PentecostalMom Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I see many recipes for homemade laundry soap that are made with Borax, Fels Naptha, and other ingredients. I would like something a little more natural. My 7yo has super sensitive skin and while I can purchase things at the store, they are usually cost prohibitive. Are there any homemade solutions that also actually clean clothes and stains and don't leave build-up or residue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie~Phlox Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Huh? I don't know what would clean clothes as well and Borax, Baking Washing Soda & the fels Naptha that would be cheaper than buying sensitive skin detergent at the store. Good luck. I'm all ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 You can use Ivory soap instead of FNap if you don't want as much petroleum product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I've been really happy with the recipe from ICanTeachMyChild which has the ones you mentioned. I have always had super-sensitive skin. My focus was always to get all the soap residue out. When I had a top-loader washer, I started the washer without clothes or soap in it. I would add the soap once the bottom was covered. Then I would leave the lid open (so that it wouldn't drain) and set the load size to small. Then I would load the clothes once the laundry detergent seemed to be mixed in very well. While I was loading clothes I would change the size setting to Large, and close the lid. When that cycle was done, I always washed a second time using no soap. The first time you do a second load, leave the lid up and see how much suds you get. That method is very simplified with a front loader. I load a normal amount of soap for pre-washing, and a tish of soap for the regular wash cycle. Then I push the extra rinse button. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 You could also look at Charlie's Soap to see if it's a product you could buy and have it work. It has all the stuff (fragrance, etc.) pulled out and is supposed to be pretty natural. It's what I use, and I used to be extremely chemically sensitive. They give the ingredients at this link. Natural laundry detergent powder: safe, non-toxic ... - Charlie's Soap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Elle Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I used to use Zote Laundry soap instead of fel naphtha, hoping it was safer and more natural. But I stopped because I couldn't find out very much info on it. That was years ago so maybe more info is out now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Instead of Fels Naptha, you can use any castille bar soap. I like Kirk's - no artificial ingredients, made in USA (unlike Ivory nowadays) and it's inexpensive at my grocery store. Dr. Bronner's also makes an unscented bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyMommy Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I use Dr. Bronners in my homemade laundry powder, but I also use Borax, washing soda, and baking soda. I've been thrilled with the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 You could also look at Charlie's Soap to see if it's a product you could buy and have it work. It has all the stuff (fragrance, etc.) pulled out and is supposed to be pretty natural. It's what I use, and I used to be extremely chemically sensitive. They give the ingredients at this link. Natural laundry detergent powder: safe, non-toxic ... - Charlie's Soap I know that is supposed to be great but my family all had reactions to it. You can use Kirk's castile soap in place of the other bar soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Who has actually *used* one of these more natural alternatives to Fels Naptha IN homemade laundry detergent? I feel like we're getting suggestions that may or may not be from experience... lol I have a dd with very sensitive skin, too, and was going to try the homemade detergent, but would like to know what WORKS before wasting my money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atozmom Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Sensitive skin here.....Our homemade laundry soap is Kirk's castile soap, baking soda and washing soda. I have been using it for 4 months now and it works good and DS hasn't had any issues with it. Since we have a HE washer and a water softener, I mix the soap in a cup of really hot water before I pour it over our clothes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 You could also look at Charlie's Soap to see if it's a product you could buy and have it work. It has all the stuff (fragrance, etc.) pulled out and is supposed to be pretty natural. It's what I use, and I used to be extremely chemically sensitive. They give the ingredients at this link. Natural laundry detergent powder: safe, non-toxic ... - Charlie's Soap That's what we use too. I found it to be far more effective than anything homemade and NO ONE in my family reacts to it. YMMV.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Sensitive skin here.....Our homemade laundry soap is Kirk's castile soap, baking soda and washing soda. I have been using it for 4 months now and it works good and DS hasn't had any issues with it. Since we have a HE washer and a water softener, I mix the soap in a cup of really hot water before I pour it over our clothes. Can you post proportions, or a recipe? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atozmom Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Can you post proportions, or a recipe? TIA I got the recipe I use from this blog page. I don't know the blogger. I just googled one day and picked the one I liked best. Since I have limited space for a large container of soap, I cut the recipe in fourths like she suggests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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