Do you use homemade laundry detergent?

[chawk]

Quote:
I read the suggestion to use a rag or washcloth and put some of the essential oil on it, then throw it in the dryer with the clothes. Hopefully that works b/c I like my clothes to smell good also (though after a couple days sitting in the dresser or closet they don't smell anymore). Glad to hear that your machine still works great!

Thanks!!

You can buy dryer balls!!! I hang most of my wash so I don't use them but have heard really really good things about them! Heres a link: http://hipmountainmama.com/ecofrdrba.html

I've bought other things from this lady and she is great. I got my reusable organic cotton coffee filter from her and my snack taxis and other things for school lunches for my kids.
I use a powder homemade detergent, but I don't have an HE machine, so I can only tell you my clothes do get really clean. No different than store bought..

 

[sheaviance1]

We have been using homemade detergent for almost a year now. When we went for our 10 day camping trip (after the flood-you can imagine the mud) I came home and had none made up. I grabbed a bottle of tide and ran a load of laundry. I couldn't believe it. When the loadf was finished, I started folding them, and noticed that the odors were still in my clothes. They appeared clean, but they stunk! I had to go and make up another batch of homemade, and wash them again.

 

[miss_thenorth]

I have been making homemade laundry soap for 4 years and use it in my front load, HE washer. Iuse the powdered version, and it costs me aobut $8.00 per year to do laundry.

 

[damselfish]

I have used homemade laundry soap in my Kenmore HE machine and it was terrible. I had used it successfully in a previous machine, front loading but not quite as "HE".

Our clothes did not get clean, we started to have that unwashed smell in them, and the machine just stank of mildew and general sourness. I was using a fairly standard Fels Naptha/washing soda/borax powdered mix I got off the internet.

Anyway, now I use the Tide HE and all is well.

I will say that it did not "ruin" the washer so I guess you could experiment and see how it goes for you.

 

[NGT ANGL]

Quote:
I use this as well - have for over a year. It works great with cleaning the clothes and has not hurt the machine that I can tell. I do stir the mixture well before putting it in the machine but found out from a flooded floor that I need to set the washer for "powder" detergent vs. liquid.

 

[krcote]

I use homemade laundry soap in my LG HE front loader with zero issues. My husband was paranoid as well because "The manual said we have to use HE detergent!"... I am just guessing that HE detergent companies are in on a deal with the HE washer companies. As previously mentioned, the only true issue is with over sudsing.

 

[calicokat]

Thanks for the liquid recipe! I've been using the powered recipe for a couple of years now and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! But DH thinks it may be contributing to our slow septic of the last year or so. He wants to switch to the liquid and see if it improves.

As long as we're still making the soap, I don't care which version I'm making, LOL.

 

[fosterchick]

Have used the homemade powder version in my front loader for 8 years. The machine just broke down last month. Bought a new one. The owner of the store called me to ask what I used for soap because when he took it apart he stated that there was no soap residue like most machines have.

 

[CluckyJay]

Because you were using vinegar with the soap? Thats half the reason I added so much vinegar to my recipe---to prevent soap build up. You can tell you have buildup when the clothes start acting waterproof, LOL. I have read if it isn't cleaned out, soap residue can clog your pipes and lines. We have never had this problem but we use vinegar a lot.

 

[classicsredone]

We use our own mix of fels naptha soap, washing soda, and borax. It's been used in our HE washer for three years with absolutely no issues. Fels naptha and the other ingredients do not get sudsy, and you only need a small amount per load. To make it, we grate the fels naptha with our kitchen aid mixer attachment. You could use a cheese grater if that is what you have - just be watch your knuckles. Then mix 1 part each of the soap, soda, and borax. I've also found that our clothes are fine if I just use 1/2 of a dryer sheet instead of a whole sheet. If I'm washing something that is delicate or an antique, I use a little vinegar in the rinse instead of fabric softener.

BTW- it is generally recommended to run HE washers with just bleach once a month or so. This gets rid of any bacterial and product buildup. Don't waste your money on the HE washer cleaning tabs. Plain bleach works great.