The HE Debate

One of the most intriguing ideas bouncing around the internet is the notion of homemade laundry detergent. The Duggars promote it on their show posted atop their recipe for Tater Tot Casserole. Frugal families all over the country are cooking up their own batch of liquid "gel" detergent. Others, that wince at the notion of a giant bucket of goo inhabiting their laundry rooms, blend up some powdered laundry soaps in their Cuisinarts. They display the powder in vintage mason jars tied with coordinating ribbons and place them strategically where others will see the efforts of their inner Martha Stewart. The common theme is the cost savings. Homemade detergent works out to a $.01 a load. There is blog after blog singing the praises of homemade and offering tips on where to find the ever elusive Washing Soda.

I got caught up in the hype and made up a batch of soap specifically for laundry. I made it 100% saponified, or very close to it, and set it out to dry. I tried making up the gel that seems so popular but mine never quite turned into gel and I was not quite sure what to do with the giant bucket of odd looking water. What if my dog drank it? I'm nothing if not a kitchen chemist so I dumped it down the drain and chalked it up to experimentation. After all, I have 9 bars left with which to experiment.

The Tide bottle was just about empty and I was ready to make another attempt. This time I set my sights on powdered detergent. This week was insanely busy with dance recitals, dress rehearsals, a sick dog which took us to the vet several times, my dad in town, and then the usual homeschool day to day. I figured I would wait until after this all ended to make my laundry soap.

Did I mention my dad is an appliance repairman? He started his business to save enough money to pay for my birth. That was over 30 years ago and he is well respected in the DC area for his integrity and honesty. He was the one I called when my Maytag frontloader finally washed it's last load. He said buy a Whirlpool so we bought a Whirlpool. It was not cheap but I do love the machine. While he was here, he looked at my machine and said "DON'T use anything but HE detergent". I don't know if he noticed my guilty look, but he continued saying that it will ruin the pump if I use other laundry soap. I didn't have the courage to ask if homemade soap would be ok. I envisioned him passing out from the horror.

So here is my predicament, how many loads would I have to do for a $.01 to make up for killing the $200 pump in my washing machine? Is it worth it and how would I explain to my dad why I need a new pump? Maybe I will only wash a few loads a week with homemade and do the rest with HE. What is an eco-friendly laundry lady to do?