Washing Machine Powder

[JaneeZee]

Thanks JD - it's good to be back............

[meganjane]

In answer to Frozzie's concerns about washing soda, you need to be careful about the sites you go to when checking the toxicity of ingredients. Many of them spread scare-mongering nonsense while some are very informative.

Washing soda is simply sodium carbonate and it's highly alkaline, which is why you should wear gloves when you use it to clean things. It's much the same as sodium bicarbonate, just that it's processed via a different method using salt and limestone.

Any dust from any ingredient should be avoided as much as possible. I imagine it's not too good for your lungs to be sucking in the dust from flour any more than the dust from washing soda.

I've recently gone back to using Aware as I ran out of Borax and have not noticed that our clothes are any cleaner. In fact, it's a nuisance because it doesn't dissolve in the little dispenser of my front loader and I have to flush it through each time.

I'll be going back to making my own washing powder once more. I have a great soap that I made with green Argiletz clay in it. It's not fragranced, so I can add my own fragrance.

[JaneeZee]

Our Washing Machine Powder passed the ultimate test this weekend.  Beetroot salad on a whlte linen tablecloth that I forgot was there & left to entrench itself for 2 days!!  All gone.  Very happy 

[Very Happy Jan]

Thats great - beetroot stain is  hard test to get out.

[Jabiru]

HI all
Any ideas if the water from the machine can be used in the garden with this powder? Would it not be too salty?

[Chrissy]

If the washing powder contains borax, I wouldn't be using it on your garden. Borax is used to kill cockroaches, (anthing that kills those buggers,is pretty toxic) so if it gets into our water ways it wouldn't be a good thing.

[Frozzie]

finally cracked and got the ingredients all ready to go..so now just have to make it up and try it..will let you know how it goes on my kids never ending stains!

 

[meganjane]

If the washing powder contains borax, I wouldn't be using it on your garden. Borax is used to kill cockroaches, (anthing that kills those buggers,is pretty toxic) so if it gets into our water ways it wouldn't be a good thing.

The amount of borax that would be in the washing water is minimal. It's sulphates that you need to avoid in your garden.

[SueJen]

Have been using this washing powder for about 4 months now and as we are not getting any rain use the water often on the lawn. In fact it is the only water we use on the lawn, no problems, lush green. I also make it for many of my friends, they not having problems either.

[Jabiru]

Thanks everyone for your replies - I knew the sulphates were a problem but wasn't sure about others.

Also do you need to double wash the TM after making this mix or does the next recipe come out tasting soapy!  LOL

[judydawn]

Jabiru, I do tend to give it 2 washes for some reason.  I don't put the borax into my TMX bowl anymore, I place the ground up ingredients into a large container then mix the borax in by hand wearing gloves.

[meganjane]

I make it all in the TMX, borax and all and do a double rinse. No problems yet!

[the_vermins]

I just finished my first batch and made another double batch. I used velvet pure soap and it smells lovely. Last double batch lasted over 2 1/2 months! So cheap!

Cleans our clothes just fine. I add napisan if I need an extra boost.

[CreamPuff63]

and best of all the towels are soft and fluffy 

[Morte]

For every 500g of bicarbonate of soda I use one cup of borax, 50ml eucalyptus essential oil and 30ml lavender essential oil. No soap. This cleans beautifully, about 2tbsp per front loader wash. Add a little more eucalyptus for stain removal and some white vinegar to keep whites white (and as a softener).

Just bought I'd share


Morte