make your own laundry detergent
Posted By: pennywise on 2008-10-22
In Reply to: Frugal ideas - Siren
Lots of different recipes out there for liquid and powdered.
I like the liquid but have a terrible time finding the Arm & Hammer wash SODA.
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
- Frugal ideas - Siren
- make your own laundry detergent - pennywise
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
Laundry detergent
Do you have a specific laundry soap that you buy or just whatever's on sale?
Powder or liquid?
With bleach or not?
Laundry Detergent
Simple Pleasures Lavender Vanilla (by Tide) - I buy the dryer sheets too. I love to smell it on my sheets! It doesn't really smell like lavender or vanilla, sort of a pleasant cross between the two, or something. They have one with roses too, which I love, but I don't care for the scent of that soap, it is too "off" or something. My husband doesn't even mind and he is a truck driver! He says the Lavender Vanilla smells pretty "fresh" and good. Lucky, because I would still use it and have to listen to him whine if he didn't like it! My little grandson likes it too and asks to have his jammas washed in it.
My little one did this, too! Took days of using laundry detergent to get rid of
s
How I make my own laundry soap. . sm
The basic ingredients are Borax, Washing Soda, and Fels Naptha. You could also use Ivory soap instead of the Fels Naptha. I also use the Fels Naptha to get out stains by wetting the fabric and rubbing the Fels Naptha directly on the stain.
I really like the laundry soap, but it did take a little while to get used to it. It doesn't make hardly any suds and I was worried about whether or not it was doing a good job of cleaning. My DH is very picky, especially about laundry soap. I didn't even tell him I was making my own soap, and he didn't notice! I do put a little bleach (about 2 tablespoons) in with my towels because they never smelled fresh. I had to do this even when I used Tide or Era. We have well water, and our water has an odor sometimes. When I first started using this laundry soap, I would only use it for clothes that weren't heavily soiled. I gradually started using it for everything when I realized that it was doing a pretty good job. It is fun to make and so cheap.
I hope it is okay to post links on this website. This is where I got my recipe- http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm
Does it really matter which washing detergent you use? sm
i normally buy the cheapest washing detergent. but it seems like my whites get really dingy. lately i've been using washing detergent, color safe bleach. i also use liquid fab. softener. is it really worth paying more for washing detergent? just wondered what you all do.
thanks
I use Dawn dish detergent, shampoo twice. Also use powder before bed on my head
I put the powder on my scalp and work it through the hair close to my head at bedtime. The powder absorbs the oil. This gives me a couple of extra days between shampoos.
Dreft detergent and 20 Mule Team Borax for stubborn stains, gentle on baby's skin..sm
and hypoallergenic. Works very well on those burp-up stains, ya know, the ones with Poly-Vi-Sol vitamins.
I don't suppose many of you are old enough to remember cloth diapers and diaper pins, plastic pants that went over them to contain leakage, Dreft detergent or 20 Mule Team Borax and heaven forbid knowing how to clean them! Ask your grandmothers how it was done. And you think you have it rough with disposable diapers!  Cat
Just did some laundry
Tonight just relaxing, my husband's making his famous chill. My daughter is having a friend over to watch a movie. Tomorrow a little work to do, but otherwise nothing special planned for this weekend.
Laundry
I am thinking about getting a clothes line and hanging clothes outside this summer. The only reason why I never have in the past is because I have numerous allergies and usually try to keep the "outside" out. With the cost of everything rising and after reading an article about the cost-saving/energy-saving of not running a dry cycle on your dishwasher and hanging clothes outside to dry I want to considering it. Does anyone here have allergies and hang their clothes outside? I am thinking that I could tumble them through the dryer before folding and that might help.
Looking for a new laundry scent...
I am currently using Gain - Mandarin Lime Fusion, which is awesome, but have been using it a while now and the smell is starting to fade. Taking a poll on your favorite scent...
You go girl on the laundry....sm
both of our kids know to not even breathe to us that they have dirty clothes as they know how to use the washing machine & dryer and how to use them. It's up to them to do their laundry and clean their bathroom, not me!
Hang out your laundry if possible
Start hanging your wash out rather than using the dryer. It will save big, not those pennies they claim you'll save by unplugging your toaster. (By the way, my son, an electrical engineer, claims unplugging your toaster saves nothing. Unplugging a coffee maker if it has a clock does save a little.)
Laundry - brightening whites
Over the weekend I went searching for bluing as discussed in the previous thread. No luck finding it so far but have a few more small, independently owned stores to check. However, I did find a whitening agent in the Rit dye section. A little pricey, $2.00 something for 1 load. It worked well on T-shirts and clothing but for some reason it did not seem to work on my towels. They were all in the same load I used a long cycle for it to soak also. I'll see how long the white T's last. Oh, I also have well water and a softener system if anyone is wondering. 
I keep mine in the laundry room also
I also have a fat kitty who LOVES to get in there and pretend he's at the beach. I keep a tiny dustpan and broom in there and probably sweep 3 times a day. Sometimes there will be a huge pile of cat litter. Considering he's an indoor kitty and can't seem to find anything else to do, I just let him be and ask him if he had fun!
How many of you are making the homemade laundry soap?
I just did this week and I love it. Its going to save so much on laundry detergent. I'm very happy with the results.
HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
Ingredients:
3.1 oz bar Ivory soap or 2 regular bar sizes(Ivory is chosen because it's all natural. You may use a soap of your choice)
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
½ cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda or Baking Soda (I used baking soda since I couldn't find the washing soda)
Water
Tools:
5 Gallon container
Knife
Pot large enough to hold 5 cups of water
Long stirring stick/spoon (for 5 gallon container)
Instructions:
Shave the soap into small strips or grate it up finely with a grater and place in the pot with 5 cups of water. Bring the water just shy of a boil and stir until the soap is completely melted. When the soap is just about melted, pour 3 gallons of hot water into the 5-gallon container and let it sit until the soap in the pot is totally melted. Once all of the soap shavings are melted, pour the mixture into the 5-gallon container and stir.
Once the soap and water are thoroughly stirred, add the ½ cup pf washing soda and stir until dissolved. Once the washing soda is dissolved, pour in the cup of borax and stir again until dissolved.
***You can add essential oil flavors for the smell but I prefer without.
I was off today and pretty much was a slug all day. I did 2 loads of laundry,
I never do that, but it sure felt good at the moment. Of course, tonight, I spent some time in the bathroom...what goes in, must come out I guess. 
Old part-timer - the laundry soap recipe
I found this online and it's the closest to my own recipe. It also includes the directions and the pricing comparisons included are also very similar to prices in my area.
The only difference is, in my part of the country, Arm & Hammer wash soda isn't common on the store shelves and I have to order it online.
Since one of the kiddos is sensitive to perfumes, I will sometimes divide part of one batch into a couple of smaller bottles and add a drop or two of lavender essential oils just for the master bathroom towels and bedsheets.
The love of my life does all the cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping etc..
He even has decorated the house with Christmas villages, lights etc.., wrapped all the presents, even his own..LOL (I did put them in brown boxes). I'm sorry but I sit here all day working..he can do something. I know how lucky I am. Going from being a single mom to this has been heaven. For every dream I had, it was answered by him. I shouldn't brag..but...last year he took me on 3 cruises..and it just never stops. So kudos to all of you who have a wonderful man in your life. Lord knows they are few and far in between..
I have been making my own laundry soap. It only costs me about $10 for a 6-month supply. nm
xx
Basically stick to a schedule. Laundry is only "housework" while I"m working. Keep calls sh
s
At that rate, I could make in a week what I make
x
I would make a good Beth with wig on. Not sure DH would make a good Dog.
xx
That just does not make me think more of you. You are still sm
still coming off as a spoiled woman and not deserving of her time, money, or affections. Lady, you are one spoiled woman.
Anyone know what something I can make up
husband wants another (we already have 3). I'm secretly taking the pill and he wants to know why I am not getting pregnant.
I was thinking of making up something like "I cant have kids anymore because of something" ..... anyone know what "something" I can make up?
can't make
My chicken soup tastes like dishwater.
Well I know who all 3 are, so what does that make me?
x
Now that I think of it my DH did make up some - sm
tapes; used to DJ parties long ago; so he did the music (his contribution other than showing up!)-- and we "snapped" up the china, not stamped it up! Boy, too much sun on Saturday I guess! We did have a photographer too (that is in that $5K figure); did a very small "package" with a local studio; 2 hours of photographer time, got lucky though, got one of their better photographers who had hurt his foot so could not do big long weddings. He did a wonderful job and we had great pictures to remember the day by. (Plus my brother video taped it as well).
I don't think I would make them (sm)
They are voicing their objections loud and clear and for some reason. They must be very uncomfortable. I am a new grandma (3 years) and I don't get real involved but try to keep my GD busy and I think I would know if she was downright miserable which sounds like what your kids are. I would question the kids at an approprite time - separately and then together and then see what their responses are - tell them you will not get mad and you can keep their secret but you are concerned and would like to know. Then if a time ever comes up with your MIL and it is appropriate - drop a hint or two.
How do you make these?
I have read all the posts about these cute blankets. How do you make them ? They sound pretty easy.
Do you make your own? - sm
I make breakfast taquitos to stick in the freezer for quick breakfasts if the kids are running late, which is almost every day.
One kid hates cheese and likes the corn tortillas so I make bacon and scrambled eggs with a little onion powder, roll them up and make them stick with a teensy bit of cheese (she has never noticed it there) then freeze them.
The other kid like the flour tortillas so I do the same thing but add shredded cheese. Stick them in the freezer in gallon size freezer bags.
I can make 30 of each kind in about 20 minutes and that's 30 days worth of last minute breakfasts or after school snacks.
I know - it's almost enough to make
you join a gym, if only I could afford it. It's not my company - I think they are above board and good people and all. But I've been doing this 19 years, and my brain keeps telling me that variety is what is needed for a brain, not cave dwelling, isolated work.
Not how much I make, how much I have.
NM
Make-up
The makeup counters at Macy's, Boscov's, all the big stores offer a free makeup application and teaching, but be careful they'll try to sell you the store. At 13, I would say base if she has acne if not, none, and a little mascara and maybe a light lip gloss.
Tell her from many of us from them 70s and 80s, lots of makeup causes creases and wrinkles as much as the sun does.
13 stinks for everybody, but probably mom more than anyone. Good luck.
Yes, I am saying to make up even if you
think it is not your fault. That is what I am saying. That is what others are saying also. You can be stubborn and refuse, but it is the right thing to do. You can say it won't work, he won't listen, but you still need to try.
There is someone here saying they make
Maybe that's the company they were talking about in the magazine. You can make $28.00 an hour or more working for doctors. That is not a lie. A lot of these companies offer their own school to work as you go.
Just because every one does it, well that does not make it right
Daresay I go against the norm and not be politically correct and say there are consequences to every action?
So let me make sure I have this right...
because I am fortunate enough to have a husband who has a good job, a great work ethic and both of us have decided to live debt free and are happy that way, I am the bad person here? Wow, how catty and bitchy some women are. Just think, I could work for a lousy company making peanuts, work around the clock to make those peanuts, eat top ramen, never have anything new, never take a vacation and then come here and complain about my life, my job situation, etc. No thanks. Some of you need to take a step back and figure out why you are so unhappy for anyone who can manage to make ends meet in this day and age. None of you would turn it down. DH and I are a team, we work together to have a good life and there is nothing wrong with that. Sorry if that offends you; it works out well for us.
Maybe they should make
those with that addiction be totally immersed in it 24/7 for 30 days. If that doesn't cure them, I don't know what will! (Especally the close-ups!) Eeeww!
It can, but make sure it is thoroughly
thawed out before drinking. Parially thawed is nasty!!!!
Oh, come on, make our day ! sm
Just change the names to protect the innocent! Spice up our boring lives!
Love to hear some of those 18 wheeler stories. My cousin went along with her husband on a trip and said the "girls" would literally jump into the sleeping area of the truck. How interesting!
I would do the same. Why not make
Christmas nice for some other child? It would certainly show your child what the season is really about, kindness and generosity.
I make that, only I use
cream of chicken soup instead of cream of celery . . . we all love it.
Another good tuna meal is to mix the tuna up the way that you normally would (mayo, salt/pepper, etc.) and then add grated carrots and potato sticks. Not too good leftover, as the potato sticks become soggy, but it's great when they're added in right before serving (for leftover, you can just add some fresh potato sticks to liven it up again).
my mom used to make those...
I find them at Super Walmart on occasion and they taste almost the same
I would either make
a Pineapple Nut Cake -
Preheat oven to 300 degrees
Ingredients:
2 eggs
2 c. sugar
2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. drained crushed pineapple
1 c. chopped pecans
1 tsp. vanilla
Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla 'til sugar is dissolved. Add flour, baking soda, and pineapple. Add nuts and pour into greased/floured 13 X 9 pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 8-oz package cream cheese (softened)
1 stick butter (softened)
1-1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine all ingredients and mix well.
My other choice is Watergate Salad. Been a long time since I made it, but it is one of those pudding/marshmallow deals, using pistachio pudding, cool whip, crushed pineapple, marishino cherries, pecans . . . I can't remember if that is all, or the quantities, but has to sit in the fridge while the marshmallows "do their thing". I'm sure the recipe is easy to find on-line if you're interested in that one.
I also might just eat the pineapple by itself!
I normally DVR and just make sure I
don't hear anything and watch it the next day since I work nights.
You do not have to win AI to make it
big. Look at Daughtery and Kelli Pickler. They are both doing fine without winning.
yes! the boy is not able to make....
decisions for himself for now... the mom is so convinced that God will keep her boy safe... He won't... He wants people to take advantage of the advances in medicine that have been made... What, if your son is drowning, do you stand back and see if God hauls him out of the lake, or do you throw him a life saver? Why turn down the only proven therapy against cancer?
This is not the way to make an example from someone
I thought the punishment was supposed to fit the crime.
Can't make them safe.
A 14 year old I know was killed on his bike a few weeks ago. You can't make them live in a bubble. I will pay for my kids insurance and their cars. Of course they will have rules, although our state has plenty as it is for young drivers. I will teach them to be responsible drivers, walkers, bike riders, etc. Just because life can be hard, doesn't mean you have to make it be harder. I moved out of my parents house just before my 15th birthday and took care of myself. While it can be done, it doesn't always have to be.
Um...I am not the OP. I put my name on each post I make.
I was just offering an opinion. As far as I can tell, the OP has not responded to anything.
So....wrong person!
I don't make a budget.
Only have 3 children and a very small extended family to buy for. I doubt I spend over $600 between them all.
|
