Surprising Result Using Bronners for Laundry

[Marni]

We were totally out of clothing soap recently, so I grabbed a bottle of Bronners and used a couple of squirts to wash the clothes.

I COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW SOFT THE LAUNDRY TURNED OUT!!!!!!

Having not used fabric softener in a decade, so this was a total luxury for me. And a surprise!!!

Is it bad for my clothes and/or skin though? Does soft clothes really just mean "soap build up" on everything? My youngest is out of dipes now (YAY!!!)-- so no concern with build up on cloth diapers. But how about on my clothes? Can I keep washing w/Bronners, or go back to a natural detergent (forget about making my own -- no time. Though soap nuts sound intriguing. What are those? And where do you get them?)

PS>> I always use distilled vinegar in the wash too -- whether using natural detergent or Bronners.

[anamama]

Oooh, sounds nice. I love the smell of the lavender dr. b's (and the almond, and the peppermint.... ) I don't know about build up, but I didn't have any problems using Kirk's Castille soap in my homemade laundry detergent. Dr. B's is castille, right? It also seems like the vinegar would rinse any residue out....

[nora--not a llama]

Originally Posted by Marni

PS>> I always use distilled vinegar in the wash too -- whether using natural detergent or Bronners.

I'm curious about this.... How does it work exactly? How much do you use? Do you put it in a downy ball or something?

Sorry for all the questions, I'd just really like to try this.

[fanniefarkle]

subbing

[Maeve]

I've used it before, too. Just be careful not to use too much or it will take forever to rinse out.
I love the smell of the peppermint...yum!

[Marni]

Originally Posted by Maeve

I've used it before, too. Just be careful not to use too much or it will take forever to rinse out.
I love the smell of the peppermint...yum!

I must not be using too much -- as the scent isn't even really carrying over (I do always get compliments from guests though on our hand soap -- which is diluted bronners in a pump).

Regarding the vinegar -- I just pour about a cup of it into the initial wash. If I forget, I toss it in later for the rinse. I suppose that helps as a softener a bit as well (that is what people say) -- but I use it more for its cleaning properties. The softness that is resulting from the Bronners though -- I SWEAR it is almost as effective as Downey. So, even though it's nice, it's making me a little nervous. I've come to associate stiff clean clothes with purity -- chemical-free and build-up free. KWIM?

[Maeve]

Originally Posted by Marni

I must not be using too much -- as the scent isn't even really carrying over (I do always get compliments from guests though on our hand soap -- which is diluted bronners in a pump).

Regarding the vinegar -- I just pour about a cup of it into the initial wash. If I forget, I toss it in later for the rinse. I suppose that helps as a softener a bit as well (that is what people say) -- but I use it more for its cleaning properties. The softness that is resulting from the Bronners though -- I SWEAR it is almost as effective as Downey. So, even though it's nice, it's making me a little nervous. I've come to associate stiff clean clothes with purity -- chemical-free and build-up free. KWIM?

We use Dr. B as our hand soap too. Works great in a foaming pump.

[A_Random_Phrase]

Marni, how much Bronner's soap do you use? I used to use it as a hand soap in a pump but because it was so thin dd#2 would use what seemed like 10X more than she needed to - so to save money, I stopped getting it. (Maybe I should have her buy it?)

[EkkaGrrl]

Originally Posted by nora--not a llama

I'm curious about this.... How does it work exactly? How much do you use? Do you put it in a downy ball or something?

Sorry for all the questions, I'd just really like to try this.

I put 1/2 cup or so in my Downey ball and it works great. Be careful not to use too much vinegar or your clothes will have that faint annoying vinegar smell. I learned that one the hard way.

[Marni]

Originally Posted by A_Random_Phrase

Marni, how much Bronner's soap do you use? I used to use it as a hand soap in a pump but because it was so thin dd#2 would use what seemed like 10X more than she needed to - so to save money, I stopped getting it. (Maybe I should have her buy it?)

I use about 1:4 or 1:3. I always just do it by eye.


So -- back to my original question -- anyone think Bronners is BAD for laundry? Could the softness I am experiencing really be soap build up?