No buying new toiletries etc until.....

lynzpower

EssexHebridean wrote: »

The OS'ers main kit is Stardrops, White vinegar and bicarb KK - we generally find that a combination of the three works wonders on most things! Other tricks like using half the amount of certain products also - for example, if it says use two washing powder tablets, one, augmented with a scoop of soda crystals, is just as effective. Some OS'ers also cut dishwasher tablets in half but I have to admit to thinking life is too short for that....I just buy the cheapest ones I can find instead! :rotfl:

I was being particularly tight this week as I usually buy fairy tablets ( finish which are always on offer useless in our hardwater area) being superfrugal I got some DW for £1 from iceland for a try -They are made by part of jeyes which of course has been going for years.

i have to say I am so impressed with these. Not a single item has come out less than spotless and that's a lot more than can be said from fairy when a few items each wash has to be left in for the next "go".

Cant see me going back to paying 3.50 on offer for 15 or whatever it is, when £1 for 15 is better. :beer:

*Vikki*

Just had a bath (every bath time seems like a pamper sesh now, as I am using every single product:D)

Smelling good and very moisturised! :cool:

I used up (and feeling V proud of ones self!:j) the following products:

Half a tube of Savlon (used as an all over body moisturiser)

The rest of S&G hair supply conditioner (which my hair did like, shan't be buying it again though, my hair can survive without it and its more MSE to not buy it:A)

One gillette shave.

Rest of S&G flake away scrub.

And lastly a pan oxly wash (not sure I will buy again as stains our towels:mad, but have one to get rid of

mineallmine

Hia,

1. Used up a sachet of face scrub. It was nivea and smelt a bit strong for my sensitive skin so used it as a hand scrub instead.

2. Applied some Elemis hand cream whilst visiting this thread.

3. Found myself looking at the Boots sale (tut tut) for sis birthday in the spring. Decided to get her a gadget that she's been hinting about instead. Particularly as I'd already bought her body/skin stuff for xmas.

Also I've decided to buy vouchers for birthdays during the year (like cinema ones) rather than buy people toiletries like I usually do (and thereby be tempted particularly if 3 for 2!).

4. Before this thread I bought one of those Tangle Teasers (it appeared on dragons den). It is fab. So I've told myself I can only buy one for my dressing table if I sort out the load of brushes I currently have. Next job for me!

Be strong everyone. Look forward to hear how everyone is getting on with this challenge.:A

skintscotslass

koolkid wrote: »

ok just had a quick look and it looks FAB! Going to read it all through properly and once I've used my cleaning stash will definitely give it a go.

So do you think I could realistically make my cleaning budget £60?

I really think you could. I've checked the prices of stardrops. 73p for 600 ml out of Sainsburys. Possibly 75p in Semi Chem. That will do you for the year. I cant find a price for the vinegar, but lets guesstimate £3. Buy your washing up liquid, DW tablets etc from Pound shops. I buy the really cheap washing powder from Tesco, £1.68 for 2kg (I prefer Asda £1.98 for 2.4 kg) As EssexHebridean says, you can supplement this with soda crystals, 99p for 1kg. I only do this if I have really dirty stuff, like DD wiping mascara on towels :mad: I wouldnt buy any other washing poweder now. How many are in your household?

gilligansyle

I have a measly half inch left in my bottle of Stardrops but use it for absoulutely everything. Can't actually remember when I bought it, but it was probably over a year ago.
For the washing machine, I buy a decent washing powder own brand though, use less than it says, and add soda crystals and cheap non bio powder. Asda's own is really good. Fortunately we are in a soft water so can get away with just about anything and don't need to use loads.
Am desperately trying to resist buying stuff in the BodyShop sale, especially as Passion Fruit stuff is in it. But I still have a body butter thats 3/4 full and cocoa butter stuff unopened, not to mention all the travel sized stuff.

If I convince myself I'm buying presents for next Christmas would that work???

lynzpower

If I convince myself I'm buying presents for next Christmas would that work???

:nope :rotfl:

gilligansyle

lynzpower wrote: »

:nope :rotfl:

Worth a try

koolkid

Right... Cleaning budget halved eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkk! I have been convinced!

Thanks girlies

Sorry to everyone else for going completely OT!

EssexHebridean

I've just given the bathroom a good clean (Yep, stardrops, vinegar & bicarb! :rotfl: ) and that has given me a bit of a jolt with all the stuff I have open to use up.....I have also put one or two bits back in the cupboard to stop me using them before I've finished the product I'm currently using. I appear to have two different detoxing shampoos and two different normal ones on the go as well as two shower gels.....one of those will be finished up with my next shower though I think as it's already upside down. There are also a couple of bubble baths (which means I must use those up rather than keep taking the gorgeous Sanctuary one out of the cupboard - boo) and two different scrubs. Also found a big bottle of mouthwash which I presumably bought on a whim as I never generally use it. Well, I will be now until it's all gone!

One product to add to the list of "fairly cheap stuff that works well" for me would be Boots expert range eye makeup remover pads. They are excellent - and cost about £3.49 I think. I used to use Clinique Take The Day Off liquid remover with cotton wool pads but actually find the Boots pads better and an awful lot cheaper. On the alternative argument though, I use Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara and wouldn't swap that for anything - it goes on superbly, never clogs, and seems to stay put pretty well for a non-waterproof. So that would be one of my high-end products that I would recommend without hesitate - mascara that goes on all cloggy and lumpy is something I loathe!

Having cleaned the bathroom I used some Sanctuary nail and cuticle cream that was knocking about too to take advantage of having had my hands in water - must remember to leave it somewhere obvious so I keep using it!

Hey - just THINK how much tidier all our bathrooms will be at the end of all this?!

sortingitout1980

Oh i feel well and truely pampered after my shower. Realised my body scrub was empty so opened an Elle one i got free as part of a 3-4-2 before Xmas. used some Body Shop shower gel.

Hair got washed and conditioned and am giving it a rare chance to dry without a hairdryer.

I cut my nails, used cuticle cream and hand lotion. Body Shop Raspberry puree lotion all over my body and painted my toe nails (will do fingers later).

I also found a good use for a Crabtree & Evelyn had lotion that i find too greasy for hands - been using it on my elbows which are really dry at the moment.

Yay!! Off to get dressed now and go have tea.