Prep Genrl Laundry Detergent

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I had several bags of Gain pods but use them up. I have some cheap liquid from the dollar tree. I bought a bag of Walmart laundry pods. I tried one today, the clothes didn't even smell clean, so I'm taking it back. Walmart didn't have any of the Gain pods.

I'm looking for recommendations for a decent laundry detergent that does not cost an arm and a leg. I'd like for the clothes to at least smell clean, I'm not really into heavily scented laundry products.

thanks in advance

Judy
 

Marseydoats

Veteran Member
I have to be careful what I use since I'm allergic to almost everything. I've finally settled on Purex, the Linen and Lilllys scent is pleasant and not overpowering. I also use Sun, the kind in the purple bottle.
My washer is so old, that sometimes I just run a cycle of baking soda and vinegar thru it. But then I do a lot of livestock laundry that most folks don't have.
 

MaisieD

1984 is not fiction.
We only use Ecos plant based laundry soap and I put 1/4 cup of Borax in every load. The clothes, sheets, and towels, etc. smell quite fresh.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I have sensitive skin. I use Target Up&Up free, clear.
I think they stopped making the formula I liked. I bought
six bottles and still have five.
 

dawgofwar10

Veteran Member
I tried the cold water in the creek, rubbing sand in the dirtier parts and then beating on the stones along the creek to beat the dirt out. Then I would hang them to dry on the cypress and oak tree branches in the afternoon sun until they were dry, then I would fold them like I normally did. Cardboard was easier to fold then those clothes, it was like folding frozen canvas in sub-zero temperatures. Now what does have to do with the above topic..... Thank God you can bitch about different detergents..
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
I actually use several different kinds for different things. Tide liquid for DH’s jeans and kitchen laundry or anything else that gets super grubby. Surf powder for DH’s t-shirts especially in the summer months because it’s the only thing I have found that gets the sweat smell out. All free and clear for towels, sheets and my clothes since I have sensitive skin.
 

Orion Commander

Veteran Member
Used to use Gain, liked the smell. Changed to ALL 'Free and Clear.' Been using it for 3+ years. No complaints. Reasonable price. Doesn't leave much if any soap smell.
What we use. Start the water and rinse the cup. Shut off the water. Fill with clothes and restart the water.
I use bounce dryer sheets. It's the only brand I've found that is scent free no matter what the label says.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I used Tide for years, until Cary developed an allergy to it. I switched to Gain, but it didn't seem to get the laundry as clean as the Tide did. Now, I use just plain Arm & Hammer. It gets the laundry clean with a light scent without an overpowering smell. I wash everything in cold water, and also hang my laundry to dry. Indoors in the winter, and on the clothesline in the spring, summer, and fall when the weather is nice.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
RA makes ours too . . . felsnaptha washing soda and borax . . . sheap, clean and easy on the septic system

My washing machine water doesn't go into our septic system. It drains through a long buried pipe into the far edge of our backyard. I tried making my own several years ago, and it clogged up the drain pipe. Cary had to dig it up, and replace a small section, because the laundry detergent buildup was packed like concrete. Won't do that again, unless absolutely necessary. I do have lots of the ingredients to make my own, again, if needed, though.
 

Faroe

Un-spun
I use whatever doesn't stink. Scents make me gag.

Certain synthetic blends hold onto body odor, esp. when the cloth is a knit. Looser woven clothes work better in an austere situation - you will get more wearings out of the garment before it is smelly. Wool and linen were traditional for a reason (they stay fresh longer than cotton). As far as I can gather, linen was usually boiled in the laundry.
 

John Deere Girl

Veteran Member
My washing machine water doesn't go into our septic system. It drains through a long buried pipe into the far edge of our backyard. I tried making my own several years ago, and it clogged up the drain pipe. Cary had to dig it up, and replace a small section, because the laundry detergent buildup was packed like concrete. Won't do that again, unless absolutely necessary. I do have lots of the ingredients to make my own, again, if needed, though.
I made ours, and I loved saving the money by making it, and I loved feeling a little bit Laura Ingalls. However, it plugged our new washer up and the septic lines within a short period of time. We decided to just buy ours. I kept all the ingredients just in case though.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I made ours, and I loved saving the money by making it, and I loved feeling a little bit Laura Ingalls. However, it plugged our new washer up and the septic lines within a short period of time. We decided to just buy ours. I kept all the ingredients just in case though.

I've read that a lot of people have problems with clogged drain pipes from using homemade laundry detergent. I won't use it again, unless I wash my laundry in a tub outside where I can just pour the water on the ground when finished. I have stocked all the ingredients to make it if that happens. At the same time, I have 2 year's worth of store bought laundry detergent on hand. The ingredients for making the detergent won't go to waste. I use them for other things, too.
 

connie

Veteran Member
I buy Ecos at Costco once a year. Throw in some borax or oxyclean if needed. White vinegar for softener. And use empty vinegar bottles to store emergency water.
 

philkar

Veteran Member
Very interesting. I have used this homemade stuff for years and never knew that it messed up anything! I will have to ponder all that! Thanks as always for the latest and greatest.
 

philkar

Veteran Member
I make powder form at present but have made liquid in the past also. I dissolve powder in the water before I add my clothes because I agree with you that it doesn't always dissolve well.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I made homemade landry soap in the powder form would not rinse out completely Next time I will try the liquid. For now I use Arm and Hammer

I had the same problem, and my whites started looking dingy. I didn't think my laundry was getting clean enough.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
As for hanging my clothes on a clothes line, too much shoulder pain to do that.

God is good all the time

Judy

During the winter, I don't hang my laundry on a clothesline. I have 3 of those folding wooden clothes drying racks that I set up in the house. Those work very well for me. The larger items, like towels, sheets, etc. I fold, and hang on clothes hangers, then hang them up on the door facings. Heating with wood, it takes no time at all to dry the laundry. Washing the laundry in cold water, and hanging to dry sure saves me a lot of money on our electric bill.
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Judy, do you have a Dollar General nearby? They often have some good deals on laundry detergent - but you do need to use their coupon app and load the coupons to get the deals. I know they use the apps to track purchases but I'm not too worried about the things I buy there. I buy so much laundry detergent for my daughter that they probably think I'm crazy lol! This week, they have the Gain Flings - 51 ct for $10.50 after coupon, 24 ct for $4.95 after coupon. They also have Tide pods 12-16 ct $2.95 after coupon, Purex pods 15 ct 95 cents after coupon, Tide Simply pods 13 ct for $1.95 after coupon, and All 4 in 1 odor lifter pacs 19 ct 2/ $4 after coupon. I like shopping at Dollar General, can ya tell :lol:

I have another 15 ton load of rock coming tomorrow, 2" this time - that will finish up most of the rest of the $ from the last stimulus check. Anything that is left, I'll take with me on my next Aldi run and add to the basic stock up items.
 

Sportsman

Veteran Member
In the past we made both the powder and the liquid with the ingredients from TSC. Both worked OK, we had no problems with clogging. I suspect which work best with no system clogs (or even if they work well at cleaning) for someone partly depends upon how hard the local water is. We prefer the liquid, but I don't remember why.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I settled on Tide pods and Arm and Hammer from amazon, the prices seemed reasonable, that is as far as reasonable goes.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

Krayola

Veteran Member
I researched and decided not to do homemade detergent because it causes too many problems with septic systems and also because it may not get the clothes really clean.

I started using Foca powdered detergent (buy at Walmart.) It cleans well and does not leave a heavy perfume behind. I had seen it recommended by people who cloth diaper so I figured it was good. It is very inexpensive, plus you only have to use 1/2 of what is recommended on the bag. I usually use 4 tablespoons for a large load (no HE washer) If using the powdered, you will need to have your own plastic container to keep it in.
 

LibertyMom

Senior Member
I am in the “whatever is cheapest” category and alternate between making my own and Arm and Hammer. It was nice knowing that we could make our own fir a long time while dtore supplies wrre short. I believe extended use of homemade laundry soap can leave a residue so I alternate.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Arm and Hammer free & clear is my back up. It'll be awhile before I turn out of the Target free & clear.

With my somewhat hard water, it pays to use a liquid: zero chance of clogging. Also, my water pressure isn't the best, so
the liquid is easily mixed into the wash water. I've made homemade laundry powder before. It didn't save me that much
money because there's just me and my clothes get sweaty rather than covered with dirt.
 
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