Cheaper to make my laundry detergent or buy something like Charlies?? - Page 2

[Pancakes]

Originally Posted by ustasmom

How are these recipes on HE washers?

I've been using the home made soap in an HE washer since umm....last winter some time. I have not had any problems and actually the sour smell and mold funk that accumulates on the gasket doesn't happen with the home made.

Here is what I do....

Grate 1/3 bar of fels naptha or Ivory soap. Melt on the stove in a pot with 4 cups of water.

Add 1/2 c washing soda and 1/2c borax to the water.

Once everything is melted and combined pour the mixture along with 2 gallons of water into a bucket and stir. Let this sit over night and then put in whatever form of storage you want. I use left over juice bottles, empty vinegar bottles, milk jugs, etc.

This mixture will be clumpy, just shake the bottle each time you use it.
I have an he machine and only use about a tablespoon for each load. Sometimes more if the clothes are really dirty. The last batch I made was in February and it's almost gone, if that gives you any idea how long it lasts and how much it costs. We are a family of 4, but my BIL is staying with us right now....so 5.


Fair warning....this soap will not work as well as other detergent at getting out stains, you will need to use a spray and wash or something for stains.




Fabric softener

1/3 part vinegar
1/3 part water
1/3 part downy or whatever you prefer


I think it's the vinegar that keeps the he machine cleaned out and not smelly.

[Synchro246]

Originally Posted by ustasmom

How are these recipes on HE washers?

HE washers need suds free or low suds right? Isn't that the thing? I could be wrong. The home-made stuff is low suds. I use it in my dishwasher too

Originally Posted by ShannonCC

Is there a way to make your own detergent without washing soda?

I was using washing soda a year ago when I was having trouble with my dh's stinky shirts not getting clean (summer sweat - bleah!). I used the soda in addition to the regular detergent we used. Well, it worked *great* on the shirts! The stink totally disappeared!

And then my son broke out in a rash so I stopped using it. I can't imagine why washing soda would do that but I also haven't tested it again to see.

Also, do homemade detergents work in cold water?. ..I've also found out (and this should be a "duh" moment) that my mama pads are coming out cleaner than when I washed them in warm or hot water.

My kids butts got a rash from washing soda use once when I was just using it as an addition to comercial detergent. Washing soda is sodium carbonate or soda ash and it's VERY alkaline. I was suspicious that the rash was from the washing soda not being throughly rinsed out of the diaps. On the next loads I put vinegar in a downy ball to neutralize some residual alkalinity in the rinse cycle (also helps remove calcium and soap buildup so woo hoo!) and the rash went away. I am now careful about the ammt I use and rinsing it with vinegar. So far my babies haven't developed a rash in response to my homemade detergent (actually a diaper rash has cleared up). There isn't very much in the two gallons even if you use a full cup of washing soda in the recipe. It's not *nearly* as much per load as one might add as a booster--like you and I did (and the instructions say to). I think you'll be fine.

The stuff works great in cold water. I only wash diaps and kitchen towels in hot and everything is coming clean. For mama pads hydrogen peroxide is a great addition too

[Pookietooth]

I've heard that borax builds up on clothes and is toxic to dogs. Anyone else heard that?

[leximom]

Originally Posted by pookietooth

I've heard that borax builds up on clothes and is toxic to dogs. Anyone else heard that?

borax can fade clothes or make the fibers break down if too much is used on them. In the recipe I use that I got from here it's not powerful enough to do that IME. I have heard that borax can be poisonous in general, not just specifically to dogs, if ingested.

[lovelysunlight]

I have not read the previous post, but I have been making my own laundry soap for almost a year now. It works on cloth diapers and it works for my daughters skin allergies, as well. I just use one cup of borax, one cup of washing soda, and a grated up bar of soap. I use 1-2 tbsp. in each load. It lasts forever and is very cheap!

I've heard it works in HE washers, but I have not tried it so I can't say for sure.

[Malva]

Originally Posted by lovelysunlight

I have not read the previous post, but I have been making my own laundry soap for almost a year now. It works on cloth diapers and it works for my daughters skin allergies, as well. I just use one cup of borax, one cup of washing soda, and a grated up bar of soap. I use 1-2 tbsp. in each load. It lasts forever and is very cheap!

I've heard it works in HE washers, but I have not tried it so I can't say for sure.

That's exactly what I do.

I have a HE machine and wash almost exclusively with cold water.

I always put some vinegar in the rinse cycle.