For the older folks on here..

therunbunch · #1 09/26/12, 05:34 PM

Question for you guys, would you turn up your nose to a jar of homemade laundry detergent?

My children and I will be working on our elderly neighbors' Harvest Baskets this weekend and I was considering on making a batch of homemade laundry detergent to put in them.

I try to keep everything handmade/homemade in these and they really enjoy them.. but I don't know about detergent? I use the borax recipe and make liquid detergent. It's great on towels & jeans even if you don't care for it for all your laundry and the scent is so mild as opposed to some overwhelming market brands. But I realize that they may have sensitive skin or other concerns so that's why I'm asking. Would you keep it or toss it?

In this season's basket we're putting:

Crafts the kids have been working on
Homemade canned apple jam
Homemade pumpkin spice cookies
Fresh mini-banana breads
Harvest candle
Candy corn in tiny tin pails
Fresh picked apples from the local apple farm
and probably a few more things as I finalize the plans.

Anything else you think should absolutely make the list?

wolfwalkerpa · #2 09/26/12, 05:43 PM

If 70 counts as older lol would love it. at home mom washed with home made lye soap. Your doing a very nice thing.

Lairvine · #3 09/26/12, 05:44 PM

That is such a wonderful idea!!!

Horseyrider · #4 09/26/12, 05:52 PM

I think a lot depends on the kind of washing machine they have. I have an HE machine and cannot use most homemade soap, but I'm always so touched to get homemade or handmade items I think I'd use it for hand washing.

I love your idea! I'm barely into the senior years (57) and can buy pretty much whatever I need. But getting something made by hand is so special, because I feel like someone was thinking of me while they made my gift. Good energy is included, and it's precious to me.

sss3 · #5 09/26/12, 05:56 PM

No, I wouldn't. Good idea.

emdeengee · #6 09/26/12, 06:00 PM

I would keep it in but maybe print out some instructions. Include the ingredients. A lot of people just don't think that homemade cleaners work which is funny since that is all we had originally. Older folks might have already experienced homemade so it may not be a surprise to them.

grannygardner · #7 09/26/12, 06:12 PM

I'm well past 70 and would love getting homemade soap as a gift. I agree with listing the ingredients and how much to use in a load of clothes.

oldmania · #8 09/26/12, 06:12 PM

I never turn up my nose at a gift. Having said that, the laundry soap is of a more practical nature than the other items in the baskets. I like emdeengee's idea of a list of ingredients and instructions. What a generous and neighborly thing to do!

Trixie · #9 09/26/12, 06:13 PM

I'm 71, and I would.

I think whether or not it works depends on the water. I made some at our home in Central Texas and just wasn't pleased with it. It was stored in empty detergent bottles and I just gathered all of them to bring here to our son's place in NE Texas.

It works like a charm here. I'm out and I just bought stuff to make more.

So if it works for you, it will probably work for them and yes, I'd love to have some.

backwoods · #10 09/26/12, 06:15 PM

What a wonderfully kind idea! I would think the things you are gifting would be appreciated very much, including the laundry soap. I would probably write (in large print) some instructions, such as how much to use & about it not sudsing up like store bought, even though it cleans even better. I think they'll love it!

pamda · #11 09/26/12, 06:34 PM

Maybe leave out the candle,if they are on O2 they aren't supposed to have open flames. I would love to get homemade deterget and most any other homemade anything..very nice thing to do by the way.

calliemoonbeam · #12 09/26/12, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backwoods

What a wonderfully kind idea! I would think the things you are gifting would be appreciated very much, including the laundry soap. I would probably write (in large print) some instructions, such as how much to use & about it not sudsing up like store bought, even though it cleans even better. I think they'll love it!

I was going to recommend this too, lol, especially the non-sudsing part, or they might think there's something wrong with it, and they might also think they have to use a full cup like regular detergent.

I have sensitive skin, and I can use the homemade soap as long as there's not a ton of Oxi-Clean and if a gentle bar soap is used. I couldn't find Fels Naphtha one time and tried to substitute Zote (which was recommended online), but I had a reaction to that, and hated the smell too. I'm not crazy about the smell of Felt Naptha either, but can deal with it. I scent mine, but again without knowing their sensitivities that's probably not a good idea.

I think it's a great idea and very thoughtful. I would expect most younger generations to turn up their noses (other than us homesteaders, lol), but I think older folks would really appreciate it.

Jan in CO · #13 09/26/12, 08:20 PM

I second the YES for the detergent with directions in a good sized print. If they don't want the candles, they can regift them. The rest of the items sound wonderful and I'm sure will be much appreciated!

SageLady · #14 09/26/12, 09:34 PM

I personally wouldn't want the detergent. I have sensitive skin and only have one kind of detergent that I can use without a problem. Alot of folks couldn't use it in the new HE machines either.

Homemade stuff is wonderful though. I love candles myself, but point well taken if someone is on oxygen. Any homemade edible goodies is best I think. Alot of older folks don't or can't cook or bake as much as they used to and really enjoy those! Speaking from experience.

And I wanted to add - that is SO NICE of you to be doing that!

Country Lady · #15 09/26/12, 10:54 PM

This is a very thoughtful kind thing you're doing and you are teaching your children the joy of giving. I'm 68 and I make my own detergent, but I make the dry kind. Even if someone might be allergic, there's always other things to be washed like throw rugs, pet bedding, etc. Wow, I'm sure they will feel very special to receive one of you baskets.

soulsurvivor · #16 09/27/12, 01:23 AM

STOP and consider that you're gifting a basket of mostly edible foods. I love the idea of homemade laundry detergent included in a basket of similar cleaning products, but would hesitate to include it in a basket of homemade food items.

DH and I are 62 and love anything homemade because of the thought and care behind it. I think what you're teaching your children is so important and I'm really glad for the future world they will live within.

therunbunch · #17 09/27/12, 07:04 AM

Thanks for the feedback. Lots of good things to think about.

No one is on O2 anymore, sadly one of gentlemen's wives was but she passed away Dec. We've gotten to know our older friends and cherish them so much! I know what types of drinks/foods that some of them like, and I know our "grumpy" neighbor does NOT like sweet stuff so anything I make for him I cut sugar/salt/sodium.

I think I'll give it a try. I always label everything along with the ingredients just in case there's something in it that they could be allergic to or just plain don't like. I know when they are older like that (everyone in our gifting group is over 75) the tummy can be a bit more sensitive than it used to be and certain things can definitely cause more upset than when we were younger.

This is one of the things we look forward to every season! We do a Harvest, Christmas, Spring, and Summer basket every year for all of them. Our list has grown from 4 to 7 as we've met more people and it's just so much fun and makes us feel really good. I know they appreciate it too.

I will post pictures again when they are done! Thank you guys for your feedback!

Yvonne's hubby · #18 09/27/12, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulsurvivor

STOP and consider that you're gifting a basket of mostly edible foods. I love the idea of homemade laundry detergent included in a basket of similar cleaning products, but would hesitate to include it in a basket of homemade food items.

DH and I are 62 and love anything homemade because of the thought and care behind it. I think what you're teaching your children is so important and I'm really glad for the future world they will live within.

This was the first thing that came to mind for me too.... its a great idea but make sure its labeled really well.... wouldnt want any confusion and find it on someones ice cream or in their coffee.

Ohio dreamer · #19 09/27/12, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horseyrider

I think a lot depends on the kind of washing machine they have. I have an HE machine and cannot use most homemade soap, but I'm always so touched to get homemade or handmade items I think I'd use it for hand washing.
.

?? I have an HE machine and I've never used store bought soap in it. Mine works great with homemade soap!

meanwhile · #20 09/27/12, 10:38 AM

I would love it in a gift basket but would want to know the ingredients so maybe put it on a tag. And the instructions about how to use it.

Lotion is always a good gift basket item. And my Mother-in-Law used to love those little packets of wet wipes.