Laundry

Laundry has always been the worst for me. Even as a child I remember laundry on the sofa because no one had time to do it. When we did it was an all day event. Taking days afterward to fold. It really was terrible now that I look back when the laundry was always backed up and it was just Philip and I. Yes today I understand why he dropped his jaw when I told him I couldn't keep up on my own, and wouldn't be doing his any longer. Our new home we set a goal to keep up on it. Philip always has done the laundry to keep it up, at times it was only washed because he did it. I have been successful, not a complete turnaround each day but there is a basket holding most of it.
We purchased the Samsung front loading heavy duty machines with pedestals. The set was part of a package deal we did on appliances at APPLIANCE LIQUIDATORS. I wanted LG products after living in Europe. We knew we wanted a gas dryer after dealing with electric ones in base housing for years. It worked out well for us. The pedestals are useless except for added height. I can actually do the laundry and remember it because it bells or plays a chiming tune when finished. So all these years I should have been using a timer...then I would never have forgotten a load. hahahaha

We haven't been happy with the laundry detergent we have been trying out. It is gooey and in Europe they have the same machines but you have much thinner consistancy in the washing fluid. It has something to do with the proteins they add. In the front loading machines the washer will "sour" over time. My dad has had one for years and there is no explaination why his would smell. Which they had warned me about and sent me off thinking how to prevent this in my new machines.
So this week I am going to order the ingredients to make my own. Several sites list different rememdies to take the smell from the washer but all say the same the drain hoses become clogged by the proteins of the other washing detergent. So I am going to not only save money but keep my new machine clean of smells.
Here is what I have found at the link http://www.stretcher.com/stories/09/09sep21a.cfm
"

You can Google for homemade soap recipes. I make a powdered version with 1 bar of Fels Naphtha and 2 or 3 bars of deodorant soap (Walgreens® 3/$1 works great!), 1 to 2 cups 20 mule team borax and 1 to 2 cups baking soda. You can also add a cup of an OxiClean® if you do a lot of very dirty laundry, but for most laundry, it works great without it.

Slice the bar soap with a paring knife as you would a chunk of cheese and then put it in the food processor to chop it fine. With a damp cloth on the open edge of the feed chute, add the dry powders and process in short bursts. This makes enough soap for approximately 25 loads, using the smaller measurements. Use 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of detergent per load, placing the powder in the detergent cup. Use hot or warm water to make sure the soap dissolves completely if you do not grind the soap finely in a food processor. Store airtight; an empty ice cream pail works great. If clothes are very dirty, add a little more soap. It will not create foam/suds in quantity but you will be amazed how clean your laundry will be."

Ace Hardware carries it all. I think at first I am going to leave out the deodorant soap but add OXIclean. Carson has sensitive skin so we will see if it bothers him. I am thinking this may be a cheesy but great homemade Christmas gift for my parents who never need anything.