Issues w/ whites and homemade detergent

uncharch7 · October 2011

I'm finding that my whites are coming out with a slight grungy tinge to them. Here's the recipe I've been using:

1 bar bath soap
1 cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda

1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Any suggestions? Overall I've been very happy, and it's not every shirt, it's mainly my sports bras, workout shirts (dri-fit material) and work shirts (100% cotton). Regular t-shirts come out fine.

kdello · October 2011

I use the same recipe minus the baking soda. What brand of bar soap are you using? If I use regular soap instead of laundry soap (Fels Naptha or Zote) everything gets dingy. Laundry soap will help lift the grunge out instead of leaving a creepy residue.

sophabelle · October 2011

i use the eff blog recipe, it's 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda, 1/2 cup oxyclean & 1 bar soap ( i use fels naptha) never have any problems w/that mix.

littleanomaly · October 2011

Our detergent is washing soda, borax and oxyclean and DH's grungy shirts from college actually look better than they did (Drat!!). I'd make some without the bar soap to see if that's what's doing it.

Switzerland87 · October 2011

I added oxi clean to a few washes with a similar detergent recipe and had good results. I also switched to hot water for whites, but that was mostly to try and kill a weird smell in my towels.

kdello · October 2011

kdello:
I use the same recipe minus the baking soda. What brand of bar soap are you using? If I use regular soap instead of laundry soap (Fels Naptha or Zote) everything gets dingy. Laundry soap will help lift the grunge out instead of leaving a creepy residue.

Oh, I just realized I have an equal portion of Oxyclean Free in my recipe, which also really helps keep things white.

Soyager · October 2011

littleanomaly:
Our detergent is washing soda, borax and oxyclean and DH's grungy shirts from college actually look better than they did (Drat!!). I'd make some without the bar soap to see if that's what's doing it.

I love that you said "drat."

uncharch7 · October 2011

kdello:
I use the same recipe minus the baking soda. What brand of bar soap are you using? If I use regular soap instead of laundry soap (Fels Naptha or Zote) everything gets dingy. Laundry soap will help lift the grunge out instead of leaving a creepy residue.

I used Ivory; DH doesn't like the detergent overall, so it's just me and soon it'll be the baby stuff as well. I'm almost out of this batch, I'll try switching soaps and see what happens. I'm assuming you can microwave those two as well go get the fine powder?

kdello · October 2011

uncharch7:
kdello:
I use the same recipe minus the baking soda. What brand of bar soap are you using? If I use regular soap instead of laundry soap (Fels Naptha or Zote) everything gets dingy. Laundry soap will help lift the grunge out instead of leaving a creepy residue.
I used Ivory; DH doesn't like the detergent overall, so it's just me and soon it'll be the baby stuff as well. I'm almost out of this batch, I'll try switching soaps and see what happens. I'm assuming you can microwave those two as well go get the fine powder?

My mind is a little blown by the microwaving idea, ha! I use the food processor after chopping it and leaving it to dry overnight. Try this:

https://www.theecofriendlyfamily.com/2009/08/laundry-detergent.html#.TpbZE7LXipQ

Her recipe (hi, Poonico!) is very mild and fine for baby.

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Issues w/ whites and homemade detergent

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