not going back to commerical detergent

**shellyrhds** · 08-30-2010, 04:19 PM

I tried homemade laundry detergent, but had a problem with grease spots not being removed, even when i used oxy clean with it. Although the recipe I used was not the same as yours. Maybe I'll give it another try with your recipe and see how it goes.

**jas** · 08-30-2010, 06:32 PM

Have made both the liquid and the powder. I am using a powder version that was recently posted here. It has the oxygen cleaner in it. Like oxy-clean. So far so good and it smells good too.

**zakity** · 08-30-2010, 08:29 PM

I make up a powder but mix it in hot water before I put it in my front loader. I have a small house and I don't have the room for a bucket of laundry soap sitting in my kitchen.

**momof2boys2005** · 11-30-2010, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Mom2-3

I used a small food processor to grate the soap. Then I added the borax and washing soda. It was much easier this way than hand grating.

If you have one and are planning on making HM soaps this is the ONLY way to IMO!!! So fast and easy...saves your fingertips thats for sure!!!!

**savvy_sniper** · 11-30-2010, 02:47 PM

The HM laundry soap did not clean my clothes well and left a residue in my washer. Now I use 1/2 HM and 1/2 store bought until it is used up.

After that I am going to purchase Charlies Soap. It was recommended by Grainlady. You can purchase online and possibly locally. I found it locally and it is cheaper than buying online because of the shipping (added into the price of the soap).

**momof2boys2005** · 11-30-2010, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by savvy_sniper

The HM laundry soap did not clean my clothes well and left a residue in my washer. Now I use 1/2 HM and 1/2 store bought until it is used up.

After that I am going to purchase Charlies Soap. It was recommended by Grainlady. You can purchase online and possibly locally. I found it locally and it is cheaper than buying online because of the shipping (added into the price of the soap).

Thanks for the rec I'll have to check it out! I too did not have success with my HM laundry soap- it started to fade my colours and just seemed harsh overall (used the borax,washing soda, bar soap blend).

I just got some Tide (I love Tide with Downey) on sale and did a 50/50 mix with no name unscented detergent to stretch it. Currently I have a batch of liquid going but when I need to make the next batch and powdered Tide with Downey is what's cheaper then I will do the same exact blend but with unscented no name powder.

If I end up making batches using a soap that isn't a soap/softener blend then I will do the same thing with the my softener...buy whatever on sale brand I like and mix it 50/50 with no name.

**HappyMama** · 11-30-2010, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by savvy_sniper

The HM laundry soap did not clean my clothes well and left a residue in my washer. Now I use 1/2 HM and 1/2 store bought until it is used up.

After that I am going to purchase Charlies Soap. It was recommended by Grainlady. You can purchase online and possibly locally. I found it locally and it is cheaper than buying online because of the shipping (added into the price of the soap).

I make my own laundry soap and have never had problems with fading, or film.

I use my own homemade soap in the mix, which is part of the key ( some soaps people use have a petroleum base which is part of the problem , not only don't you want on your skin it will leave a film). If you make again, add salt to your mix 1 cup per 8 cups of your soap, and other mixture, it will take care of hard water . I use REALSALT brand or celtic sea salt. Also wash your machine a few times with rags and just water then your new mix before you start using homemade as you will have chemical residue from your commercial brand. If clothes are fading you can use a safe bleach that is an Oxygen bleach to stop the fading, and brighten the colors.

**Ceashels** · 11-30-2010, 07:34 PM

I was using HM laundry soap for more than a year and after a while I noticed my towels seemed to hold on to odors so I switched to Charlie's soap, which I love.

My neighbors asked if I could do a few loads of wash so the towels got washed in Charlies and came out beautifully. I washed their cigarette reeking clothes in the HM detergent and they came out smelling smokey still. I felt a little guilty about not washing them again but I didn't have the time.

I might give the half and half scenario a try to use up the rest of the HM batch and I'm happy there isn't too much left of it.

**Palooka** · 11-30-2010, 10:31 PM

I can't bring myself to buy Charlies because it seems so darn high, but I want to try it. I guess after the big expense it will last a long time and the money will even out. But I just can't wrap my brain around dropping that much money on detergent at once. lol

**rissimo** · 12-01-2010, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

I do too and I used the liquid recipe for it.

I have a front loader as well, you can use the powder in it, you just pour it in with the clothes. Works just as well.

**Nora509** · 07-13-2011, 05:37 PM

I've been making my own laundry detergent for years. I recently started adding essential oil to make it smell like the commercial detergents. My personal favrotie is lavendar, which wal-mat sells for $2 a bottle. You just add 10-15 drops for every 2 gallons and it leaves a subtle scent to your finished laundry.

**Debbie-cat** · 07-13-2011, 08:30 PM

I love my hm detergent! Glad you tried it and like it.

**heartofmine** · 07-13-2011, 08:30 PM

I love the homemade and I won't go back to store bought. I've been using it for 2 or 3 years now.

**bumplett** · 07-13-2011, 11:48 PM

The Duggar Family - Duggar Recipes

thought I'd share this link for anyone that needs it.

I'm thinking of trying the fabric softener w/ sponges.

**abecedarian** · 07-15-2011, 06:43 AM

I'm getting ready to make a new batch of HM laundry soap, and I think I'll up the amounts of borax and washing soda. If I were to add Oxyclean to my laundry, should I mix it with the regular recipe when I'm making it, or should I just use it as a laundry additive with individual laundry loads?