A Quandry of Sorts

I recently came across an article found on Facebook making the command to stop using homemade laundry detergent. I have to admit, having made my own laundry detergent consistently for well over two years, and off and on prior to that, I had my defenses up. My curiosity was also piqued. Why should I? Is there a new, better, cheaper way to do my laundry? Has there been research to show homemade laundry detergent is detrimental to my clothes, or worse yet, my health? What gives?

So with trepidation, and an open mind, I hesitantly clicked the link to the article (http://butterbeliever.com/homemade-laundry-detergent-soap-diy/). I have to admit, after reading it, I walked away joyously acknowledging I was write...there was an agenda. However, it was also compelling. I come from the crosshairs of two unique generations. One that forges ahead after research, trial, and error....the other who comes up with great ideas and then evaluates damage done after the dust settles.

As I mentioned earlier, I read this with an open mind, but also with an eye for the agenda. The author presents some compelling evidence, and some answers to questions I had been starting to have in regards to my own laundry of late. For me, it seemed as if some sweat stains just weren't coming out, and clothes that had held up to daily life before just wasn't making it very long. I wrote this off to more use than normal, and cheaper quality materials. Then I started thinking....and researching....and researching more. What I found amazed me. Apparently, there was some legitimacy to what the author posted, and others are out there who had similar experiences.

Let me stop here here and say, I am FAR from diapering my kiddos, and at no point did I ever cloth diaper. I DO however, have two boys who seem to forget how to use toilet paper correctly. I digress.

So so upon further research, I found a "stripping" or deep cleaning solution that I could easily do myself. I mean, I have tons of supplies from my homemaking, so it really is no expense to try it at least. So...why not try?

As I have a bigger family, I decided with expanding how much water I used. This means I also upped how much borax and washing soda I used as well. The result? A full, 40 gallon top load washer with one Tide Pod, and 1/2 cup each of borax and washing soda. I was fearful that the dark colors I started with would bleed one into the other with the hot water....thankfully, this wasn't the case. The smell the author talks about? Yeah. SO. THERE! I was mortified!! I found agitating the washer every 15-30 minutes for the first couple of hours helped greatly. My colors were becoming bright again, rather than the dingy they had been. Granted, this is one load of MANY that will go this route.

Am an I done with homemade laundry detergent? I'm not sure. I'm definitely not done with homemade fabric softener at this point. Am I going to tell others to stop using theirs? Nope. But I am letting others know there IS a way to getting clothes back to normal again.