soap and use that when I wash my husbands work (mechanic) clothes? The Zote didn't seem to get the deeper dirt out like the Fels would. Any one know if using half and half would work like that or should I stick to one or the other?
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
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http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Jan 08 2013 : 6:54:37 PM
I use Ivory, washing soda and borax and run it all through a food processor to break it down. Never had any problems with it.If any little pieces of soap remain on the clothes after washing, they dissolve in the dryer. I use a dryer cause I'd be afraid someone would steal my clothes if I hung them up to dry. Wish I lived in the country.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Jan 08 2013 : 11:28:31 AM
All the ingredients in modern Fels Naptha are listed on their website: http://www.felsnaptha.com/ . It used to contain a very harsh ingredient called Stoddard's Solution or something like that, but supposedly doesn't anymore. I think they changed the spelling slightly to reflect that. In any event, you should use only a tiny amount in your laundry. I use mine to pre-treat stains, then use my regular laundry powder mix, which contains maybe 6 times the combined amounts of borax, washing soda and baking soda as Fels. |
| MrsRooster |
Posted - Jan 08 2013 : 09:56:38 AM
I use the entire bar or Zote.
It worked better when I put 1/4 cup of the mix in a plastic cup and filled the rest up with hot water and poured the whole thing into the washer.
You can also buy Zote grated in a box. It is called Zote Flakes. I liked it better when I did the grating because I can grate it smaller.
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www.morganicinstitute.blogspot.com
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Farmgirl #1259
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| Heather B |
Posted - Jan 07 2013 : 7:36:34 PM
I'm having issues with my front loader soap screen clogging when I use the grated soap in my "dry" laundry soap. This causes water to back up and spill over the fill drawer. I haven't tried making a liquid yet.
Anyone else have this problem? Fixes?
Heather
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"Only your real friends tell you when your face is dirty"
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| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Jan 07 2013 : 7:22:13 PM
I noticed for Zote I had to use a little more of my dry laundry soap to get them clean than when I used the Fels Naptha. I only used half a bar of Zote, maybe I should have grated the entire bar of Zote up? Any input for that? Also, does the Ivory soap dissolve properly if finely grated or will it use a film on the clothes after a while? Thanks again :)
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| rough start farmgirl |
Posted - Jan 04 2013 : 07:32:36 AM
Amy your information is really interesting. I would like to stick to plant based products ...
Catherine, how much essential oils do you add to a gallon of soap?
Marianne |
| MrsRooster |
Posted - Jan 02 2013 : 5:52:43 PM
Fels is or was made from Napthlene. It is a by-product of oil production. Can't get a straight anwer about it's ingredients now. Zote is plant based.
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Farmgirl #1259
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| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Jan 02 2013 : 4:01:53 PM
I have used all three! Just depends on what's on sale at the time. My DH had a problem with the Fels Naptha on his skin.
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| cajungal |
Posted - Jan 02 2013 : 3:48:55 PM
It's funny...I am the opposite of Bridgette...I began with Zote and then switched to Fels-Naptha. I make 10 gallons liquid at a time. I also add essential oils like Tea Tree and Lemon or Lavender (whichever aroma mood I'm in).
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Jan 02 2013 : 2:39:58 PM
I use Ivory in mine. I run it through a food processor before using it to break down the soap flakes.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| Bridge |
Posted - Jan 02 2013 : 12:47:48 PM
I like the pink zote in my Laundry soap recipe. I began with Fels Naptha, but then tried the Zote and I like it better.
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