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Are you doing laundry today? Take this challenge! - Page 5

post #41 of 71
1/11/10 at 4:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Addimom View Post


My next step will be to cut the dryer sheets.

Just skip the dryer sheets altogether! I did not even notice a difference when I stopped using them.
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post #42 of 71
1/11/10 at 5:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phoenyx View Post


Also, if you use fabric softener sheets, make sure that you rinse your lint filter screen with hot water at least once a week. Fabric softener sheets leave an oily residue that actually coats the screen and makes it impermable to air, which can create a fire hazard.

He also told me that liquid detergents are bad for the machine - they deposit a gunky residue on the seals.

Thanks for the tip! I had no idea.
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post #43 of 71
1/15/10 at 5:39am
I to only use 1/2 of the recommened amount..another poor college kid told me to try that years ago But never thought about cutting it less, but will give it a try when my current stuff runs out. I'm currently using the Shaklee powder detergent..and with their scoop and high concentration..I'm barely using any..and I've had this box since last November..so we're talking 1 yr and 2 months and still have enough for a few more months. Worth every penny! (and I do laundry almost every day). We also recently got a HE washer and dryer..and since switching I havent needed dryer sheets.
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post #44 of 71
1/15/10 at 6:17am
I've been making my own laundry detergent for 2 1/2 years. I have a HE top load washer. I do not use the dry kind. I make liquid detergent b/c I think it rinses better. I use a large pot, filled 3/4 with water, heat to boiling. Grate 1/3 bar of Zote laundry soap (.70 @ WalMart and 1 bar makes 3 batches) and let dissolve in water, then add 1/2 c. each of borax and washing soda. Then I fill my old laundry detergent bottles halfway with the soap then fill them up with water. When you let this sit overnight, the next day it will be gel.

If you find this too harsh on clothes, cut the washing soda. It is the most caustic ingredient in the mix. Also, if you have soft water you can cut some of the borax. Borax is a salt mineral and helps rinse the soap off clothes when you have hard water.

I spend $12 a year on laundry detergent. One batch lasts me 2-3 months and I do a LOT of laundry.

Also, about using white vinegar as a fabric softener: your clothes will not smell like vinegar. It will also clean your machine. But if you miss the scent, just cut your fabric softener with white vinegar. Use 1 Tbsp liquid fab. softener and 1 Tbsp vinegar. Your clothes will still be soft and the vinegar helps rinse the fab. softener out of your clothes.

Sorry this is so long. I did LOTS of research on this before I started doing it.

*I also make my own dishwasher detergent.*
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post #45 of 71
1/15/10 at 7:57am
I use the Purex 3-n-1 sheets. Before you all go nuts over the $. CVS runs them BOGO almost every other week and you can use 2 coupons AND I cut them into THIRDS!!!!

When I was using dryer sheets, I cut them all in half as I was putting the groceries away. Worked perfectly!
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post #46 of 71
1/18/10 at 7:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by regimom88 View Post

I've been making my own laundry detergent for 2 1/2 years. I have a HE top load washer. I do not use the dry kind. I make liquid detergent b/c I think it rinses better. I use a large pot, filled 3/4 with water, heat to boiling. Grate 1/3 bar of Zote laundry soap (.70 @ WalMart and 1 bar makes 3 batches) and let dissolve in water, then add 1/2 c. each of borax and washing soda. Then I fill my old laundry detergent bottles halfway with the soap then fill them up with water. When you let this sit overnight, the next day it will be gel.

If you find this too harsh on clothes, cut the washing soda. It is the most caustic ingredient in the mix. Also, if you have soft water you can cut some of the borax. Borax is a salt mineral and helps rinse the soap off clothes when you have hard water.

I spend $12 a year on laundry detergent. One batch lasts me 2-3 months and I do a LOT of laundry.

Also, about using white vinegar as a fabric softener: your clothes will not smell like vinegar. It will also clean your machine. But if you miss the scent, just cut your fabric softener with white vinegar. Use 1 Tbsp liquid fab. softener and 1 Tbsp vinegar. Your clothes will still be soft and the vinegar helps rinse the fab. softener out of your clothes.

Sorry this is so long. I did LOTS of research on this before I started doing it.

*I also make my own dishwasher detergent.*

I can't wait to try this..... what a money saver!!! I have been trying to keep my walmart bill down to $150 a week for a family of 8.. That has been including laundry and diapers for twins and it is tight....This is sure to help... Thanks
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post #47 of 71
1/19/10 at 8:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Momof2boys2005 View Post

I've used this recipe too but I had to stop using it! Do you not find that it is harsh on your clothes? I really really noticed a dramatic dif in loss of colour with my darks when I was using this mix!!!!!!!!

honestly we haven't been using it regularly for a very long time, so i can't answer that with total confidence... but so far, i haven't noticed any different. i do notice a little bit of stiffness when my husband does the laundry because he can't stop using too much! he also forgets to put the vinegar in the softener dispenser, which i think really helps - especially with heavy items like jeans and sweatshirts. overall though i'm really happy with it.
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post #48 of 71
1/19/10 at 9:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheldi View Post

honestly we haven't been using it regularly for a very long time, so i can't answer that with total confidence... but so far, i haven't noticed any different. i do notice a little bit of stiffness when my husband does the laundry because he can't stop using too much! he also forgets to put the vinegar in the softener dispenser, which i think really helps - especially with heavy items like jeans and sweatshirts. overall though i'm really happy with it.

I'm kind of sad that nobody else has experienced this!!! I was hoping someone would have a solution for me to try!! I too liked this mix and thought it was working well until I noticed what it was doing to my colours! Anyhoo, super happy that you're loving it! Oh and try grating a bar of the Ivory lavender scented soap...makes a nice very subtle change.
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post #49 of 71
1/19/10 at 12:02pm
For my largest loads, I only use 2 tablespoons in our HE front loading machine. I buy 25 lbs of detergent at Costco. My last box lasted 8 months, doing 9 to 12 loads per week - not bad for less than $20.

"Kirkland Ultra Laundry Detergent with Color Safe Bleach, Refreshing Scent. he and standard. 145 loads" Big red box. (I get more than 145 loads out of it, and our clothes are as clean as they were when I used a full cup in my old machine).
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post #50 of 71
1/19/10 at 3:35pm
I've started to use less now, I buy an Eco Friendly liquid for my top loader, instead of using the regular 1 and 1/2 cap I used before I am now down to just under a cap full, I'll try to go to 1/2 a cap full next load, it's hard to break silly habits ... lol :P
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