Laundry soap question

[bangzoom6877]

Our 10 nights at Disney in July 2010 will be part of a 3-week long road trip from NYC to Florida. So, on one of the days we are not at a park, I plan to do some laundry, somewhere in the middle of the trip. I already bought all of my sons' clothing for the summer on clearance (they're only going to be 3 and 5 when we go so I knew what sizes to get). They have enough clothing for 3 weeks (believe it or not!), but DH and I definitely will not, and we will have to do our laundry. While I am doing ours, I figure I may as well do the boys' too.

I heard that they provide Tide in the villa (1BR). We use Arm & Hammer laundry soap, and I am afraid to use anything else since we all have sensitive skin and I don't want to switch detergents. Does anyone know if I can buy a travel size container of Arm & Hammer laundry soap? I have not seen it in the travel-size aisle at any of the stores around here, but I am wondering if they have it in Florida at any of the stores. I will also check online. I always buy the huge size at BJ's and would hate to have to take that with me!

 

[helenk]

Rather than trying to buy travel size what I do is put my laundry soap in zip lock sandwich bags. I just measure enough for 1 load into a bag and then do as many bags as I think I will do for the trip.
My sister measures hers into a mid size rubbermaid bowl and packs that in her luggage along with a measuring cup.

 

[Tozzie]

Our 10 nights at Disney in July 2010 will be part of a 3-week long road trip from NYC to Florida. So, on one of the days we are not at a park, I plan to do some laundry, somewhere in the middle of the trip. I already bought all of my sons' clothing for the summer on clearance (they're only going to be 3 and 5 when we go so I knew what sizes to get). They have enough clothing for 3 weeks (believe it or not!), but DH and I definitely will not, and we will have to do our laundry. While I am doing ours, I figure I may as well do the boys' too.

I heard that they provide Tide in the villa (1BR). We use Arm & Hammer laundry soap, and I am afraid to use anything else since we all have sensitive skin and I don't want to switch detergents. Does anyone know if I can buy a travel size container of Arm & Hammer laundry soap? I have not seen it in the travel-size aisle at any of the stores around here, but I am wondering if they have it in Florida at any of the stores. I will also check online. I always buy the huge size at BJ's and would hate to have to take that with me!

Do you use liquid or powder? If powder you could easily do as the previous poster suggested if you use liquid you could get a 24 oz empty water bottle and fill that with the detergent and take that. Until I got an owners locker that is what I did

 

[CruznLexi]

When we stayed at KV I brought about 10 sheets of the Purex 3N1 they fit perfectly in the suitcase and then was able to use them both at KV and on the Magic no problem.
Lexi

 

[CarolMN]

When we stayed at KV I brought about 10 sheets of the Purex 3N1 they fit perfectly in the suitcase and then was able to use them both at KV and on the Magic no problem.
Lexi

But be very careful to read the label - AFAIK, all of the 3-in-1 sheets contain fragrance of some kind, even the Pure and Clean version (which I can never find).

OP - I hear you. I have to be very careful, too. The 3-in-1 sheets are very convenient, but if you go that route,try them out at home first. You don't want any problems on vacation, LOL.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

But be very careful to read the label - AFAIK, all of the 3-in-1 sheets contain fragrance of some kind, even the Pure and Clean version (which I can never find).

Do you have Hannaford Market near you? That is where I found the Pure & Clean version.

OP: Seeing you will have a car, check the markets near WDW. You could call them ahead of time, to see if they have what you want. Good luck & have a great vacation! I will be there in July too!

 

[5forDiz]

CarolMN makes an excellent point that although it may say free and clear, etc. it could in fact wreak havoc with sensitive skin. Always best to go with what you know if you can. We found this out the hard way this past summer with youngest DD who has extremely sensitive skin. our local supermarket was out on A & H and so I subbed Purex free & clear liquid thinking DD wouldn't have a problem with it but she did big time OP we too find Arm & Hammer works best for her sensitive skin.

Good luck

 

[bangzoom6877]

I use liquid, so I can't pack it in zip-lock bags. But I do like the idea of buying a 24-ounce water bottle and filling that up, then I can probably fit it into one of the large size zip-lock bags so it doesn't leak onto anything.

I also like the idea of calling some of the stores ahead of time to see if they carry what I use in a smaller size. But since we will have the car, I could also just bring a smaller size bottle with me.

Thank you everyone!

 

[CarolMN]

Do you have Hannaford Market near you? That is where I found the Pure & Clean version.

No - must be a New England chain. We have Cub, Rainbow (Roundy's), Supervalu, Target & Walmart super stores that carry groceries and some smaller regional chains.

But based on 5forDiz's experience I think I'll just stick with either Arm & Hammer or All Free and Clear. I know those are OK for me.

 

[Dean]

We found both versions of the 3n1 at WM and both refills and with dispenser. If one can only use one thing, I'd either order it for the trip online to be sent to the resort OR pack a small bottle well in bubble wrap with some absorbent material just in case. I would not try to find it there even if I had a car.

 

[webprinter]

DD had very sensitive skin especially when she was little and I had to use detergent that ended in free on her clothes. Whenever I was unable to find a detergent that ended in free, I gave her clothes an extra rinse or two and that worked.

 

[Dean]

DD had very sensitive skin especially when she was little and I had to use detergent that ended in free on her clothes. Whenever I was unable to find a detergent that ended in free, I gave her clothes an extra rinse or two and that worked.

Double rinsing should work better than specific detergent choices regardless. Studies suggest that things like Ivory Snow or Dreft don't work any better than regular detergent overall.

 

[Dean]

Was in WM tonight, they still had both the dispenser and refill for pure and clean 3n1.

 

[alisonslp]

I use liquid and I bought 4 empty little shampoo bottles. I can fit 2 loads into each bottle (concentrated) so it makes it easy to measure when I am pouring it in. I put the bottles in a ziploc. never had any problems with leaking.

BTW, you may want to rethink bringing all of those clothes for the little ones - or you two. We way overpacked our first time. With the small washer/dryer (in AK they are apartment style - very small), we find we do a load every 1-2 days depending on how sweaty we are (changing clothes). We have learned not to pack more than 4 sets of clothes. That first trip I really didn't want to do any laundry because I wanted to enjoy my vacation but it's not like you have to go to a laundry mat - it's right in the villa. So easy to do a load in the morning or at night. So much easier than dealing with packing all those clothes and finding room in the car for extra suitcases. Since you will have time outside of disney, where you may not have laundry access, you'll want to pack enough for that but otherwise, make it simple on yourself. LOL

alison

 

[bangzoom6877]

I use liquid and I bought 4 empty little shampoo bottles. I can fit 2 loads into each bottle (concentrated) so it makes it easy to measure when I am pouring it in. I put the bottles in a ziploc. never had any problems with leaking.

BTW, you may want to rethink bringing all of those clothes for the little ones - or you two. We way overpacked our first time. With the small washer/dryer (in AK they are apartment style - very small), we find we do a load every 1-2 days depending on how sweaty we are (changing clothes). We have learned not to pack more than 4 sets of clothes. That first trip I really didn't want to do any laundry because I wanted to enjoy my vacation but it's not like you have to go to a laundry mat - it's right in the villa. So easy to do a load in the morning or at night. So much easier than dealing with packing all those clothes and finding room in the car for extra suitcases. Since you will have time outside of disney, where you may not have laundry access, you'll want to pack enough for that but otherwise, make it simple on yourself. LOL

alison

True, I think what we will do is pack enough for half the trip. WDW is in the middle of the trip so on our first non-theme park day, I will do some laundry. In between we can always take the kids to the pool, Community Hall, etc. We want to take advantage of the activities at BWV anyway, so that would be a good time to do that. I always pack more for the kids than I do for the 2 of us though, since I worry more about spills and accidents with them.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

I fill old dish detergent bottles with laundry soap. I think they are 12-16 ounces which does about 6 loads and have the squirt lid. I wash my son's select soccer team uniforms and have gotten many many looks for using Dawn on uniforms LOL!!!
Hope you and your boys have a wonderful Christmas season Bonnie!
Your time since buying to your trip is more than halfway there.