Comments on: Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent

By: Love Bites #9

Love Bites #9 — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:32:24 +0000

[...] chemicals from our home and save some money.) So I was ridiculously excited to find these– laundry detergent and dishwasher soap. What can I say? I am a geeky green [...]

By: Sayward Rebhal

Sayward Rebhal — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:08:00 +0000

The stirring just keeps the solution from hardening into one solid mass. It’s not necessary for the mixture to be effective. Sometimes I skip the stirring and just chip off my laundry powder with a chisel, as needed. =)

By: Lgcatwoman19

Lgcatwoman19 — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:36:00 +0000

Wonderbar! my problem is finding these natural ingrteedients in my little town without burning gasoline for 40-50 miles. Anything near 22443 zip code? I used to find it almost impossible to find fels Naptha in the d.c. area so you can see how hard it will be for me here without help. Anyone??

By: Darlene Bocek

Darlene Bocek — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:53:00 +0000

I made this today. Well, when we mix it up, it forms bubbles (I suppose that is the CO2), but then those evaporate, I guess. (I’ve heard that carbonated water is useful for removing some stains) I mixed all these dry ingredients and ended up with 10 loads worth (2.5 cups of detergent). I wondered about why to add the vinegar at this point. Am still wondering about adding it along with the powdered soap, so that the CO2 happens in the washer as it is already washing. I was also wondering about the chemistry of having to stir so long. What exactly is happening? Are we waiting for the vinegar to evaporate? For a new compound to form? Would appreciate any pointers or advice from people who know…

By: mishpuff

mishpuff — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:47:00 +0000

There is a high chance of a chemical fire, thats the reason why. (I own a hair salon.)

By: Manjari

Manjari — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:33:00 +0000

I just finished using up my first (doubled) batch of your laundry detergent, so it’s time to make more. I loved it!

I just wanted to note that it never did dry out for me! I stirred and stirred and stirred; I even threw it in my KitchenAid mixer for a while and let it do the stirring. Finally I just put it into two large yogurt containers and I’ve been been scooping out some of the moist mixture for every load. I do live in Hawaii, where it’s very humid, so that may have something to do with it. At least for this next batch I’ll know I don’t have to bother stirring so much, which will make it much easier for me!

By: Lauri

Lauri — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:34:00 +0000

Great, thanks! I will post back after I run out of my current batch of homemade detergent and let you know how it goes…

By: Sayward Rebhal

Sayward Rebhal — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:19:00 +0000

There’s a concern that the metal will react with the chemicals (like if you’ve ever bleached your hair, they say to use a non-metal bowl), but other people have used their mixers on this recipe and it doesn’t seem to be a problem. Might as well give it a try!

By: Lauri

Lauri — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:57:00 +0000

I am excited to try this, but am wondering why it has to be made in a non-metal bowl?
I have a kitchen aid mixer and would like to let it do the hard work of mixing. :)

Can I just mix it in there and then store in a non-metal bowl after mixing is complete, or will the metal mixing bowl mess it up?
Thanks!

By: Sayward Rebhal

Sayward Rebhal — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000

This one is not HE-compliant, but I’ve posted an HE version here: http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2011/06/guest-post-jen-and-kens-homemade-laundry-detergent-for-he-washing-machines/