purex 3-n-1 laundry sheets

**sinopa27** · 12-08-2009, 05:06 AM

I have being using the purex 3-n-1 laundry sheets. I like it better than using bottled detergent because I don't have the bottle to have to recycle when I am done.

I know this product is one I have to change. Is there a way to make this last longer? Or.....can I make my own detergent? If someone suggests for me to do this, then I would appreciate the recipe from someone who makes and uses their own detergent.

Thank you FV family. I like the sheets because I thought it helps reduce waste in the landfills. What alternatives do you have for me?

**NewLeaf** · 12-08-2009, 07:46 AM

I tried those purex laundry sheets, they are really convenient. But they are just too expensive for me. I would still get them if I had a great coupon AND caught them on sale.

Anyway, I make my own laundry detergent. I started at the beginning of the year when I stumbled onto FV.

Try this website for the recipe I use (I use the liquid).
http//www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html

**Grainlady** · 12-08-2009, 07:59 AM

This isn't a product I have any experience using, but it seems to me there is still a lot of waste from the package it comes in for so few loads.

I use Charlie's Soap - http://www.charliesoap.com/, which is non-toxic and biodegradable. I purchase it in a 5-gallon plastic bucket. We estimate this 1280 load amount will last us 3.5 years. Less waste because we can reuse the bucket, or recycle it when we're done with the detergent.

PRICE: Have you figured out how much you are spending per load? When I purchased the bucket of Charlie's Soap (Nov. 2007), it was 9-cents per load (we use 1-tablespoon per large load of laundry). I don't use fabric softener because I prefer not adding unnecessary toxins and chemicals to our laundry.

Using Charlie's Soap, your clothes are soft without any softener liquid or sheets - even line-dried - so that's an additional savings. I do use white vinegar in the rinse in the kitchen towel load, and bath towel load. Should there be any soap residue on the towels from use, the vinegar will neutralize it in the rinse. Vinegar was also recommended by the place where I purchased the washer, to keep hard water scale from building up on a part on our washing machine and prevent a repair. It's 8-years old, and no repairs yet...

SAFETY: Can the Purex product be safely used with infant/children's clothing? Many softeners, which is included in this product, can remove the flame retardant coating on fabrics and aren't suggested for use with this type of fabric. Softeners also accumulate on clothing to decrease absorbency (towels or cloth diapers). Softeners can cause fabrics to be more flammable because of the petroleum products in them that coat and build-up on fibers.

Homemade laundry soap mixtures aren't without their down side. They don't perform well in hard water because they are a soap, not a detergent, and more of the mixture may be needed to get laundry clean. They don't contain brighteners, so whites can get dingy-looking. Soap tends to build-up on fabrics. Soap works best in hot water. Homemade laundry soap isn't suggested for use in ALL washing machines. Use of homemade laundry soap mixtures can void the warranty in some washing machines. Saying all that, I used homemade laundry soap mixtures for many years. About every 3-6 months I'd have to switch to a detergent product to help remove the soap scum build-up in the clothes. I still keep all the products in storage for making homemade laundry soap, should times get tough.

Good luck in your search. One thing for sure, with the large number of laundry products available these days, it's NOT a one product-fits-all....

**Holly** · 12-08-2009, 08:04 AM

I use them. I love them........
I have thought of cutting them in half.
They are a little expensive but its worth it to me
as I don't have mess with the bottles.

**geckoace** · 12-08-2009, 09:15 AM

ive never used these purex sheets, i have used dropps they are in little dissolvable pods you can get a completely dye-scent-enzyme free version if you have littles. they are envirofriendly as well
www.dropps.com

**Moor** · 12-08-2009, 10:07 AM

I use them. Because I wash large loads all the time, I don't cut them in half. But my daughter does. She said that since she has a small washer and dryer, they work great that way.
But I have a double loader washer and dryer. So that won't work for me. But I have found that when you are finished with the sheets in the laundry, you can use to them dust with, or put them in drawers to scent them.

**sinopa27** · 12-11-2009, 05:14 AM

so far I have had a coupon and they have been on sale. I am thinking about cutting them in half.

**sinopa27** · 12-11-2009, 05:16 AM

Originally Posted by Grainlady

Homemade laundry soap mixtures aren't without their down side. They don't perform well in hard water because they are a soap, not a detergent, and more of the mixture may be needed to get laundry clean. They don't contain brighteners, so whites can get dingy-looking. Soap tends to build-up on fabrics. Soap works best in hot water. Homemade laundry soap isn't suggested for use in ALL washing machines. Use of homemade laundry soap mixtures can void the warranty in some washing machines. Saying all that, I used homemade laundry soap mixtures for many years. About every 3-6 months I'd have to switch to a detergent product to help remove the soap scum build-up in the clothes. I still keep all the products in storage for making homemade laundry soap, should times get tough.

Good luck in your search. One thing for sure, with the large number of laundry products available these days, it's NOT a one product-fits-all....

I am so glad that you told me about this. I want to make laundry soap but didn't realized the down side to them. Maybe I can alternate. I always use cold water also.
Thank you for the excellent information.

**TheRootedNomad** · 12-11-2009, 08:00 AM

I've been useing the 3-in-1 sheets (not sure what brand)for a little over a week. (I was given a "2 week" supply by a survey company.) They are definately convient and save space. I can't imagine that they would be cost efficient though. They smell really strong in the baggie I got them in but my laundry doesn't have a smell at all when I take it out of the dryer. I'm ok with that, actually I prefer it. It does make me leery about cutting them down though. I am going to try that this weekend though to see how it works out.

If you are worried about all the bottles but don't want to mess with your own buy the cardboard boxed powder and liquid softner. The Dollar general sells a pretty good liquid in a cardboard.

**Holly** · 12-11-2009, 09:48 AM

That would be a problem for me as I don't like powdered
detergent. Never seems to dissolve very well especially with
cold water.
They have the purex marked down at walmart. ( hate it but have to do what I can ) $5.00 24 in a pack

**YankeeMom** · 12-11-2009, 06:15 PM

I've bought a few packages of them when I have a really great coupon. I keep them for when I run out of laundry soap before the end of the month (rare).

I would imagine they would be very handy for people who have to use the laundry mat (no dragging 2-3 bottles of detergent with the laundry) or going traveling and using the hotel machines.

I don't think they are all that unfrugal. I get 24? for about $1.50 after a good coupon. I can't get detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheet in separate containers for that price.

**sinopa27** · 12-11-2009, 08:02 PM

I am surprised that the other detergent companies haven't followed suit in making a laundry sheet. Usually when one company does something, the others follow.

**Dancing Lotus** · 12-11-2009, 09:50 PM

So I had a moment and bought some.
NO sale , no coupon 4.99 for 20 loads. Ouch that's pricey.
But I really like them. No measuring , no spills , no clutter.
I'm going to try cutting one in half and see how it does.

If it washes well with only half I will by more when they are on sale with a coupon. LOL

**AnW819** · 12-12-2009, 12:51 AM

@ Safeway they are $4 and there are 24 sheets. I really dont think this is expensive...Detergent for tide is like $15!!!

**pollypurebred39** · 12-12-2009, 02:12 AM

I like NewLeaf make my own detergent and I'm quite pleased. I use the duggers recipe too. Yes I have a 5 gallon bucket sitting in front of my dryer, but it's worth the "clutter" of the bucket. We have hard water and our clothes come out fine. I've never had any problems with it. I've always used bluing (very cheap)in my white laundry and about every two months I use rits white wash, so I can't say if there's a huge problem with whites. I can say I've not noticed any difference though. I would never go back to store bought soap, it works great for me and the savings is huge. That said if I had coupons that brought the detergent down to almost free I'd pick it up.