Awhile back I noticed that Rachel started using homemade laundry detergent and then I noticed that she wasn't using it anymore and gave her reasons here. Since all of this I have gotten a new washer and dryer. So now is my time to make a difference and help save a buck or two since I am using less water now.
Last night I grated 1 bar of Fels Naptha and mixed it with 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda. I then asked my husband if he had anything that was so dirty that after I washed it I would be able see a difference with my eyes and it just not smell clean. He said yes and I grabbed a pair of jeans with a mustard stain on them from earlier that day. I did no pre treating of any kinda and added 1/4 cup of my concoction above (1/2 for top loader) and started the washer. When I took out the jeans they were damp but I couldn't see any mustard. I put them in the dryer and this morning ta-da the mustard was really gone. So now I am washing a load of whites and will be stopping back by Publix this week to get another bar of Fels Naptha to make more.
This recipe and many more I plan to warm my husband up to came from TipNut. Check them out, they have tons of cool things and one day I stayed after work 2 hours yes I said TWO just browsing their site.
Extra Details: My washer and dryer are front loading and require only HE detergents which I have only seen in liquid form so I wasn't sure where to put the powder mix. So I added the detergent where you would add the liquid detergent. I checked the drawer 10 minutes later and it was clean, free of powdered detergent so it washes it out I guess.
7 comments:
Do you have any insights for making spray starch ?
I like MaryEllen's spray starch, but it very expensive!
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
I found this off of TipNut but I haven't tried it myself.
"Lavender Linen Starch
Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1 pint cold water. Add 6 drops of lavender essential oil. Place in a spray bottle. Shake before using.
Fresh pressed linens, nicely starched, and lavender fragrance wafting in the air."
It says that you can use any scent of oil.
Thank you. I'll try this insight for making homemade spray starch and let you know what I think.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
Hi! I use my own detergent made the same way but with my homemade soap not the fels naptha. I find that using one of those downy liquid fabric softener balls filled with white vinegar really makes a difference in removing any soap residue. With a front loader, you might have a spot for fabric softener where your detergent goes if you want to try it.
I also just ran out of spray starch and made a batch of my own just like your recipe and I love it and it's so much cheaper than Mary Ellens!!!I've used almost the entire spray bottle full and it seems just the same!
I use my own homemade laundry detergent too. I have tried lots of recipes and finally settled on: 1bar of Zote, grated, 1 1/2 cups super washing soda and 1 1/2 cups borax. Simmer on the stove until melted and well blended. I then put it into a 5 gallon bucket and fill with hot tap water, pop the lid on and wait for 24 hours. It turns into a bucket of gelatinous goo. I use a cup for my top loader. My dh asked me to not use the stuff from the store anymore, he loves it. I use @ 1 cup white vinegar for the rinse cycle like Tara, love to do laundry now. Great minds think alike, huh? I have made my own lye soap but never tried it for laundry, what a great idea!
I will have to try the starch when we run out.
I really hope this works for you!
Rachel
Post a Comment