After years of DIY, I have to admit, that when it comes to laundry, I’m only half committed to DIY. Once every six months I mix up a TON of powder and use it until it’s gone. But until I get in the mood to make it again, I pick up the Tandil while I’m at Aldi. However, I NEVER use store-bought softener. Vinegar in the rinse works well for softening, static removal, and reducing skin irritation caused by the residual basic pH of whatever soap I use. There’s just no point for me.
And after years of experimenting with many different stain solutions, I find it’s just more convenient to use this stuff:
It takes care of everything but ink. It’s the only oily stain remover on the market that’s an enzyme, not a petrochemical. You can DISSOLVE a fat in a waterless, stinky, petrochemical, or you can eat it up with an enzyme. Because this stuff has LIPASE (read: fat eating enzyme), it can just EAT the fat along with the protein and whatever else is on there. No need to go through *levels* of stain removal. This is the catch-all and there’s nothing else out there that can get fat stains without the fumes. The one exception is ink.
That requires alcohol. I just keep a bottle around. Shoot the baby when she tattoos her entire body with ballpoint pen. Shoot the couch when she runs out of skin. Shoot the clothes if she decides not to remove her shirt prior to afore mentioned tattooing.
I also still use peroxide instead of oxyclean. I never get to the dollar store anymore for the powder. And making your own liquid is ridiculous; it neutralizes before you can use it twice. There’s a reason it only comes in powder from the store. For the very few whites I allow in my home, I use hot water, peroxide, and an extra shake of washing soda for good luck. As soon as oxyclean hits the water, it turns into peroxide and washing soda anyway, so why drive to the store just to get the name brand? No thanks.
So there you go. Honesty.
I make up my own laundry detergent, but using vinegar for the rinse just makes my clothes stink like vinegar. Any suggestions for the smell? Until then, I’ll stick to dryer sheets.
Interesting information about using Hydrogen peroxide. I had no idea.
As for oily stains I just use the green dish washer soap. Works to get rid of any frying grease on your clothes. Don’t know why it works better than any stain remover or Oxyclean, but it does. Probably full of petro chemicals that are bad for you. Must take a closer look.
Thank you! At last, a voice of reason and logic amidst all the DIY clutter. I’ve been using vinegar as my only softener for year, but gave up on DIY detergent (I have read evidence that the tiny pieces of soap in it don’t dissolve in anything less than HOT water and wind up in my septic system, drain fields, and (worse) stuck in my HE washer. No thanks. But your tip on subbing out Oxyclean with washing soda and peroxide is a home run. I’ve spent way too much money on Oxyclean when I don’t get to the dollar store. Thank you again!
That should dissipate when dry. I can never smell it after drying.
How much peroxide do you use?
I use 8oz of cheap hair condition with vinegar for softener. Just shake b4 u add to rinse cycle. Never smells like vinegar.
Where can I purchase Zout spray?
My go to is a few swipes of FelsNaptha or homemade coconut soap on a grater, 1/8 cup of Borax and 1/8 cup of Super Washing Soda. No need to mix up a ton of laundry soap. Great idea on the peroxide. I will give that a try. I have my dogs in the house and several sleep on the bed. This laundry soap plus cheap oxyclean gets all the doggy smell out of the sheets and the grime out of my work clothes (looking forward to trying just adding peroxide into the mix). I have an HE washer and have a septic tank with no issues.
Carmen asked how much peroxide to use?
Use epsom salts to soften clothes, no smell and cheap.
DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH PEROXIDE TO USE?
Susan K Grahf–Sorry, Deanna is out of wifi range. I don’t know the first thing about peroxide as spot remover. Anyone else?
THANKS FOR YOUR MESSAGE. I AM REFERRING TO THIS DEANNA WROTE AND SAID SHE USED PEROXIDE INSTEAD OXIYCLEAN. WONDERED HOW MUCH? AND HOW TO USE. DO YOU MIX THIS IN WITH HOME MADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT? I WILL WAIT FOR HER RETURN. THANKS AGAIN. SUSAN IN COLORADO
Yes I am wondering if I need to buy a gallon or a quart!
Carmen, Love your name..Deanna is out on trip and will address our question on this I will get back to u. Susan in Colorado
I still use the DIY powdered laundry soap. I, too, have an HE washer and was concerned about the soap shavings possibly clogging the dispenser. I now just toss the soap in with the clothes. I’ve never had any residue even on the shortest cycle.
https://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com2012/05/ten-things-laundry.html
The last line on the laundry link, she says: “For lights and whites, I use hot water, 1/2 cup peroxide in the bleach compartment, unless I have the presence of mind to remember the Dollar Store Oxiclean.”