Best Detergent for Sink Laundry?
#16
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS
Posts: 3,534
I used them on my last trip. I ended up using about 6 sheets per sinkful so you may not get a full 10 loads out of a packet. But I would expect that if you were doing laundry every night for a week you'll have more than enough. One hint is to make sure your hands are dry when you handle them. You don't want to wet the rest of the sheets. I found they do about as good a job as a packet of Woolite would have done.
My sink laundry is generally not severely soiled, if it is I will rinse any large particles out before dumping the item into the sink so the cleaning agent can just work the sweat and other nastiness out of the item.
#17
Join Date: May 2008
Location: LAX
Posts: 209
I used them on my last trip. I ended up using about 6 sheets per sinkful so you may not get a full 10 loads out of a packet. But I would expect that if you were doing laundry every night for a week you'll have more than enough. One hint is to make sure your hands are dry when you handle them. You don't want to wet the rest of the sheets. I found they do about as good a job as a packet of Woolite would have done.
#18
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
For sink washing, as for any textile washing, the main thing is agitation of the clothes. Knead them, squeeze them, put'em through the wringer so to say. Just letting them soak will not clean them well. You need to break up the fiber, make the fiber surface larger, to allow the water to wash out the dirt and the detergent to bond to the dirt. That is the function of the detergent. It is not there to get the dirt out (it does that, too) but to bind the dirt and prevent it from getting back onto your garments that are now in dirty water.
Till
Till
#19
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,731
If you want the simplest solution, try using a bar of Ivory soap for your hand washables. Rub it on a section of the item, and also against any really dirty spots, then rub the cloth against other sections of the item, and do this until pretty much all of it has been "worked" with some of the soap. (note: you're only applying soap during the first rub, except for "stain removal"). Rinse well with tepid water.
My Mom used Ivory soap for both hand washables and dishwashing her whole life, and it seemed to work just fine, including on my Dad's cashmere sweaters. Me, I'm lazier , and prefer Woolite to the rubbing.
My Mom used Ivory soap for both hand washables and dishwashing her whole life, and it seemed to work just fine, including on my Dad's cashmere sweaters. Me, I'm lazier , and prefer Woolite to the rubbing.
#20
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 126
I tried the Laundry "sheets" and found them to be a little too floral for me, a little too much of a "girly" smell.
To "agitate" my clothes during hand washing, I bring along a 2 gallon zip lock bag.
I put my clothes inside the bag, add water, detergent, and let them soak for a few minutes. Then I shake the bag for a few minutes . pour out the water, rinse the clothes and hang them up to dry.
To "agitate" my clothes during hand washing, I bring along a 2 gallon zip lock bag.
I put my clothes inside the bag, add water, detergent, and let them soak for a few minutes. Then I shake the bag for a few minutes . pour out the water, rinse the clothes and hang them up to dry.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
I certainly do agree about using a 2 gallon size Zip-Loc bag for hand washing items when traveling. It is a must if your sink doesn't hold water!
Try any method you are thinking for using for travel at home a few times before you have to depend on it on the road.
Try any method you are thinking for using for travel at home a few times before you have to depend on it on the road.
#22
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Programs: UA 2P, AA LT Gold, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,159
#23
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Kettle, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,434
Your description of the scent has told me to stay away from the sheets. I'm pretty sensitive to scents on my clothes. I guess I'll stick to CampSuds. I've used them since I started backpacking way back in the 70s. Cleans clothes, dishes, hands, body. It's drawback is that it is a liquid. I'll have to pour some into a smaller bottle to make it within the 3-1-1 guidelines and hope it doesn't leak...
#24
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
I use shampoo as well. Don't use a highly perfumed one.
Woolite is (or at least used to be) just linear alkylbenzene sulfonate in water. Any of the typical anionic surfactants will work and work well. Sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium lauryl ether sulfate are the ones typically used in shampoo or LDLs (light duty liquids, or hand dish detergent). For that matter, the only major difference between shampoo and hand dish detergent is the perfumes.
Liquid hand soap is not soap and could also be used. A bit foamy so may require extra rinsing. They are typically based on alpha olefin sulfonates and or betaines.
About the only thing you wouldn't want to use is machine dish detergent. Even liquid tide can be used in a pinch, very dilute. But if you are looking for mild it is best to avoid the products with alkaline "builders" (phosphates, sodium carbonate, etc)
Woolite is (or at least used to be) just linear alkylbenzene sulfonate in water. Any of the typical anionic surfactants will work and work well. Sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium lauryl ether sulfate are the ones typically used in shampoo or LDLs (light duty liquids, or hand dish detergent). For that matter, the only major difference between shampoo and hand dish detergent is the perfumes.
Liquid hand soap is not soap and could also be used. A bit foamy so may require extra rinsing. They are typically based on alpha olefin sulfonates and or betaines.
About the only thing you wouldn't want to use is machine dish detergent. Even liquid tide can be used in a pinch, very dilute. But if you are looking for mild it is best to avoid the products with alkaline "builders" (phosphates, sodium carbonate, etc)
I think there are three factors that need to be considered for hand washing clothes:
1. How well does it clean?
2. How good or bad is it for the textiles?
3. How well does it rinse?
Could you elaborate a little bit on available products, on how they perform in these categories, please? I am thinking of Woolite, Shower gel, camp suds, normal shampoo, shampoo with conditioner (2-in-1).
Thanks,
Till
#25
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: St. Lucie West,FL/Las Vegas,NV
Posts: 277
1 crushed bar of "Fels Naptha Bar Soap"
1/4 cup of "Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda"
1 cup "20 Mule Team Borax"
Mix it all together and use sparingly. Keep moist with "Club Soda" if possible. That will pretty much clean whatever oopsy might occur.
1/4 cup of "Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda"
1 cup "20 Mule Team Borax"
Mix it all together and use sparingly. Keep moist with "Club Soda" if possible. That will pretty much clean whatever oopsy might occur.
#26
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 545
This is all far too complicated. A small bar of pure gycerine soap is all you need to clean silk stuff without having to worry.
That said, in this day and age an illiterate $5-an-hour TSA will probably confuse "glycerin" with "nitroglycerin" when he or she asks you whats in your bag.
Pure glycerine soap is easy to find an any health store. I think Pears soap is one of the oldest and most widely distributed in supermarkets and such, but last I checked on the label Pears have put other stuff in it and it isnt pure glycerin anymore in there. But is maybe close enough if you dont want to do the work to find the real thing. I think Dr Bronners may also be pure glycerin.
That said, in this day and age an illiterate $5-an-hour TSA will probably confuse "glycerin" with "nitroglycerin" when he or she asks you whats in your bag.
Pure glycerine soap is easy to find an any health store. I think Pears soap is one of the oldest and most widely distributed in supermarkets and such, but last I checked on the label Pears have put other stuff in it and it isnt pure glycerin anymore in there. But is maybe close enough if you dont want to do the work to find the real thing. I think Dr Bronners may also be pure glycerin.
#27
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DTW
Programs: AC*SE, NW*Plat, Hilton-Diamond
Posts: 61
No rinse?
I'm hoping that someone has tried this product:
http://www.soakwash.com/
Apparently developed for washing delicate knits, it allows you to wash in a sink without going through the tedious rinsing process to get out the soap.
It sounds perfect for travellers. Anyone has experience with this?
http://www.soakwash.com/
Apparently developed for washing delicate knits, it allows you to wash in a sink without going through the tedious rinsing process to get out the soap.
It sounds perfect for travellers. Anyone has experience with this?
#28
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Arizona
Programs: *wood Gold, Marriott Gold, DL Silver, Hilton Silver, F9 Ascent
Posts: 2,419
In our office we also have a heat sealing machine used to seal items for shipment. I often make up little packets of liquid Tide into strips for traveling. About 1/2 ounch of Tide in each pouch works fine. I put those into my checked bag.
I know OP wanted tips for sink washing, but for machine washing, there's a new Purex product out. The "Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets" combine detergent, fabric softener and anti-static ^ treatment into one laundry sheet.
How Does It Work?
Simply drop laundry sheet into washer, the detergent is released during the wash cycle. Once wash is complete, transfer the laundry sheet with clothes to dryer. The stripe is heat activated by the dryer to soften and remove static. It’s that simple.
These could lighten the load for long trips and keep me from having to buy those $2 little boxes of Tide from the hotel (much more when you're on a cruise ship).
Simply drop laundry sheet into washer, the detergent is released during the wash cycle. Once wash is complete, transfer the laundry sheet with clothes to dryer. The stripe is heat activated by the dryer to soften and remove static. It’s that simple.
#29
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,731
I know OP wanted tips for sink washing, but for machine washing, there's a new Purex product out. The "Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets" combine detergent, fabric softener and anti-static ^ treatment into one laundry sheet.
How Does It Work?
Simply drop laundry sheet into washer, the detergent is released during the wash cycle. Once wash is complete, transfer the laundry sheet with clothes to dryer. The stripe is heat activated by the dryer to soften and remove static. It’s that simple.
Simply drop laundry sheet into washer, the detergent is released during the wash cycle. Once wash is complete, transfer the laundry sheet with clothes to dryer. The stripe is heat activated by the dryer to soften and remove static. It’s that simple.
According to the company website, you're supposed to buy a starter kit with a protective dispenser to store it in. Yes, you read that right, a protective dispenser for laundry products.
From the website linked above:
Product Description
Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets come in three scents and are available in two package types – a Starter Kit (1 Dispenser + 20 Laundry Sheets) and a value Refill Pouch (24 Laundry Sheets).
The Starter Kit includes a refillable Dispenser that makes it simple to protect and access Purex Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets. Once you have the Dispenser, simply purchase the money-saving Refill Pouch to fill the convenient Dispenser.
Also, I find myself skeptical how well a product can both clean your clothes of residue and coat them in a new type of residue (which is basically what fabric softener and anti-static treatments are). Then there's the toxins found in fabric softeners, but that's probably an OMNI topic.
Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets come in three scents and are available in two package types – a Starter Kit (1 Dispenser + 20 Laundry Sheets) and a value Refill Pouch (24 Laundry Sheets).
The Starter Kit includes a refillable Dispenser that makes it simple to protect and access Purex Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets. Once you have the Dispenser, simply purchase the money-saving Refill Pouch to fill the convenient Dispenser.
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
I don't carry laundry powder internationally because I don't want white powder in my luggage.
I'll be among the first to try the new Purex product as I am a fanatic about clean laundry. I'll report in when I do.
I'll be among the first to try the new Purex product as I am a fanatic about clean laundry. I'll report in when I do.