Homemade laundry detergent supplies getting more scarce?

sdnapier · #1 02/14/13, 08:22 PM

Hi All, don't know if this is in the right forum but I was in 2 different grocery stores today looking for washing soda and borax. One store has discontinued stocking Borax and the other only had 3 boxes. One store did have washing soda but the other didn't even have a place for it so I assume they don't stock it.

Has anyone else noticed this? I live in a city and maybe there isn't much call for it here?

Thoughts?

Vosey · #2 02/14/13, 08:47 PM

Yes! Stores often have one or the other or none! I just found Borax on Amazon for about $20 for 4 boxes, but backordered. Please ask for it, I think there is a big resurgence for these products but the stores are slow about catching on.

Fels Naptha is also impossible to find, I order it on Amazon as well. I might add our UPS driver said "Amazon is the Walmart of the internet". I purposely haven't been in a Walmart in 10 years, uh oh.

nostawmama · #3 02/14/13, 08:51 PM

Fortunately our walmart carries both!

CaliannG · #4 02/14/13, 09:06 PM

"Washing Soda" is actually just soda ash, the dense kind.

http://sodaashdirect.com/buy-sodium-...e.html#sadense

There, and cheaper then you will find it at the grocery store!

Another option is to ask for it in pool supply places. It is used as a water softener and de-scaler.

Oh, here is a place where you can buy sodium borate (Borax):

http://www.cqconcepts.com/chem_sodiumborate.php

You might also check your local pool supply place for that as well, as it is used as a pH buffer in pools...or check your local welding supply, as it is often used as a flux.

You will find that many of these places are cheaper than buying it by the 2 lb box at the grocery store.

opportunity · #5 02/14/13, 10:16 PM

I had to wait for the next shipment went I went to buy mine. We don't have pools here so i might have to buy online next time

Vosey · #6 02/14/13, 10:28 PM

Thanks CaliannG!

pumpkinlady · #7 02/15/13, 06:33 AM

There are less places carrying them around here also. I have found that they are more available in areas where there are Amish though. It is hit and miss on Fels Napa. When I see it I buy 6-8 bars at a time.

Explorer · #8 02/15/13, 06:54 AM

My local IGA store carries all three and has them in stock. It is in a small town of about 4000 in a sparsely populated area.

homemaid · #9 02/15/13, 07:01 AM

I have not noticed there being a shortage here in Muchigan....

tentance · #10 02/15/13, 07:20 AM

they have the ingredients at publix, down here. also if you cant find fels naptha you can use ivory. the ladies in the soapmaking forum frequently use their homemade barsoap in their detergent!

Miss Kay · #11 02/15/13, 07:28 AM

I've not made this but interested. Once you buy the ingredients, is it still cheaper than just buying the detergent? Also, how does it compare in getting things clean and how's the smell?

MattyD · #12 02/15/13, 07:28 AM

-The only shortage we had was about 4-6 months ago when our supplier was out for a while. But we've been fully stocked ever since on those three...

L8R,
Matt

Vosey · #13 02/15/13, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Kay

I've not made this but interested. Once you buy the ingredients, is it still cheaper than just buying the detergent? Also, how does it compare in getting things clean and how's the smell?

Way cheaper! For me, it is under .01 cents a load compared to .20. But that is using pricey dye and fragrance free liquid from our closest store which is a lot more expensive than Target or Walmart.

It works as well or better than the pricey stuff, but honestly I think Tide or Arm & Hammer with the fragrance works best, I just can't stand the smell!

Search in the soap making thread and you'll find a number of discussions. Lots of recipes online.

Becka03 · #14 02/15/13, 08:24 AM

huh- our local store carries Borax and Fels- the other carries the Washing Soda- but I can always get the Fels at the Amish store too-

"SPIKE" · #15 02/15/13, 08:45 AM

http://www.ruralking.com/

The local rural king store has it. I'm not sure where all they have stores. I do not think they are in VA. There is a store locator map if you follow the above link.
I'm sure you could order it, but I do not know for sure about their shipping. I think shipping is free if you buy $100. I hate shopping on line unless it is something I am familiar with.

Price is right, if you do not mind spending a little time to mix it up. Works well for me.

SPIKE

Saffron · #16 02/15/13, 09:37 AM

If your store has stopped carrying it you can ask them to special order it. You would probably need the UPC from each different item to make it easier for them to look it up, but they can special order it for you - it doesn't cost extra and they will call you when it comes in and hold it for you too.

sdnapier · #17 02/15/13, 10:37 AM

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the answers and options. What a wonderful group!!

CaliannG · #18 02/15/13, 02:48 PM

I *used* to make my own laundry detergent. Then I discovered that the two main Mexican brands were made of:

sodium carbonate (washing soda)
borax (sodium borate)
And non-additive soap flakes. (No phosphates)

At $7 for a 11 lb bag, it came out cheaper than the equivalent ingredients to make my own, even getting them at the pool supply place.

So now, I just buy cheap, Made-in-Mexico laundry detergent as those are the ones that have the same ingredients as what I would make for myself, and they are cheaper than what I would make myself.

unregistered65598 · #19 02/15/13, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saffron

If your store has stopped carrying it you can ask them to special order it. You would probably need the UPC from each different item to make it easier for them to look it up, but they can special order it for you - it doesn't cost extra and they will call you when it comes in and hold it for you too.

Also make sure you ask if they give a discount for buying the case. We do at our store.

Pittypat · #20 02/15/13, 05:31 PM

CaliannG, please share the names of the Mexican soaps. Thanks!