Comments on: Homemade Laundry Detergent — Yes Or No?

By: AnnMelanie

AnnMelanie — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:20:50 +0000

I have made my own laundry soap with the borax, grated bar of soap, and baking soda super washing powder – and now there are stains on alot of my clothes. You can see them if you put the clothing up to the light – spots everywhere, on the underwear, socks, pj’s, dresses (cotton). I just made a fresh batch, 5 gallons worth – I’m wondering if I did not dilute it enough ? I have a front loading machine…

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:55:54 +0000

Hello Shirley, i discovered your website by accident. It is a very VERY good website. I like your idea of being frugal.There is much to learn from you.I have always practise the shopping tip of my own too. I do have an advice on laundry detergent. More doesn’t really mean clean better.I do find the recommended amount on laundry packet is TOO MUCH. So I use a SMALLER SCOOP and SOAK my laundry over night. Then DRY cloths UNDER THE SUN. So I basically wash cloths depending on weather,which is not too bad in California. BTW,to remove tomato stain after your wash, leave the stained cloths in the sun for a few hours. Ketchup or tomato stains will disappear. Trust me it works.

By: M.L.

M.L. — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:13:07 +0000

I’m not sure why there seems to be such a difference for so many people on this subject, but we are in the group of nay sayers. Our clothes started looking dingy and began to smell dirty. So, for now, we’re back to using store bought detergent.

By: Sky

Sky — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:07:00 +0000

I make my detergent with a bar of Fels-Naptha soap, washing soda and borax.
It works great in my HE front loader washer because it is very low suds.

By: Carolann

Carolann — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:51:23 +0000

I make my own laundry soap using 1 bar of laundry soap ( such as fels naptha, or zote) I add 2 cups borax and 2 cups washing soda. I live in oil field country every one has to deal with oil on their husbands work clothes…my husband is a heavy equipment mechanic so you can imangine…anywho…this formula is perfect for our hard water plus it really gets the oilstains out of my husbands clothes, but is gental enough to wash my grandsons baby clothes in. My formula makes 10 gallons of soap, for work clothes I use 1 cup per load for regular loads I use 1/2 cup per load.
Since soda ash is used by oilfield company’s and is mined right here I get my soda ash for free from my husbands company but before that I bought it from the laundry mat, most laundry mats here have 100 lbs bags where you pay 25 cents a cup to use it as a laundry booster for oily clothes.
My 10 gallons of soap is divided up between me, my parents, and my daughter and lasts us about 3 months or so….my daughter adds essental oil to hers, but my parents and I like it unsecented.

By: Sara

Sara — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:32:27 +0000

Does anyone know if liquid castile soap can be substituted for the bar soap in the liquid recipe?? Probably using 8 oz. for each bar it calls for?