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Cleaning Up:  Homemade Laundry Detergent  |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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homesteaderbelle
True Blue Farmgirl
391 Posts
Belle
USA
391 Posts |
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Mountain Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
JoAnn
Colville
Washington
USA
806 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 26 2008 : 06:49:24 AM
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| I have been using Cold Water Tide. I like the fact that I don't have to have the expense of not heating the water. Will it work in cold water.JoAnn |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 26 2008 : 08:09:14 AM
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I just make the powder version and yes I think it does great in cold water. I just put it in and it washes great. I never have left over powder on my clothes. However, if you are worried about it dissolving- you could always dissolve it right before washing in a cup of hot water from the tap.
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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JenniferJuniper
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Jennifer
New Hampshire
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 11:49:22 AM
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I just made my first batch of lavender scented powdered soap using Aunt Jenny's recipe - I am so excited about it!
I guess I was lucky, I was able to find the Arm & Hammer washing soda and FelsNaptha at the local grocery store (Hannaford, a New England chain). Though I might try a castille soap the next bacth, the FelsNaptha has a funky smell I wasn't crazy about so I was genenerous with the esssential oil drops. |
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Mountain Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
JoAnn
Colville
Washington
USA
806 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2008 : 07:26:29 AM
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| For a long time I have used Coldwater Tide. Went to buy some and now they only have Tide Ultra Concentrate. I developed a bad rash and thinking back on what could have caused it I narrowed it down the new Tide Concentrate. Even found postings on the Tide website where other people have the same rash, some so severe they were hospitalized! So I made up some homemade laundry soap. My question is, does it suds up? I seem to have no suds. Is this normal. JoAnn P.S. I used Zote for the bar of soap |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2008 : 09:43:34 AM
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Hi JoAnn-
Mine never has suds. The commercial detergent actually adds something to make a few suds so people know the water is "soapy". It's amazing some of the "extras" that get put into commercial products, just because they have convinced people that it needs to look a certain way- even if performance isn't impacted. Another thing that blows my mind is that oranges are actually sprayed with a dye!
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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Trace
True Blue Farmgirl
247 Posts
Tracey
Canton
New York
USA
247 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2008 : 8:03:45 PM
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I've been making the powdered version for quite a while. I decided the other day to make the gelled type and I absolutly love it. It's a snap to make and I just poured it into one of those plastic containers cat litter comes it. I first mixed it all in an enamled canning pot I have.
I used an entire bar of grated Zote, 1/2 c each borax and washing soda and the water required in the recipe. It gelled pretty fast. I love it because it simple just melts into the wash water.. easy breezy. I'll be making this one forever, lol. |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2008 : 9:56:39 PM
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Been using grated Ivory soap and washing soda for several years now. I only use a couple of teaspoons for a medium load.
I can't use detergents and soaps with fragrances because I have asthma and my husband said the "free and clear" laundry detergents weren't getting the sweat smells out of his shirts. So I tried this powder and never had another complaint. The whole family loves it and it's easy and economical. Borax and washing soda are similar mineral derivatives so really one is enough.
Don't wash silks or wool with washing soda or borax though.
http://www.rabbithorns.etsy.com |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2008 : 10:26:47 PM
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can someone share the recipe for the gelled version of the laundry soap again? since I use only liquid detergent in my washing machine that I'd prefer the gelled version/liquid version better. As I was told by several plumbers with the companies like roto rooter and so forth..that powdered detergents can be rough on the septic systems especially if there is ever any grease particles that mistakenly get down the drain from the kitchen..it can all bind together in the septic system and cause big hard rock type clumps...I have seen this happen and it is gross..the soap binds up almost like concrete.this happened to our septic system the very day after we bought our house..the commodes and everything backed up when we went to use them..talk about a nice surprise...not!!..and when we called roto rooter to come help ...lo and behold they had to power jet things out with the big machine..whatever it is called..and sitting on the ground next to the septic outlets was this huge white clump of stuff that looked like rocks..I asked the guys what it was and they said "it is laundry powder that has bound up with grease particles in the pipes..that's what caused the line to clog up. We see this all the time, we'd recommend that you always use liquid detergent in your washing machines."
So anyhow...I would like to be able to make my own laundry soap to save money..but it has to be a gel/liquid type for me to feel comfy in trying this method.
Thanks in advance.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2008 : 05:58:35 AM
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Tina:
It is 1/3 cup powdered washing soda and 1/3 cup borax and 1/3 of a bar of grated soap. Use a 2 gallon bucket with lid. Dissolve the grated soap in a few cups of boiling hot water and pour into bucket. Let that sit a few hours until it is sort of jellyish...then add the borax and washing soda (divided evenly if you use two containers) and slowly add warm water to mostly fill the jugs. Stir well and use about a cup per load. You will need to stir before each use. Alternatively, you can reduce the water by about 2/3 and it should stay pretty "jelled" and you wouldn't have to stir each time.
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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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Bfriday
True Blue Farmgirl
125 Posts
Jessica
Miles
TX
125 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2008 : 8:12:34 PM
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I used my homemade laundry detergent for the first time today!! LOVE IT! I'm hooked!! It was so easy to make and inexpensive. My clothes came out clean and smelling fresh! Thank you girls so much for sharing this with me! I am a girl changed!! One more girl not tricked by mainstream ideals! LOVE IT!!
Farmgirl Sister #188 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2008 : 8:38:37 PM
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Yay! It really is great! I am so glad you love it, Jessica! I don't think there really is anyway to go wrong with this stuff!
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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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9468 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9468 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2008 : 05:17:50 AM
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I have made my own stuff for quite a while I started with the fels naptha gel type and now I use one part borax to two parts baking soda. Thats all. I mix it in a bucket and the clothes come out clean and smelling great. The soap powder or flakes are used if you want suds. I don't really see a difference between using them and not. I do use vinegar in the rinse sometimes.
Denise
farmgirl sister #43
"Take a lesson from the teakettle, though up to its
neck in hot water...it sings!"
www.torismimi.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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campchic
True Blue Farmgirl
312 Posts
Erin
Nebraska
USA
312 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2008 : 10:54:46 AM
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Denise--would your recipe work on DH's work clothes? He works with a lot of oil. I thought the Fels Naptha was good for that. I think I may try castille soap this time around. I'm a total fan of using vinegar as a rinse though!
Erin
Farmgirl #190 |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9468 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9468 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2008 : 7:50:57 PM
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I don't use anything but the borax/baking soda on my dh's clothes for work and there is always lots of grease and oil. It really cuts it and the baking soda deodorizes too so they smell good.
Denise
farmgirl sister #43
"Take a lesson from the teakettle, though up to its
neck in hot water...it sings!"
www.torismimi.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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campchic
True Blue Farmgirl
312 Posts
Erin
Nebraska
USA
312 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2008 : 12:33:03 PM
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That would be a lot easier. Not that i mind hand grating the soap. But time is precious. Thanks for the tip.
Erin
Farmgirl #190 |
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Pennypincher
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
Linda
NC
8 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2008 : 7:03:54 PM
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I'm new to the boards, and also new to homemade laudry detergent, but I have my first load in washing now went to our local Piggly Wiggly and they had the three things I needed.
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2008 : 7:37:04 PM
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That's great Linda! I bet you will love it! Welcome to the forum! I love your nick name! :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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BarnChickCecily
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
Cecily
Corydon
IN
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2008 : 7:43:10 PM
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| Today I went to our JayC because it was the closest grocery store to where I was. Even though JayC is usually more expensive, I bought Borax, Washing Soda, Baking Soda, Ivory soap, and a large jug of white vinegar for around $10.00. Pretty good considering this homemade laundry soap should last months! :o) |
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fionalovesshrek
True Blue Farmgirl
186 Posts
Paige
kinston
North Carolina
USA
186 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 10:49:59 AM
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I have a "piggy wiggy" up the road and will get the ingredients soon. I have store stuff in stock right now so I'll use that up first but look forward to keeping it cheap, green and easy.
P~
living a good neighbor life |
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Cleaning Up: Homemade Laundry Detergent |
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Homemade Laundry Detergent
