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Nifty Thrifty:  Yet another version of homemade laundry soap?  |
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missusprim
True Blue Farmgirl
400 Posts
Karen
Fostoria
Ohio
USA
400 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 09 2012 : 10:31:38 AM
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Just bought the March issue of Country Sampler. In it they feature a beautiful home by a woman named Lisa Kindred. She was kind enough to share her recipe for a color safe homemade laundry detergent on page 29. It is very similar to one's I've found but with small variations that make more sense (or at least to me :) ) and easier to do.
I like the idea of using the extra bar of FelsNaptha soap, as well as simply adding boiling water to it to dissolve it rather than the stove top method. And of course, I like using a mixer to blend it really well. Yeah, I know, could do this with most of the recipes.....but....
See what ya think.......
Farmgirl Sister #2984
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot
http://farmchicatheart.blogspot.com/
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Room To Grow
True Blue Farmgirl
974 Posts
Deborah
Kingston
Georgia
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2012 : 04:48:43 AM
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I found ZOTE bar soap at BigLots for .99 I hope that was a good deal. It says extra whiting power. Not sure what that means maybe it has bleach in it...not sure. I am just getting the things together to make some homemade soap.
Deborah
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2012 : 05:41:03 AM
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I mix mine using Fels Naptha. I fine-grate it and just use the powder with no issues.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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rphelps4
True Blue Farmgirl
620 Posts
roxanna
westport
indiana
USA
620 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2012 : 07:14:09 AM
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| I have been making my own laundry detergent for 2 or 3 years now, and wouldn't think of using anything else. Everyone one I have shared it with either wants the recipe, or I just make it for them. I also have a recipe for fabric softner it anyone is interested. |
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pennyhenny
True Blue Farmgirl
304 Posts
Missy
Dayton
OH
USA
304 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2012 : 08:20:43 AM
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I just made a dry batch using both Castile peppermint and Fels- Naptha. Smells wonderful and did an excellent job.
I posted about it on my blog.
hugs,
-missy-
http://citychickblogging.blogspot.com/
Sisterhood Member#4003
Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.
John Harrigan |
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jollyquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
251 Posts
WV
USA
251 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2012 : 08:46:58 AM
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I have made my laundry soap for over 30 years. And I just have to give my 2 cents on adding the extra bar of soap. i would be afraid it would give you a bad soap build up in your washing machine and on your clothes. My youngest son lived with us for a bit and he thought he should use more in the wash than what I had told him and I had to scrub the inside of my washer to get the soap scum out of it.
www.StuffByKim.etsy.com
http://fiberandflea.blogspot.com |
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Bayou Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
252 Posts
Jennifer
Star City
Arkansas
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2012 : 12:56:00 PM
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Roxanne,
I would love your recipe for fabric softener.
~Jennifer~
Farmgirl #3803
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country_lovin
True Blue Farmgirl
50 Posts
Debbie
Oregon
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2012 : 6:55:27 PM
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| I've been making our laundry soap for almost a year. And I love it. I too would like the fabric softener recipe. |
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jan49829
True Blue Farmgirl
2428 Posts
Janet
Gladstone
Mi.
USA
2428 Posts |
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antoinette
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Toni
East Freedom
PA
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2012 : 4:35:59 PM
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| Roxanne I would also love to have that fabric softner recipe. |
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rphelps4
True Blue Farmgirl
620 Posts
roxanna
westport
indiana
USA
620 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 2:36:02 PM
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| Here is the fabric softener recipe in case I didn't answer everyone who ask for it 2 cups hair conditioner, 3cups vinegar, 6 cups distilled water, mix well. Also I just got a recipe for gardeners friend hand cleanser Just mix dawn renewal dish soap with sugar, go easy with the dawn as it doesn't take as much as you would think, works pretty well ladies! Don't worry your clothes won't smell like vinegar! Roxanna |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2012 : 11:09:49 AM
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| I just use plain white vinegar for fabric softener, and 6 wool dryer balls. This combination works great for me and leaves no residue. Like Roxanna, I don't find a trace of vinegar smell, just freshness! For stains, I wet the stain, and rub a wet Fels Naptha bar into it. Usually does the trick. |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2012 : 11:13:23 AM
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| Ladies, so many of you refer to "fine grating" Fels Naphta. I've never been able to do that. The bars are too soft or something. The best I can get is the result of rubbing bars on the larger holes of a hand grater -- and sometimes I *do* grate my hands! Anyway, is there a trick to this that I haven't sussed out on my own? I like to make dry soap powder using Fels, rather than making up the gloppy liquid, so it's important to get the grated size down to something that'll melt quickly in the washer. |
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sjmjgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
566 Posts
Stephanie
Mt. Vernon
Iowa
USA
566 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2012 : 1:35:21 PM
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I grate it with my Saladmaster (a hand cranked grater) to the size you would get with a hand grater. I then put that into the Magic Bullet for about 30 seconds. (No more or you'll get soap stuck in the bottom.) You can also use a blender for this. I make the liquid version, and the soap melts in no time flat!
Farmgirl Sister # 3810
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
- Dalai Lama
April is Autism Awareness month. Autism affects 1 in 88 children (1 in 54 boys, including my son). Go to http://www.autismspeaks.org/ to learn more and help Light It Up Blue on April 2nd!
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Edited by - sjmjgirl on Apr 23 2012 1:37:51 PM |
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sjmjgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
566 Posts
Stephanie
Mt. Vernon
Iowa
USA
566 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2012 : 1:49:44 PM
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Roxanna, thank you for the fabric softener recipe. I lost my copy and am so glad to have it again! BTW- if anyone uses wrinkle releaser you can make your own by mixing 2 T. fabric softener with one spray bottle full of water. Shake before using.
Farmgirl Sister # 3810
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
- Dalai Lama
April is Autism Awareness month. Autism affects 1 in 88 children (1 in 54 boys, including my son). Go to http://www.autismspeaks.org/ to learn more and help Light It Up Blue on April 2nd!
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missusprim
True Blue Farmgirl
400 Posts
Karen
Fostoria
Ohio
USA
400 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2012 : 05:31:28 AM
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Just cleaned out the last of my bucket of homemade laundry detergent and will locate the Country Sampler mag to read the recipe again to see what all it entails. I'm mostly excited to use this recipe so it can be put in an actual old used laundry soap bottle with a dispenser 'spigot' on it. Currently I use an empty large vinegar bottle and have to leave it on top of my deep freeze. Now I'll be able to put it up on a shelf. Yeah! One less thing to clutter our utility room.
Also, as a side note I use straight vinegar for my softener in a Downy dispenser. The vinegar odor is goes away completely and leaves even my line dried clothes very soft. Also I like knowing that the vinegar helps with cleaning residual detergent off.
Farmgirl Sister #2984
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot
http://farmchicatheart.blogspot.com/
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2012 : 12:42:52 PM
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Some people are concerned with the chemicals in Zote and Fels. A lot of people use castile soap instead, especially for folks with allergies and skin sensitivities, plus keeps chemicals out of the water table. Here's the recipe I'm going to try, from another homesteading blog, makes 1 gallon liquid-
1/2 bar castile soap
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup washing soda (NOT baking)
1 gallon hot water
Grate soap, mix in hot water, add powders, mix well. Shake well after sitting overnight. Use about 1/4 per load (not sure if that's too much for a front loader?) Might have to play with that....
Be the change...
http://littlehomesteadinboise.blogspot.com/ |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
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Tammy Claxton
True Blue Farmgirl
1559 Posts
Tammy
Glen Burnie
Maryland
USA
1559 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2012 : 06:45:51 AM
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I've been making my own laundry detergent for about a year now. I love it and it lasts so much longer than the store bought powders. I use fels naptha soap, borax, and washing soda. I fine grate the soap in my old food processor and then mix in the other dry ingredients. makes enough to last me 2- 3 weeks. I have used vinegar for fabric softener too and it works great!
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogmom130.etsy.com |
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Annie S
True Blue Farmgirl
756 Posts
Annie
Custer
S.D.
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2012 : 4:27:49 PM
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| I have been making my own laundry soap and fabric softener for about five years now and would love to know how much $$$ I've saved over that time. I grate mine on the hand grater's fine side, but I wear garden gloves to protect my hands from any scraping. Like so many I make all my own cleaners, etc. and only spend a lot of $$ on Fels Naptha soap and vinegar. I go through a lot of vinegar, but it's so cheap at Sam's Club compared to the regular store. So I stock up on a lot of it, that and baking soda. Also have gotten a lot of people turned on to making their own laundry soap, fabric softener and cleaners and they rave about the savings. |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2012 : 4:49:00 PM
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@ Rosemary...I just use my regular, vintage-type box grater, and have no issues. My other "modern" graters don't work. The laundry soap recipe I use calls for 1/3 bar Fels Naptha, OR 1 whole bar any other soap (have used my friend's goat milk soap, worked fine, but I like to bathe with it). Maybe the grater you have is the problem? My girlfriend in Texas messed up her food processor trying to grate the soap in it, but I find the smallest grate on the old-fashioned box grater to be easy.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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jollyquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
251 Posts
WV
USA
251 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2012 : 6:43:12 PM
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Rosemary.....I opeen my fels-nappa and leave it laying out for a few days to dry out before I grate it. I then can grate it on the fine side of an old fashion box grater. It will make powder.
www.StuffByKim.etsy.com
http://fiberandflea.blogspot.com |
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flyinpighollar
Farmgirl at Heart
1 Posts
Erma
Barnesville
Oh
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 4:28:37 PM
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| need a recipe for homemade fabric softner please |
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prayin granny
True Blue Farmgirl
1874 Posts
Linda
Kansas
1874 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2012 : 05:26:15 AM
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I just made my first batch of laundry soap and we loved the results! I may add a drop of a nice essential oilnext time as well. Today I'm making a batch of homemade dish soap. Will let you know how I like it!
Blessings,
Linda
www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com |
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prayin granny
True Blue Farmgirl
1874 Posts
Linda
Kansas
1874 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2012 : 05:30:24 AM
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Rosemary,
I just bought a small grater from the dollar store, it was easy and worked great!
It was just a small handheld one.
Good luck!
Blessings,
Linda
www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2012 : 08:26:45 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by jollyquilter
Rosemary.....I opeen my fels-nappa and leave it laying out for a few days to dry out before I grate it. I then can grate it on the fine side of an old fashion box grater. It will make powder.
www.StuffByKim.etsy.com
http://fiberandflea.blogspot.com
This sounds like the solution! Thanks so much -- is your name Kim? |
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Nifty Thrifty: Yet another version of homemade laundry soap? |
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Yet another version of homemade laundry soap?
