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How to make homemade cleaners
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I wash in cold water, as well. Linabean, what do you with your soap nuts? Use as is, boil, powder?
Is Oxiclean a natural, chemical-free product? I honestly have no idea – never really thought about it before. I’m getting tired of using Shout on everything the kids wear. 😛
Right now for laundry, I use them whole, in the little muslin bag. If I am washing in cool water, I soak them in hot water first and then put them in with the cool water. But I have been contemplating making the liquid for laundry as well. I think it may end up being more economical. Not sure, still thinking on it. : )
I use Oxyboost and Oxyclean which I buy from the following store:
http://www.naturalgreenstore.com/Product/Oxy-Boost-Oxygen-Bleach-P286.aspx
They work great in my HE machine and even though the tubs seem expensive the stuff lasts forever. I especially like the fact that all stains come out after a short while of soaking and I have not seen any deterioration in fabric.
OK, now that I read all of the posts about Soap Nuts I have to ask What are they? Where do you get them? What is in them? Are they all natural or what?
What was the problem with the Borax? Is it a toxic thing? Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
chocodog, if you read the links I posted, they give some details about Borax. I am not a science person, but though I like all natural, I realize that some natural things are also not so good. I’d rather have something that’s also not toxic in some way. 🙂
I will have to look at the Oxiclean while out shopping tomorrow. I may or may not invest… We shall see. 🙂 Thanks for the info about them.
Here is an interesting write up that someone researching oxiclean did. I looked at a couple other sites and they seemed to be saying some of the same stuff that the writer found at his source. Here’s the link http://www.textfiles.com/uploads/oxiclean.txt
That’s really interesting info, pangit. Thanks for sharing! Maybe I’ll do as he suggests and try the hydrogen peroxide on the stain first… The kids’ snowsuits are so full of holes by the end of the season anyway, they’re not much good to patch up. LOL Who cares if it eats a hole through it or leaves another stain?
I quit using harsh cleaners as they seem to set off my allergies. I buy many of my cleaners from here: http://hyenacart.com/stores/BareNaked/ . I mostly use the Miraclean. I also bought a Shark mop, so I don’t need to use cleaners on my floors.
We were using Charlie’s for laundry. Soap.com has some great deals on it! Recently, I’ve been making my own with Fels Naptha, borax, and washing soda. There are several recipes online for it. It’s very inexpensive, and I haven’t had complaints yet (my family has sensitive skin).
chocodog, I know this is an old thread so maybe you have already found the answer to your questions but… What are soap nuts? They are the dried husk of the fruit of the soapberry tree that grows in Asia. From that I guess you can figure that they are natural. They are only the husk – nothing added. If you want more info check out http://www.naturoli.com/soapnuts/ or http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/06/soap-nuts-faqs.html. Where can you get them? https://store.naturoli.com/ is one place I get them. The other place I got them no longer carries them 🙁 I have seen them other places online also.
HTH
Schele
Schele, So, do you find them cost effective? or are they just more healthy? Or both???
Thank You so much for the information. What about a front loader? I am getting one this weekend and I know certain detergents can’t go in them. I know that the borax/ Arm & Hammer mix with phels-nafa soap is safe for front loaders. I know you have to use certain detergents because if you don’t they will bind up in the machine.
Ideas?, Thoughts?, Comments?, anyone???
I’m amazed how many things I can clean with one product- Dr. Bronner’s Sal’s Suds. Here is a helpful site for dilution info.
http://lisa.drbronner.com/?cat=96
It’s mainly made from natural fir tree extract. It’s considered to be disinfecting. 🙂 The only thing that I don’t think it does really well is soap scum in the shower.
chocodog, I think they are fairly cost effective. You can usually get a LOT more loads out of them than the packages state (I think they use a conservative estimate). Just continue using the same bag of nuts until they start turning to mush then put them in the compost (yes they are good for your garden). They are cheaper than what I was using but I have not done a cost comparision with a lot of differrent detergents since I am using them because of allergies. Yes they are healthier (for me and the environment) and I like that fact.
I don’t have a front loader but I have been told that they work beautifully in a front loader. Check the link for Passionate Homemaking – I think she has info about different types of washers.
HTH
Schele
Around here we use vinegar, vinegar and more vinegar. Have for years! I add some of my essential oils from time to time. There are all sorts of things you can do for laundry. When I get lazy, I stand at the washer and dump in a bit of washing soda, a slosh of vinegar and maybe some castile…really just whatever is on hand! When I am looking for deep cleaning, antibacterial, etc., I add some of my Thieves oil or Thieves cleaner from Young Living.
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