Do you have extremely hard water? If so, the water hardness may affect the performance of your detergent choices. Normally, more detergent is required to wash laundry in hard water, or the addition of packaged water softener products to both the wash and rinse cycles will help. Detergents no longer contain phosphates, which were previously recommended for hard water. I occasionally add a small amount of Cascade Dishwasher Detergent (up to 1 T. - depending on the size of the load and how dirty the clothes are - to my F&P top loader), along with my detergent to add some phosphates and enzymes to get out grass stains, etc. I occasionally add it to whites to brighten them. Especially if I have been drying them on the clothes lines in the basement, rather than outside where the sun whitens them. Our water is very hard. Water temperature is also a huge factor. I realize we're all supposed to use cold water for washing laundry to "save the planet", but the truth is, hot water is still an effective aid in cleaning clothes (hot water is defined as 120°-140°F in one source I have - warm as 85°-105°F). If you use water that is colder than 65°F, most detergents will NOT activate and clean effectively. Detergent manufacturers and care labels define "cold water" as 80-85°F. A few weeks ago when I checked, our cold water was 62°F, so I knew it was too cold for using a cold water wash. And don't forget, water reaching the washing machine is much cooler than in the water heater (important to remember if you set your water heater on the cool side). Especially that first load if the water heater is a long distance from the washer and the pipes are in an unheated area. Cold water washes generally require detergents designed to be used in cold water - normally liquids. Powders don't dissolve well in cold water, but you can dissolve it in some hot water before adding it to your washer to fix that problem. This would probably take care of the white film problem. Cold water washes often requires more detergent than warm water to get clothes clean. So it's not always the problem of the detergent, but the detergent in combination with water hardness and water temperature. -Grainlady

Dear consumers: every negative response to my post is from another pool builder. Personally I like to promote and support the use of "Green" technology in all aspects of my building. I have been asked many times why I like Ozone, so I made this posting as an explanation. In my business experience, I have found that people generally do not like change. Take it for what it's worth...I like Ozone technology and others do not. You might find this article helpful in determining what you want for your pool: "Is Ozone viable for swimming pools? Recently a chemical-free public swimming pool was installed in Fairhope, Alabama. It uses Ozone technology and avoids the use of chlorine altogether. This is a first for public pools in North America. The United States Navy Dolphin program has switched to Ozone technology over the last several years. A spokesman there stated that these systems have delivered the best water quality they have seen out of any systems they tried. Numerous other private, public, commercial, waterpark and hotel and motel pools have switched to Ozone technologies as people become more concerned about chlorine and chlorinated byproducts. Other than the issue of carcinogens and other health problems, what are the relative benefits of Ozone vs. chlorine? One of the main problems with adopting Ozone is that there is a higher initial capital cost to the swimming pool compared to chlorine. However, over the life of the pool Ozone and ultraviolet technologies reduce the on-going operating and maintenance costs. These costs can be significant. Chlorine is famous for destroying pool infrastructures, rusting out ventilation systems and destroying pool liners etc. Ozone poses no such problems. The Ozone pool will be much cleaner, which means dirt, grease, oils, organics and other materials will wind up in the filter system much faster than with chlorinated systems. If the filter and strainer maintenance is not stepped up accordingly, the pool recirculating system will slow down and the pool will actually look dirtier than with Chlorine. However, proper maintenance of the filter system will solve this problem. Part of the problem in adopting Ozone is that engineers, architects, pool builders and designers are not familiar with the technology. Some applications of Ozone, particularly systems installed 10-15 years ago were plagued with technical problems. Even though Ozone systems have been in regular use in Europe and other areas of the world since the 1950's, pools here have generally relied on chlorine. Since our engineering, architectural and other technical training have all been geared to Chlorine, it takes re-education to now apply Ozone. Many people in these industries are reluctant to "shift gears" and take the time to educate themselves about the proper application of Ozone. What is the difference in technologies? Chlorine is a complex man-made chemical that found original use in the infamous "mustard gas" of the First World War. Ozone has been in use for over 100 years, primarily in Europe and was first put to use for water purification, odor control and in medical hospitals (it is still being used medically today, though not commonly in North America). Ozone is made from Oxygen or O2, which is converted through electricity to Ozone or O3. Ozone is a much more powerful oxidant than chlorine. However, the "shelf life" of Ozone is limited. It must be manufactured and used on-site. This is done through Ozone Generators which convert Oxygen in the air into Ozone. As well, Ozone is considered a "short-term" disinfectant and chlorine is considered a "long-term" disinfectant. Chlorine is also an entrenched technology. It has been widely used in North America and was first adopted at the turn of the century. It is still the reigning champion of disinfection and has many supporters in the chemical and swimming pool industries. "As we have seen in this series, there are credible researchers telling us that chlorine has some very serious health consequences when used as a sanitizer in swimming pools. The obvious question is why hasn't the swimming pool industry adopted alternative technologies on a much more industry-wide basis? After all, Ozone technology for swimming pools has been in regular use for over 50 years in places like Germany, France and other European nations... "If you consider that there have been several generations of engineers who have been taught chemical processes as a matter of course, it is not easy to persuade them that switching to this "new" (to North America) technology is the way to go. As well, some of the earlier North American produced Ozone systems were problematic and many engineers do not want to risk specifying equipment if they are not comfortable with the process. However, time marches on and the technology is becoming very reliable. Is Ozone starting to gain a foothold in water treatment and for swimming pools in North America? Without a doubt. Some of the largest Ozonation plants in the world have been built in the United States. Major North American cities such as Los Angeles, Dallas, and Montreal, Canada have installed large Ozone plants for water treatment. Some of the major pool operators in North America including Disney's water parks use Ozone technology. The United States Navy has switched to Ozone systems for their Dolphin programs. As these technology leaders continue to push for alternatives to Chlorine, acceptance of the technology will be more favorable. Other encouraging signs include the City of Fairhope, AL which has distinguished itself with the implementation of an Olympic-sized swimming pool that is operated as Ozone-only with only slight chemical assistance. Many consumers are also requesting Ozone systems for their backyard swimming pools. Regulations for these pools do not require them to use Chlorine or other chemicals and many owners are now opting for Ozone systems. Once pool owners switch, they realize that they no longer have to put up with red eye, rashes and the health consequences of chlorinated pools. As the technology becomes more prevalent, expect to see more expertise at the local pool builder or pool maintenance companies. However, many of these companies rely on repeat sales of chemicals. These companies are likely to be highly resistant to Ozone systems as after-sales revenues will drop. However, for pool maintenance companies that are being paid to keep pool cleans, Ozone is a good thing. They should spend less time maintaining pools and the pools will be cleaner and the water more appealing. In the future, expect Ozone prices to drop and as more consumers become educated, demand for systems will definitely increase."

I made several more batches of soap and increased the amount of FO to a T. per lb and the soap is smelling better. I made a lavendar Oatmeal for someone and they loved it, I also made several bars of Baby Soap and it turned out great. When I reorder I will be getting from WSP. Now I am trying to refine my body butter. I like it smoother than most recipes make it. I have been experimenting with glycerin in my revised recipe. Also trying to cut down on how oily it can make your skin. My lip butters are pretty much the way I want just have to get them done (been waiting 2 wks for my flavor oils to come in from a seller on Ebay) Last but not least I am also fiddling with the bath bombs, I live in a very humid area and they have been cracking once set up. I am going to try a different recipe this weekend. I make them in medium size round ornaments. I really want them to be available for my show, I think they make a great addition to my other items. Well, sorry for the rambling but it helped me to organize my thoughts. I can't stop thinking about soap etc. Elle

I thought I'd chime in as a pro CP person. I've done both methods, but personally prefer CP because I like the feeling of making something from scratch. I know what goes into my soap from beginning to end, which is great for me since I have sensitive skin. CP is definitely a lot more labor intensive than M&P, but I find it relaxing and therapeutic. It's also much more complicated since you're working with lye, and ingredients that you might put into M&P soap with no problem will turn out all different sorts of ways when you introduce it to lye. It's even MORE complicated if you're interested in designing your own soap recipe because it involves balancing chemical reactions and understanding the various properties of different oils. I love it, though, because it appeals to my geeky side. And once you learn it, it's not that difficult. Anyway, I agree with Hazel. Try both and see what you personally like. You might want to start with M&P to break yourself into the whole experience. That's how I started. I later moved into CP once I'd tried M&P. Good luck!