Greetings everyone,

We've had recent postings about handmade laundry detergent. Some of the ingredients included grated Fels Naptha soap and several people had trouble finding it locally. Our corner mom & pop grocery store sells Fels Naptha soap for $1.09 per 5½ ounce bar. If anyone would like me to obtain it for you, I'd be happy to do so, for just the cost of the bar plus exact postage. Please let me know by e-mailing me. Because of all the stupid computer viruses going around. Please type "Fels Naptha soap" in the subject line or I will not open your e-mail. Hope this helps someone...... Charleen

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), November 28, 2001

Answers

Charleen-how much would the postage be? Also, I have had problems finding washing soda???? Do you know what that is or where I can find it?

-- Kelly (happycat@fakemail. com), November 28, 2001.

Kelly, I found washing soda at Albertson's grocery here in Edmond. They were the only ones who had it -- I don't usually go in there, they are too expensive, but I made an exception for the washing soda.

On the subject of homemade laundry soap, I tried it a couple of days ago, and didn't like it one bit. The recipe I had went like this:

2/3 bar of Kirk's Castile Soap, grated (called for Fels, but I couldn't find it ANYWHERE)

1 cup Borax

1 cup Super Washing Soda

Dissolved all in warm/hot water (2 gallons) and let sit overnight.

It just didn't seem to get my clothes clean. Did I miss something, or does anyone have any suggestions on what I might have done wrong? I abbreviated the directions a little for space, but that is basically it. If no one has any suggestions, I'll be going back to store-bought in a day or two. Just post them here, I'll check back.

-- Christine in OK (cljford@aol.com), November 28, 2001.

Kelly & others,

According to the USPS website-First class postage would be $1.95. That is calculated at a weight of 8 ounces. The label on the bar says 5 1/2 ounces.I have not actually boxed and weighed this, so I may be off slightly depending on the box.

Locally, the A&H Washing soda is 1.99 for 55 ounces(over 3#) and the Borax is 3.29 for 76 ounces(over 4#). Based on these weights, I don't think this would be cost effective to mail, but if some one was desperate enough, I could do it for you.

I have not made any of the laundry soap mixtures yet, so I can't sell you the soap with any guarantees:) Christine-I'm sorry yours didn't live up to the expectations. Maybe someone has another suggestion that we could try.

Hope this cleared up some questions. Charleen

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), November 28, 2001.

One more thing---Uncle Sam needs his cut too. Where I live there is 8% tax on soap. Charleen

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), November 28, 2001.

Kelly, Krogers keeps washing soda.

-- Barb in Ky (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), November 28, 2001.

I have tracked down Borax-and I love the stuff, but I agree it would cost more to ship than what you pay for it. I use it as a laundry suppliment-I don't think it alone would get clothes clean, but it seems to give detergent a little boost. I used it when the kids were in diapers, now I use it on really grubby jeans or like the other day when we had a coffee disaster and someone here (I had a lot of guests) used several towels to mop up the floor, then wrapped them all up together and stuffed them in a hamper. Whew! Was that a smelly surprise when I found them yesterday!

-- Kelly (Happycat@fakemail.com), November 28, 2001.

All 3 ingredients are available at Safeway. I have used it for about a year but I use my own lye soap. I think my clothes are clean but it doesn't do much for whites over a long time. I grate a bar of my soap, add 1/2 c. washing soda & 1/2 c. borax.

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.net), November 28, 2001.

I've been using the homemade stuff for a few years now. Through trial and error I now make mine using grated Ivory soap (cheaper, smells good) and the washing soda. I only add borax(separately) to the really dirty loads because it seems to cause fading when used every load. I'm using white vinegar in the rinse. This is not the best for keeping whites brilliant, but you can use a few drops of bluing in the rinse water. It also helps to keep the whites separate. I'm really happy with the cost!!

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), November 29, 2001.

Fels Naptha is made by Dial and can be ordered directly from their website

-- D Smith (DSmith0618@aol.com), June 08, 2002.