Thrifty Ways book - revisions or updates?

squeaky · 8 December 2006 at 5:38PM

Hi, everyone.

With Martin's encouragement I'm starting this thread to help with possible revisions or updates to the book.

I'm still in the first few pages so far but I've spotted a couple of things that could be explained a little better, so I'm listing them here.

By all means add any suggestions that you may have as you read. What we're asking for is changes to the current contents of the book and not new tips to add. Thanks

Washing machine maintenance washes:

Sue suggests putting the vinegar in the conditioner holder when doing a hot maintenance wash. This is pretty pointless because the vinegar will only be added during the final rinse. For the maintenance wash it should be placed directly in the tub; one way to do this would be to liberally soak a washload of old tea towels or rags liberally in the vinegar, or for preference just tease the soap drawer open a little and pour in the vinegar as the washing machine is filling. (Not too far open or you'll have water all over the floor!). That way you get nice hot vinegar throughout the wash cycle.

You can use brown vinegar for this tip with no problems, and asda (for example) currently sell this at 17p for 500mls as opposed to 50p for the white vinegar.
It is recommended that you do a maintenance wash at your highest temperature once a month.
It worth noting that if you normally do low temperature washes and use lots of fabric conditioner and are not doing maintenance washes that a first application may only clear some of the gunk that builds up and leave your machine smellier than when you started - but after another go (or two) this should all settle down.

Page 40

Then on Dishwasher descaling:

Again putting the vinegar straight in is likely to be ineffective. Most dishwashers have a quick two to five minute pre wash cycle to rinse off solids. That means your vinegar is gone before the main wash starts. If users can't select past the pre wash they should wait until the main wash cycle starts, turn off, open the door and THEN stand a cup full of vinegar in a tray and switch the dishwasher back on.

Again you can use brown vinegar for this tip

Page 40

squeaky · 9 December 2006 at 5:47AM

I couldn't sleep so I read the rest of the book

And I'm still awake! How's that?

I see that there are some links to article pages here and there through the book which I'll browse later. So even if the above, for example, just can't be made to fit in the book, they could be useful there perhaps.

While I remember, if it isn't in the article, there's a web site called square foot gardening which is great for growing your own in limited space.

Again, in case they are not in articles, there are good threads on things like getting the most out of your dishwasher, saving water, saving electricity, and food storage tips.

For light relief there's a lovely thread on OS disasters

tru · 9 December 2006 at 7:32AM

NEVER EVER use washing up liquid or washing powder on your carpets. It can't be rinsed out properly no matter how hard you try, and it'll leave a bit behind which acts as a dirt magnet.

Pages 36 + 52

dianasnan · 9 December 2006 at 3:16PM

Had a quick look last night and IMHO the cover could do with a re-vamp, it looks as though it has been through a photocopier many times and looks wishy washy, at least my copy does. We are all converts here but the cover doesn't have much shelf appeal to grab new MSErs.

jessicamb · 9 December 2006 at 4:44PM

Throughout the book it recommends using coke to clean a toilet - but I seem to remember a warning on here that it contains a colourant so regular use could actually dye the toilet rather than clean it - but happy to be corrected

Page 49

studentloan · 9 December 2006 at 4:51PM

I use bleach and a toilet brush to clean the toilet and that costs less than cheapo tesco coke.

I used tesco coke everyday for a week in my old place in the toilet and it didn't fare well. Maybe it should be diet coke.

Edinburghlass_2 · 9 December 2006 at 8:26PM

I think you'll find the original tip was for using left over flat coke for the toilet rather than going out and buying it just for this purpose

tr3mor · 9 December 2006 at 8:41PM

jessicamb wrote:

Throughout the book it recommends using coke to clean a toilet - but I seem to remember a warning on here that it contains a colourant so regular use could actually dye the toilet rather than clean it - but happy to be corrected

I think the idea is to use it occasionally, if you have a build up of limescale. Not to use it on a regular basis.

Maddie · 9 December 2006 at 11:01PM

So I guess I could also use my flat coke for descaling the kettle?

Queenie · 10 December 2006 at 8:15AM

jessicamb wrote:

Throughout the book it recommends using coke to clean a toilet - but I seem to remember a warning on here that it contains a colourant so regular use could actually dye the toilet rather than clean it - but happy to be corrected

You are absolutely right and I have warned against this a number of times. Cola's have a caramel colouring added to them and it is that which can stain the toilet with prolonged use.

As E'lass quite rightly points out, the tip was given in the context of using up the last bit of flat cola rather than waste it - it was never given in the context of using cola instead of bleach or other toilet cleaner.

tr3mor - a far better solution for cleaning up any buildup of limescale in an OS fashion, would be to use a good old fashioned scouring powder (make your own with equal parts borax/bicarb of soda) or make up a paste of bicarb and white vinegar. Leave to soak in for a few minutes then clean off.

Alfietinker · 11 December 2006 at 11:42AM

Queenie wrote:

As E'lass quite rightly points out, the tip was given in the context of using up the last bit of flat cola rather than waste it - it was never given in the context of using cola instead of bleach or other toilet cleaner.

I'm only partly through the book and I hadn't heard of using cola before

but from reading it I was under the impression you could use flat cola or use value cola costing pennies. I took that to mean either use normal 'expensive' cola when it's gone flat or go out and buy value cola specially. I may be a little thick but if it's going to be revised in the future maybe could be worded a little better?

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Thrifty Ways book - revisions or updates?

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