• ShyCake
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    16
    ·
    edit-2
    5 days ago

    Want to add in here, that some washing mechanics can’t handle the homemade detergent mix. I’ve damaged one or two with the mix. Not entirely sure as to the reason, but I believe it has something to do with the grated soap bar clogging something somewhere.

      • mycelium underground@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        edit-2
        5 days ago

        Small batches in an old blender. Grated soap mixed with you washing soda, borax or whatever else you are using as a booster. The powders will coat the soap as it gets cut apart and keeping it from clumping back together.

        This is hard on a blender so do smaller batches (and don’t use a good blender. Get one from goodwill or the like for ~ 10 bucks}. It will also produce very fine airborne power when you open the blender. I promise you that you don’t want strong alkaline powers in your lungs, and even if you do it will make the air taste terrible. Do this in a well ventilated place, use PPE, and be careful. I find that after you powder it, the soap in the mixture holds on to the other ingredients and keep them from becoming airborne.

        Also use a laundry soap bar, the soap is often stronger so you can use less and it doesn’t have ingredients to moisturizer or make the soap easy on the skin. Those often contribute to buildup issues.

        I wrote up a big rant with detailed instructions on how to remove residue from washers. A clean washer performed better and it’s over of the reasons people get a new washer and it ends up cleaning much better.

        EDIT: a link to my washer cleaning and residue removal rant