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RacyRed

davetaylor wrote:

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

Hi Dave. Welcome to MSE and especially to Oldstyle.

I'm a Londoner as well and think that using calgon or some sort of water softener is essential if you don't want to pay a fortune on washing machine repairs. Our water is seriously hard!!

That said I am a recent vinegar convert and now wonder if the bicarb and vinegar combination would be enough to keep the machine limescale free. Think I am going to risk it and find out.

Re colours, I found that reducing the amount of powder I used slowed down the colour loss, yet the washing is just as clean. Not sure but I suspect that most powders marketed for whites have a bleaching agent in them of some sort. Detergents for coloured fabrics possibly do not have this.

Nile knows this stuff, anyone seen her?

System

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.

Try using Napisan. Its not just for babies nappies you know. Ive used it for years and its a darn site better and cheaper than those oxyclean whiteners/brighteners.

RacyRed

Judi wrote:

Try using Napisan. Its not just for babies nappies you know. Ive used it for years and its a darn site better and cheaper than those oxyclean whiteners/brighteners.

I will second that. Whatever else I change with my wash, Napisan stays, it is brilliant stuff.

ocemeer

DH too big for nappies though about the right age......mentally so first introduction to napisan coming up will hide from the in-laws don't want the grandchild conversation yet.
Moving back to cornwall very soon, hurrah!!!!!! but can't remember if the water is hard or soft? oops but an ideal time to start even more OS lifestyle

Zziggi

Judi wrote:

Try using Napisan. Its not just for babies nappies you know. Ive used it for years and its a darn site better and cheaper than those oxyclean whiteners/brighteners.

can you buy napisan from tesco/asda? If not, where can you get it from please?

Sarahsaver

I make laundry gloop, will post a link if you cant find a recipe. About 30p for a months worth of detergent!
I do white towels on a 60 wash with vinegar, or on a 90 if they are really yuk. Soaking with vinegar is a good option too. I got some sheets from superdrug pk of 5 you put one in the wash and it attracts all the cack/colour residue rather than it going into your whites.
If theres any other whites I always wash them hotter than my other laundry, 50 or above, 60 for anything with wee in it :rolleyes: You can get napisan from boots, but soaking with vinegar or even salt is a good alternative.

OS alternative for starch? i think starch itself is pretty OS !

hilary1

scuse me being thick but doent vinigar make the washing smell of err vinigar?

Chipps

No!!! :-)

Don't know why not, though

cozzie

Great thread, am reading it avidly from my sick bed at the mo, so, not all sinking in. Will have to save it as a fav and re-read when I am fully functioning.

I thought that I was really frugal when it came to washing clothes, but, you have all put me to shame. I used to use Bold and measure the full amount that the box stated, but, now I use 2/3rds of a scoop of the Asda value range (for almost everything, not just washing powder) and as yet/touch wood have not had any trouble with it. In the past I used to use concentrated conditioner and fill the section in the drawer, now I still buy concentrated (cheapest poss) and mix it 40% conditioner to 50% water to 10% vinegar.

I figure it roughly to cost me about 5p per wash now-a-days, I daren't even think how much I used to spend.

Thank to you all, I think OS is great since finding this site, am trying to convert as many people as I can, but, it's amazing how quickly the thought of a little bit of work puts people off.

hilary1

Honestly I'm not usually so dim but is it white or ordinary vinigar