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Here's to Your Health:  Need natural laundry & shower soap ideas  |
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ashcordes
True Blue Farmgirl
197 Posts
Ashley
Roann
IN
USA
197 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 06:53:36 AM
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Ok, so I'm on this new kick of switching to natural/homemade cleaning products...just starting the baking soda shampoo thing...and wondering...what do you "natural gals" use for laundry soap and shower soap. Any and all ideas appreciated. I'm working towards less consumerism...no consumerism would be great, but I don't think that's possible Thanks! |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 07:00:48 AM
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I have a great laundry soap recipe. I am selling it also, but I have ZERO problem handing that off since you can google it and come up with about 12 different recipes, though they are more or less the same give or take 1/4 cup on any of the ingredients.
1 cup of grated then ground castille (I use a food processor that I got second hand just for this-after hand grating it in a cheese grater)
1/2 C Washing soda
1/2 C Borax
EO of your choice.
I use 1 Tbsp per load with cold water (I don't wash anything in hot water) and things come out sparkling.
Have fun!
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://frugalwitch.wordpress.com
http://tasharose365.wordpress.com/
Homepage: http://mysticwoodsfarm.com |
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ashcordes
True Blue Farmgirl
197 Posts
Ashley
Roann
IN
USA
197 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 07:51:19 AM
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| Where do you find your supplies for this Tasha? |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 08:28:35 AM
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Here's a google search...like I said, as many different recipes out there, some of them liquid....some of them call for using more than what I use, some for just about the same amount. It's all in who you ask, I guess. If you find one that works, great! We use this and seventh Generation here. The Seventh Gen. use to be my only but now it's on standby for extra heavy duty cleaning-not that it is harsh, but, you know....super grease stains and whatnot when you have a mechanic for a husband ;)
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://frugalwitch.wordpress.com
http://tasharose365.wordpress.com/
Homepage: http://mysticwoodsfarm.com |
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl
712 Posts
Holly
Abilene
KS
712 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 08:29:18 AM
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there's also oris soap (Can't think of the actual name but it's something like that) it's sold in most craft stores as quilt soap but it's exactly the same stuff you can buy at the feed store in a gallon jar for horses. And it's cheaper at the feed store! I haven't bought any in a long while but this thread reminds me of it.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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ashcordes
True Blue Farmgirl
197 Posts
Ashley
Roann
IN
USA
197 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 10:36:06 AM
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| Tasha...this is safe to wash colors in right? Just checking before I made a big Oops! |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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ashcordes
True Blue Farmgirl
197 Posts
Ashley
Roann
IN
USA
197 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 12:07:49 PM
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| Have you washed your baby's clothes and diapers in it with luck? I'm assuming yes since this should be much gentler than what's "on the market" |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 1:37:13 PM
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Holly- Do you mean Orvus soap? It's a paste soap used for horses and cows. I looked it up and it is used for quilts and rugs as well! Pretty neat stuff.
Karin |
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl
712 Posts
Holly
Abilene
KS
712 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 1:48:07 PM
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Yes.........thanks! I knew it was something similar.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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yellojewl
True Blue Farmgirl
72 Posts
Amber
Hurley
MO
USA
72 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 2:31:26 PM
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| I use a similar recipe for laundry soap from a recipe I got from this website...http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/. It calls for Fels Naptha soap to grate and uses 1/2 cup. It work great. I wash baby clothes, too. Everything comes out clean and it's not harsh. Borax even has directions on how to wash baby clothes. I have to buy my Fels Naptha at a larger grocery store in my area (Dillons) as Wal-Mart or others don't carry. |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2007 : 07:28:10 AM
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Since I've been making laundry soap for a long time, I'm pretty knowledgeable about it.
For everyones safety, you really need to know -
While this is about as eco friendly as you can get (with a fels naptha alternative) the Washing Soda is CAUSTIC.
It should not be made around small children. PERIOD. The mixing of this product releases dust particles in the air which settle considerably after packaging.
I wear a dust mask and goggles. If you mix this, you should too.
Also you should be very careful about getting washing soda on your skin. Again - caustic.
Wear gloves. If it will peel old wax off a floor, what do you think it will do to your skin?
Babs - still after that girl scout badge for safety ;)
Find natural laundry soap, soy candles, and cooking spices at www.mugwortmaggies.com
vegan lip balm and natural deodorant coming soon! |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2007 : 07:39:03 AM
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Ash -
For whites I wash with my soap mix in HOT water. In hot water it will whiten and brighten up your whites.
For colors, I use a little less soap and wash in cold water.
Washing soda will over time eat things like elastic and fibers. Seriously, it will. If you are using a half and half ratio, I would employ the "less is more" system of measurement.
Babs
Find natural laundry soap, soy candles, and cooking spices at www.mugwortmaggies.com
vegan lip balm and natural deodorant coming soon! |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
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yellojewl
True Blue Farmgirl
72 Posts
Amber
Hurley
MO
USA
72 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 05:46:44 AM
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| Well, I'll have to say...I've learned quite a bit from this forum. Thanks, ladies for all the info. I'm definitely going to consider switching out the Fels Naptha...and I'll be sure to use caution when using my washing soda...or switch to baking soda. Any other tips? |
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Persephone
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Katrina
Indiana
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 10:38:54 AM
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I use baking soda on my diapers (prefolds washed in a Wonder Wash, and line dried), regular detergent on everything else- simply because we have it. I like the looks of that first recipe though!
For shampoo, I use either- super expensive Terressentials shampoo, which is soap/detergent free, plain baking soda followed by an apple cider vinegar rinse, or a shampoo made out of one egg, a tablespoon of honey, and a tablespoon of vinegar- conditioned with either olive or coconut oil. On a less natural note, if my hair is really oily, I add a bit of baby shampoo to the baking soda. If you have really dry hair, use an oil in place of the honey. For body, I just use handmade soap (not by me, I don't have the time to make soap with a one year old around! :)) on my underarms, and a scrub everywhere else if I feel I need it. Plain water is enough for the rest of my body most of the time, unless I"m feeling a bit dry or rough. The scrub is usually just oil (usually olive) and sugar (salt works too, but if you shave, it can be ouchy)- and for my face (which is oily), cornmeal and honey. |
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celebrate2727
True Blue Farmgirl
989 Posts
Beth
MJF
Farmgirl
989 Posts |
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Reepicheep
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
78 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2007 : 10:40:32 AM
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For laundry I use Seventh Generation or Biokleen. I used to use homemade powder, but our well water quality here is extremely poor (one of the joys of living by the ocean) and it just didn't work well.
For the shower we use Dr. Bronner's (liquid and water it down).
http://naturalpaths.blogspot.com/
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/onourway/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2007 : 12:28:31 PM
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Beth-
You can use the same laundry soap recipe that you found that says you should dissolve everything in water. When I make mine, I just blend it in my blender to make it ultra fine. No water is necessary. You can certainly use your own homemade soap for this recipe, but if you superfat your soap I wouldn't use it as it can leave a residue on your clothes and in your washer. My suggestion is to make a small batch and see how you like the results. I made a special homemade "Laundry" soap that had almost 0% left over oil and it is amazing for my clothes.
Another time I just used the left over bits from my normal soap recipe and it worked fine, but I did notice my rags would streak on glass so I knew there was a bit of residue.
Alee
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MariaAZ
True Blue Farmgirl
203 Posts
Phoenix
AZ
203 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2007 : 1:21:20 PM
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I recently tried Biokleen dish and laundry soaps, and like both very much. I've been making my own hand/body soaps for over a year, but haven't had much luck turning them into laundry soap because of superfatting. I don't really want to make a 0 superfat batch for laundry. Any ideas if I can do something with the superfatted soap to make it suitable for laundry?
Visit my blog at www.craftyfool.net |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2007 : 5:18:53 PM
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Maria-
You can use the soap you make in your laundry- You clothes will just come out feeling a bit like they do when you use Downy. Some people like this and others don't. Or if you would like I can sell you some homemade soap for laundry purposes that is a 0% superfat.
Alee |
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Here's to Your Health: Need natural laundry & shower soap ideas |
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Need natural laundry & shower soap ideas
