I’ve been having problems with my bath towels smelling……….not good. I knew my front load washer was the culprit. It has been the strangest experience. My washer didn’t smell; the towels didn’t smell when I got them out of the washer to put in the dryer. They didn’t smell until we got them wet again, (i.e. when we were using them to dry off). I was beginning to think I was losing my mind a little. It seems a lot of other people have had the same problem. I’ve read about it on the internet. I can’t be positive, but I think my problem started after I had been using liquid detergent in my machine for a few months. Before that, I had always used powder.
So I have been on a quest to remedy this problem. First I ran baking soda and vinegar through the machine. It seemed to do the trick for awhile, then the smell was back. So periodically, I would put some baking soda in with the towels before washing. That helped a lot.
I found a recipe for homemade laundry detergent online. I bought some of the ingredients, but never followed through and made it. I found a second recipe that sounded better to me. I mixed it up and have been using it for almost 3 weeks. My towels are great . The true test of its cleaning power was a pair of very dirty white socks; they came out bright white with one washing!!
This is my current mission…………….to tell EVERYONE I know about this wonderful detergent. Here is the recipe.
1 large box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (when I say large, it is about the same size as the next item listed)
1 box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 box of Mule Team Borax
3 BARS of Fels Naptha laundry soap
1 tub OxyClean. (I used the store brand. It’s half the price)
I FOUND ALL THE INGREDIENTS IN THE LAUNDRY SOAP AISLE AT WALMART.
You have to grate the Fels Naptha with a cheese grater or food processor, then mix all the ingredients together. I used a trash bag inside of a trash can to get it all mixed. This makes a LARGE amount of soap.
I bought this storage jar at Walmart for $10. I took the picture with the Shout to show you the size. The small scoop sitting on top of the Shout can came from the Oxyclean tub. YOU CAN DO A FULL LOAD OF LAUNDRY WITH 2 SCOOPS!!!! From what I have read, I should be able to get a YEAR’S worth of laundry from this batch of soap (if I quit giving away samples of it for my friends to try ).
The ingredients cost around $14.50. You can’t beat that.
I’ve also learned that you can put white vinegar in your fabric softener dispenser and forgo fabric softener all together. I use the vinegar once in awhile, but I still use fabric softener sheets in the dryer.
Hope you try it and save a ton of $$$!!!
It is safe for front load and top load machines.
I know this hasn’t been riveting reading, but I hope it helps someone.
Thanks for reading and Happy Washing (and saving $$)
6 comments:
I have made this detergent too! It is wonderful!
Once that mildew smell gets in the towels, the only way I can get rid of it is washing with a little bleach and some hot water.
When you use vinegar instead of fabric softener, does it smell? I don't use dryer sheets but the liquid fabric softener in the washing machine.
I love those jars! My friend buys the biggest ones they carry for her sugar... they go through A LOT of sweet tea! :)
Sounds great. I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing Becky.
I've been wanting to ry making this too! Glad to hear it works!
Merry Christmas!
You crack me up!!
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