primitive wants to make own laundry detergent

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=353x2908

Oh my.

lizziegrace  (1000+ posts)        Fri May-14-10 12:49 PM
Original message
 
I'm going to try making my own laundry detergent

seems simple enough...

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/09/making-your-o...

I'm sorely surprised Mrs. Alfred Packer, the "hippywife" primitive, didn't show up at this campfire.

This sounds like something right up Mrs. Alfred Packer's alley.

lizziegrace  (1000+ posts)        Fri May-14-10 12:54 PM
Response to Original message
 
1. But I'm having trouble finding the washing powder

any suggestions besides mail order?

proudohioan  (1000+ posts)      Fri May-14-10 02:45 PM
Response to Reply #1
 
2. My computer froze up...both times I tried clicking on the link(???) so I couldn't read the ingredients, but a woman I used to work with made her own laundry detergent and used Borax.

Is this the same thing as washing powder?

lizziegrace  (1000+ posts)        Sat May-15-10 11:46 AM
Response to Reply #2
 
3. It's Arm & Hammer Washing Soda which is what I'm told is the same as washing powder. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. My internet options out here are limited.

I'd settle for finding either at this point.

proudohioan  (1000+ posts)      Sat May-15-10 06:38 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. It seems to me that I've seen both Arm & Hammer...and 20 Mule Team Borax in the laundry section (top shelf) of the grocery stores around here. But then again, I'm in Cleveland, not in a small town. And I couldn't tell you how recently I saw them, but it didn't seem too terribly long ago (but I'm getting old, so you know how time flies...).

But good luck with that, I know the woman I worked with loved making her own laundry soap.

Didn't Ronald Reagan have something to do with this "20 Mule Team Borax" stuff years ago?

Wouldn't that be good enough reason for the primitives to avoid it?

lizziegrace  (1000+ posts)        Sun May-16-10 08:12 PM
Response to Reply #4
 
5. found it!

I'll make some later this week. I'll let you know how it turns out.

proudohioan  (1000+ posts)      Mon May-17-10 09:09 AM
Response to Reply #5
 
6. Great news! I'll be looking forward to hearing the results!

Warpy  (1000+ posts)        Mon May-17-10 06:50 PM
#09 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009; THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE
Response to Reply #2

7. I've used soap ends in the past after I've saved enough up and instead of boiling them, I've just put them into a plastic tub with water to cover and let them slime out on their own. I have used Borax and washing soda and really can't tell much difference. It's worked in a pinch when detergent was starting to break me out and I was out of Dr. Bronner's.

Now I buy Mexican detergents that are a little cheaper--Ariel or Foca, and they do a good job and I haven't started to break out in red spots and itch so I guess I'm not allergic to them. Yet.

franksolich, who can make Ebenezer Scrooge look like a spendthift at times, does the defrocked warped primitive one better, when it comes to those nuisancesome little slivers of soap.  franksolich lets them sit in water for a while, so as to soften up.....and then runs the whole thing through the blender, liquifying it.

It makes great hair-shampoo.

lizziegrace  (1000+ posts)        Sat Jul-03-10 06:26 PM
Response to Original message
 
8. That didn't go well

I made a liquid recipe and all the soap formed a solid layer on the top of the water (like grease would if it was refrigerated). I break a small piece of the solid and 1/4 of the watery liquid to wash a load of clothes. Problem is, the glop doesn't melt unless I use hot water on the longest cycle. Next time, I'll make a powdered version.

Live and learn.

Run it through the blender, accomplishing two jobs in one.

Liquifying the soap, and cleaning the blender.

[Ballygrl]

Here's a recipe for lizzie, hope she doesn't freak out because of the website it comes from:

http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

4  Cups - hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

[formerlurker]

Here's a recipe for lizzie, hope she doesn't freak out because of the website it comes from:

http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

4  Cups - hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

If this stuff actually works (think three very active boys who can get very dirty), then I could save a lot of money making my own.   Has anyone tried to make this? 

[Ballygrl]

If this stuff actually works (think three very active boys who can get very dirty), then I could save a lot of money making my own.   Has anyone tried to make this? 

The only reason I haven't tried it is because I'm allergic to Arm & Hammer Detergent and most Detergents, so I wasn't sure if I would have an issue with the washing soda. The Duggar family always looks clean though so I would think it would work. The only Detergent I can use is ERA but I would love to be able to make something like this in large quantities, it would save a lot of money.

[LC EFA]

If you can get it - use eucalyptus oil as the essential oil. It's a potent cleaner and deodorizer in its own right.

[Ballygrl]

Here's the link for a bunch of recipes, we've tried a few and they're pretty good, also there's a recipe for powdered laundry detergent and making your own fabric softener:

http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html

The Duggars are amazing because with all those kids they learned to live within their means, sure they're a little wealthier now, but they're not extravagant at all.

[longview]

I've done laundry with Fels Naptha before.  For years when in cow camps.  It's still my favorite stain remover and very good for kids with sensitive skin.

I'm pretty frugal and so are my kids.  Thanks for posting the link, Ballygirl.

[Ballygrl]

I've done laundry with Fels Naptha before.  For years when in cow camps.  It's still my favorite stain remover and very good for kids with sensitive skin.

I'm pretty frugal and so are my kids.  Thanks for posting the link, Ballygirl.

You're welcome.

[Revolution]

Just make sure not to be a real DUmmy, and mix ammonia with bleach in an effort to make a super detergent, okay lizzie? .

[PatriotGame]

What a load of horse manure! So you put in 14 hours of your time to save eight dollars in soap.
What's next? Make your own gasoline? Bubblegum? Laxatives?

Hat tip to making your own beer though - ain't nuthin' wrong with dat....

[PatriotGame]

Here's the link for a bunch of recipes, we've tried a few and they're pretty good, also there's a recipe for powdered laundry detergent and making your own fabric softener:

http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html

The Duggars are amazing because with all those kids they learned to live within their means, sure they're a little wealthier now, but they're not extravagant at all.

I guess I just don't get it. I have Maytag Neptune washer & dryer, front load 3rd generation. I buy a jug of he (high efficiency) detergent for eight dollars and get 120 loads out of it. Remember that I have five cats so I do a lot of laundry and I still don't understand how adding 14 hours of my time making soap to save eight dollars is economical.

[LC EFA]

I guess I just don't get it. I have Maytag Neptune washer & dryer, front load 3rd generation. I buy a jug of he (high efficiency) detergent for eight dollars and get 120 loads out of it. Remember that I have five cats so I do a lot of laundry and I still don't understand how adding 14 hours of my time making soap to save eight dollars is economical.

I buy bulk laundry detergent concentrate from the local chemical supplier. Get 20lbs for about $15.

Lasts me about 12 months.

Alcohol on the other hand I make myself for $4 a liter. 

[formerlurker]

I guess I just don't get it. I have Maytag Neptune washer & dryer, front load 3rd generation. I buy a jug of he (high efficiency) detergent for eight dollars and get 120 loads out of it. Remember that I have five cats so I do a lot of laundry and I still don't understand how adding 14 hours of my time making soap to save eight dollars is economical.

I go through a ton of laundry detergent -- a small jug of Tide is more  than $8.   I usually have to spend about $20 a jug, and it doesn't last that long.   I do have a he washer, but I have a ton of laundry that never goes away it seems.

[Ballygrl]

I guess I just don't get it. I have Maytag Neptune washer & dryer, front load 3rd generation. I buy a jug of he (high efficiency) detergent for eight dollars and get 120 loads out of it. Remember that I have five cats so I do a lot of laundry and I still don't understand how adding 14 hours of my time making soap to save eight dollars is economical.

The ERA that I have to use is a little expensive, I'm not complaining because a jug from BJ's lasts hubby and I a month, but if I had a lot of kids laundry to do? I would definitely like to do the homemade route.

[soleil]

Here's a recipe for lizzie, hope she doesn't freak out because of the website it comes from:

http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

4  Cups - hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

Lizzie is one of the sane ones over there. I adore her. She very rarely posts there anymore. She's pretty much abandoned the place too.

[Celtic Rose]

I guess I just don't get it. I have Maytag Neptune washer & dryer, front load 3rd generation. I buy a jug of he (high efficiency) detergent for eight dollars and get 120 loads out of it. Remember that I have five cats so I do a lot of laundry and I still don't understand how adding 14 hours of my time making soap to save eight dollars is economical.

I can see it making a lot of sense when you have more time than money.  The actual "work" section of making laundry soap isn't terribly significant.  It isn't like having it sit over night actually requires any extra effort. 

[Doc]

I guess I just don't get it. I have Maytag Neptune washer & dryer, front load 3rd generation. I buy a jug of he (high efficiency) detergent for eight dollars and get 120 loads out of it. Remember that I have five cats so I do a lot of laundry and I still don't understand how adding 14 hours of my time making soap to save eight dollars is economical.

PG.....you (as well as myself) don't get it, and never will for the simple reason that we consider our time to have value.......I have the same arguments (futilely, I might add) with my MIL over picking plumbs, apples, peaches, etc, and making jelly, apple butter, and canning.

There was a time in this country when these activities had some logical merit, but by the time you calculate the value of your time in these "money saving efforts", they are ultimate losers.......a jar of jelly takes my MIL about a day to make (in quantity), when you can buy a jar of Welch's at the discount store for $0.89 on sale......which makes all that labor to make these things essentially valueless.

For my part, I always weigh the money that I can make doing something that actually produces revenue against what it would cost to manufacture laundry detergent, or whatever, and the revenue-generating side wins every time......

As my wife is prone to say, when these subjects come up......."that's what supermarkets are for........." and she's a farm girl.

Dummies/hippies etal, either consider their time as valueless, or have some warped preconception of "saving the earth", with these things.......it is BS.

doc

[Karin]

Here's another use for Fels-Naptha, if you have someone who chews tobacco in the family.  Melt down some FN in water, add some tobacco spit, put in one of those Miracle Gro things that attaches to your hose, and spray down your lawn and bushes.  Really cuts down on the pesty insects, like mosquitos.  

Edited for spelling.  HAHAHAHAHAHA!  Sorry bout that. 

[BlueStateSaint]

pesty incests

I'd think all incests would be pasky . . . (and yes, I know what you meant)