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ProfessorGAC

(76,946 posts)

126. Borax Has Buffering Capability...

Reply to Maraya1969 (Reply #124)

Tue Oct 3, 2023, 05:53 PM

Oct 2023

...in the upper mid pH range. (Around 10.0)
It is used because skin oils have some low pH artifacts that can exchange ions with soap, making the effective concentration go down.
Borax is not a huge safety & health concern in cleaning products. The risk is from ingestion & inhalation, so it's no longer allowed in foods.
As to "natural" soap, there is no other kind. Soap is made by reacting a strong base with a fat or oil. (Those are chemical analogs, but fats come from animals & oils come from plants. The former would be tallow, lard, mutton, the latter being coconut, palm, soybean, corn, and so on.) So in the case of the product you're mentioning, "natural" is a marketing word. There's no other kind of soap.
The process your describing is still susceptible to the lower efficacy & hard water intolerance issues I mentioned earlier.
Basically, I'm objecting to the notion that your home concoction is an effective alternative to synthetic surfactants, though we agree that the mass marketers ought to be pursuing more eco-friendly packaging.

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Please stop buying big plastic bottles of laundry detergent [View all] Maraya1969 Oct 2023 OP

Thank you for this suggestion senseandsensibility Oct 2023 #1

I have bought several different kinds and truthfully I don't see much difference. I found a drying Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #58

You use a dryer??? This is a bit hypocritical. we can do it Oct 2023 #104

Good lord. intheflow Oct 2023 #107

I didn't start the discussion so back off. we can do it Oct 2023 #110

Oh, your vacation home is roomy enough to dry your laundry? intheflow Oct 2023 #115

Small hotel room, no vacation home. What is your problem? we can do it Oct 2023 #116

Thank you. In this day and age any attempt at saving the environment should be applauded Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #118

Gain makes washer sheets. They come in a cardboard box. wnylib Oct 2023 #74

I tried homemade but I couldn't find a combination that didn't make me itch like crazy. Elessar Zappa Oct 2023 #2

Maybe you need a good, natural dryer sheet? Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #59

I bought woolen dryer balls mgardener Oct 2023 #81

Oh I have them too!!! I forgot. But mine are about 4 years old......maybe I am just cheap and Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #99

Air drying should be suggested by person originizing this discussion. we can do it Oct 2023 #102

Dryer sheets are bad for the environment because you cannot recycle them. we can do it Oct 2023 #112

I use CLEAN PEOPLE detergent sheets, made in Canada, they work really well. Meadowoak Oct 2023 #3

Just find some environmental friendly concentrate sheets JCMach1 Oct 2023 #64

You know with the wolen balls I do not have to keep the dryer on that much. I put it on "Less dry" Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #121

My newer washer doesn't have a center agitator, so the balls help keep the agitation going JCMach1 Oct 2023 #127

We just received our first CleanPeople order. ariadne0614 Oct 2023 #76

Right on! We buy Ecos laundry sheets at Costco - link below Goddessartist Oct 2023 #4

Most cat litter also comes in plastic containers. CrispyQ Oct 2023 #5

And milk. It's hard to avoid plastic. wnylib Oct 2023 #75

We have a dairy in N. Indiana that has switched to glass bottles Cheezoholic Oct 2023 #89

WOW. I can't remember the last time that I saw a glass milk bottle. wnylib Oct 2023 #92

The cardboard liquid boxes were also problematic. intheflow Oct 2023 #109

Did not know that. Shit. Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #122

Weight a minute. I am not talking about liquid anything. It is powdered washing soda and borax Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #142

You can buy container milk at Whole Foods. I realize Whole Foods is not for everyone but may Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #119

No Whole Foods anywhere near me. wnylib Oct 2023 #120

Our cats just go outside like the rest of the family.. nt TeamProg Oct 2023 #87

Thank you for that!!!! Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #123

I buy Tide Evo vercetti2021 Oct 2023 #6

I'll Disagree ProfessorGAC Oct 2023 #7

When they say "dish soap", don't they mean "detergent"? sl8 Oct 2023 #17

Lately they have started to call it soap. I looked it up thinking it was marybourg Oct 2023 #51

Yes ProfessorGAC Oct 2023 #56

Thanks for the explanation. Good info. nt sl8 Oct 2023 #61

So that's why Dawn is more expensive than some other dish detergents, such as Ajax.Thanks, Professor raccoon Oct 2023 #133

The Active Ingredients Concentration Is Higher ProfessorGAC Oct 2023 #134

Always learn something from reading PGAC... thanks!! WarGamer Oct 2023 #140

Dish soap is very sudsy. I'd be wary of too many suds causing an overflow. wnylib Oct 2023 #80

As you said, there are options in biodegradable containers MadameButterfly Oct 2023 #18

That's What I Said ProfessorGAC Oct 2023 #57

Thank you for explaining the reasons why this won't work for many of us Hekate Oct 2023 #36

Not quite understanding but is the all natural soap OK. I scrape into thin little pieces and put Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #124

Borax Has Buffering Capability... ProfessorGAC Oct 2023 #126

They advertise that they only use essential oils. That's good right? Plus are you saying that Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #130

I Would Generally Say Yes... ProfessorGAC Oct 2023 #135

Pass. There's plastic-free packaging out there that you can buy Tarc Oct 2023 #8

Borax and washing soda come in cartons, not plastic Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #131

People aren't gonig to have the time or inclination Tarc Oct 2023 #139

Well then call m silly because that's what I do . It's quite easy. Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #141

If it is too confusing for you just buy detergent in boxes. That way you don't have to pretend Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #144

Ok, Wavy Gravy Tarc Oct 2023 #145

Running out of things to say so reducing to ad homonyms eh? Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #146

We use the same recipe as you and it works great! Torchlight Oct 2023 #9

Some water supplies contain dissolved hydrogen carbonate (bicarbonate) ions, which decompose ... eppur_se_muova Oct 2023 #10

I'm not sure I follow but I get the ghist MadameButterfly Oct 2023 #21

If you don't have trouble making suds without the boiling, then it's not needed. eppur_se_muova Oct 2023 #50

Post removed Post removed Oct 2023 #11

You sound like a returnee. Enjoy your very brief stay, Les Samaad Hekate Oct 2023 #13

Sounds serious. Torchlight Oct 2023 #14

I have an HE front-loader washer. It came with the house & I'd like it to last... Hekate Oct 2023 #12

Yes, once hydrogen peroxide is opened marybourg Oct 2023 #16

I would think that the hydrogen peroxide, diluted as it is in this formulation (one cup of a 3%.... RussellCattle Oct 2023 #31

That's another issue. marybourg Oct 2023 #35

I'd worry about it leeching color from clothing, or wnylib Oct 2023 #83

There is HE powdered detergent. Tide makes it. boston bean Oct 2023 #54

We all need to be mindful snowybirdie Oct 2023 #15

I congratulate the poster who was doing all this before MadameButterfly Oct 2023 #22

The other good option if you've got a good bulk store near you is bring your own container meadowlander Oct 2023 #97

What is "dish soap"? marybourg Oct 2023 #19

I used the wrong word. I get environmentally friendly soaps from Etsy and that is what I use Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #125

Have you noticed that there is less and less shelf space for POWDERED laundry soap no_hypocrisy Oct 2023 #20

yes, and the trend is toward plastic. MadameButterfly Oct 2023 #24

Glad to see this! Mossfern Oct 2023 #26

Costco carries powdered detergent, I believe. I took a quick look at their online warehouse... Hekate Oct 2023 #41

Great. I'm hooked on powdered Tide and there isn't any. no_hypocrisy Oct 2023 #68

What I was first in FL I found out that Publix would order pretty much anything you wanted Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #62

I've been trying to buy only powdered detergent in cardboard boxes. Sky Jewels Oct 2023 #72

I switched back to powder in the card board box a couple years ago. boston bean Oct 2023 #23

Those of us who are aware are a small minority MadameButterfly Oct 2023 #25

I'm aware, I just can't use powdered. Elessar Zappa Oct 2023 #30

Maybe we should take a hint from the anti-abortionists and protest in front of the stores with pictu Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #132

Where do you get it? Mossfern Oct 2023 #29

I have found it at the supermarket in smaller boxes. boston bean Oct 2023 #46

I get it delivered from Amazon and then I put it mixed in a big tub. Scrapping the soap in it fun Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #143

+1 I never left the card board box. ChazII Oct 2023 #37

I feel like powdered detergent cleans better, too Iris Oct 2023 #106

This sounds like a great project pinkstarburst Oct 2023 #27

Maybe for those who retire early and in good health. marybourg Oct 2023 #38

Agree. Let me amend my post pinkstarburst Oct 2023 #40

I was at the check out line at Whole Foods the other day Mossfern Oct 2023 #28

I got that beat. I never launder clothes, when they get to the point where they can Chainfire Oct 2023 #32

We have tried the Earthwash brand of detergent sheets and found... 3catwoman3 Oct 2023 #33

We use sheets and have not had that issue edisdead Oct 2023 #49

Years ago, in seventh grade science class (so 1959) we learned about a new product that was... RussellCattle Oct 2023 #34

Going to try this malaise Oct 2023 #39

Guidance on better choices can be seen on the EWG site. vanlassie Oct 2023 #42

While every little bit might help some, until changes are made at an system-wide level... Silent3 Oct 2023 #43

you do it to help start trends edisdead Oct 2023 #52

I get the trend-starting thing Silent3 Oct 2023 #55

Quite true edisdead Oct 2023 #63

I started a mini trend on this thread. People are going to try something new. I realize that there Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #65

nobody does market research better than Proctor & Gamble. If you stop buying - they know. TomDaisy Oct 2023 #73

Started using sheets a couple weeks ago. LuvLoogie Oct 2023 #44

Also blueland dishwasher pods edisdead Oct 2023 #47

Oh shoot also don't forget edisdead Oct 2023 #48

We started buying sheets a long time ago edisdead Oct 2023 #45

Borax is not "environmentally friendly..." hunter Oct 2023 #53

Thanks for this information. I'll go back to the sheets by an environmentally friendly source. Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #69

I agree. I use just a small amt of liquid detergent. LeftInTX Oct 2023 #79

I buy the big tide plastic tubs. jimfields33 Oct 2023 #60

I don't have time to make detergent, but the sheets are interesting. SYFROYH Oct 2023 #66

I've always used powdered in cardboard boxes Raine Oct 2023 #67

While we're at it, check out Dr Tung's smart floss. No plastic container mahina Oct 2023 #70

a million reasons not to buy that blue goo. I don't. TomDaisy Oct 2023 #71

Check out Dropps.com moreland01 Oct 2023 #77

No. n/t elocs Oct 2023 #78

Okay, I just ordered Fragrance Free sheets from Clean People. Now please stop driving, it's TeamProg Oct 2023 #82

Stop driving? I take your point, but how am I supposed to buy what we need? Oopsie Daisy Oct 2023 #101

What's the point of adding the hydrogen peroxide? jmowreader Oct 2023 #84

Laundry detergent used to come as a powder in a cardboard box. Aussie105 Oct 2023 #85

My Grandma moniss Oct 2023 #86

Can't stand Rebl2 Oct 2023 #88

White vinegar only. Also brightens colors. No smell. Cheap. cbabe Oct 2023 #90

My grandmother made all her own soap Warpy Oct 2023 #91

The recycler for my township takes most plastics. roamer65 Oct 2023 #93

I think the big question is what happens to the plastic after it leaves the recycling center. sl8 Oct 2023 #105

I am doing my part. roamer65 Oct 2023 #108

Agree. We subscribe to getting detergent sheets every month. nt wiggs Oct 2023 #94

I miss the days of commercial powder in cardboard boxes. KentuckyWoman Oct 2023 #95

Nothing is worse for our planet than car-dependent infrastructure. Yavin4 Oct 2023 #96

I only buy "small" plastic bottles of laundry detergent... DemocraticPatriot Oct 2023 #98

Consumer Reports rates the sheet-style laundry detergent at the BOTTOM. The worst! Oopsie Daisy Oct 2023 #100

Very interesting, thank you. Do they also compare powdered detergents? nt sl8 Oct 2023 #103

I double checked the info at the links, and it seems not. Oopsie Daisy Oct 2023 #113

OK, thanks for checking. nt sl8 Oct 2023 #114

The last time you were in Portugal, were you able to find powdered detergent in the stores there? mahatmakanejeeves Oct 2023 #111

Could you just use a dry mixture. trof Oct 2023 #117

Yes, they still sell dry laundry detergent Mariana Oct 2023 #137

You misunderstand me. trof Oct 2023 #138

You know what's even better? llmart Oct 2023 #128

I've read that too and I try to do it. Also the clothes last much longer Maraya1969 Oct 2023 #129

What bothers me even more with regard to plastic and environmental waste... llmart Oct 2023 #136