Comments on: DIY laundry soap – video http://www.off-grid.net/2009/05/28/diy-laundry-soap-video/ off the grid real estate, survival,preppers, solar, self-sufficient, eco-village, low-impact, zero-carbon, Renewable energy,ships, Fuel Cells, batteries, Solar panels, Wind turbines, MicroHydro, Biomass, Bushcraft Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:50:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings http://www.off-grid.net/2009/05/28/diy-laundry-soap-video/comment-page-1/#comment-230736 Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:23:01 +0000 http://www.off-grid.net/?p=3720#comment-230736 I make the powdered version and have for about 8 years or so. 1 bar of soap, Fels Naptha or Zote soap has always worked best for me 1 box of Arm & Hammer washing soda 1 Box of Borax grate soap and combine all ingredients in a sealed container. Use 2 TBSP (not a typo) per load Can be used in a front loading machine as well as a top loading. This does not suds up but does a thorough cleaning. Suds are just for the appearance in commercial soaps anyway. If the laundry is really dirty, I will add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the wash. I make the powdered version and have for about 8 years or so.

1 bar of soap, Fels Naptha or Zote soap has always worked best for me

1 box of Arm & Hammer washing soda

1 Box of Borax

grate soap and combine all ingredients in a sealed container.

Use 2 TBSP (not a typo) per load

Can be used in a front loading machine as well as a top loading.

This does not suds up but does a thorough cleaning. Suds are just for the appearance in commercial soaps anyway.

If the laundry is really dirty, I will add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the wash.

]]> By: Wretha http://www.off-grid.net/2009/05/28/diy-laundry-soap-video/comment-page-1/#comment-230325 Wretha Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:35:58 +0000 http://www.off-grid.net/?p=3720#comment-230325 <b>Gary</b>, the way I understand it, those front loaders use a "special" laundry soap that is low sudsing, since this homemade laundry powder IS low sudsing, it is a perfect match. Just use 1-2 tablespoons of the homemade stuff and you should be just fine. http://housewares.about.com/od/laundryappliances/f/hedetergents.htm Thanks for writing! Oh, quick disclaimer here, though I can't imagine anything could happen as a result of using my recipe for laundry powder, it should be completely safe, neither I or anyone at off-grid.net is responsible for any damages (perceived or real) caused by using my recipe in your equipment. Wretha Gary, the way I understand it, those front loaders use a “special” laundry soap that is low sudsing, since this homemade laundry powder IS low sudsing, it is a perfect match. Just use 1-2 tablespoons of the homemade stuff and you should be just fine.

http://housewares.about.com/od/laundryappliances/f/hedetergents.htm

Thanks for writing!

Oh, quick disclaimer here, though I can’t imagine anything could happen as a result of using my recipe for laundry powder, it should be completely safe, neither I or anyone at off-grid.net is responsible for any damages (perceived or real) caused by using my recipe in your equipment.
Wretha

]]> By: Gary http://www.off-grid.net/2009/05/28/diy-laundry-soap-video/comment-page-1/#comment-230323 Gary Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:59:53 +0000 http://www.off-grid.net/?p=3720#comment-230323 We just bought a front loader and the manufacturer, Whirlpool, says to only use HD detergent in the machine. Can I safely use this concoction in my machine? Thanx, Gary We just bought a front loader and the manufacturer, Whirlpool, says to only use HD detergent in the machine. Can I safely use this concoction in my machine?

Thanx,
Gary

]]> By: Wretha http://www.off-grid.net/2009/05/28/diy-laundry-soap-video/comment-page-1/#comment-230107 Wretha Sat, 30 May 2009 16:43:19 +0000 http://www.off-grid.net/?p=3720#comment-230107 <strong>Judy</strong>, I suspect that washing soda or borax by themselves would make great cleaners, I am also familiar with Oxyclean, I haven't used it since I've been off grid though, no reason other than I just haven't purchased any since I've been here. I did use it before though, with my homemade laundry soap and it worked great. . . . . <strong>G,</strong> I don't remember you asking about the soap before, I don't know exactly what to say about that, you say that the ingredients individually don't cause you trouble, but perhaps in the combination, your skin protests. I completely understand having itchy skin and not knowing what the cause was, I never did figure it out when it happened to me, I eventually changed all of my soaps, laundry soap, anything that I put on my skin directly or indirectly. Anyhoo, maybe you could try making a small batch of soap, try using a different bar soap, I found Kirk's castile soap in the grocery store and I like it. Also try making 2 different batches, one using bar soap and borax, and the other using bar soap and washing soda, try each one for a period of time and see if any of those bother you, if one bothers you then you will know what to remove, if neither one bothers you, mix them together and give it a try. I wish you luck, hopefully you'll find that it was something else, maybe stress or something else going on at that time. Wretha Judy, I suspect that washing soda or borax by themselves would make great cleaners, I am also familiar with Oxyclean, I haven’t used it since I’ve been off grid though, no reason other than I just haven’t purchased any since I’ve been here. I did use it before though, with my homemade laundry soap and it worked great.
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G, I don’t remember you asking about the soap before, I don’t know exactly what to say about that, you say that the ingredients individually don’t cause you trouble, but perhaps in the combination, your skin protests. I completely understand having itchy skin and not knowing what the cause was, I never did figure it out when it happened to me, I eventually changed all of my soaps, laundry soap, anything that I put on my skin directly or indirectly. Anyhoo, maybe you could try making a small batch of soap, try using a different bar soap, I found Kirk’s castile soap in the grocery store and I like it. Also try making 2 different batches, one using bar soap and borax, and the other using bar soap and washing soda, try each one for a period of time and see if any of those bother you, if one bothers you then you will know what to remove, if neither one bothers you, mix them together and give it a try.

I wish you luck, hopefully you’ll find that it was something else, maybe stress or something else going on at that time.

Wretha

]]> By: Gwen http://www.off-grid.net/2009/05/28/diy-laundry-soap-video/comment-page-1/#comment-230101 Gwen Sat, 30 May 2009 03:44:19 +0000 http://www.off-grid.net/?p=3720#comment-230101 Wretha, I'm having a memory lapse and can't remember if I asked you about this before... I made this soap using Ivory. I like Ivory and have used it off and on for years and it's one of the few soaps (including bodywashes) I can use. After I started using my homemade laundry soap batch, I had a terrible itchy allergic reaction on my legs and arms, but not my trunk(?). Now, I'm not quick to blame the soap. It could have been from something else, but I don't know what. I want to try the soap again but don't want to go through that itching/scratching agony (for 6 weeks!). The Washing Soda and Borax individually haven't caused any problems for me. Please, give me your expert opinion - do you think these ingredients could cause this kind of allergic reaction? I don't think so, and want to try again, but I'm skeered! Wretha, I’m having a memory lapse and can’t remember if I asked you about this before… I made this soap using Ivory. I like Ivory and have used it off and on for years and it’s one of the few soaps (including bodywashes) I can use. After I started using my homemade laundry soap batch, I had a terrible itchy allergic reaction on my legs and arms, but not my trunk(?). Now, I’m not quick to blame the soap. It could have been from something else, but I don’t know what. I want to try the soap again but don’t want to go through that itching/scratching agony (for 6 weeks!). The Washing Soda and Borax individually haven’t caused any problems for me. Please, give me your expert opinion – do you think these ingredients could cause this kind of allergic reaction? I don’t think so, and want to try again, but I’m skeered!

]]> By: judyofthewoods http://www.off-grid.net/2009/05/28/diy-laundry-soap-video/comment-page-1/#comment-230090 judyofthewoods Fri, 29 May 2009 22:40:25 +0000 http://www.off-grid.net/?p=3720#comment-230090 I use washing soda only, and it seems to work well, though I wash by hand. I make sure the crystals are totally dissolved before putting the clothes in, and then I just let them soak for a few hours, or even over night. If something is very dirty, I soak longer, or use percarbonate - according to the box it is composed of soda and hydrogen peroxide. It comes in tiny beed, and is supposed to be the safest bleech next to the sun. In the UK it is sold in pure form by Ecover, who also make biodegradable detergents. Oxiclean is the same thing, and used to be pure, but is now "improved" with a revolting perfume. I have also discovered the washing power of a high pressure jet on the garden hose for shifting mud! Not recommended where water is at a premium. I use washing soda only, and it seems to work well, though I wash by hand. I make sure the crystals are totally dissolved before putting the clothes in, and then I just let them soak for a few hours, or even over night. If something is very dirty, I soak longer, or use percarbonate – according to the box it is composed of soda and hydrogen peroxide. It comes in tiny beed, and is supposed to be the safest bleech next to the sun. In the UK it is sold in pure form by Ecover, who also make biodegradable detergents. Oxiclean is the same thing, and used to be pure, but is now “improved” with a revolting perfume. I have also discovered the washing power of a high pressure jet on the garden hose for shifting mud! Not recommended where water is at a premium.

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