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Cleaning Up:  Whites are just not getting clean :(  |
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 13 2012 : 08:34:32 AM
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I make my detergent with Washing soda, borax, baking soda & soap. The whites are just not getting clean, especially my husbands very strained T'shirts (I swear he wipes the car with them or something!) and my kitchen towels that are used for eVERTYthing! I hang my laundry..
I just tried adding Oxy to it, but it did not make a difference.
Any suggestions?
Heike
FarmGirl Sister #2245
"A journey back to the roots..."
http://www.herbmagik.com
"One girl's trash is another girl's treasure."
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"Women with opinions, pendants, & KitchenWitches...all in one."
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rphelps4
True Blue Farmgirl
620 Posts
roxanna
westport
indiana
USA
620 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2012 : 08:43:08 AM
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| Target sells a non-toxic bleach, you might try that. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2012 : 09:28:03 AM
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Also are you washing on hot for the whites? Borax is a natural whitener, but is activated with hot water. You should always wash whites on the hotest water you can and if you need toss another 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup in with the whites once a month or so.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
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sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2012 : 10:28:19 AM
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I use vinegar and it's fabulous. But I've also read that sometimes our clothes start getting more dingy because we're using too much soap. Maybe try cutting back on some of the soap you're using. Hope that helps some.
~Hugs,
April :)
Playing in the Sonshine
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
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Annie S
True Blue Farmgirl
756 Posts
Annie
Custer
S.D.
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2012 : 10:58:33 AM
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| Try soaking them in Oxiclean or Green Works chlorine-free bleach and awhile. I do the soaking bit on my cotton cloth towels I use for cleaning up in the kitchen, dusting, etc. (they're lint free and cheap). Then put them in the wash with either Oxiclean or the bleach along with my homemake detergent and run the wash on hot and rinse with vinegar. Hang outside to dry in sun too. |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13812 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13812 Posts |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9614 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9614 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 1:00:03 PM
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You might try soaking them in Biz or OxyClean not just adding it to the wash. Then rinse well and hang in the sun.
farm girl sister#43
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it!
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only--how did you take it?
--Edmund C. Vance.
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 7:53:36 PM
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Heike, Are you on city water or well water? Our well water has a lot of minerals in it and I have given up trying to keep whites, white.
Marianne |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 11:20:40 PM
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| Less soap, vinegar in the rinse water, line dry in sunshine. That should do it. |
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
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showthemlove
True Blue Farmgirl
50 Posts
Vanessa
Vermillion
SD
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2012 : 09:55:51 AM
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Here's how I wash my whites with great success. I don't have homemade detergent yet, but I use very little storebought.
I pre-soak the whites in the hottest water setting with just enough water to cover the load. Usually small to medium. I add borax to my detergent, but it's already in yours. I also add a scoop of the oxy clean. AFTER the water cools completely, usually over night, I add more hot water. (Our loads are all ultimately large). I put about 3 Drops of Mrs. Stewart's bluing agent into my automatic softener dispenser and fill the dispenser with white vinegar. You could also add this at the last rinse cycle. Our whites are really great. I think that the soaking really helps.
I love the upper Midwest! |
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krissy
True Blue Farmgirl
278 Posts
Kristen
Snohomish
WA
USA
278 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2012 : 10:31:34 AM
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I'm glad I found this thread because I just learned something - hot water. I wash lots of things in cold to save $$, but whites just aren't getting clean. Too bad I ran a load last night. I'll run the next with hot water and maybe use OxiClean as well and not as much soap.
**************************************
~Farmgirl Sister #986~
http://achickenwithherheadcutoff.blogspot.com/ |
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2012 : 10:38:03 AM
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This is similar to what I do :). I will have to try to try the blueing agent also!
quote:
Originally posted by showthemlove
Here's how I wash my whites with great success. I don't have homemade detergent yet, but I use very little storebought.
I pre-soak the whites in the hottest water setting with just enough water to cover the load. Usually small to medium. I add borax to my detergent, but it's already in yours. I also add a scoop of the oxy clean. AFTER the water cools completely, usually over night, I add more hot water. (Our loads are all ultimately large). I put about 3 Drops of Mrs. Stewart's bluing agent into my automatic softener dispenser and fill the dispenser with white vinegar. You could also add this at the last rinse cycle. Our whites are really great. I think that the soaking really helps.
I love the upper Midwest!
FarmGirl Sister #2245
"A journey back to the roots..."
http://www.herbmagik.com
"Women with opinions, pendants, & KitchenWitches...all in one."
http://www.goddessinthegroove.com
Find me on FB: http://www.facebook.com/theGoddessintheGroove |
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2012 : 10:38:44 AM
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Good Luck Krissy!
Hot water definitely makes a difference!
Heike
quote:
Originally posted by krissy
I'm glad I found this thread because I just learned something - hot water. I wash lots of things in cold to save $$, but whites just aren't getting clean. Too bad I ran a load last night. I'll run the next with hot water and maybe use OxiClean as well and not as much soap.
**************************************
~Farmgirl Sister #986~
http://achickenwithherheadcutoff.blogspot.com/
FarmGirl Sister #2245
"A journey back to the roots..."
http://www.herbmagik.com
"Women with opinions, pendants, & KitchenWitches...all in one."
http://www.goddessinthegroove.com
Find me on FB: http://www.facebook.com/theGoddessintheGroove |
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MiaBella
True Blue Farmgirl
100 Posts
Michelle
New Caney
TX
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2012 : 1:00:55 PM
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I add Peroxide where the bleach is supposed to go, also use vinegar in the rinse and make my own laundry soap. I only use about a 1/2 cup of laundry soap. OH and I have a front loading machine.
Michelle
Farmgirl Sister #4097
MiaBella Farm
New Caney, TX
www.miabellafarm.com |
Edited by - MiaBella on Jul 23 2012 1:01:42 PM |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2012 : 05:53:34 AM
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Heike,
I have hard well water and make my own detergent also. I also use vinegar in my dispenser and that helps, but like the others mentioned, Mrs. Stewart's bluiing makes a big difference. I mix a little with water to dilute, as the directions state. You just have to be careful because full strength can stain the whites with blue.
Good luck!
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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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2012 : 10:03:35 AM
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I believe when you mix Borax and vinegar it creates a peroxide - I use it on my whites... Also, bluing really helps! Also, just FYI bleach loses its effectiveness over time, especially once opened... Good luck, Heike! - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2012 : 2:25:17 PM
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I have a front load washer so soaking isn't something I can easily do. I am interested in using the bluing. I am uncertain that I understand how though ... do I add about three drops of the bluing to water in my softener dispenser? Or do I mix it with vinegar in the softener dispenser?
Help! I need to be set straight so that I can stop looking at dingy whites!
Marianne |
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
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tsdalton816
Farmgirl at Heart
1 Posts
Tammy
Jeromesville
Ohio
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2012 : 12:59:18 AM
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to whiten whites from "homemade mama"
HOT,HOT,HOT WATER
1 C laundry soap
1 c dishwasher detergent powder
1 c bleach
1/2 c borax
let whites soak 2 hour then wash normally.
Hope this helps. |
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star-schipp
True Blue Farmgirl
942 Posts
Starletta
Middletown
Indiana
USA
942 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2012 : 4:44:31 PM
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My son just started playing football and their uniform has white pants ( why would you ever choose white pants for football) anyway...they recommended adding dishwasher powder to the pre-soak and I cannot believe how well it worked....hot, hot water and dishwasher powder after a spray with my Melaleuca pre-spot and they came out sparkling white....
If you can't feed one hundred people, then just feed one. -Mother Teresa
Star - farmgirl sister #1927
Master Food Preserver
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Cleaning Up: Whites are just not getting clean :( |
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Whites are just not getting clean :(
