Laundry flakes?

[blessedmomof4]

Okay, for the first time ever, I don't have a supply for an activity...and couldn't find it in any store either! I found laundry flakes online, but I would need to wait...does anyone know of a viable substitute for the Bigger science activity for day 5, Unit 28? Perhaps castille soap? My local Trader Joe's carries that in bar form so I thought I could grate it...but I'm not sure if it will work. Thanks in advance for any ideas!

[Heidi in AK]

I know you can grate castille soap, and some people I know grate Ivory soap for use in their homemade detergent. I wonder if someone who has been through that lesson can tell you what they used?

[erin.kate]

I have no idea what the lesson is ... ... but I make my own detergent and I use castille soap and grate it. Works wonderfully.

[blessedmomof4]

The activity is to use laundry flakes, hot water and salt to show how soap is formed. The mixture is supposed to separate in to "neat soap", kind of a semi-solid I guess, and liquid soap. If laundry flakes are just made from castille soap, then I guess that should work.

[acts29stl]

Just had to laugh My friend and I tried this today too and were wondering what laundry flakes were!! Can't wait to find the answer!!

[moedertje]

So, funny I thought it was an American way of saying laundry detergent, I should have known! If you do know a brand that works, please let us know. We can keep it for the next couple of kids who will do Bigger

[MrsMandy]

Ok I make my own Laundry soap too but mine never gets thick like a gel maybe I need to go do this experiment to get it right? I use Ivory soap bar grated, Washing Soda, and Boric Acid. I also make it with Fels Naptha laundry bar soap but I think Ivory smells nicer.

[Heidi in AK]

Ditto to Mandy. It's a great laundry soap, and not expensive at all! I guess castille or Ivory should work.

[acts29stl]

We just used ivory soap today and it worked great!!!! It was sooooooo cool! I think my friend and I enjoyed it more than the kiddos! We had co-op at my house today and let all the kids wash their hands with the "neat soap." Great fun, thanks HOD!!!

BTW: we just grated 5tbsp of the ivory soap and added it to the hot water. Have fun!

[moedertje]

Yes, Indeed it was much fun, girls< I mean Mom's having fun doing school!! I was very excited to wash my hand with "neat soap". We are going to turn into real scientist who do not give up after a couple of trials, even when it means using your friends good "sea salt" over and over Thank you HOD and Carrie for teaching us to be persistent

[blessedmomof4]

Oh wonderful! I will just get some ivory or castille soap and grate it. Will let you all know how it turns out

[MrsMandy]

So did it gel pretty good? Would the salt affect using it as a laundry soap? If it wouldn't and it gels more then maybe I should add the salt. What do you think?

[blessedmomof4]

It worked We used grated castille soap. It did indeed separate into liquid soap at the bottom, and a gooey, gelatinous soap on top. We scooped out the "neat soap" and put it in a bowl-although over the course of the day it has dried a bit and is more solid than gelatinous. I poured the liquid into the dishpan for today's dishes Great fun! We've been using the "neat soap" to wash hands often-we will have the cleanest hands around

[twoxcell]

I make my own laundry soap all the time, and it gels great.
I use 1 bar fells naptha grated
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda

Boil water on stove add soap until melted then add borax, and washing soda. After it is all stirred and dissolved I pour into 5 gallon bucket, then fill the rest of the way with water. Let it sit over night, and the next day I stir it with a wisk until it is as smooth as I like. 5 gallons lasts us about 3 months.

I'm sure my ds will enjoy this experiment next year too.

[mamaduke]

I would like to know what is meant by Laundry flakes for the assignment? Is there a brand that is recommended? I see that we can grate our own, but what was intended?

ideas?