Frugal Friday: Making your own laundry soap
We took the "day off" today after five days of almost non-stop activity. The filming went really well (I'll try and share a few pictures and some more details for those who would like to hear in a few posts.), but by the time we were done at around 9:30 p.m. last night, I was zapped. I'm hoping after a good night's sleep tonight to be more back to normal. In the mean time, I didn't write anything for Frugal Friday but am instead putting up a couple of links and a question...
I was Googling to find a laundry soap that I may be able to use to make our homemade laundry detergent and came upon your site. We have been using the following recipe: 1 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated disolved in 3 gallons of hot water, add 1 1/2 cups each of washing soda and 20 Mule Borax powder. This has worked great to clean our clothes, take out smells, and saves us tons of money.
I had a problem this week with my son's cloth diaper, though. After washing the diapers in this, they seem to much less absorbant. Investigating the problem I found that cloth diapers sometimes repel liquid when one has used fabric softener on them or when the laundry soap has not been rinsed out completely. We do not use fabric softener so I must assume that the problem lies in the laundry detergent. The diaper website (www.fuzzibunz.com) suggests using only certain products that are very expensive. I want to keep using homemade concoctions but would like to play around with the recipe a bit. I think I must change the soap, Fels Naptha may not be working. I was wondering if you or anyone else who reads your blog has any suggestions. -Hannah
Hi, Hannah! I personally have not made my own laundry soap. It's something I'd like to try in the future, but I still have plenty of organic detergent which has been given to me, so I'm sticking with that until it is used up. However, two women I greatly admire have some good experience and insight to share on this and I highly recommend their posts. Catherine just made her first batch of laundry soap recently and she has written about it here. Tammy also has a very thorough post on the subject complete with pictures and more helpful links. Both posts have some discussion in the comments section on using homemade laundry soap on cloth diapers which might be helpful to you.
Maybe the rest of you have some ideas or input for Hannah, too? If you've tried your hand at making your own laundry soap, I'd love to hear what you think and what recipe you used. It sounds like a fairly simple and very frugal endeavor!
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To join in Frugal Friday, just post a frugal tip or post on any subject of frugality on your blog, link to this post in your post, and then post the direct link to your Frugal Friday post below. Any link or post which does not adhere to these rules will be deleted at my discretion. If you do not have a blog, but have a tip to share, please post your tip in the comments section. And, remember the rules: Must be family-friendly. Thanks! I can't wait to read your tips!
Maybe the rest of you have some ideas or input for Hannah, too? If you've tried your hand at making your own laundry soap, I'd love to hear what you think and what recipe you used. It sounds like a fairly simple and very frugal endeavor!
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To join in Frugal Friday, just post a frugal tip or post on any subject of frugality on your blog, link to this post in your post, and then post the direct link to your Frugal Friday post below. Any link or post which does not adhere to these rules will be deleted at my discretion. If you do not have a blog, but have a tip to share, please post your tip in the comments section. And, remember the rules: Must be family-friendly. Thanks! I can't wait to read your tips!
posted by Crystal Paine at 7:54 PM
15 Comments:
Thanks for posting my question. I read the two blogs you suggested and found them very helpful. I think I may decrease the amount of Washing Soda and try using Ivory soap. This week I have decreased the amount of detergent I use for each load and have had no problems with the clothes coming out dirty or smelly and the diapers are performing well. Thanks again.
The best thing I've found for cloth diapers is 2-3 Tbsp. Washing Soda and 1 1/2 Tbsp. Simple Green (per load). This has worked very well for me with just the addition of some oxyclean once in a while to brighten/whiten. Everything I've read says not to use "soap" on diapers, only detergents. Audrey
I have always heard that any soap will cause a build up on your diapers and this is what causes the fibres to become less absorbent (or to actually repel liquid). It is best to use 1/4 - 1/2 the recommended amount of laundry powder or liquid and to make sure the diapers are well rinsed.
I have a front loading machine and use only 2 Tbsp of powder for a large load. I bought a large bag of powder on special and it has lasted me the whole year - and I do laundry each day, I am a Mother of 4 and up until recently have had 2 in diapers so we do a lot of washing!
Hope you get a good detergent recipe sorted. In the meantime rinse, rinse and rinse!
Wonder how a grated bar of Dr. Bronner's(varied scents including mild for baby) would work in place of the Ivory or Fels?
I had a question...........to any of your readers or to you Crystal. I have always bought disposable diapers, however I know cloth diapers are more economical. How good are cloth diapers? How often would you change your child unlike a disposable? I am always afraid of them leakins.......My husband and I are on a very tight budget now and I have even gone as far as buying store brand diapers and not name brand. They seem to be ok but it still expensive. I would surely welcome your thoughts on this. My mother in law said she used cloth diapers long ago and had a laundry service pick them up and clean them for her, however I see many moms do it themselves.
Tip for saving on laundry-air dry.
Outside is best but inside on dryers still saves loads. It is useful to have a drier too for when there is lots of washing and the heating breaks down! Even with cloth diapers it is possible to mainly air dry.
Sandi-cloth diapers are great and have saved us hundreds of £ over the years. Modern cloth diapers leak less than disposibles and babies don't need to be changed more. It is worth buying good quality washables though. The ones I brought for my first were cheap and poor quality. They are now cut up and used as washable wipes instead.
The washing is very little hassle-modern washables don't need soaking-safer not to anyway with toddles. There are also net bags so the dirtysgo straight in the wash and don't need handling.
We've been pleased with Motherease and more cheaply EasyPeesy.
Here in the UK, many councils give a discount to people who put their babies in washables as this reduces the cost of refuse collection and landfills. The discount is usually them amount that it would cost to dispose of a year's worth of disposibles. I don't know whether this is the case in the US but is worth investigating.
Sarah
I recently switched from using a diaper service to washing cloth diapers myself. Doing a pre-soak with vinegar really helps get them smelling good again. I also second what Audrey said about not using any soap at all on diapers, as it will leave a residue, which can make your diapers smelly and less absorbent. Only use detergents.
I found so much good cloth diaper information, product reviews and comparisons, etc. at DiaperPin.
Couple of questions please.... What exactly is Borax and is it completely safe for children, pets and environment; not a chemical or phosphate??? Also with rinsing with vinegar....I read that you shouldn't rinse dark clothes with vinegar. It will cause the colors to run. Does anyone know firsthand on that? I have used it on my white and light colored clothes and really like my results but am concerned with my darker colored clothes. Thanks
Mrs. Johnson
Hi Crystal, and others. I've just left my first Frugal Friday post and am excited to get to be a part of the idea exchange. Thanks for hosting this!!
I don't have a definitive answer, but I did want to mention that I've read that adding vinegar to the wash will help clean the clothes of residue. You may want to research into more specifics, as I'm planning to when I get the time:o)
Hi!
I've been using homemade laundry detergent for years now and like it very much. However, I learned that the Fels Naptha version is not natural at all, so now have a new, totally natural version that I use. (I also sell laundry detergent kits since many people have a hard time finding the ingredients since they are so old-fashioned.)
The best thing I know of with the cloth diapers is to use white vinegar as a fabric softener in the wash. That gets out the extra soap residue.
Some cloth diapers have extremely specific washing instructions, so I always recommend that people check those before choosing an alternative laundry detergent.
Other than the issue with cloth diapers, we love the detergent and feel like it does a good job.
Sorry folks,that was me in the other area, and apparently I didn't read all the instructions! Sorry about the bad link! Anyways, I have a Frugal comment (not about diapers, though!) My family has found that a wonderful way to feed the family good meat is to buy several of the largest turkeys when on sale at Chrsitmas, Thanksgiving, etc. We eat one at the holiday, and about one a month for the rest of the year. For my family of 6 (fairly heavy eaters), we can usually have a good Sunday dinner, plus eat two days off my mom's hearty soup or stew, or eat one day and give meals to people who need it. Also, my mom makes her soup quite thick in a big pot, so it can be watered down to make it stretch if needed.
greetings, just found Frugal Friday" and want to play. I'm in for this Friday.
Blessings all
GP in Montana
One useful suggestion is to use 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the final rinse.
My question is directed to dollymama - you said that you make your own laundry detergent without fels naptha - I've just learned the same thing - that fels naptha isn't natural at all - what is your natural recipe, if you don't mind my asking?
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