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Cleaning Up:  Keeping your whites...well...white...  |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
 Posted - May 07 2008 : 09:49:28 AM
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Ok, so I am slowly changing Charlie's wardrobe over to some basic white t-shirts and I washed them in cold water with the 7th Generation detergent but they were dingy. Could I add baking soda in with the detergent in the little cup (I have a front loader) to help keep them bright?  I know hanging out in the sun helps but it hasn't been sunny is 5 days here. Could I add peroxide in the bleach cup? I don't have a lot of white items to wash but the one's I do seem to get dingy. Could I maybe soake them in baking soda or peroxide first? HELP!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
Edited by - catscharm74 on May 07 2008 09:49:48 AM |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 09:52:31 AM
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I always add borax to my white loads, and I do wash them in hot, because Jus's "wifebeaters" get dingy after a time, and it brightens them right up. The smell "clean" too. Never tried any of the other stuff you mentioned, Borax seems to work just fine.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 10:11:15 AM
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Heather- add half cup baking soda right in with your wash. The baking soda will soften the water allowing it to wash clean. The borax that Jonni suggested can be used with the baking soda as well and it really does help.
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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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 10:16:44 AM
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Can I just put the baking soda in with the liquid detergent? Or just throw it in there when I load? Is Borax friendly?I never used it before and honestly, with Charlie's skin sensitivities, I would like something a little more natural.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 10:40:44 AM
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You could also add a little Mrs. Stewart's bluing (or make your own) to the wash, which makes for snowy whites!
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
Wherever you go, there you are.
www.madrekarin.blogspot.com
www.madrekarin.etsy.com |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
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Maryjane Lee
True Blue Farmgirl
2195 Posts
Maryjane
CA
USA
2195 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 11:23:14 AM
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I use 1/2 cup of Borax, and add 1/2 cup of white vinegar. It works for me! Good Luck Heather!
Hugs, Maryjane Lee
Farmgirl Sister #44
http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 11:24:02 AM
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Hi Heather!
Some of the ladies that use the homemade laundry soap have reported that all the powder does not dissolve and wash away from their laundry cup which is why I recommend putting any powder in with the clothes before you close the door. However, it won't hurt to try just putting the powder in with your liquid- though I would put it in the "powder" side since that gets a rinse of water and I don't know if the liquid side does or not.
Both Borax and Baking Soda are naturally occurring and eco-friendly.
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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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 11:30:31 AM
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Ok!! Thanks Ladies. I do appreciate it!! Off to get my whites whiter!!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2008 : 1:22:54 PM
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Hi Heather!
How did you make out with the whites? I have super-duper sensitive skin so I use the Purex detergent...purest I've found and my dermatologist recommended it. I also use a little scoop of Oxy-Clean. (even a 1/2 scoop does a great job) I never broke out or anything like that and my clothes are nice and whitey clean fresh!
hugs
jessie
When life sends storms, remember to dance in the rain!
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2008 : 1:39:19 PM
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I tried throwing baking soda into with the clothes and I put peroxide in the bleach cup instead. I did lay them outside to dry (Got to use that hot Texas sun for something) and things looks good. I realized with the water here, I have to do a hot water wash at least once a week but I am line drying everything so that helps. I feel better not putting chemicals into the water and on us!!! Especially little Charlie...
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4737 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4737 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2008 : 2:32:17 PM
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I make my own laundry soap and add a small squirt of bluing in for whites or colors. They both come out clean and bright. We have our own well water so this has been a huge help to get rid of the dingy look.
Dawn in IL |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2008 : 8:13:22 PM
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I agree, the homemade laundry soap does really well for keeping whites, white. Also if they start needing a little bleaching- you can make up a lemon water soak for them to be put in, then line dry on a SUNNY day, the wash to get the lemon out. Natural bleach!
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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Ca-Reds
True Blue Farmgirl
124 Posts
kristy
Clearlake
Ca
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2008 : 8:23:21 PM
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Heather,
I work at a resort, my husband is a bellman and has white shirts he has to wear, our house keeping dep. suggested putting Pine- sol in with the wash to get them and keep them white. I also started to put some in with my girls clothes that where really dirty.... Seems to work really well for me! Kristy |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2008 : 07:09:10 AM
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Hmmm..interesting...thanks Kristy!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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Bfriday
True Blue Farmgirl
125 Posts
Jessica
Miles
TX
125 Posts |
Posted - May 28 2008 : 10:23:30 AM
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Just started using the Mrs. Stewart's bluing liquid...it worked very well! And the Texas sun is bright enough to put an extra zing in the white!! The bluing liquid is very gentle, that is why I like it!
Farmgirl Sister #188 |
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Cleaning Up: Keeping your whites...well...white... |
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Keeping your whites...well...white...
