Old-time Laundry Boosters--opinions?
Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:39 pm
I love using old-fashioned simple cleaning products whenever I can, largely because they are so much cheaper (not to mention less toxic) than the 'new improved' brand-name ones. I've always bought Arm&Hammer baking soda in the big boxes (bags nowadays) for a laundry additive. I'm glad to see that more supermarkets are carrying real 'Washing Soda' now. By the way, the only place I've been able to find 20-Mule-Team Borax, another favorite, is Wal-Mart. I ordered a case of Fels Naptha Soap online 
--not even Vermont Country Store had it (by the way, you use it for poison ivy of which I have plenty).
When I read the ingredients on one of those 'stain remover' sprays & found that the active ingredient was hydrogen peroxide, I kept using the spray bottle but made my own peroxide-water dilution.
Recently I bought an inexpensive 'spot & stain remover' solution (don't they all say they'll work when others won't!?) made, I read, with ammonia. So... reused the plastic bottle with ammonia + water.
Problem is, I can't see any difference in getting my laundry cleaner between soda, the Borax, or pretreating with diluted Hperoxide, and that 'greatest stain remover ever' ammonia mix didn't seem to do a darn thing. I stay away from chlorine 'cause I have burned spots in too many clothes with it.
The main problem is my work shirts-- I get men's all-cotton long-sleeved dress shirts at the Salvation Army (I got one that is from NORDSTROM'S La di da, never had anything from there before 
) : roomy, cool, keep the bugs away, but OH 
those stains! Anyone ever do an unscientific comparison between these old standbys? I'm interested in people's impressions & experiences.
(By the way, I actually used cloth diapers when my kids were babes, and a friend's recipe for a Godzilla-meets-Terminator presoak involved mixing powdered dishwasher detergent, baking soda, and powdered non-chlorine bleach. I'm leery of using that on my clothes, though... it's a bit caustic & the kids went through the diapers quicker than I get rid of my clothes
)
Jocelyn the Farm Lady
--not even Vermont Country Store had it (by the way, you use it for poison ivy of which I have plenty).
When I read the ingredients on one of those 'stain remover' sprays & found that the active ingredient was hydrogen peroxide, I kept using the spray bottle but made my own peroxide-water dilution.
Recently I bought an inexpensive 'spot & stain remover' solution (don't they all say they'll work when others won't!?) made, I read, with ammonia. So... reused the plastic bottle with ammonia + water.
Problem is, I can't see any difference in getting my laundry cleaner between soda, the Borax, or pretreating with diluted Hperoxide, and that 'greatest stain remover ever' ammonia mix didn't seem to do a darn thing. I stay away from chlorine 'cause I have burned spots in too many clothes with it.
The main problem is my work shirts-- I get men's all-cotton long-sleeved dress shirts at the Salvation Army (I got one that is from NORDSTROM'S La di da, never had anything from there before ) : roomy, cool, keep the bugs away, but OH those stains! Anyone ever do an unscientific comparison between these old standbys? I'm interested in people's impressions & experiences.
(By the way, I actually used cloth diapers when my kids were babes, and a friend's recipe for a Godzilla-meets-Terminator presoak involved mixing powdered dishwasher detergent, baking soda, and powdered non-chlorine bleach. I'm leery of using that on my clothes, though... it's a bit caustic & the kids went through the diapers quicker than I get rid of my clothes
)
Jocelyn the Farm Lady
Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:30 pm
Whats the problem with stained work clothes? It's the sunday go to meeting ones that really count. Bev gives me what for the past 52 years if it even looks as if I am thinking of working in them. Keep an old pair of coveralls in the trunk for the flat on the way to church.
Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:02 pm
FarmLadyWannaB, I guess it depends on what the stain is as to the solution to getting out those stains.
There is a book out called "Haley's hints" with many tips on all kinds os stuff from blood to grease with many in between.
I have the book, I borrowed it from my Sister so if you post the type of stain you are trying to remove, i'll look it up for ya~
There is a book out called "Haley's hints" with many tips on all kinds os stuff from blood to grease with many in between.
I have the book, I borrowed it from my Sister so if you post the type of stain you are trying to remove, i'll look it up for ya~