Laundry powder

[ParkSoap]

I had a bunch of Kirk's soap I needed to get rid of, so I used them to start making my own laundry powder. I don't use borax because I didn't have any when I wanted to make this, and I was too lazy to walk a block to the store to get any. Ha! I've been using this for a few months now and it works beautifully. It's a bit of a hodge-podge of different recipes I found online, based on what I had on hand.

2.5 - 4 oz. bars of Kirk's soap, grated (that's 10 oz. total)
3.5 oz. citric acid
3 lb. Nellie's washing soda
4 lb. baking soda

I use white vinegar as a fabric softener, and I add a little lavender EO to that. The lavender smell lasts through the drying, but otherwise doesn't really cling to the clothes.

 

[DeeAnna]

I have ... or rather my DH, who does most of the laundry, has been using my powdered laundry soap mix for several months now. I just got done making a third batch of 50:50 lard:CO soap and making a huge batch of soap mix for friends, family, and us.

What I realized recently is that my washer hasn't gotten stinky in weeks and the "clean washer" light has been on for about that long. With commercial detergent, the washer really needed to be cleaned and disinfected with that expensive cleaning stuff whenever the light came on -- there was a definite odor by that time. Since we have been using the homemade mix, there is no (and I do mean NO) odor. Not to say it won't happen, especially in the depths of a humid August in Iowa, but ... wow ...

I don't claim the homemade mix itself is the cure ... I also think using the correct amount of detergent/soap is important. The huge, poorly marked measuring caps on the commercial detergent are an invitation to use way too much. With the homemade mix, we use a little plastic "shot glass" from Walmart that is just the right amount.

 

[melstan775]

I like using lemon or orange EO in my detergent only because I like how it smells.
If I GOTTA do the laundry, at least let me enjoy something about having to do it

FWIW, I make my own softener using vinegar and whatever hair conditioner
is on sale, and that scent really doesn't cling to clothes, either.

You can actually just use straight vinegar. I usually throw a 1/4 cup dose right into the laundry. I splurge on white wine vinegar. I'm sure it makes no difference but it's what I had on hand first time I tried it, so I kept using it.

 

[Smee]

You can actually just use straight vinegar. I usually throw a 1/4 cup dose right into the laundry. I splurge on white wine vinegar. I'm sure it makes no difference but it's what I had on hand first time I tried it, so I kept using it.

I've been known to do that, too, Mel. With the conditioner mix, I either
soak a piece of a sponge in it and throw it into the dryer with the load, or
put 1/4 cup in the washer's softener cup. I hate being consistent :mrgreen:

 

[Lindy]

I actually add Lavender EO to my laundry and it carries through to the dryer.... I love it on my sheets and blankets because it's there when I make the bed.... Love It

 

[DeeAnna]

Oh, another tip to add to this discussion -- I learned yesterday that you can easily convert baking soda to washing soda at home. That's good to know, because washing soda can be hard to find sometimes.

Spread dry baking soda in a shallow pan (aluminum is fine). Bake at 400-475 deg F (200-250 deg C) for about 1 hour. Remove and let cool.

There will not be a huge change in appearance, but if you compare the two side by side, you will see the washing soda is slightly less shiny, slightly more granular (more like very, very fine sand), and tends to clump up a bit more. Baking soda is more of a lustrous powder that flows very easily.

The real difference is the weight loss -- if you start with 1500 grams of baking soda, you will end up with roughly 1000 grams of washing soda, so plan accordingly if you make your laundry soap mix by weight as I do.

Be careful when you handle the washing soda -- it is dusty and more alkaline than baking soda (pH of 11 for WS vs pH of 8 for BS). The dust is much more irritating to the eyes, respiratory system, and skin than BS. Even though washing soda is obviously closely related to baking soda, WS is better at removing grease and tough stains and softening hard water.

My thanks to Soaping101 (http://www.soaping101.com/) and also to Holly Homemaker (http://hollythehomemaker.blogspot.com) for turning me on to this tip.

 

[dudeitsashley]

I actually add Lavender EO to my laundry and it carries through to the dryer.... I love it on my sheets and blankets because it's there when I make the bed.... Love It

Lindy do you mind sharing how much lavender you use?

 

[Hazel]

DeeAnna -

Thanks for sharing this great tip! :grin:

 

[dudeitsashley]

Has anyone made their soap base scented?

 

[Lindy]

Lindy do you mind sharing how much lavender you use?

Sorry - I somehow missed your post. I use an ounce or so in the wash. If you find it's still not sticking, put some on a wash cloth and put into the dryer. I love the smell of Lavender on my sheets....

 

[marghewitt]

I have a few bars with DOS and a little rancid smell to them. Does anyone think they would be a good or bad idea to grate and use as laundry soap? I hate to throw them away but will unless I can use them somewhere else..... any suggestions?

 

[lizflowers42]

I have a few bars with DOS and a little rancid smell to them. Does anyone think they would be a good or bad idea to grate and use as laundry soap? I hate to throw them away but will unless I can use them somewhere else..... any suggestions?

If you can stand the greasy smell sticking to your clothes! I might be more inclined to wash dishes with it where the scent will not linger.

 

[rodeogal]

DeeAnna, I have noticed the same thing with my washer since using my own laundry soap. I used to get a white powder residue around the seal and even though I leave the door and soap drawer cracked open, it would still begin to smell. I no longer have either problem!

 

[bluescrubby]

Liquid vs. powder laundry soap--ratio way off?

Hello all! Question here about liquid vs. powder soaps.

I've been using a liquid for a while (recipe: 1 bar soap grated and dissolved, 1 C borax, .5 C washing soda, dilute to 10 gallons; at 4 oz per load, approx. 300 loads), and have had really good results (cold water, 55 liters / 15 gallon drum). I'd like to switch to a powder, but the recipes I am finding call for 2 C soap, 1 C washing powder, 1 C borax, use 2 T per load--total 32 loads' worth! This is 10x fewer loads for the same ingredients than with the liquid I'm using now.

Can anyone tell my why the recipes are so different? And can I use 90% less powder and still get the result I'm getting with my liquid detergent?

Some other random info: I use store-bought vegetable-based bar soap. Our water is really really nice. Oh, and yes, I know I didn't calculate the 2 T of powder against the smallish size of our washer. But it still doesn't account for the 10x difference in ingredients!

TIA for any input!

 

[houseofwool]

I use roughly 3 oz soap to 1/2c washing soda and 1/2 c borax. I use roughly 1/2 to 1 tbsp per load and things come out fine. I do use a splash of bleach with whites to keep them from looking dingy.

 

[bluescrubby]

Houseofwool, thanks. How many gallons/liters is your washer?

 

[dudeitsashley]

Hello all! Question here about liquid vs. powder soaps.

I've been using a liquid for a while (recipe: 1 bar soap grated and dissolved, 1 C borax, .5 C washing soda, dilute to 10 gallons; at 4 oz per load, approx. 300 loads), and have had really good results (cold water, 55 liters / 15 gallon drum). I'd like to switch to a powder, but the recipes I am finding call for 2 C soap, 1 C washing powder, 1 C borax, use 2 T per load--total 32 loads' worth! This is 10x fewer loads for the same ingredients than with the liquid I'm using now.

Can anyone tell my why the recipes are so different? And can I use 90% less powder and still get the result I'm getting with my liquid detergent?

Some other random info: I use store-bought vegetable-based bar soap. Our water is really really nice. Oh, and yes, I know I didn't calculate the 2 T of powder against the smallish size of our washer. But it still doesn't account for the 10x difference in ingredients!

TIA for any input!

Here is the recipe that I am going to try out for the powdered laundry soap. [ame]http://youtu.be/kaMKcG3zSZM[/ame]

 

[bluescrubby]

Yes, that's basically the same recipe I referenced before--1:1 washing soda:borax, use 1-2 T per load. The liquid recipe has that diluted down 10:1 and still works fine! So why do all the powder recipes call for using so much?

 

[Lotus]

Actually the best laundry soap is lye heavy as it increases the cleansing. You don't want any free-floating oils in your laundry or you are defeating the purpose of washing. Borax is important as is washing soda. Oxyclean is a nice addition but I would prefer baking soda and citric acid....

'Tis true. If you've ever tried to wash an oil soaked towel which has been soaked in oil, you're screwed.

Does anyone have any advice about ridding oil of an old oily towel? Is there a homemade soap one can make that will take care of that issue?

PS: If you're making homemade laundry soap, why do I hear so much about adding chemicals to it? It just feels like it defeats the purpose.

 

[dudeitsashley]

Does anyone sale their laundry soap? If so how do you go about figuring out the price?