Nacktschnecken omlet Cube

[welovemarmite]

I have recently stopped buy farbic conditioner and now use white vinegar instead. The results are brilliant. It costs less and is more eco friendly.

 

Now, I currently use ecover washing powder. But, I have been told that just buying washing soda is about the same. Does anyone know anything about this? Experienced it? other views?

 

If this is the case I will swap. all for saving money and the planet at the same time.

[Charlottechicken]

Ooh, I think there's a few old threads about this!

 

Personally, I use fabric conditioner, but not much, and only a cheap one that I like the smell of. I believe others on here use white vinegar though. However, I do use soda crystals, to dilute washing powder (actually liquid) and find it works OK. I'm sure soda crystals are the basis for washing powder anyway. Not sure if one of the older threads on this subject commented on the increasing greyness of items washed, due to the lack of brighteners, or maybe that was those washing nut things?

 

I'm also sure the consensus of opinion was that if you use an eco friendly cool wash, then you should do a hot wash every so often to stop your machine 'gunking up'?

[scubababe]

Must admit my washing machine does a super dooper fast wash....but every now & again I do a full length wash just to make sure it's clean

 

I'm sure it is but 28mins doesn't seem quick enough to get the mud outta my boys clothes

 

I do use conditioner

 

& the whites are always on a full wash...well gotta get those stains outta hubbys collars some how!!

[welovemarmite]

I generally do a normal wash but on a lower temp. i swapped from liquid to powder as i was told that the liquid would gunk the machine up.

[Lavenders_Blue]

I don't use either fabric conditioner or white vinegar. To be honest, I can't tell the difference at all, so apart from adding a nice smell to the clothes, I can't help feeling that fabric conditioner is 'money for old rope'.

 

I use Ecover non bio liquid, slightly less than the suggested dose with a tablespoon of washing soda in the machine.

 

My clothes seem to come out okay

 

Clothes are washed at 40 degrees and towels/bedding at either 60 or 95 depending on level of horridness and whether or not the machine needs a hot wash to keep it clean.

 

Seems to work for me!

[The Dogmother]

We have lots of stinky sports stuff, swimming gear and dirty dog towels, as well as smarter clothes for work and white 100% cotton bed linen, so a real mix.

 

I have to err on the side of economy so use an own brand bio liquid with very little scent and add washing soda then wash on 30deg for darks and mediums with a tiny amount of fairy conditioner (we have VERY hard water) or white vinegar. For the white washes I use 50/50 of the bio laundry liquid and Napisan, with the conditioner to finish.

 

I line dry when I can and finish off with a quick blast in the dryer to make them easier to iron. I fought against having a tumble dryer for years but ended up succumbing when I was given some money one christmas and was fed up with the washing hanging around the house on airers for days on end. It just wouldn't dry in the winter as the heating isn't on during the day.

[welovemarmite]

Napisan, thats an interesting one.

I got rid of the washer dryer when i broke and replaced it with just a washing machine as i just wasnt making the use of it. I replaced it with a heated airer from lakeland which is wonderful. I line dry if i can, if not then its the airer.

[Gertie]

My Household Cleaning book by Rachelle Strauss suggests that pure soap is good if in soft water area. Borax 50-85g to the wash cycle and 9fl oz white vinegar to the rinse cycle.

 

Laundry gloop - 4 litres water in large pan, boil, grate 140g pure soap add when water boiling, turn down, stir until soap dissolved, remove from heat, add 125g soda crystals, stir until dissolved, allow to cool and decant. Use 1/2 teacup per load direct into drum to avoid build up. Use white vinegar in final rinse.

 

Ives used ecover but currently use Ecos which seems quite good.

[welovemarmite]

Like the sound of hte laundry gloop. I have some borax but not yet used it.

I got some soda crystals today and have them in the dog towels that are currently washing. Will see how it goes.

[Gertie]

Yes, be interesting to know how it turned out! I have not tried the Gloop myself. There are lots of good recipes for Eco cleaning in the book. The air freshener (vodka and essential oil)?and multi purpose cleaner (white vinegar and tea tree oil) are great!

[Blackrocksrock]

My machine started to smell when I used powder! - I use Surcare liquid and a small amount of Surcare conditioner - no smell and nothing nasty as I hate the smell of the washing powders - I use borax or soda crystals depending on the grime involved!. 30 degrees for some and 40 for others and 60 for towels and sheets!

[Charlottechicken]

I've been washing without my cheap and not smelly fabric conditioner for a fortnight, and also trialling line drying everything. Go to say I'm sticking with my fabric conditioner, albeit half the recommended amount! It's the really cheap stuff but does help with creasing. Line drying is not going great though, so I've set up my own Chinese laundry in the spare bedroom

[The Dogmother]

I always use only about half the recommended amount Claire. I line dry where I can but daren't put it out if it looks like rain, there's no space to dry it indoors and it takes ages anyway as the heating isn't on during the day..