Anyone make their own CD detergent?

[jeslynmo]

I've been wanting to make my own laundry detergent for months now... finally bought all the supplies... then decided I wanted it to work for my diapers too--duh!
So, all the laundry detergent recipes that I can find call for soap. Fels Naptha or otherwise. Soap is supposed to leave residue on diapers possibly causing them to repel or stink. Stinking is the problem that I've had in the past with detergents. So I don't want to take any chances there. When using All F&C (which I've since learned was a terrible choice for dipes) everytime my child would pee, it would smell really strong of ammonia. immediately.

So does anyone make their own detergent to use for dipes? Or has anyone seen a recipe for detergent for dipes?
I've even found several CD websites that have a recipe for laundry detergent but it still has soap in it! and elsewhere on the same website, it will say do not use a detergent with soap on your CDs!

Any ideas?

Jessica

[Katie T]

I know some mamas seem to have luck with homeade detergent, but I tried it and it left a BAD residue on my diapers and washer. I tried making it with the Fels Naptha and that was the worst, I also tried it with castle soap and it wasn't as bad but still left residue.

I finally just started using Charlies Soap and love it. It has been around a year and haven't had to strip my diapers since.

If you use the search function there have been other threads about this if you are interested.

[AlishaLukesMom]

I have never been brave enough to make my own! I just purchased some made by a WAHM to try out and see how it works on my diapers an clothes

Good luck!

[jeslynmo]

Thanks girls! I wouldn't use Castile either since it's also soap, but I was hoping to find something that would work that wasn't soap... I've been debating just ordering some Charlie's Soap (not actually soap) too since that's what everyone says works the best!
Maybe I'll just do that if I can't find a recipe for something that will clean dipes but not leave residue... can't deal with the stink again!
I'm not due til August with this newbie, so I've got some time to figure it out.

[ExuberantDaffodil]

1c borax, 1c washing soda, 1/4c oxyclean is a soap-free recipe that you could try on your dipes. I've also seen equal parts of all three ingredients, but that much oxyclean would personally make me nervous. I definitely wouldn't use fels naptha. Do you have hard or soft water? that will make a difference, too.

I've done tons of research on this topic, and finally just started experimenting. I had some very well loved all cotton fitteds with zero re-sale value that I tried my laundry detergents on, and came up with a recipe I'm very happy with. I personally think if you're going to make your own and be happy with it, you'll just have to experiment with recipes you find and/or modify as you see fit.

[jeslynmo]

THANK you so much!! I had wondered if I could use the borax and washing soda, leaving out the Fels Naptha, which was the other ingredient in the homemade recipes. But I didn't know if I needed another ingredient that would function like soap to get dipes clean without leaving residue. I'll add the oxyclean and work from there.

Just hearing from another mama that has had experience with this is awesome!

I don't mind experimenting at all, I just had no ideas of where to start.
thanks again!!

Jessica

[jeslynmo]

Originally Posted by ExuberantDaffodil

1c borax, 1c washing soda, 1/4c oxyclean is a soap-free recipe that you could try on your dipes.

I have another question for you...
Did you use this amt: 2 1/4 cup per load? Or is that just a ratio to use?

Also, anyone ever use anything like this with an HE machine? I have a top loader HE whirlpool cabrio.

Thanks again!!

Jessica

[ExuberantDaffodil]

that was the just ratio of ingredients. I use 2 tbsp per load, as I have hard-ish water. I think for soft water you can use just one tbsp. I actually keep an old coffee scoop in my mason jar to measure out the powder. Very convenient!

This is safe for HE washers because it is a non-sudsing formulation.

[myfairbabies]

I did the homemade recipe with oxy, borax, and washing soda, and it has caused such bad stinkies that I'm having a really hard time getting rid of them. I only use prefolds and covers, so I don't even have to deal with synthetics. I never had a problem like this before, we've been cd for 9 months.

[jeslynmo]

I forgot to answer your hard/soft water question. I don't think we have particularly hard or soft water. It's somewhere in between.
I do think I'm going to try the oxy/borax/w.soda mix. It's worth a try.
I do hate to hear that you had stink with it though, myfb. That was my problem before. Do you think you used too much or too little? or that it was the mixture itself leaving residue? My problem before was definitely residue. I was using All Free and Clear thinking that it didn't leave residue, when in fact, it's one of the worst.
Oh well, I'll give it a try!
Thanks for all the input
Jessica

[ShwarmaQueen]

Ive made my own in the past, but it takes a lot of time. I tried Charlies and loved it, but found I love Country Save the best and its the cheapest if bought in bulk through amazon.