I'm going to try making my own laundry detergent

[lizziegrace]

seems simple enough...

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/09/making-your-own-laundry-detergent-a-detailed-visual-guide/

[lizziegrace]

1. But I'm having trouble finding the washing powder

any suggestions besides mail order?

[proudohioan]

2. My computer froze up...

both times I tried clicking on the link(???) so I couldn't read the ingredients, but a woman I used to work with made her own laundry detergent and used Borax.

Is this the same thing as washing powder?

[lizziegrace]

3. It's Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

which is what I'm told is the same as washing powder. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. My internet options out here are limited.



I'd settle for finding either at this point.

[proudohioan]

4. It seems to me that I've seen both Arm & Hammer...

and 20 Mule Team Borax in the laundry section (top shelf) of the grocery stores around here. But then again, I'm in Cleveland, not in a small town. And I couldn't tell you how recently I saw them, but it didn't seem too terribly long ago (but I'm getting old, so you know how time flies...).

But good luck with that, I know the woman I worked with loved making her own laundry soap.

Theresa

[lizziegrace]

5. found it!

I'll make some later this week. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[proudohioan]

6. Great news! I'll be looking forward to hearing the results! n/t

[Warpy]

7. I've used soap ends in the past after I've saved enough up

and instead of boiling them, I've just put them into a plastic tub with water to cover and let them slime out on their own. I have used Borax and washing soda and really can't tell much difference. It's worked in a pinch when detergent was starting to break me out and I was out of Dr. Bronner's.

Now I buy Mexican detergents that are a little cheaper--Ariel or Foca, and they do a good job and I haven't started to break out in red spots and itch so I guess I'm not allergic to them. Yet.

[ejpoeta]

9. washing powder???

i use borax, sodium bicarbonate (which hint hint is available in pool supplies). just look for the ingredients. what i got was 99% sodium bicarbonate. ph increaser or something like that and a bar of ivory soap. i found borax right in the laundry soap aisle next to the laundry soap at walmart.

and oh, you must remember to stir once in awhile throughout the day it sits. trust me. or else you end up with a glob. i could still use it and reheated it to melt it again but it was more work than i would have had to do if i hadn't forgot all about stirring.

[lizziegrace]

14. I washing powder (Arm & Hammer washing soda)

and Mule Team Borax in this batch using the recipe I posted. I *did* use Fels Naptha (sp?) soap in this batch.

I stirred quite a bit and still have a solid layer of glop (the soap) on the top of the water. See down thread.

Thanks for the advice about the sodium bicarbonate.

[lizziegrace]

8. That didn't go well

I made a liquid recipe and all the soap formed a solid layer on the top of the water (like grease would if it was refrigerated). I break a small piece of the solid and 1/4 of the watery liquid to wash a load of clothes. Problem is, the glop doesn't melt unless I use hot water on the longest cycle. Next time, I'll make a powdered version.

Live and learn.

[ejpoeta]

10. the key is to keep stirring for the day it is sitting. i forgot to do that last time and i ended up

reheating it. it works. still globby. but if you remember to go every so often and stir it for that day it sits you shouldn't have that glob problem.

[lizziegrace]

11. I stirred at least a dozen times

the day it was sitting. Every time I came into the kitchen, I stirred. So I should skim off the glob and heat it again to melt it?

[ejpoeta]

12. hmm. it shouldn't have turned into a big glob if you were stirring it.

what ingredients did you use? it shouldn't have done that.

[lizziegrace]

13. I used

Fels Naptha (sp?) soap, grated and melted in a quart of water. I put that in a bucket and added Mule Team Borax and Arm & Hammer washing powder, then added more water (Not sure if this is the order, but I did follow the recipe) The glob is a solid layer of the soap on top of the water. It looks like solidified grease you'd find on the top of soup or stew after it's refrigerated.

I can take a small bit of the glob and 1/4 cup of the other liquid for a load of laundry, but I'm afraid the glob won't melt before the cycle's done.

Which recipe do you use?

[ejpoeta]

16. here is how to do it, though it still shouldn't have turned into a glob.

melt the soap in the water, like you did. while it is melting, fill the bucket about half way with hot water and put the borax and sodium bicarbonate in it to let it dissolve. then add the melted soap/water to the bucket and fill the rest of the way with water. stir and let sit stirring occasionally throughout the day. then take a container and fill half with your homemade laundry soap and half with water. you will need to shake it when you use it. and i use an all container. just keeping it on the washer seems to shake it up pretty good.

1 cup sodium bicarbonate (i use pool ph increaser)
1/2 cup borax
1 bar soap (i use ivory)

and i use vinegar as fabric softener. though it doesn't help with static cling. but the clothes smell awesome, even if they have a mildewy smell.

[lizziegrace]

18. I wonder if I should try to re-melt the soap

it's like a layer of ice on a lake...

I've bookmarked this and will follow your recipe next time.

Thanks for your help!

[ejpoeta]

19. good luck

[Paper Roses]

15. I gave thought to making my own laundry soap until I found this:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1952286/sun_burst_sensational_scents_laundry_pg2.html?cat=46

Sun Burst Free and Clear is what I use after years of trying expensive Hypo Allergenic detergents. The huge 117 oz (75 loads) lasts me a long time and I am very pleased with the results. At $4.99 for the jug, it is a real bargain. It is free of all dyes and perfume, environmentally friendly and good for every laundry load temperature.

I'm sold on it, have told many people and all have converted. I do not know anything about the scented versions as they are not hypoallergenic and I have allergies.

I think the cost of making my own would far exceed the cost of this product. I simply cannot afford other high priced products and they would, in my opinion, do no better. This stuff does the job for me.

It is available in New England at DeMoulas Market Basket. Don't know any other stores. You might check their web site: http://www.sunproductscorp.com/

Good luck

[ejpoeta]

17. it's not always worth it to make your own. but for me, i do a lot of laundry.

and my investment?

box of borax $4.99
ph increaser (sodium bicarbonate) $5
3 pk ivory soap .99

now, the all container i use to keep my laundry soap in cost me $10 on sale. and with the $11 i spent on the above ingredients I have already made two batches. they'd last me longer if my husband didn't keep taking my concentrate and using it to clean the deck! It does take a little effort, and if I could remember to stir the bucket every once in awhile that first day of it sitting.... but it isn't for everyone. but my husband doesn't itch anymore, so it's worth it to me.