.

.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

INFORMATION ON WASHING MACHINES AND DETERGENT

Yesterday in the New York Times there was an important article about Washing Machines and detergent. It said that most people use 10 to 15 times the amount of detergent they need, and are just pouring money down the drain. Depending on how hard or soft your water is one-eighth to one-half of what is usually recommended should be adequate. If people see suds they think their clothes are getting clean, but that's wrong - it means you are using a lot of extra detergents.

The article said to determine if you are oversoaping, take four to six clean towels, put them in your front loading washer or two towels for top loader. Don't add any detergent or fabric softner. Switch to hot water setting and medium wash and run it for about 6 minutes. Check for soap suds or residue, it is soap coming out of your clothes from the last wash.

Last September, at our "R.S. Clean Sweep" activity we gave you a wonderful low sudsing inexpensive detergent to make up. For your convenience we will repeat it - try it- save money and save your washing machine. All ingredients can be found at the Kroger at Coit and Beltline.

1 Bar Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated)
1 cup Washing Soda (Arm and Hammer) - not baking soda
1 cup Borax (20 Mule Team)
1/4 cup powder oxyclean (optional)

Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container. Use 2 Tbls per large load or 1 tbl for small load. You can dissolve in warm water if you prefer liquid form. *Great tip for an inexpensive fabric softner add 1/4 cup vinegar to rinse cycle .

1 comment:

Jeanne Grant said...

good reminder Karen!