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Cleaning Up:  Homemade vs. 7th Generation Laundry Detergent  |
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Kerbear
True Blue Farmgirl
261 Posts
Kerry
Middle
Tennessee
USA
261 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 13 2012 : 10:30:12 AM
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Does anyone know which is better for the environment homemade laundry detergent (borax, washing soda, etc) or 7th Generation (or something comparable)? I am planning to make my first batch of homemade laundry detergent and wanted to make sure that it is okay for the environment before I do so.
Thanks for your help!
~Kerry Anne
Farmgirl Sister #975 |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2012 : 06:30:20 AM
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Hi Kerry Anne,
Check out the ingredients list on the commercial one. The other day I was looking at the ingredients on a "Natural, Safe for the Environment" spray cleaner, and saw that it lists "Dye" in the ingredients. Everything else had an asterisk next to it, which corresponded to "*natural". So I was led to believe that that dye may not be so natural...
As for homemade laundry detergent, it's cheaper, and the borax and washing soda are environmentally safe. I have a recipe posted on my blog entry before last. Lots of good advice in the comments section, too. Good luck!
Nicole
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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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
694 Posts
Emily
Chambersburg
PA
USA
694 Posts |
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Simple Living
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Joan
Staten Island
NY
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2012 : 12:47:04 PM
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don't want to sound dumb but what is washing soda? Do you have a recipe for the homemade laundry detergent?
Happy Trails
Farmgirl 3842 |
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sjmjgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
566 Posts
Stephanie
Mt. Vernon
Iowa
USA
566 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2012 : 3:47:25 PM
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It's like baking soda, but designed for cleaning. Check out the Liquid Laundry Detergent Topic (also under the Cleaning Up section), for some good recipes.
Farmgirl Sister # 3810
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
- Dalai Lama |
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Acelady02
True Blue Farmgirl
1266 Posts
Penny
Washington
GA
USA
1266 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2012 : 6:28:33 PM
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Joan, I make my own too and what I do is one box of arm and hammer washing soda, one box of borax and 2 bars of fels naptha soap or if I can find it I use Ivory, I also add some baking soda...you can grate the soap or put in the food processor that is what I do...I think the powder is easier for me than the liquid...good luck and if you need any other info just let me know...I will help where I can...
(((((Hugs All)))))Penny
Farmgirl Sister #3343
God gives Miracles to those who Believe, Courage to those with Faith, Hope to those who Dream, Love to those who Accept, & Forgiveness to those who Ask...
http://ourgeorgiafarm.blogspot.com
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Kerbear
True Blue Farmgirl
261 Posts
Kerry
Middle
Tennessee
USA
261 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 09:52:54 AM
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Thanks girls for all your help! I am really looking forward to making my first batch!!
Joan,
Here is the recipe I am using, which I found on the chatroom. Nicole (Texdane) also has her recipe on her blog as well. Hope this helps!
Laundry Detergent:
1 bar fels naphtha or zote soap
1 c washing soda
1/2c borax
5 gallon jug /bucket
Grate soap and put into a large saucepan with 8 cups water over medium heat. Heat the mix until soap melts.
Add washing soar and borax. Stir constantly until dissolved. Let it sit for 5 minutes over the heat stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and let it sit another 5 minutes.
Use a funnel and put 1/2 of the mixture into each gallon jug. Fill each jug 1/2 way with hot water and shake well.
Fill the jugs all the way with hot water, and shake again. Let sit for 24 hours. This gels up and looks like egg whites.
Use 1/4 to 1/3 cup per load.
~Kerry Anne
Farmgirl Sister #975 |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 10:28:52 AM
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Are you all able to use this soap in your HE washers?
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawHouseDesigns |
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Bayou Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
252 Posts
Jennifer
Star City
Arkansas
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 06:45:40 AM
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I would like to know about this, as well. I am trying to convince a friend of mine to make her own. Her drawback is that she has one of the front load, HE washers.
quote:
Originally posted by StrawHouseRanch
Are you all able to use this soap in your HE washers?
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawHouseDesigns
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hlogarden
Farmgirl at Heart
9 Posts
helen
waterford
mi
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2012 : 6:34:07 PM
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| I have a frontloader and I've been using homemade for several years now. You don't use much for a frontloader. |
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Bayou Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
252 Posts
Jennifer
Star City
Arkansas
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2012 : 10:50:44 PM
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Helen, how much do you use in your washer?
~Jennifer~
Farmgirl #3803
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
652 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2012 : 02:01:40 AM
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We presently use Ecos from Costco, because we bought a bunch on sale, I'm thinking of making my own in the future :)
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. |
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Annie S
True Blue Farmgirl
756 Posts
Annie
Custer
S.D.
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2012 : 09:11:04 AM
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Kerry, I too go with the "homemade" laundry detergent. You can also just make a powder and not do the boiling thing - although it does make a lot more. Here's what I do:
1 bar Fels or Castile or Zote bar soap grated finely
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
Put into a large sealed container, shake to distribute (or mix everything is very large bowl) and use 1/4 cup or less (depending on machine and how dirty the clothes are).
I have a large capacity HE front loader and a hubby who gets very dirty working outside, so I use 1/4 cup of soap for his things and less for everyday stuff. This lasts me a long time and I make up a batch about once a month or month and a half. Of course I don't have kids clothes to wash anymore, so it does last me longer. Change that - I do have a kid - my DH is a very big "kid at heart"!
Then all you have to do is rinse the clothes with vinegar. Cheapest and most environmentally safe way to go. |
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Annie S
True Blue Farmgirl
756 Posts
Annie
Custer
S.D.
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2012 : 09:14:48 AM
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| Joan, if you can't find Washing Soda in a store in your area (which no doubt you will be able to do), you can find it at Amazon. I can't find it at all in the Hills here, so when I go up to Fargo to see DD I fill the trunk of my car with boxes of it. Store clerks always look at me so strangely when I have a cart full of boxes of the stuff and nothing else. |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4745 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4745 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2012 : 07:12:52 AM
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Joan, Arm & Hammer make Washing Soda. The box looks almost the same as the large box of baking soda. I have a front load washing machine and use my homemade detergent without a problem. I find the results of my hoemmade the same as 7th Generation. Once in a blue moon I'll pay the $10 for the 7th Generation, but normally I make my own.
Hope this helps!
Dawn in IL |
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Kerbear
True Blue Farmgirl
261 Posts
Kerry
Middle
Tennessee
USA
261 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2012 : 08:51:42 AM
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Thank you everyone for all of your help! Its good to hear that y'all are using your homemade laundry detergent with front loaders! Cant wait to get started! Still collecting my jugs!
Thanks again!!
~Kerry Anne
Farmgirl Sister #975 |
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Pamela Joy
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Pamela
Hesperus
CO
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2012 : 1:16:40 PM
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Kirk's castille soap is also good. I think (not sure) that Fels Naptha has petroleum in it. I use the homemade (my friend makes it for me) in my HE washer.
Peace, Love, and Joy |
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Pamela Joy
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Pamela
Hesperus
CO
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2012 : 1:17:28 PM
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Oh, and the other great thing is that you use so much less packaging -especially plastic - with the homemade.
Peace, Love, and Joy |
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felixfelicis
Farmgirl in Training
26 Posts
Rachel
Denver
CO
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2012 : 11:42:55 PM
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A note on washing soda. I've never actually tested this myself but Pinterest directed me to this absolute miracle, and they seem to know what they're talking about with the science. Apparently washing soda can be made from baking soda by simply heating it to 400 degrees. http://www.pennilessparenting.com/2011/01/homemade-washing-soda.html I plan to do this myself once I use up the box of washing soda I bought to make my first batch of homemade laundry detergent, every bucket lasts my family nearly a year so I still haven't used it up!
The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
-Bertrand Russell |
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Jeanna
True Blue Farmgirl
267 Posts
Jeanna
Franklin
NC
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2012 : 06:15:45 AM
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I started making my own many years back. I have to say at the time it wasn't because of the environment it was because of the cost. I have never tried 7th generations but I have never been disappointed in the homemade.
Jeanna
Farmgirl Sister #41
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau |
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Cleaning Up: Homemade vs. 7th Generation Laundry Detergent |
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Homemade vs. 7th Generation Laundry Detergent
