What are you cooking today?

[achookwoman]

Bedlam,  I make CP's washing powder, it is great.  All our waste water eventually goes on to the garden so I like to know what is in it.  Not on to the veggies but the trees.

[tarasis]

A cold virus, have been since Sunday.

[judydawn]

Yes Denise, this one

This works extremely well for me - make up 2 x batches to keep you going (see note below):

1 x Velvet (or pure) soap, roughly chopped
1/2 x Sard (or stain removing) soap, roughly chopped
200g Borax
315g Washing Soda

Blitz soap for approx 5 seconds on Speed 7.
Blitz all ingredients together on Speed 7 for approx 10-20 seconds until it is evenly combined.
Use 2 x heaped tablespoons per wash.

Note: do not double mix as the weight places too much stress on the blades, and it will wear them down (learnt from experience). Just make as many batches as you wish.

I haven't used it for a while, got lazy and just bought it but I came across all the ingredients in the laundry this week and decided it was time to make a batch and a bit.

[Bedlam]

Judy,
They are the ingred I have ready, just need to use up this big box.
Do you have a front loader?
Thanks Chookie

[CreamPuff63]

isn't it funny, I liked to be talked about nowadays 

[Cuilidh]

What are the repurcussions of using borax on the garden as I believe it is poisonous?  Is it a problem with cleaning the bowl - I would imagine you would have to be extra fussy afterwards because of that?  Just referring back to a current post in the Hints and Tips for New Owners thread, would it be wise to use glad wrap between your lid and the jug so that you can protect the lid and seal from the borax?

I'm just wondering now .... am I being paranoid?

[achookwoman]

Marina,  I use 1 small scoop every 2 days in a front loader.  The washing water is add to our grey water Taylex system which hold water in a large tank and then sprays it on to the lawn and trees.  I use several rinses after making the powder .  Like Judy I make 1/2 batches.

[Bedlam]

isn't it funny, I liked to be talked about nowadays 

With love CP x

[andiesenji]

What are the repurcussions of using borax on the garden as I believe it is poisonous?  Is it a problem with cleaning the bowl - I would imagine you would have to be extra fussy afterwards because of that?  Just referring back to a current post in the Hints and Tips for New Owners thread, would it be wise to use glad wrap between your lid and the jug so that you can protect the lid and seal from the borax?

I'm just wondering now .... am I being paranoid?

A small amount of borax is good for gardens - it is also helpful in limiting pests, such as nematodes and grubs, not to mention fleas. 
Where I live there is a high percentage of borax in the soil naturally.  Amending the local sandy soil with compost, loam and so on, produces soil that is great for raising almost anything. 
After a heavy rain and the natural soil dries, you can see white patches here and there and that is borax and other salts that have been dissolved out of the soil and then dried. 

The stuff is mined not far from my home from this big pit mine just outside Boron, CA


Here's a map showing it.  My house is the red dot, the mine is the blue dot.


The folks in California City get a lot of borax-laden dust blown in and there are some spectacular gardens in that town. 

[Halex]

I have never thought about making washing powder. Is it much cheaper? Does it clean grotty boys clothes?

I use omo matic for a front loader and i find that gets most of his stains off.
H

[judydawn]

Denise, I have a top loader so use 2 tblspns per load.

Marina, I used to mix it all together including the borax but now I put that in my plastic container and just blitz everything else then add it to the container and mix it through by hand and then shaking the container. It's easier than then being very particular with the washing of the bowl.

CP, people become stars on this forum - how cool is that

Andie, what would we do without your knowledge 

Hally, I don't have a grotty boy, our clothes are pretty clean so I'll leave that question up to young Mums with kids to answer.

[judydawn]

MJ's CWA Lemon Butter,
Joy's lemon cordial and
Mango Kulfi - didn't have enough cream so topped it up with yoghurt.

[fundj&e]

You have been busy today JD

[judydawn]

The things you do when you don't need food, you look for other things to make. I didn't have to go to the shop once either Uni, had everything on tap including free lemons from next door.

[cookie1]

Bedlam I use the washing powder in a front loader. About 2 tablespoons the same.