Cathy I would like to get the exact recipe too please. Definitely clever to avoid your DH opening the trunk Have fun with your acquisitions!

Cathy, I would like to know the exact recipe you use please? Aren't you very clever to avoid the opening of the trunk. I hope you enjoy all your purchases.

congratulations!

I just want to say that I have a front loader, and avoid the mildewy smell by leaving the door open when it is not washing.

and you have to read the reviews intelligently. There are always lemons, some people don't read the instructions carefully, and other reviews are so detailed that they are obviously from the manufacturer.

And I refuse to deal with Sears, who think I am an idiot. They charged my $137 to come and read the part number. (I got it back)

Bet the vendors love you too!

Yes Pam, the baking soda is bicarbonate of soda. I have made a liquid detergent before (basically the same ingredients). You just desolve the grated soap on the stove, then add borax and washing soda, heat until thickens, dilute with more water, and let sit overnight. I can give the exact amounts if onyone wants them. I think I will try the powder one too.
Marilyn, I wish I would have heard about the Speed Queen before I bought the Kenmore. I have been wanting to try dyeing fabric, but don't think I will use this machine. I should have put the old one in the basement, but DH says I have too much stuff down there .
He is at work now, so I will go unload the trunk of the car where all of my quilt show purchases are hidden. Just got home last night and made sure to put suitcase on the backseat so he wouldn't open the trunk. Mostly books, a few rulers, some fabric, and I don't remember what else. I just love the venders .

Tigsowner, the recipe says baking soda. What do you use for that in UK, please? would that be baking powder or bicarbonate of soda?

Very easy! This is the original blog where I found the recipe - http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/i-made-my-own-laundry-detergent.html

I cut the quantities to try it so began with one small bar of sensitive soap and 500g of each of the other ingredients, as that's about the size of the boxes I can buy them in locally. I use about a tablespoon per load so very economincal as very as eco-friendly!

I did have a think about trying a liquid recipe but don't have the storage space and the powder version works fine.

Tigsowner, how do you make your detergent? Is it very complicated?

Rosemary, my repair man told me I should always add the detergant to the clothes and not the drawer, which certainly does cut mildew. He also said that 30C is best for most stuff nowadays, as we don't tend to get things really dirty and are just "refreshing". However, a child who climbs trees, etc means a few loads at 50C and I'm happier doing towels at 60C, and occasionally at 90C which really cleans the machine out. I leave the door open when not in use too. Oh and I mostly make my own detergant as DH has very sensitve skin and find I don't need softener. A tablespoon of vinegar does the job if I need any. (I also used vinegar in the soak pail back when I had to wash nappies as a sanitiser too!)

Yep....I shouldn't a let my old one go so quick... (

After reading all this, all I can say is I hope my machine keeps running for a very long time.

I'm reporting back with my results so far....I think I have found a machine that will work for me at long last !!
Because I dye , felt and other wise manipulate stuff in the washer....I wanted to have hot water, no lid lock,
water level control , strong filters and not take all day to do a load !! I found a dealer who sells Speed Queen.
It seems that they have a a "commercial" washer for residential use....and have avoided the regulations that
plague these other machines by being in a different classification. While I have not seen it yet....Shipment
anticipated in store 10 days or so....I'm thinking it will be the right thing. Dealer says he is selling them as
fast as he can get them...I am apparently not alone in my search ! They are built in Wisconsin I think ! They
don't cost an arm and a leg either. So..If this sounds interesting look for a Speed Queen dealer and ask....
Internet didn't give me enough info !
Of course time will tell and I will let you all know if this works out well for me. Hope somebody else wants
this hunk o' junk I bought the first time !

I appreciate all of your comments and insights. I am still shopping and researching. It looks like the best rated machine is approximately $1000, and I don't want to spend that much! I was at the Sears outlet yesterday, and they might have a good buy or two. In the meantime, the old Maytag is chugging along, though it has sprung a leak that I can't ignore for too long.
Happy fall--it is crisp here in Ohio today!
susan

I bought new washer and dryer over the summer. In 45 years of marriage, I have went through 2 sets of Maytag products. I do not think they make them to last now. I read the Consumer Reports on washers and dryers and got a Kenmore from Sears. I have a well, so was not worried about the water. I would have preferred the old type of machine. Not readily available now. I got a top loader without the agitator. (I would always get bruises on my forearm from throwing laundry in the front loaders at work, so didn't want one of those.) I also hate how long it takes to wash a load of clothes!
I did buy the maintenance agreement since there are motherboards in them. I really get tired of the new stuff. I liked it when DH could work on them. Anyway, so far it has worked OK. The clothes come out clean and fresh smelling. I do use bleach in the whites about once a week or so. I also leave the washer lid up when not in use. Now if DH would just put up a clothes line for me. DS is coming in a few weeks to take grandkids deer hunting. Maybe I can hint to him about the clothes line. Good luck with your purchase. Remember when they were only a few hundred?