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Cleaning Up:  Clothes not clean enough. Water or Soap?  |
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Lisa_P
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
Lisa
Banks
Oregon
USA
37 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 23 2013 : 12:19:55 PM
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| I've been using homemade detergent (felths/borax/washing soda) for a couple years, and it seemed to be working okay. My whites aren't as clean as I'd like them to be. I'm wondering if it's the detergent, or if it might be something to do with the water? I moved about a year ago, and we now have water straight from a spring. Is is something to do with hard or soft water? I'm not really sure what I have. Should I switch back to another detergent? |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Sep 24 2013 : 5:49:36 PM
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We have hard water with rust and our whites turn dingy eventually and our colors just get dull. I bet it's your water.
Marianne |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2013 : 06:52:16 AM
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my thought is hard water. I use vinegar to soften the water here. it seems to help the clothes come cleaner. just a thought.
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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GypsyChar
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Chardale
Titusville
FL
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2013 : 3:22:22 PM
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I'm thinking water as well - especially since you're using borax. I just dug deeper into the water ph while learning about how to set dyes in fabric.
Do a batch presoak in baking soda - 1/2 c for 1/2 an hour. Then use ACV in both your wash and rinse cycles. If you don't have a liquid fabrics softener dispenser on your machine those little blue Downy balls work just fine.
Oh and your Extension Service will test your water for free. You can also buy ph testers at health food stores.
Peace be with you and all that jazz..... |
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Chatty Wren
True Blue Farmgirl
65 Posts
Diane
Phillipsburg
NJ
USA
65 Posts |
Posted - Nov 12 2013 : 1:29:26 PM
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I've had the same experience and it was the hard water from our well. 1/2 cup of vinegar in the washwater softens it and clothes come out white and smell fresh, not like vinegar.
Blessings~Diane 
http://abbyhannahvintage.com |
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
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Dapple Grey Lady
True Blue Farmgirl
725 Posts
Betty
Goodrich
Texas
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2014 : 10:15:03 AM
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Do you ever have soap scum buildup in your washer? How do you get it off in the washer. I found that using the blur dawn and vinegar in the tub got it off good. I made it thick to start with and let it set aand it wipes off. BUT the washer was not that easy. It is like a ring around the top.
~ Betty ~
Farmgirl Sister # 5589 |
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lovecatsandsunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
310 Posts
Tara
Sands of Time
SC
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2014 : 1:55:33 PM
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I use liquid castile soap to wash clothes, sheets and towels. And I add vinegar to area for bleach.
Support your local organic farmer.www.localharvest.org
Have you hugged your cat today? |
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Lyndell
True Blue Farmgirl
61 Posts
Leah
Richwood
Ohio
USA
61 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2014 : 07:17:36 AM
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If you do not have a water softener, then your water is "hard." However, hard water isn't the same everywhere. Different minerals are prevalent in different areas. We live in an area with very hard water in the form of iron. If we don't soften our water, orange rust stains appear in the toilet, sinks, and tub within a day or two after cleaning. If you've ever noticed this, then you probably have a lot of iron in your water too! This will affect whites in the laundry after time. For this reason, we do use a water softener for our house.
I've never made my own detergent, but I do know that most recipes tend to be less strong than a commercial detergent. You may need to reformulate your recipe to get more results.
Another idea - what kind of washer do you have? If it's a newer energy efficient one, see if there's a setting that allows you to use more water per wash and/or rinse cycle. Many newer washers don't use much water, which is great for conservation, but not great if your clothes are actually dirty and need serious washing.
Finally, I know a lot of people use vinegar in the laundry, but be wary of how much you use. After doing a bit of reading I found that regular use of vinegar in your washing machine will eat at the seals in your washer over time. It's probably alright in small amounts, but for this reason I only use vinegar in the laundry if I'm trying to get rid of odors.
http://foxgloveandfolksongs.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sister #4236 |
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2014 : 10:33:54 AM
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I'm also thinking hard water (we have that where we live).
Have you tried vinegar yet?
Farmgirl Sister #3759
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world"
"The things that matter most are not really things after all" |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
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Cleaning Up: Clothes not clean enough. Water or Soap? |
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Clothes not clean enough. Water or Soap?
