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Cleaning Up:  Homemade Laundry Detergent  |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 06 2008 : 11:53:39 AM
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Suggestion:
I was looking for a container to store my laundry soap in and came up with using one of those plastic iced tea jugs with a spigot. I had a couple of them leftover from summer and it makes the perfect soap dispenser!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://heirloommavens.blogspot.com
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
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ranchmama
True Blue Farmgirl
360 Posts
Elise
Rosebud
MT
USA
360 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2008 : 1:57:38 PM
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AWesome idea Dawn! Storage was one reason I didn't want to make the liquid version. I have a 2 gal water jug sitting in a box that I thought I would use if I ever made the liquid.
Before I thought of that, I was picturing myself dipping out of a 5 gal. bucket! lol
Your tea jar is much better ;)
Elise
Every Child Deserves Our Love &
A Bear of Their Own
http://ATeddyForKeeps.org
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ranchmama/ |
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Suzan
True Blue Farmgirl
659 Posts
suzanne
duncannon
pa
USA
659 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2008 : 2:25:43 PM
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| I use my box grater as well, and whirl it in the chopper to make sure it is as fine as I can get it. Then I store in a kitty litter bucket. I make alot at one time so that works great. (Kitty litter buckets are wonderful things to have around!) |
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5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2008 : 09:49:32 AM
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Ladies, what kind of the dry doap, could not find it anywhere....
Farmgirl Sister #368
http//:froccsfrillsfurbiloesandmore.blogspot.com
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5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2008 : 09:51:19 AM
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this maybe has been asked again and again, but,for the dry doap, what kind of "dry" soap powder, or does it matter and does it just "stretch" the already dry powdered soap?
THANKS!!!
Farmgirl Sister #368
http//:froccsfrillsfurbiloesandmore.blogspot.com
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2445 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2445 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2008 : 2:03:22 PM
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I'm a soapmaker so I just made a small batch of soap with - 1% discount. I had some white pine essential oil that smells just like PineSol so I used some of that to scent it. I let it dry about a month then grated it in the box grater and gave it a whirl in the food processor. I used 5 bars of soap to 1 box each of washing soda (found it at Raley's), baking soda, and borax. This made about a gallon and a half of dry powder and I use about 1/3 cup per load (we have hard water). I put about 2/3 cup of vinegar in the final rinse. It cleans really well. I made the liquid version several years ago but don't like it as well as the dry.
Happiness is Homemade |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 11:11:04 AM
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Does anyone know besides NOT using our laundry powder on wool and silk, can we use it on bras and swim suits? Will it eat the lycra in them?
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
Edited by - kissmekate on Oct 15 2008 7:04:12 PM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 7:27:33 PM
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Thanks Alee, I just hate replacing bras, they are so darn expensive!
I thought I read a "few" pages back not to use it on wool or silk.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 7:58:47 PM
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Oh I use mine on everything too...with no problems ever.
Terri..to answer your question..you just grate some bar laundry soap like Kirk's castile, Fels naptha, or like that...or really you can use any soap..but it needs to be grated to a powder. A rotary type grater..like for parmesan cheese..works best, but I have used all manner of things. It dissolves alot better when grated to a powder. It helps to unwrap the soap when you buy it and let it dry out quite awhile. No soap is too old..the drier the better. I have used homemade soap (without added filler stuff like herbs and rose petals..haha) and it works great too.
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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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2009 : 2:31:34 PM
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I mixed up a new batch and added baking soda this time. (Forgot to last batch)
I made extra so I can give some to my friend for Christmas.
She has recently started to transition to "Green" at her house, so this will be a fun experiment for her.
I also gave her a huge box of baking soda, and a jug of vinegar too. I "wrapped" those along with some Peppermint foot scrub we made, and the "washing minerals"-and the recipe to make her own- in a new reusable canvas bag that someone gave to me.
I was a little nervous about giving it to her. I had hoped she wouldn't be offended or think I was being pushy. She LOVED it-including my "gift" bag!!!!!!
She was surprised to learn you can use vinegar as a softener.
So, one friend coverted, a few more to go!!!
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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Celticheart
True Blue Farmgirl
811 Posts
Marcia
WA
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2009 : 8:46:56 PM
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How cool is that?! When I made my first batch of laundry soap I gave some to my daughter who lives here in town. She loved it and gave some to her dad and step-mom. They loved it. Now he makes it himself plus hand soap and something else I don't remember. I gave some to my DD in Spokane and now my DIL and her mom use it too. Oh! And DD#1 MIL uses it too. Kinda spreads like wildfire.
"Nature always has the last laugh." Mrs. Greenthumbs
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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ThePixiesPlayhouse
True Blue Farmgirl
127 Posts
Terri
Biggs
CA
127 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2009 : 07:49:28 AM
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| I am having the hardest time finding washing soda. I have looked at the grocery stores, ace hardware, the little hardware store close by......I can't find it anywhere. |
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Celticheart
True Blue Farmgirl
811 Posts
Marcia
WA
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2009 : 6:48:13 PM
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I had a hard time finding washing soda too. I finally found it at Rosauers. So I bought 2 boxes. Good thing it doesn't take much.
"Nature always has the last laugh." Mrs. Greenthumbs
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
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Kelly Wall
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Kelly
Apison
TN
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2009 : 04:45:03 AM
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Can someone repost how to make the laundry detergent, or tell me where to find it? I startd reading the posts and figured it maybe easier just to ask. Thanks
Kelly
Farmgirl #238 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2009 : 07:12:26 AM
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I use equal parts of Washing Soda, Baking Soda, Soap (Like Fels Naptha or homemade soap), and Baking Soda since I have hard water (baking soda softens water).
Things to note:
Wash darks and things that might fade in cold or warm water only. Hot Water turns the borax into a hydrogen Peroxide type bleaching compound.
Wash Whites in the hottest water possible to maximize the natural bleaching process. The hotter the water the more of the borax is converted.
If you are worried about the powder dissolving- simply put the amount in a measuring cup of warm or hot water, stir and add to wash water.
Use between 2 tablespoons and a quarter of a cup per load!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Kelly Wall
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Kelly
Apison
TN
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2009 : 07:24:44 AM
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Thanks Alee.
Kelly
Farmgirl #238 |
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Annie S
True Blue Farmgirl
756 Posts
Annie
Custer
S.D.
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 3:24:32 PM
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Terri, you can also get the washing soda on-line. Just type in Arm and Hammer Washing Soda and it brings up a site (I can't remember the name of it off hand). You might also ask the grocery store you use all the time if they would order a case of it for you. Some will do that for their customers. Good luck.
Annie |
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ThePixiesPlayhouse
True Blue Farmgirl
127 Posts
Terri
Biggs
CA
127 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 5:44:34 PM
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I found some washing soda.........in was in my craft stuff.......I have used it for dying, but did not know it was the same thing since it was labeled soda ash.....LOL
Yippee....off to make some laundry soap!
________________________
Farmgirl #428
"It is the mark of an educated man to be able to entertain a thought, without accepting it"
Aristotle |
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Kelly Wall
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Kelly
Apison
TN
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 11:22:56 AM
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I just picked up all the ingredients to make the laundry soap and have one question, How fine do I grate the soap?
Kelly
Farmgirl #238 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 12:17:51 PM
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Kelly- Grate it as fine as possible. Cheese graters for things like Parmesian cheese do great! Just don't use the zesting side of a grater (the kind that have stars or such that rip the zest off oranges and lemons)
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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homemom
True Blue Farmgirl
1593 Posts
Ruth
Warwick
RI
USA
1593 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 2:33:16 PM
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Ruth-wash white on hot water- the borax naturally bleaches because it turns into peroxide. The hotter the water- the more it turns to peroxide.
Also use vinegar in the rinse. It helps get rid of any residue. If you whites are looking really dingy, run them through a hot wash cycle without any soap and about 2 cups of vinegar. Then wash as normal with about a quarter to half cup vinegar in the rinse cycle (I use a Downy Ball to release the vinegar)
The vinegar smell dissipates as the clothes dry- either in the dryer or on the line.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Cleaning Up: Homemade Laundry Detergent |
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Homemade 
