Home Cleaning - plain-water laundering

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plain-water laundering

Sawney Beane

2005-12-14, 6:21 pm

Yesterday after washing and drying my laundry, I discovered that
the liquid detergent was still in the dispenser. My clothes do
smell better than if they'd been exposed to detergent. Should I
wear them as usual? Should I use detergent in the future?

Rod Speed

2005-12-14, 6:21 pm

Sawney Beane <beadleXX@qwickconnect.net> wrote

> Yesterday after washing and drying my laundry, I
> discovered that the liquid detergent was still in the
> dispenser. My clothes do smell better than if they'd
> been exposed to detergent. Should I wear them as usual?

If they are clean enough.

> Should I use detergent in the future?

They'll get rather smelly if you never use detergent again and
you'll find that they dont get as clean without the detergent.

Corse how dirty they end up depends on whether you do
your own work on the car etc or just laze around as a
couch potatoe in front of the TV on a clean couch etc.

Shaun Eli

2005-12-14, 7:21 pm

There's usually so much soap still in the clothing after the rinse
cycle that you could wash them again without soap and still get some
benefit.

If you don't believe me, just try putting your wash through a second
rinse cycle and see how foamy the waste water is.

However, tests by folks like Consumer Reports seem to indicate that you
do need to use the recommended amount to get the most benefit from the
detergent.

Shaun Eli
www.BrainChampagne.com
Brain Champagne: Clever Comedy for the Smart Mind (sm)
Brain Champagne-- now with free (clean) comedy video on the site!

Dottie

2005-12-14, 8:21 pm

I believe it....we have a water softener and can only use a fraction of
the recommended detergent or I would never get all the soap out. I use
white vinegar in the water softener dispenser and still have left over
soap...

2005-12-14, 11:21 pm

As another poster said, doubtful that your clothes were truly "dirty" and if
you go heavy on the detergent it HARDLY gets rinsed out completely.

On another laundry frugality off-shoot.... I wear my over-shirts and pants
at least 3 or 4 times before washing, and they're still not really "dirty"
unless I spill something on myself or get dirty somehow else. I mostly just
wash them to get the wrinkles out from wearing them.

A couple years ago I found out that fabric "softener" is really a fatty/oily
waste product (animal fats i think) that is emulsified to stay suspended in
a waterbased carrier. When you add softener to your rinse cycle, the
oils/fats bind onto the fibers of your clothes, thereby making them feel
"soft" when in fact they're just "greasy". Haven't used softener since the
day I read that and haven't really noticed a big difference in softness when
drying completely with a dryer.

After doing some more research on detergents I switched my detergent to Arm
& Hammer powder. SUPER CHEAP ($2.99 for 30 loads) at Target, and low impact.
It also truly gets rid of odors (with baking soda) instead of masking them
with some perfumy smell.

Just my 02.

-Tom

"Sawney Beane" <beadleXX@qwickconnect.net> wrote in message
news:43A08FC4.A353BCC7@qwickconnect.net...
> Yesterday after washing and drying my laundry, I discovered that
> the liquid detergent was still in the dispenser. My clothes do
> smell better than if they'd been exposed to detergent. Should I
> wear them as usual? Should I use detergent in the future?

Janie

2005-12-15, 12:21 am

"TT" <mrsol@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7B4of.80304$2k5.58124@dukeread09...
> As another poster said, doubtful that your clothes were truly "dirty" and
if
> you go heavy on the detergent it HARDLY gets rinsed out completely.
>
> On another laundry frugality off-shoot.... I wear my over-shirts and pants
> at least 3 or 4 times before washing, and they're still not really "dirty"
> unless I spill something on myself or get dirty somehow else. I mostly
just
> wash them to get the wrinkles out from wearing them.
>
> A couple years ago I found out that fabric "softener" is really a
fatty/oily
> waste product (animal fats i think) that is emulsified to stay suspended
in
> a waterbased carrier. When you add softener to your rinse cycle, the
> oils/fats bind onto the fibers of your clothes, thereby making them feel
> "soft" when in fact they're just "greasy". Haven't used softener since the
> day I read that and haven't really noticed a big difference in softness
when
> drying completely with a dryer.
>
> After doing some more research on detergents I switched my detergent to
Arm
> & Hammer powder. SUPER CHEAP ($2.99 for 30 loads) at Target, and low
impact.
> It also truly gets rid of odors (with baking soda) instead of masking them
> with some perfumy smell.
>
> Just my 02.
>
> -Tom

Agree with you, Tom

Consmer Reports listed Arm & Hammer as a best buy when compared to several
other detergent brands. It is an excellet choice and can be found a bargain
prices too. I generally buy liquid because I do most of my laundry in cold
water. JMO, but the bottle is easier to store and the cap makes a handy
measuring cup.
>
> "Sawney Beane" <beadleXX@qwickconnect.net> wrote in message
> news:43A08FC4.A353BCC7@qwickconnect.net...
>
>

bob@coolgroups.com

2005-12-15, 11:21 am

use borax

jtnospam@yahoo.com

2005-12-15, 3:21 pm

I use detergent with every other load (about 2/3 the recommended
amount), and alternate with washing soda. Works fine.
In one of the places I lived, the chlorine content of the tap water was
so high you could smell it, and I stopped adding bleach for whites, and
for colors, I read that most of the large detergent makers add a
chemical that neutralizes it. So I would let the washer fill up without
clothes, only the detergent and water, and let it sit for 1/2 hour
before adding the clothes. The fading of the colors went away.-Jitney

Goomba38

2005-12-15, 4:21 pm

TT wrote:

> After doing some more research on detergents I switched my detergent to Arm
> & Hammer powder. SUPER CHEAP ($2.99 for 30 loads) at Target, and low impact.
> It also truly gets rid of odors (with baking soda) instead of masking them
> with some perfumy smell.

The Tide products all scored the best on the Consumers Reports review
recently. A product sold at Costco and one sold by Sears (I wish I could
recall the names??... Did it start with King or something??) were
cheaper and scored very high also. I believe Arm and Hammer scored
quite low, but hey, if it works well for you- go for it!
Using less than package suggests is always good to remember when buying
the name brands. You get the best product, yet aren't buying more than
necessary and cutting cost.
I love my new Whirlpool Duet washer/dryer because of the water/detergent
savings, even factoring in the fancy HE detergents.

Goomba38

2005-12-15, 4:21 pm

Janie wrote:

> Consmer Reports listed Arm & Hammer as a best buy when compared to several
> other detergent brands. It is an excellet choice and can be found a bargain
> prices too. I generally buy liquid because I do most of my laundry in cold
> water. JMO, but the bottle is easier to store and the cap makes a handy
> measuring cup.

It did? I could have sworn it was low rated? I'm going to have to find
my issue and recheck?
I like Gain and Tide, and just use less. I LIKE the scents and cleaning
power.

Jessica V.

2005-12-15, 4:21 pm

Janie wrote:
> "TT" <mrsol@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:7B4of.80304$2k5.58124@dukeread09...
> if
> just
> fatty/oily
> in
> when
> Arm
> impact.
>
>
> Agree with you, Tom
>
> Consmer Reports listed Arm & Hammer as a best buy when compared to several
> other detergent brands. It is an excellet choice and can be found a bargain
> prices too. I generally buy liquid because I do most of my laundry in cold
> water. JMO, but the bottle is easier to store and the cap makes a handy
> measuring cup.

I really like A&H detergent. I always use liquid as I rarely wash
laundry in anything but cold water. I have very soft water and find
that for most things I need only use a scant ounce of detergent per
load.

Jessica
[color=darkred]

Janie

2005-12-15, 8:21 pm

"Goomba38" <Goomba38@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:UvOdnSSh-IVoWzzeRVn-qQ@comcast.com...
> Janie wrote:
>
several[color=darkred]
bargain[color=darkred]
cold[color=darkred]
>
> It did? I could have sworn it was low rated? I'm going to have to find
> my issue and recheck?
> I like Gain and Tide, and just use less. I LIKE the scents and cleaning
> power.

There may be more recent articles than the one I read. Consumer Reports
didn't say it was the best product. They just said it was a very good
product for the price, a best buy. Liquid Tide was one of the detergents
listed as the best but was among the highest priced products. I haven't
checked recent issues of Consumer Reports because I'm satisfied with what I
am using and can find it on sale and get a bargain.

Mrs Bonk

2005-12-15, 8:21 pm

TT wrote:
> As another poster said, doubtful that your clothes were truly "dirty" and
> if you go heavy on the detergent it HARDLY gets rinsed out completely.

I imagine dear Sawney's clothes would be encrusted with bloodstains and bat
droppings.

> On another laundry frugality off-shoot.... I wear my over-shirts and pants
> at least 3 or 4 times before washing, and they're still not really "dirty"
> unless I spill something on myself or get dirty somehow else. I mostly
> just wash them to get the wrinkles out from wearing them.

Some people like to make work for themselves. I can go for a fortnight or
more with the same cardigan though I do like to change my underwear
frequently. Trousers can be hung in a steamy room to get wrinkles out and
all clothes spot cleaned to eke out another wear. When I was a young girl my
school skirt was washed once a term but it was always spot cleaned, aired
and pressed, nowadays I note the school uniform in the washbin at least
twice each week.

> A couple years ago I found out that fabric "softener" is really a
> fatty/oily waste product (animal fats i think) that is emulsified to stay
> suspended in a waterbased carrier. When you add softener to your rinse
> cycle, the oils/fats bind onto the fibers of your clothes, thereby making
> them feel "soft" when in fact they're just "greasy". Haven't used
> softener since the day I read that and haven't really noticed a big
> difference in softness when drying completely with a dryer.

I have yet not become a member of the frugal group but must say it looks
interesting. I have to ask if it is frugal to use a tumble/clothes dryer? I
do not possess one and line dry whenever possible if not then I have an
indoor airer and an airing cupboard to finish off. I find I cannot go
without clothes conditioner or my washing is as stiff as a board and as
wrinkled as a prune, my conditioner does not contain any "animal fats" and
it conditions my clothes by reducing static and as you say, making them feel
soft but they are not greasy in the way you have come across i.e. they don't
feel as though a block of pork dripping was rubbed over them. I do not see a
problem in using it ( the conditioner), perhaps you are of a delicate
nature.

dejablues

2005-12-15, 11:21 pm

"Goomba38" <Goomba38@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:UvOdnSWh-IUSWzzeRVn-qQ@comcast.com...
> TT wrote:
>
>
>
> The Tide products all scored the best on the Consumers Reports review
> recently. A product sold at Costco and one sold by Sears (I wish I could
> recall the names??... Did it start with King or something??) were cheaper
> and scored very high also.

The Costco brand is called Kirkland, and it's great. I like the scented
variety because DH's job produces very smelly laundry. Our water is about as
hard as it could possibly be, too, so we go through a lot of it.
The Sears brand is good also, but it only comes in powder, which I do not
prefer.

dejablues

2005-12-15, 11:21 pm

"TT" <mrsol@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7B4of.80304$2k5.58124@dukeread09...
> As another poster said, doubtful that your clothes were truly "dirty" and
> if
> you go heavy on the detergent it HARDLY gets rinsed out completely.
>
> On another laundry frugality off-shoot.... I wear my over-shirts and pants
> at least 3 or 4 times before washing, and they're still not really "dirty"
> unless I spill something on myself or get dirty somehow else. I mostly
> just
> wash them to get the wrinkles out from wearing them.
>
> A couple years ago I found out that fabric "softener" is really a
> fatty/oily
> waste product (animal fats i think) that is emulsified to stay suspended
> in
> a waterbased carrier. When you add softener to your rinse cycle, the
> oils/fats bind onto the fibers of your clothes, thereby making them feel
> "soft" when in fact they're just "greasy". Haven't used softener since the
> day I read that and haven't really noticed a big difference in softness
> when
> drying completely with a dryer.

We have a huge static electricity problem, which is why I use softener. How
can you use a dryer, without a softener ,and avoid static?

Sawney Beane

2005-12-16, 5:21 pm

dejablues wrote:
>
> "TT" <mrsol@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:7B4of.80304$2k5.58124@dukeread09...

So far I haven't found any brand of softener with fats in the ingredients.
[color=darkred]
>
> We have a huge static electricity problem, which is why I use softener. How
> can you use a dryer, without a softener ,and avoid static?

The fabrics that generate static tend to dry the fastest. I pull
them out first, to save wear and tear. The last fiber to dry is cotton.

amde@aol.com

2005-12-16, 9:21 pm

On 14 Dec 2005 14:38:51 -0800, in misc.consumers.frugal-living "Shaun Eli"
<missingchild@BrainChampagne.com> wrote:

>However, tests by folks like Consumer Reports seem to indicate that you
>do need to use the recommended amount to get the most benefit from the
>detergent.

Depends on your area's water hardness. Also front loading machines need less
soap.

Beeblebrox

2005-12-16, 10:21 pm

Phisherman

2005-12-17, 8:21 pm

On Fri, 16 Dec 2005 02:47:22 GMT, "dejablues" <deja.blues@gmail.com>
wrote:

>
<snip>
>
>We have a huge static electricity problem, which is why I use softener. How
>can you use a dryer, without a softener ,and avoid static?
>

I don't use a fabric softener at all, yet I do not have static issues.
It is a question of both chemistry and physics. I remove clothes
promptly after drying, or very slightly damp in the case of permanent
press. The PP clothes are put on hangers where they completely dry
and nearly wrinkle-free within an hour. I have no scientific
explanation, but I found that electric dryers produce more static than
natural gas dryers. Most of my clothes are 85 to 100% cotton which
produce less static than synthetics. You could try putting a damp
clean towel in your dryer and tumble that for 1 minute before removing
your static-free clothes. No (stinky) fabric softeners are needed.

cvcgrad

2005-12-18, 11:21 am

Arm and Hammer has been consistently rated highly by Consumer Reports for
the past several years. For some odd reason, this past year they did not
rate all the products.

Arm and Hammer w/ Bleach (powder) is a very good detergent and was rated in
the top five at one time. I love A/H and can buy a large box of 63 loads for
$7 at my local dollar store. If you prefer regular A/H, you can guy an 80
load box for the same price.

I personally think A/H cleans my white clothes better than Tide.

"Goomba38" <Goomba38@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:UvOdnSSh-IVoWzzeRVn-qQ@comcast.com...
> Janie wrote:
>
several[color=darkred]
bargain[color=darkred]
cold[color=darkred]
>
> It did? I could have sworn it was low rated? I'm going to have to find
> my issue and recheck?
> I like Gain and Tide, and just use less. I LIKE the scents and cleaning
> power.

LinkBot