Comments on Hazeltree Farm: Home made laundry powder and home made laundry liq...

I am utterly shocked to learn this about Borax and...

2012-01-08T07:17:41.921+13:00

I am utterly shocked to learn this about Borax and I thank you for enlightening me today! Here, I thought I was making a natural laundry soap that was inexpensive and healthy...and I've been poisoning my family and environment!
UGH! I use fels-naptha as the grating soap...is THAT safe/ok?
Also, it was my understanding that it was the Borax which was acting as the whitening/cleaning agent in the homemade soap...for "washing soda", I use Arm n Hammer Washing Soda...do you think that will do the job without the Borax? I appreciate your help very much!

Hi Desi - Thanks for writing. I'm envious of y...

2011-11-24T09:47:31.552+13:00

Hi Desi - Thanks for writing. I'm envious of your warmer weather!

Just make sure you grate the soap *really* finely. From the feedback I've received, the only problems people have had has been when they haven't grated it finely enough, and they've ended up with a grey soupy mess instead of soap!

You need a really high surface area to volume ratio (i.e. grate it finely) so the soap dissolves well.

Cheers,

Leanne.

Dear Leanne, Thank you for your post on making yo...

2011-11-24T05:09:09.577+13:00

Dear Leanne,

Thank you for your post on making your own Laundry Powder and Liquid. I am trying to go green and this is my next step. I've also written down your 'Liquid Soap' for general cleaning. I plan on making some and sharing with my family in hopes of getting them on the green wagon :~)

The real purpose for writing to you is to say thanks for your note on not adding Borax. I've been searching for recipes and have been uncomfortable with the fact that most have it added. I agree with you, Natural or Not...Toxic is just that...Toxic.

I'm going to try your recipes and I am pretty sure they will be fabulous. I'll have to grate soap bars instead of flakes. I live on a small island in the Caribbean an some incredients are not easily accesible.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Create a wonderful day!!

Desi ~ Antigua, West Indies

Hi Kat - Yeah, I had no idea about borax either, u...

2011-10-21T08:46:50.554+13:00

Hi Kat - Yeah, I had no idea about borax either, until a friend of mine (who studies chemistry) told me, and I looked it up.

It's a good example of how, just because something is natural or has been used for a long time, we shouldn't automatically assume it is safe. I mean, people used to drink out of lead mugs and use lead paint on toys as a standard too, but I wouldn't even consider doing that now - we know better! (Thank goodness).

Borax is, thankfully, becoming harder to obtain - I think it is an ingredient for bomb-making, or something, so governments are restricting sales (like fertilisers bought in bulk). Probably a good thing!

Dear Leanne, I really really like your blog and wh...

2011-10-21T05:14:23.117+13:00

Dear Leanne, I really really like your blog and when you wrote about why you like to live in a small town I said wow, that's just the way I would like to live. This is a first time I'm leaving a comment here though.
I had no idea borax was dangerous too, it's a shame - it has a reputation as safe and biodegradable. I also never thought of using those little silica pouches to prevent washing soda from cakeing - I will definitely try it :)
Have a nice day.

Kat, from Manchester UK