[miranda]

I make my own detergent and have for a year or so. I did not wash my clothes with washing soda first, I just started using the homemade stuff and have had no problems. If my kids stain their clothes I try to pretreat it or let in soak in warm water for awhile before washing. I do wash in warm water not cold... I know that will make some of you cringe. My daughter and I suffer from eczema sometimes severe and the homemade stuff has never irritated our skin.