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Post by benshelpmeet on Mar 5, 2009 13:41:39 GMT -5
The last time I made Laundry Detergent was February 18th I still have 5 cups/loads worth left. I'll probably need a new batch by tomorrow or Saturday, that means it's lasting me a little over two weeks. It cost $1.50 a batch and two batches last over two weeks...rember I'm washing for a family of 9.
I'm spending less than $3.00 every two weeks. That's pretty neat! I like the savings and the detergent works great!
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Post by prv31wife on Mar 7, 2009 18:12:02 GMT -5
Lately I've have heard so much about homemade laundry detergent. I don't know if I'm brave enough to try and make some though. I'm sure it's easier than making bread!
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Post by benshelpmeet on Mar 11, 2009 15:57:34 GMT -5
Here is an update on the new laundry detergent I started making...It lasts over two weeks.
Today we made 4 batches in a row, we stored them in used 1 gal water jugs, next time I'm going to store them in glass quart jars. It made 9 gallons! I love this stuff it works great on my crew. Caleb has a light gray sweat shirt and boy does he get it dirty, it came real clean, like new, I was glad.
Happy Washing!
Regina, this stuff is so easy to make, Bread is much, much harder. Give it a try, I know you will be glad you did. Make sure you stir your water and grated soap until it dissolves all the way, then add dry ingredients remembering to stir well until disolved...then stir good again when you add the soap mixture to two gallons of warm water. I was reluctant to try this too, but I'm oh so glad I did...It's great.Darlene's Favorite Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 bar of Glycerin soap ( or soap of your choice) (grated)...I use Dial White Tea and Vit E, it smells great! I think the Dial Cranberry glycerin soap would smell good, and be a pretty pink color.
1 cup Washing Soda ( Arm and Hammer)
1 cup Borax ( 20 mule team )
4 cups plus two gallons of hot water
In a 6 quart pot grate 1 bar of soap into 4 cups warm water, heat but do no boil, stir until dissolved.
Add washing soda and borax to melted soap stir until dissolved.
Pour 2 gallons of very warm or hot water into 3 gallon bucket, then stir in soap, borax, washing soda mixture until mixed well.
Let set over night, this will turn very thick, stir and use 1 cup per Lg load. After you stir it once, you will not need to re-stir it. It has the consistency of lumpy soft jell. I really like it!
Note: If you need to use it right after you make it, you can it works just as well, but it's not thick like it will be the second day. 1 box of washing soda 1 box of Borax 6 bars of soap Will make 12 gallons of Detergent for approx $9.00 (Tennessee prices) That's pretty good savings wouldn't you say? If my math is correct you get 216 loads for $9.00. And it has the known chemicals you put in it. 16 cups per gallon (2 gallons of water ) 32 cups total plus the extra 4 cups for melting the soap = ( 2 1/4 gallons total) = 36 cups total = 36 loads plus the bar of soap...I do not think that adds much. 1 box of each plus 6 bars of soap make 6 batches of 36 cups or loads 36 x 6 = 216 large loads...
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Post by Donna on Mar 12, 2009 12:33:01 GMT -5
Sister Darlene,
I was reading an article in a magazine called "Energy Times" (from the local health food store) and there was an article based on a book entitled "Home Safe Home" by Debra Lynn Dadd.
I found the section concerning laundry products quite interesting. "Dadd recommends replacing such detergents with natural soap flakes or grated bar soap.......But soap isn't always needed since laundering is often meant to freshen clothing and remove perspiration and odors. In this case, a cup of plain baking soda, white vinegar or borax will do. Or use a tablespoon of trisodium phosphate, sold at hardware stores, per washer load."
I discovered a trick when I was using cloth diapers. I was using commercially produced laundry detergent, but I was only using 2-3 teaspoons per load!!! Even now, doing our regular laundry, I seldom use more than a tablespoon. I have been using the same bucket of detergent from Sam's Club for over a year now and it is still half full.
I guess what I am saying is that you may not have to use 1 cup of your homemade laundry soap....some experimenting may be in order. Of course, I am in a suburban setting and not in the rural setting that you are. We don't get as grungy around here.... at least not yet.....I am hoping to get a vegetable garden started this year.
Donna
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Post by benshelpmeet on Mar 12, 2009 12:43:51 GMT -5
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Post by Brother Ben on Mar 13, 2009 12:38:28 GMT -5
I was reading the news headlines and this article caught my attention. Children's Bath Products Contain Contaminents US study finds carcinogens in kids' bath productsIn light of Darlene's recent detergent making endeavors, I thought this pertinent. Bro. Ben
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Post by lisa on Mar 23, 2009 17:36:08 GMT -5
Sister Darlene Thank you for sharing about homemade laundry detergent. I was wondering can all of the ingredients be bought at wal mart? Thanks Lisa
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Post by benshelpmeet on Mar 24, 2009 8:55:25 GMT -5
Dear Lisa,
Yes you can get the soap and Borax for sure from Wal Mart...possibly the Washing soda to. Some sisters like myself have a hard time finding the Washing soda and Kroger (if you have one) seems to always carry it....Thats where I ended up finding mine...You can get it on line also.
Remember to stir all ingredients until disolved,...follow the directions and it will turn out just fine...also let it set overnight and stir it the next morning. I love using this stuff it works great and smells great too.
I use Dial white tea and Vit E glycerin soap to clean with, it really gets off the soap scum from our hard water here, I just soap up a rag and start cleaning. It cleans my bathroom squeaky clean literally. ;D
Love, ~ sister Darlene ~
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Post by lisa on Mar 24, 2009 14:33:14 GMT -5
Thanks Sister Darlene, I also appreciated the cleaning tip. I know this is going to sound very ignorant but what is Vit E glycerin soap? Thank you again Lisa
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Post by nightingale on Mar 24, 2009 17:28:35 GMT -5
Dear Darlene I made a copy of this recipe and I am going to see if my daughters and myself want to give it a whirl....I will let you know the outcome Sis Debbie
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Post by benshelpmeet on Mar 26, 2009 8:13:55 GMT -5
Dear sister Donna,
I somehow missed your last post here. Sorry! Thank you for that helpful information...I need to try and get a copy of that book, it sounds like a good one.
We have a friend that washes their cloths by using baking soda and washing soda, I think a half cup of each in each load...they live on a farm and it works good for them.
Sometime the children get their close sooo dirty I have to add a heavy cup, and let them soak a little while, then wash.
I have learned that dark florals and solids are much easier to hide stains than pretty light pastel solids or floral dresses. We are going to try and start making dark floral and solid dresses because the little girls ruin their pretty little dresses.
Thank you for your helpful post, I just somehow over looked it.
I get distracted here in the kitchen at the house sometimes when on line and I overlook things.
Have a great day sister!
Love, ~ Darlene ~Up Date: Remember how I made up 4 batches and poured the hot mixture into gallon jugs and the next morning it was like jello in a jug, it would not shake up, and I could not stir it down because it was in a jug, I had to cut the jugs open and plop it out in a bucket to stir it down, like you are suppose to do the next morning after it has set all night ( that first night)? Remember? Well I went to cut up another jug to get my solution out so I could stir it and it looked thinner so I shook the jug and it stirred it up to where I could pour the thick mixture out into my cup. I guess after it sets a while it breaks down a bit naturally.
So I guess you can store it in jugs as soon as you make it.Debbie, let me know how it turns out! Sister Lisa, The soap is '' Dial Glycerin with White Tea and Vit E '' I got mine at Wal Mart...it's in the bar soap section...they have one called Cranberry too and boy does it smell good!!! I bathe with that. You could make detergent with it and also clean with it. Glycerin soap is see through. I do not know exactly how it is different from regular soaps, all I know is it takes soap scum off from hard water build up. It cleans a bathroom great! Regular Soap tends to leave a film. I like using it in my Laundry soap recipe it cleans my clothes good and smells great! Have a great day sister!
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Post by nightingale on Jun 9, 2009 23:02:10 GMT -5
I finally found the ingredients we need. I found the borax and soap at Walmart, but no washing soda. We have a grocery store here called, Rosauers. It had everything there The borax, washing soda (arm and hammer) and all natural bar soap. My daughter wants to make some to save money and not to have any chemicals against her babies skin, and I thought it might help Zoe's skin as well We have to go to home depot to get a big bucket, but I will let you know how it turns out. Having fun ;D Love Sis Debbie
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Post by nightingale on Jun 22, 2009 1:22:25 GMT -5
Hi While we were in Seattle we looked for some liquid Castile's soap for our laundry soap and we finally found it at "Trader Joe's" an all organic store. We will be mixing it with the washing soda and borax in the next day or so. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Love Sis Debbie
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Post by BillysWife on Jun 22, 2009 7:41:08 GMT -5
I made some right before I left and Billy tells me it's working great! Definitely a lot cheaper than always buying detergent, and with just 3 of us right now, it'll last a long time!
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Post by benshelpmeet on Jun 22, 2009 10:34:24 GMT -5
Debbie,
I've never made it with liquid soap before. I would warm a quart of water then add the borax and washing soda, mix well until dissolved then add to 2 gallons of very warm water, then stir in liquid soap. That should work well.
Let us know how things go.
Naomi,
I love using this soap as well. Bonnie my oldest girl makes several batches and it lasts us a good long time, so we do not need to make it often.
We store the extra in water jugs. Then just shake well and pour out and use.
I know you miss your hubby. Enjoy your visit with your family!
Have a great day sisters!
Love, ~ Darlene ~
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