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Cleaning Up:  Lumpy Borax  |
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HollyG
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
Holly
Hamburg
Arkansas
USA
214 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 21 2011 : 08:38:48 AM
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Farmgirls,
I know you will know the answer to this if anyone does! I tried the dishwasher deterget recipe using borax, washing soda, and vinegar for the rinse. I LOVE IT! Problem. There are 2 stores in a 50 mile radius that sell 20 Mule Team Borax, so I'm stuck with what I get. The last box I bought was a rock! I've squeezed and crumbled and done everything I can to break up the lumps. Any ideas? It's difficult to use and even to mix when it's like this. How do I break up the lumps?
P.S. I know humidity is my enemy - and I think South Arkansas is right up with the Rainforests for humidity. I usually decant it into a sealed container, but I can't get this out of the box! Thanks for your advice...
HollyG
Farmgirl #2513
www.mydeepwoodslife.com |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2875 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2875 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2011 : 10:10:37 AM
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| Wiz it in the food processor |
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JoyIowa
True Blue Farmgirl
273 Posts
Joy
273 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 3:11:36 PM
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Would it react to any of the treatments we give brown sugar when it gets hard?
I don't know, just thought I'd throw it in.
Joy
If it's not illegal, unsafe, or immoral, why not try anything once? Who knows? You may come back for a second helping! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 7:50:29 PM
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I have this problem, too.
I store mine in an old glass cookie jar. I take the back of a spoon and press the clumps against the side of the glass to mush them up. I am trying to remember if I used an old flour sifter on this...and I am thinking that I did, lol. Gosh, I really think I tried this with some degree of success...
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Valgirl
Farmgirl in Training
41 Posts
Valerie
Hot Springs
AR
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 8:12:04 PM
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Just a thought....can you put something in it, like a piece of fabric or washcloth to absorb moisture? Sort of like putting a piece of bread or biscuit into the sugar bag? Not sure, I would try it.
Today is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Valerie (Farmgirl #2356) |
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vintagejenta
True Blue Farmgirl
83 Posts
Sarah
Walden
NY
USA
83 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2011 : 1:09:33 PM
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You could try putting a little cloth bag of salt in it. That's the only thing I can think of that would absorb moisture. It could also be that it got moist and THEN dried out and got hard. Salt does that if you get it wet and then let the water evaporate out of it.
So maybe the key really is to put a little moisture in it like with a piece of bread? No idea otherwise...
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http://citygirlcountryfood.wordpress.com |
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3littlebrds
Farmgirl at Heart
3 Posts
Tracy
Naperville
IL
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2011 : 8:14:06 PM
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I had that same problem with my last box - wonder if it was a bad batch? I used a knife in the box to break it into manageable clumps then broke it up by hand when I made my detergent. Still a bit clumpy, but it worked fine.
Where did you get the recipe for dishwasher detergent? |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2011 : 02:07:46 AM
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I always seem to have this problem so what I do is put the lump in one of those heavy duty space bags I have seal it shut & then stomp on it....yeap it looks crazy & the hubby thinks I have lost my mind but it works I tried it once barefooted...won't do that again let me tell you...bruised the feet! but with tennis shoes or other flat shoes it was quite the workout....Have had to do this with powdered soap as well...I don't recommend you jump too hard on it unless you want the walls covered in it as it shots out of the bag.....
The Old Batz Farm |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2011 : 06:22:55 AM
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so michele, i am guessing you know it shoots out of the bag from more hands or should i say feet on the subject.
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2011 : 6:59:02 PM
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lol Sherrye...yeap it has happened, thank goodness it wasn't the whole bag that decided it like the walls better than the bag! I had to wait until it all settled before I got the vacuum out...lol....but the room smelled real nice for a long time :)
The Old Batz Farm |
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Cleaning Up: Lumpy Borax |
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Lumpy Borax
