Safest laundry soap- store bought v. borax

[mamathellama]

Ok, so I used to use All Free & Clear and then started making my own laundry soap with ivory soap, washing soda & borax. I know 7th gen and other companies also make products.
My 6 month old is constantly chewing on her clothes so my concern is that she's eating any residue that may be left on the clothes. In light of that, which is safer, a commercial laundry detergent or the borax (which I know is not exactly safe)?? Anyone have any thoughts??
Thanks!

[aniT]

Originally Posted by mamathellama

Ok, so I used to use All Free & Clear and then started making my own laundry soap with ivory soap, washing soda & borax. I know 7th gen and other companies also make products.
My 6 month old is constantly chewing on her clothes so my concern is that she's eating any residue that may be left on the clothes. In light of that, which is safer, a commercial laundry detergent or the borax (which I know is not exactly safe)?? Anyone have any thoughts??
Thanks!

Countrysav is supposed to rinse out the most.

http://countrysave.com/announce.php

[misswerewolf]

Originally Posted by mamathellama

which is safer, a commercial laundry detergent or the borax (which I know is not exactly safe)??

Funny you should ask. I was just browsing Amazon for shopping deals and came upon Country Save detergent, which is popular among cloth diaperers. I was skimming the ingredient list on Amazon, and it seems that this particular brand of detergent uses not much more than washing soda, Borax and sulfates -- basically, everything that you already use to make your own detergent.

I use Borax in my laundry, and, as with all other cleaning agents, I just make sure to rinse really well. My own opinion is that the Borax is fine.

[mrsjtc]

You can also use a Downey ball filled with 1/2 c. of vinegar. the vinegar breaks down any residue. I also started using Dr. Bronner's bar soap to make my 5 gallon bucket of detergent. I think it cleans better and I like knowing that the Dr. Bronner's is much less harsh. (But I never used Ivory either, fwiw.)

[aniT]

Originally Posted by mrsjtc

You can also use a Downey ball filled with 1/2 c. of vinegar. the vinegar breaks down any residue. I also started using Dr. Bronner's bar soap to make my 5 gallon bucket of detergent. I think it cleans better and I like knowing that the Dr. Bronner's is much less harsh. (But I never used Ivory either, fwiw.)

My parents used Ivory when I was a kid. It always dried out my skin. I would use Dr. Bronner's before I would use ivory.

[mamathellama]

Would the downy ball be the same as putting vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser that my washer has? I never use fabric softener but so I've never tried it. Is it the same concept as the downy ball?

[rightkindofme]

I'm pretty fond of my Nellie's and find that it works really well. I don't worry at all about my babe sucking on her clothes. (Which she does. Often. )

[mrsjtc]

Originally Posted by mamathellama

Would the downy ball be the same as putting vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser that my washer has? I never use fabric softener but so I've never tried it. Is it the same concept as the downy ball?

I guess so? I don't have a fabric softener dispenser (my washer is O-L-D.) But yes, you want it to release during the final rinse so I think that would work. It works great for diapers too.

[mrsjtc]

Originally Posted by aniT

My parents used Ivory when I was a kid. It always dried out my skin. I would use Dr. Bronner's before I would use ivory.

I love Dr. Bronners!! I switched to it exclusively for cleaners both detergent and household cleaners. It is fantastic!

[mamathellama]

Jackie,
Do you use regular dr bronner's liquid or bar soap or is it another product they have for laundry? If its the liquid or bar, do you use it straight up or mix with something. Like I'm using the Ivory bar soap and grating it and mixing it with washing soda and borax.
Thanks!

[mrsjtc]

I use a bar of Dr. Bronner's (grated) ,1c. each of Borax and washing soda in a 5 gallon bucket. I just fill a pot about half way with water, melt down the Dr. Bronners then add the powders. Let it all dissolve and then pour into a 5 gal. bucket filled with warm water. Let sit overnight and mix occationally, then its ready to go.

LOVE it. I use liquid Dr. Bronners for household all-purpose cleaner.

[h4ppyphant0m]

Originally Posted by mrsjtc

I use a bar of Dr. Bronner's (grated) ,1c. each of Borax and washing soda in a 5 gallon bucket. I just fill a pot about half way with water, melt down the Dr. Bronners then add the powders. Let it all dissolve and then pour into a 5 gal. bucket filled with warm water. Let sit overnight and mix occationally, then its ready to go.

LOVE it. I use liquid Dr. Bronners for household all-purpose cleaner.

Ok, now I'm curious about this homemade laundry soap. Thanks for the recipe. If I have hard water, what would I do to help with that? Thanks!

[mamathellama]

I'm not sure about hard water. I remember reading about washing cloth diapers and it said it was preferable to use a "detergent" rather than a "soap" if you have hard water because the soap will not work as well and will leave a residue and the diapers will not be as absorbent. It may not matter as much with just regular clothes though I would try a load and see, just mix up 2 parts grated soap and 1 part each of borax and washing soda. I only use about 2 tablespoons per load unless it's got lots of dirty kid spills It seems to get our clothes clean.

[mrsjtc]

Hm, I'm not sure about hard water. I think the vinegar in the rinse would help - either in a Downey ball or just add 1/2 cup to the final rinse.