I made it myself. :-)

[sstormwatch]

I am channeling Martha Stewart. Tonight I made laundry soap from 3 basic ingredients, all already found in my own home. I am doing this, as our kids both have rashes on sensitive skin areas that are only slowly responding to the medicines the doctor gave them some time ago. I thought that because of the locations, and because they tell me that they

Comments

[bwliadain]

Been thinking of doing that for Himself - he's got a skin condition that makes him allergic to all sorts of laundry chemicals.
Does the olive oil clean "smells" well? He tends to wear a bit too much aftershave some days...

Someone on the Orthowomen's list I'm on shared this link for old fashioned soaps and laundry soap makings-

http://soapsgonebuy.com

sorry, I don't know how to make it a "link" in comments... :-)

[sstormwatch]

The olive oil soap has no scent, so the laundry has no scent. If you want to add scent, you can use your own, using essential (EO) or fragrance (FO) oils, added to either the soap or to any rinse you use like in vinegar (although the comments conflicted on if this actually left a scent or not... I think it depends on what kind and how much you use).

I am thinking of making a small batch of vinegar with lavender EO to see how it smells after the wash is done, and will post about it.

[celedraug]

Has anyone tried homemade laundry soap in one of the newer front-loading washers that require the "HE" label on laundry detergents?

I'd love to go back to something like this, but don't want to ruin the new washer.

[sstormwatch]

Yes, many people commented that they had. They love it, because home made soap has minimal to no suds, which they say is perfect for front loading HE washers. And you only need half as much soap, too.

[fiberferret]

I get itching & rashes from most laundry soaps. The one that works for me now is Seventh Generation Hypoallergenic. I've been using it for years now with no problems. I also started having problems with shampoos in the last year which I assume was a progression of the detergent irritation. I tried at least 20 different brands and finally found Avalon Organics which works great. I also take care when I visit a friend or have to stay in a hotel. I took 2 flat sheets & sewed them together to make a pocket. I place that under the existing sheets so that my body doesn't touch them. I added this after developing weeping sores from a hotel bed.

[sstormwatch]

I tried that brand and type, and we still had the rashes. While dye and perfume free, it contains sodium laureth sulfate (a known irritant) whose function is to provide suds; which may be one of the culprits to my kids rashes. I tried a couple of other dye & perfume free types as well, again their rashes remain. This is why I went this drastic to make my own laundry soap, as there are still many chemicals in even the better brands and hypoallergenic products.

And I can understand not wanting to sleep in hospital sheets. I like your idea.

[peggyelizabeth]

I have sensitive skin and have never had any problems w/ Fels Naptha, in fact, it's great for poison ivy or nettles.

[sstormwatch]

That's good to know. Thanks.