Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

diana3564

flippin36 wrote: »

I clean the bathroom with the cheapest shampoo I can get my hands on - it also goes in the washing machine when I have run out of powder.

I bulk out washing powder with soda crystals gets the clothes really clean an and is dirt cheap

I have to say this forum is ace! Tescos sells its cheapest shampoo for about 16p for 500ml. A litre of clothes washing liquid costs 1.45. Combining cheapest shampoo with soda should do the job and save money. Thanks Ladies.

some1shy

Wet a clean wash cloth and pour about 1/3 cup of fabric softener on cloth. Put into dryer with clothes. On each load re-wet the wash cloth. This will do 4 or more loads.

BitterAndTwisted

Be careful! Adding washing soda will make the water very soft and you could end up with soap suds flooding everywhere. The result could be a broken-washing machine but a very clean kitchen-floor.

belfastgirl23

This is a great thread, many thanks to all who contributed.

I was especially interested in the dying clothes bit - my 'perfect' black t shirts are now looking a bit grey and I can't find similar shapes anywhere. I've always been afraid to dye in my machine though in case it leaves a residue or I have to do a boil wash afterwards to get it clean again. Also does it stain the skin on the first few wears? Can anyone put my mind at rest?

diana3564

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Be careful! Adding washing soda will make the water very soft and you could end up with soap suds flooding everywhere. The result could be a broken-washing machine but a very clean kitchen-floor.

Cant seem to find a clear cut answer are soda crystal safe to use in the washing machine, I cannot afford these washing machine repairs.

annie123

diana3564 wrote: »

Cant seem to find a clear cut answer are soda crystal safe to use in the washing machine, I cannot afford these washing machine repairs.

I live in London and have very hard water, I add soda crystals to nearly every wash especially good with greasy/mucky jeans or they just don't seem to get clean.
Been doing this for 30 years and never had any problems but I wouldn't do it in soft water areas.
I've also just used them when I've run out of powder, but that was before I discovered how to make your own powder or that shampoo can be used etc.
I've had 2 washing machines in that time so I'm happy to continue using them.

sparrer

diana3564 wrote: »

Cant seem to find a clear cut answer are soda crystal safe to use in the washing machine, I cannot afford these washing machine repairs.

Only my experience but in true OS fashion I use a tablespoon of any cheap washing powder and one of soda crystals. Been doing this for past 7 years in the same machine with - as yet - no problems. I'd not heard that soda crystals could damage a machine until recently, in fact I believe some wm repairers recommend them as they say it stops a build-up of limescale and keeps the machine running better (and far cheaper than the proprietary brands). A case of you pays your money and makes your choice, I guess.

exlibris

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

This is a great thread, many thanks to all who contributed.

I was especially interested in the dying clothes bit - my 'perfect' black t shirts are now looking a bit grey and I can't find similar shapes anywhere. I've always been afraid to dye in my machine though in case it leaves a residue or I have to do a boil wash afterwards to get it clean again. Also does it stain the skin on the first few wears? Can anyone put my mind at rest?

It is about 10 yrs since I last dyed in the washer but as far as I can remember I had no problems with either the machine or my skin!

HTH

consultant31

diana3564 wrote: »

Cant seem to find a clear cut answer are soda crystal safe to use in the washing machine, I cannot afford these washing machine repairs.

Soda crystals are fine in the washing machine - I've used them for years to no ill effect as has my Mum

Scottish_Saver

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

This is a great thread, many thanks to all who contributed.

I was especially interested in the dying clothes bit - my 'perfect' black t shirts are now looking a bit grey and I can't find similar shapes anywhere. I've always been afraid to dye in my machine though in case it leaves a residue or I have to do a boil wash afterwards to get it clean again. Also does it stain the skin on the first few wears? Can anyone put my mind at rest?

i used the Dylon black dye to put some colour back into faded jeans and it worked a treat. I ran the machine on empty twice afterwards on a hot wash, so perhaps not too MS. No dye on the skin either. All in all it was well worth it. I bought the dye in Morrisons where it was cheapest.