The Old Homeplace

Homemade Laundry Detergent Review

Vickie from the Monthly Dishcloths KAL group asked me about the laundry detergent recipe I mentioned a few posts down. This is the one I used:

The Simple Dollar Detergent Recipe

I have read about making laundry detergent at home for years but this was the first time I actually made it. To be honest, I was not impressed. It turned into a gloppy, slimy mess that was inconvenient for me store and measure out.

As far as cleaning goes, it worked pretty well on normal loads but was a disaster in a really greasy load of work clothes. It left a mess in the washer tub that had to be removed with Fast Orange hand cleaner (I think I said GoJo hand cleaner to Vickie...sorry). I figure if the mess was that bad where I could see it, it would also be bad in other places in the washer that I could not see. I was afraid it might ruin the washer or the next load of clothes. 

On the positive side, the clothes seemed softer after being washed with the homemade laundry detergent whether they were line dried or I used the dryer. I also add some essential oil...a few drops of Orange Valencia, if I remember correctly...when I made the detergent. It made the detergent smell good and the clothes came out smelling very clean, not really scented at all, which I really liked.

I had decide to stick with the store bought detergent, using less than the recommended amount on most loads and a little more on the greasy ones. Then Vickie sent me this link:

Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder

That would be easier to store and mix.....hmmmm.....I do like to make thing myself....hhhmmmmmmmm....

I might have to wait a little while to try the dried version.....I have got to use up the gloppy version first!

Homemade Laundry Soap

{ 04:40, Saturday, August 30, 2008 } { Posted by Anonymous }

I made liquid laundry soap most of last year. You're correct, it was too messy.

Since then I have purchased store bought soap but I did learn of a good pre-treatment for greasy/muddy clothes. I learned to use White vinegar as a presoak. It impressed me over any store brand at lifting stains out. Stains such as grass, grease, food.

I saved the dry recipe so I can give that recipe a whirl. It looks like a good recipe. Thank you!