Laundry Questions - Stain Fighter and more...

thew8isover

We're finally low on our laundry supplies.  For detergent, I'll most likely buy ecover detergent as we're happy with their dishwashing liquid and diswasher powder.  But I also have goodwife's blog bookmarked for making detergent too.  Fabric softner, vinegar.  But what do we do about stain fighters?  We use Tide's liquid stain fighter and we love it.  FI works in a restaurant so I'll need something that really works.  I thought about oxi clean, as I think it's okay to use on cloth diapers, but I wasn't sure if i read right.  I'm open for suggestions.  Or would getting a stain fighter be a non issue, with the other products being used?

Also regarding vinegar as a fabric softner, we don't have a fabric softner dispenser, which is why we use Tide detergent with fabric softner.  Other than being there when the rinse cycle happens, is there like a green "downy ball" that exists?  I used downy ball and loved it in college. 

Lastly, what about bleach?  Can you tell it takes a lot to do laundry in my house

 Thanks

doglove

You can use vinegar as a stain remover - as long as you get it on the stain ASAP. Also you can soak the piece of clothing in a combination of borax and vinegar to remove stains.

stanleh

I'll be watching the stain remover answers as I'm still working on that.

For the fabric softener, I just use two dryer balls.  You can make them yourself, they are super easy.  Just google "homemade wool dryer ball" and you'll find directions.

belovedbride07

thew8isover:

Also regarding vinegar as a fabric softner, we don't have a fabric softner dispenser, which is why we use Tide detergent with fabric softner.  Other than being there when the rinse cycle happens, is there like a green "downy ball" that exists?  I used downy ball and loved it in college. 

Is there a reason you don't want to use a Downy ball?  You can just fill it with vinegar instead of fabric softener.

I've been using hydrogen peroxide in place of our dwindling supply of Spray 'n' Wash, and it works very well.  (Test in an inconspicuous area first, but I haven't had it bleach any fabric so far.)  I keep some in a spray bottle to treat stains directly (you need an opaque bottle or the hydrogen peroxide breaks down), and also use it diluted in water to whiten things like washcloths.

thew8isover

belovedbride07:

thew8isover:

Also regarding vinegar as a fabric softner, we don't have a fabric softner dispenser, which is why we use Tide detergent with fabric softner.  Other than being there when the rinse cycle happens, is there like a green "downy ball" that exists?  I used downy ball and loved it in college. 

Is there a reason you don't want to use a Downy ball?  You can just fill it with vinegar instead of fabric softener.

I've been using hydrogen peroxide in place of our dwindling supply of Spray 'n' Wash, and it works very well.  (Test in an inconspicuous area first, but I haven't had it bleach any fabric so far.)  I keep some in a spray bottle to treat stains directly (you need an opaque bottle or the hydrogen peroxide breaks down), and also use it diluted in water to whiten things like washcloths.

I wasn't sure if there was a more eco-friendly alternative to downy balls as I'm assuming they contain BPA.  But at least they will be used often. 

The hydrogen peroxide idea, thanks for the reminder.  I thought I saw an eco-friendly bleach made out of peroxide and water.  Do you mix the water and peroxide before you put it in the laundry?  Not sure if you have a top loader or not.  But if you do mix it before, how many parts water and how many parts peroxide?  And do you use it on whites only or colors as well. 

 Thanks

belovedbride07

thew8isover:

belovedbride07:

thew8isover:

Also regarding vinegar as a fabric softner, we don't have a fabric softner dispenser, which is why we use Tide detergent with fabric softner.  Other than being there when the rinse cycle happens, is there like a green "downy ball" that exists?  I used downy ball and loved it in college. 

Is there a reason you don't want to use a Downy ball?  You can just fill it with vinegar instead of fabric softener.

I've been using hydrogen peroxide in place of our dwindling supply of Spray 'n' Wash, and it works very well.  (Test in an inconspicuous area first, but I haven't had it bleach any fabric so far.)  I keep some in a spray bottle to treat stains directly (you need an opaque bottle or the hydrogen peroxide breaks down), and also use it diluted in water to whiten things like washcloths.

I wasn't sure if there was a more eco-friendly alternative to downy balls as I'm assuming they contain BPA.  But at least they will be used often. 

The hydrogen peroxide idea, thanks for the reminder.  I thought I saw an eco-friendly bleach made out of peroxide and water.  Do you mix the water and peroxide before you put it in the laundry?  Not sure if you have a top loader or not.  But if you do mix it before, how many parts water and how many parts peroxide?  And do you use it on whites only or colors as well. 

 Thanks

Oh, okay, I get what you're asking now.  I've seen people not realize you can use them for vinegar (like they're *magical fabric-softener only balls* or something). 

As a laundry additive, I just pour some in as the washer (top load) is filling, and then I add the laundry.  I would guess maybe 1/8-1/4 cup?  I don't measure it, and I've only done it that way a couple of times, with whites (socks, towels, etc.).  I've used it straight on colored fabric for stain treating more often.

thew8isover

belovedbride07:

thew8isover:

belovedbride07:

thew8isover:

Also regarding vinegar as a fabric softner, we don't have a fabric softner dispenser, which is why we use Tide detergent with fabric softner.  Other than being there when the rinse cycle happens, is there like a green "downy ball" that exists?  I used downy ball and loved it in college. 

Is there a reason you don't want to use a Downy ball?  You can just fill it with vinegar instead of fabric softener.

I've been using hydrogen peroxide in place of our dwindling supply of Spray 'n' Wash, and it works very well.  (Test in an inconspicuous area first, but I haven't had it bleach any fabric so far.)  I keep some in a spray bottle to treat stains directly (you need an opaque bottle or the hydrogen peroxide breaks down), and also use it diluted in water to whiten things like washcloths.

I wasn't sure if there was a more eco-friendly alternative to downy balls as I'm assuming they contain BPA.  But at least they will be used often. 

The hydrogen peroxide idea, thanks for the reminder.  I thought I saw an eco-friendly bleach made out of peroxide and water.  Do you mix the water and peroxide before you put it in the laundry?  Not sure if you have a top loader or not.  But if you do mix it before, how many parts water and how many parts peroxide?  And do you use it on whites only or colors as well. 

 Thanks

Oh, okay, I get what you're asking now.  I've seen people not realize you can use them for vinegar (like they're *magical fabric-softener only balls* or something). 

As a laundry additive, I just pour some in as the washer (top load) is filling, and then I add the laundry.  I would guess maybe 1/8-1/4 cup?  I don't measure it, and I've only done it that way a couple of times, with whites (socks, towels, etc.).  I've used it straight on colored fabric for stain treating more often.

Okay.  thanks