Soap Powder

squeaky

lottie26 wrote:

Is ther some sort of recipe to make your own fabric conditioner?
Think this a great idea

Most people just use vinegar on its own, but there's a recipe in the thread linked to below if you'd like to read it

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=276764#post276764

calleyw

Mr_Proctalgia wrote:

You can also use Borax instead of or as well as Soda or use soap flakes instead of soap powder, I've never used tablets as they are to expensive and new fangled for me, besides that I have a top loading drum washer that spurts all the water through the lid so it is kept clean. http://www.dripak.co.uk/

I have also started putting a couple of teaspoons of soda in my washin up water, it really helps shift grease of roasting tins etc, the water literally feels wetter to the hands too....

Thanks cool site. Might suggest soda crystals to my mum as she has deal with my dads and brothers grimy dirty overalls.

Yours


Calley

RacyRed

Thanks for the links Squeaky and Mr P.

This is a brilliant thread, I'd not thought thought of using Value Bio for cleaning greasy baking tins... great idea!

Is there much difference in terms of results between grating bars of soap or using soap flakes? Or is it mainly a cost/convenience thing. I'm not too good with graters

Sweet_Pea_2

I have always used Daz washing powder but decided to give Aldis powder a try and I honestly found no difference, the whites were as nice and white as they were before, the only difference was the smell - Daz doesn't smell very strongly anyway but there is usually a faint trace of it, the Almat from Aldi does not linger on the clothes at all, so they do not smell of anything.
After reading a post a few weeks ago I decided to experiment further. I tried mixing Almat with Bold (because its a nice smell and it smells stronger) and Soda Crystals, a third each. It washed very well, although it STILL didnt smell of anything (must be my nose I reckon) It cost more than the Almat I used before with no real difference in the end. Bold is over three times more in cost than Almat with smell being the only difference. If I use Almat mixed with Soda Crystals it will only save me 1p per wash compared to the 5p it costs per wash using Almat.
My conclusions are that when I finish up my stocks of Bold/Almat/Soda crystals I am going back to Almat but the 2 in 1 variety (which costs the same) to see if it smells any different.
As for fabric conditioner - I used to use Aldi's which was fine, I tried malt vinegar as part of my experiment, but I just couldn't decide why exactly. It made no difference to the softness of the clothes, it didnt stop static /cling and it didnt add fragrance, so I stopped using it and went back to Aldi fabric conditioner again.
I reckon the Aldi fab conditioner and powder combo costs about 6p per wash and the washing is nice and clean, whites white etc, stains come out in the same way that they would using Daz/Bold and I only ever use a 40 degree wash.

Penny-Pincher!!

I used the Value washing powder last year and found it terrible. We go to Makros when decent offers are on, so am able to buy a 2 x 100 wash Persil Liquidgel for £12..thats just 6p a wash. Also, only use Lenor but again bought when on offer.

PP
xx

davetaylor

Hi Everyone,

I've just been reading through this thread - it's really interesting indeed!

Ok, I'm a 31 year old bloke about to give up his Persil tablets and try some of these excellent moneysaving washing tips. I do have a few questions though.

I have a lot of clothes with bright colours. I always thought I had to use the colour washing detergents to stop them fading, is this not true? What would you suggest I use for my colours?

Have I got this right, I can forget about my fabric conditioner and start using vinegar (any kind) in it's place? I just use it the same way I used my fabric conditioner?

What about Calogen, I've never used it, I live in London, should I be using it?

Ta,


Dave

mancitychick

I too used to use nothing but persil tablets, but when I started shopping in Aldi (thanks O/S board) I decided to try Aldi tablets (Almat) they are just as good if not better but at half the cost. I would recommend them without a doubt.

System

I have a lot of clothes with bright colours. I always thought I had to use the colour washing detergents to stop them fading, is this not true? What would you suggest I use for my colours?

Personally i dont notice that my clothes have faded and i use the cheapest of the cheap washing powder - but i understand some people have noticed the colours fade. I suggest that you use a powder for coloureds, but buy the large boxes of powder rather than tablets.

Have I got this right, I can forget about my fabric conditioner and start using vinegar (any kind) in it's place? I just use it the same way I used my fabric conditioner?

I personally use white vinegar, but i have heard others say malt is fine. Just put it in your fabric softener drawer.

What about Calogen, I've never used it, I live in London, should I be using it?

Calgon is suposed to prevent limescale buildup in your washer and the pipes. Personally i think any water softener such as washing soda or bicarbonate of soda would be as good and a load cheaper. This is Calgons website, if you look you will see a section where you can put in your post code and see what sort of water you have in your area.

maryb

There was a thread on here a few months ago with a comment from someone who used to work in a lab testing soap powders. The verdict was that Persil is best for whites and Arial for removing stains. I buy both brands and use them for the specific purpose but for every day washes which are coloured/not too stained I use lidl's won brand which works really well.

I reckon on average by buying on special offer, I pay about 8p per load and in practice I get a lot more washes out of a pack of powder than it says on the front.

I'm sure I could pay less but after I ruined loads of clothes by using Ecover which left everything definitely dingy, I'm not prepared to take a chance

(And as for Ecover washing up liquid - that stuff is basically washing soda and it rips your hands open if you ever forget to use gloves. After using that I ended up with cracks in my hands which needed steroid ointment to heal)

ocemeer

If i'm trying to get whiter than white shirts for uniforms what would be the recommendation, definatley switching to powder and vinegar but just wondered how to get whites very white. Currently use glo-white once a month.
PLus is ther an OS alternative to starch? Yes I really do use it with my ironing....