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Cleaning Up:  Homemade Laundry Detergent - Disappointed  |
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Candy C.
True Blue Farmgirl
823 Posts
Candy
Mescal
AZ
USA
823 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 06:44:16 AM
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So, I am on my second batch of laundry detergent and it just does not get DH's work clothes clean. He gets really dirty mucking around down at the barn, working around the property and riding the horses. At first, it seemed to be working okay but then I noticed that his jeans and work shirts weren't getting clean. It seems to work okay on my clothes and the sheets and towels and stuff, just not on his work clothes. I have actually gone back to Tide just for his stuff. Is it just me? Does anyone have any suggestions? I used the recipe in the MJF magazine. I even added a second bar of soap in the second batch hoping it would help.
Candy C.
Farmgirl Sister #977
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
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Candy C.
True Blue Farmgirl
823 Posts
Candy
Mescal
AZ
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 07:12:50 AM
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Alee,
I am using Fel's Naptha and made the powdered version. I don't know how to make the liquid version!? I had to buy a 12-bar case of soap when I bought it. Since then, I have seen Zote in the Dollar Store.
Candy C.
Farmgirl Sister #977
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
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Candy C.
True Blue Farmgirl
823 Posts
Candy
Mescal
AZ
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 07:29:51 AM
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Alee,
I was originally using the 2-tablespoon recommended amount. Now I use 3 to 4 tablespoons in all loads. Do you think using more on his grubby clothes would help? Got an idea how much to try? I REALLY don't want to have to buy laundry soap if I can help it!
Candy C.
Farmgirl Sister #977
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 07:30:35 AM
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I was having problems with alot of my clothes not getting that really clean feel. Especially my dish clothes and towels. They were not getting clean and looked horrible. So I have had to go back to the other kind. And some bleach fot the whites which were really looking dingy. And I hang everything out too. It must be the water here. I hated to do it but something had to happen.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 07:42:40 AM
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I couldn't get the powder to dislove in my water so went back to liquid Gain. Love it. But I also use watersoftner in the wash and that helps a bunch.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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MrsRooster
True Blue Farmgirl
1168 Posts
Amy
Seabrook
TX
USA
1168 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 08:27:04 AM
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If you have hard water you need to up the amount of baking soda in the mix to soften the water otherwise the soap gets bound up with the minerals in your water. Also for really dirty clothes (my husband's work shirts when he worked in the shipping dock of a big grocery store for example) I would use as much as half a cup which is about how much commercial detergent you use. I know that sounds like a lot but the math still comes out as much cheaper than commercial detergent and it's still better for the environment.
The thing with the homemade stuff is that each region's water is different so you kindof have to play around with it a bit to make if work for your area. Also if you are washing something that is very dirt or has lots of oil in it, try putting just a bit more borax and washing soda in the washer to help out.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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RaspberryBee
True Blue Farmgirl
291 Posts
Karen
Montrose
Michigan
USA
291 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 08:28:29 AM
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I find during the summer months I have to use another scoop or two depending on what is going in to the washer. Have you tried adding a little more detergent to your loads?
Farmgirl Sister #918
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
-Henry David Thoreau- |
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Candy C.
True Blue Farmgirl
823 Posts
Candy
Mescal
AZ
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 08:40:01 AM
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Thanks ya'll for all the suggestions! I will try adding more detergent. I do use vinegar in a Downy ball. We don't seem to have hard water but I will also try adding the extra boost of borax and baking soda.
Candy C.
Farmgirl Sister #977
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. |
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MerryHeartSister
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
Christy
Tuscaloosa
Alabama
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 10:26:59 AM
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for me, using washing soda instead of baking soda is the key.
Farmgirl #1951
Home is a gift that should be opened every day. |
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clothedinscarlet
True Blue Farmgirl
1333 Posts
Siobhan
Battle Creek
MI
USA
1333 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 10:30:37 AM
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I had to switch to the liquid homemade soap as the powdered version wasn't getting my husband's clothes clean either. I use the Duggar's recipe. Also, I never use the whole bar of Fels for the liquid detergent recipe. There's always a little chunk left over and I keep that in my laundry area so that if there are stains, I wet the little chunk of Fels and rub it into the stain. It's a great stain fighter.
Farmgirl Sister #1110
Siobhan - AKA Liza-Jane (my farmgirl name), wife to my best friend, Trent, and mommy to Camden (11/28/05) and Bennett (7/11/07). and Truman (7/28/09) |
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Merry
True Blue Farmgirl
765 Posts
Merry
Ankeny
Iowa
USA
765 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 11:07:10 AM
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Whenever I had to wash an extra dirty load, I put a good squirt of liquid Dr. Bronners castile in when I put my detergent in.
Merry
Farmgirl #536
http://afarminmyheart.blogspot.com/
Your life is an occasion, rise to it. Mr. Magorium |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2875 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2875 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 11:28:02 AM
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I have to pretreat way more than I ever did with the store bought stuff. I use Zote, borax, washing soda & baking soda. It just does not clean as well to me, but I still use it. I also soak many whites in bleach ahead of time. We do not have hard water here, & I use vinegar in the rinse as well. I still do not feel it cleans as well. We get some dirty clothes here too, especially hubby, who is usually outside working. My biggest messes are usually olive oil stains on my shirts from cooking, & if I do not pretreat, they will not come out in the wash.
Siobhan, does the liquid work better? |
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clothedinscarlet
True Blue Farmgirl
1333 Posts
Siobhan
Battle Creek
MI
USA
1333 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 11:38:39 AM
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Lisa, I think it works a lot better, especially when I'm washing colors on cold. The powdered detergent just wasn't dissolving well.
Farmgirl Sister #1110
Siobhan - AKA Liza-Jane (my farmgirl name), wife to my best friend, Trent, and mommy to Camden (11/28/05) and Bennett (7/11/07). and Truman (7/28/09) |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2010 : 10:11:22 PM
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I think my problem is that I have a front loader and it just does not use enough water. When this one dies I will be going back to the top loader kind.
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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Candy C.
True Blue Farmgirl
823 Posts
Candy
Mescal
AZ
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2010 : 06:35:42 AM
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Siobhan,
Do you think the liquid works better just because everything is dissolved ahead of time? I don't usually wash anything in cold water so that isn't a problem. Hopefully, I just wasn't using enough of the powdered. I also received a suggestion to add some Sun brand Oxygen Wash and I am going to give that a try.
Thanks everyone for all the ideas!
Candy C.
Farmgirl Sister #977
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. |
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MissLiss
Farmgirl Legend Schoolmarm
322 Posts
Melissa
Corona
CA
USA
322 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2010 : 10:20:16 AM
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I love the homemade detergent, I use the washing soda, baking soda, Zote and borax. I have found that the Zote needs to be a super fine grate to dissolve properly. Other than that I've had no problems. I do soak my husband's white undershirts in oxyclean for a few hours every once in a while when they get dingy (which they did in commercial detergent too). I really like the smell of the Zote and like that the clothes don't come out smelling like "springtime rain" or whatever. My next project it making an alternative to the dryer sheets I still use. Hmm...
Melissa ~ Farmgirl #724
Mother Hen to The Knitty Gritty Farmgirls of the Inland Empire
http://fabulousfarmgirl.blogspot.com/ |
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solilly
True Blue Farmgirl
726 Posts
Lillian
Williamsburg
Virginia
USA
726 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2010 : 11:59:01 AM
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Thanks ladies for all you updates. For I was thinking when my large jug gets empty of making a batch. So I now know I will have to play with it as I use it. We have well water but it is hard. All in all it will be cheaper then the store bought stuff. I also have a front loader. yes it is true they do not use much water but if you are having trouble with powder desolving or clothes not getting as clean as you like you may be filling your machine to full. I have had one for over 30 years and will never go back to a top loader. Lilly 
learning the life I always wanted. |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Aug 30 2010 : 03:36:44 AM
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Might be the type of stain too and the dirty stuff making other clothes dingy
We have the same problem....but also have a front loader. So it might be the water combined w/ the washer.
Do you have well water?
I use Trader Joe's cause it smells like real lavender. But I also include a little baking soda to kill the animal stink from work and a shot or two of Oxi Clean for our whites
Fall back is always Tide HE. And due to the contaminants from work, I also wash everything in the hottest water
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Aug 30 2010 : 03:39:01 AM
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Had anyone used washing products from Lehman's?
I wonder how the washer balls work and those ...I think they are pine sap soap nuts??? (could be wrong - they are brown and round) |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2010 : 7:47:22 PM
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I recently started using one of the washer balls that has the various ceramic balls in it....it works good on basic daily wear clothes but not on heavily soiled stuff. I like the soap nuts much better. The "nuts" are actually dried berries from an Indian tree that are high in saponins. Not related to pine in any way :) They do need to be used in hot water, though, as cold will not release the saponins.
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Sep 03 2010 : 06:38:23 AM
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Hey Candy,
I'm glad I am not alone! I have felt that my husbands clothes weren't getting clean enough too and it felt like things had a film on them. I tried the above suggestions and have always used vinegar in the rinse cycle. I also tried the liquid recipe and got the same results.
I recently tried Charlies Soap and it works great! I don't need to add any fabric softeners, vinegar or dryer sheets (even for static). Everything comes out clean and soft. I am sold on Charlies :)
Oh and my husband has sensitive skin and has no problems with it.
Here's a link:
http://charliesoap.com/
I actually purchase mine on Amazon and got free shipping (super saver shipping)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - Calicogirl on Sep 03 2010 06:39:51 AM |
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Celticheart
True Blue Farmgirl
811 Posts
Marcia
WA
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Sep 03 2010 : 10:36:16 AM
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I've tried all kinds of things--oxiclean, bleach, hot water, more soda, more borax, and i've increased the amoiunt of soap I use--but can't seem to get rid of the dinginess either. It must be the water. I didn't have this problem when we lived in town. I also have a front loader but that's what I've always had. I wash all DH's clothes separately, except the whites. He's a trucker and his work clothes are often greasy or have diesel on them. A friend of his said he pre-washes all of his jeans and really dirty shirts in hot, hot water first with no soap and then washes them again. Almost seems wasteful but it works. I also had problems with some of his T-shirts retaining a BO type smell that showed up after he's worn them for a short time. Even the vinegar rinse didn't help that. Line drying on the clothesline does though! That's good news.
"Let us never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other art follows. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization."
Daniel Webster
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Mama Jewel
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Jewel
Sweet Peas Farmette,
Bend, OR
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Sep 03 2010 : 1:45:55 PM
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I use the Zote soap (finely grated), washing soda, baking soda & borax and mixed it up & it's in a plastic bucket w/lid. I use 2 scoops (4T=1/4 c) using a glass measuring shot glass I got from a kitchen shop. I tried to just use 1 scoop (2 T) but it wasn't enough to clean the clothes & have them smelling nice & not looking dingy. We have hard water here. The 1/4 c works great & I use vinegar in the rinse & if it's my whites, then I also put hydrogen peroxide in the bleach section. I also wash my whites in hot/cold (I tried to wash in only cold, but my dish towels smelled) and the colors in warm/cold & my husband's clothes in cold/cold (as we can't have his clothes shrink in any way). The clothesline has done an awesome job (along with the homemade detergent) in bleaching out stains. When I use the dryer, the clothes were fluffy & clean-smelling. I cannot rave enough about Zote soap. I love the smell!! I couldn't find it anywhere in town until I went to a Mexican market and found it for $1.50 for 15 oz bar in pink (my favorite color  and loved the small town feel of this market & knowing I am supporting a mom/pop shop, too! I've used some of the leftover Zote for rubbing on stains prior to washing. My husband had a blood stain on this pant leg & I rubbed some of Zote on it & threw it in the wash cold/cold & no stain.
Farm Girl Sister #1683 Living Simply & Naturally on our lil Sweet Peas Farmette
"Do Everything in Love." 1 Cor 14
http://www.piecemama.etsy.com |
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Cleaning Up: Homemade Laundry Detergent - Disappointed |
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Homemade Laundry Detergent - Disappointed
