Mixing soda crystals with laundry powder???

kiwichick

Do you mind me asking how much powder you put in now Foreverskint???

The boxes say 150ml for med soil in med water area which is normally my lot. I use a 1/3 cup scoop roughly 83ml. It works fine, clothes are clean and still smell nice. Am I still using too much? I do the wash on a 40 degree always.

foreverskint

I didn't have a clue so I just checked, and I use 80ml, and I'm in a hard water area. I find this is about right for my Machine, and it seems to clean the clothes well, even removing quite a few stains from a 2 1/2 year olds clothing

Ticklemouse

I'm with kittie on this one. I just pour the soda crystals into the machine (about a handful if it's really dirty) then pour a little ecover liquid on top. I probably use just under 1 capful of ecover, but then I live in a soft water area.

I use vinegar in the conditioner drawer - makes all the difference and you can still smell the ecover (lavender) after the vinegar rinse.

I can't use cheapy powder and don't like the artificial scents of the others. I do buy value bio powder for household cleaning purposes though.

SallyinWales

I make all our soap at home, and have used plain olive oil based Castile soap in the machine for months with really great results, you could try using finely grated cheap bar soap instead of washing powder and see how you get on. I do add a sprinkle of washing soday for heavy dirt, buts mostly just use roughly a big tablespoon of grated soap and a splash of vinegar occasionally in the fabric conditioner drawer. Gives me really clean washing with a nice fresh smell but no nasty chemically stink

Zziggi

Can anyone tell me if "washing soda" is the same as "soda crystals"?

ALso, where do you all get your industrial quantites from at the cheapest price?

Have i got this right - 1/3 normal powder + 1/3 cheapy powder+1/3 washing soda. Then use half the usual amount. For conditioner use plain old white vinegar about the same quantity of usual conditioner that you put in your machine?

Thanks
Zziggi

Chipps

Zziggi wrote:

Can anyone tell me if "washing soda" is the same as "soda crystals"?

Yes!


(I just buy the bags in Tesco, as I don't have access to any bulk buy places. It's 50-something pence per bag I think)

AussieLass

I have been making my own HM washing powder now for about 6 months with great results. I only wash in cold water too. For softner I use a mixture of 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water and few drops of EO. For really heavy stains like grease & oil from DH clothe's I soak in warm water with washing soda overnite & it really removes the stains before putting them in the wash. Very economical as well. My laundry costs are only a fraction of the costs they were. The only "bad" thing is I hate grating the soap for the HM washing powder.

larmy16

AussieLass wrote:

. My laundry costs are only a fraction of the costs they were. The only "bad" thing is I hate grating the soap for the HM washing powder.

If you go to boot sales, you can sometimes get those rotary graters for pennies- they usually come with two graters and a slicing tool - mine is a hideous orange colour, but the fine grater is fabulous for grating soap and really quick!

When I did make the gloopy stuff, I used to use lemon zest soap bars - 4 for 99p in my local chemist. You are right it is so cheap! I also had a recipe that used eucalyptus oil which was nice and fresh, but I liked the lemon soap best.

I used to make up a great big saucepan full and then decant it into two two litre fabric conditioner bottles and top up with water - it lasted ages. It is so fascinating the way it gels up.

AussieLass

larmy16 wrote:

If you go to boot sales, you can sometimes get those rotary graters for pennies- they usually come with two graters and a slicing tool - mine is a hideous orange colour, but the fine grater is fabulous for grating soap and really quick!

I can't quite picture the rotary grater you describe. I've got the usual metal one in the shape of a tardis (Dr Who);) and use that. The laundry bars I use have a lemon scent as well and I like that the best too. I will keep an eye out fo the other grater though. We have flea markets here which is the equilavent of boot sales. I don't go to them often as they are a distance away. I've made the gloop many years ago too but really like the powder as it's so much easier.

larmy16

AussieLass wrote:

I can't quite picture the rotary grater you describe. I've got the usual metal one in the shape of a tardis (Dr Who);) and use that. The laundry bars I use have a lemon scent as well and I like that the best too. I will keep an eye out fo the other grater though. We have flea markets here which is the equilavent of boot sales. I don't go to them often as they are a distance away. I've made the gloop many years ago too but really like the powder as it's so much easier.

Well if I ever see one I will pm you and send it to you. They are really light so would not cost much to post!