Using Shampoo in the Washing Machine

Bronnie

I saw this tip buried in the middle of another OS thread in the last week and I can't for the life find it now, to acknowledge the poster for her brilliant (to me) MS idea.

I have had the ingredients for laundry gloop in my cupboard since last summer , just haven't quite got round to grating the soap etc!

However, this week I have been playing around using Sainsbury's Basics Shampoo instead of detergent in my washing machine. The shampoo is 22p for a litre bottle. I thought it might be more suitable for use in an automatic machine as the label states "Less lather..."

http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/dynamic/00561/Ten-best-5_561569s.jpg

Tesco Value shampoo is the same price and actually looks identical.

I used 50ml (a capful) with a darks wash at 30 degrees and 100ml with some towels at 60 degrees. There was very little lather, so no rinsing problems. Both loads came out absolutely fine and with a very slight fragrance. Using 50ml costs just over a penny per wash. :T

Most of the stuff I wash is not really dirty; I will continue to use regular detergents for more heavily soiled stuff , but this will be a good economy for me.

cyclingyorkie

wow!!!!!!!!

sammr85

Wow what a fab tip, I will have to store these tips somewhere for when the kids stop getting in such a mess!

TRYINGTOSWIM

I read this too and been trying to pluck up courage to try it. lots of our clothes we wash arent really dirty in the sense that really all they need is freshening up.
I am off to grab some washing and try it. got value shampoo upstairs;)

make sure my teenage sons dont see as they will really think I have gone mad

Linda32

That sounds great.

Does it work okay, I'd be up for giving that a go, as long as it dosn't ruin the machine.

jcr16

my machine is only 5 days old i'd be worried i damage it.

i buy whatever washing powder is on off last box was £4 for 25 washes ( aeril) i got 60 washes out of it as i use less than recommneded. still washes great. prob not as cheap as 1p a wash, but still not too bad.

OrkneyStar

I would worry there would be too much lather.
Have you tried 'Eco balls', or soap pods, or making laundry 'gloop' ?
I personally either use value powder, or more often stock up on Ariel or Bold when on offer!

Fruball

I cannot see how using shampoo will ruin a machine!!

Next time I am in MrS I will certainly be buying it and using it for clothes.

Thanks OP

lauren_1

Works fine

OrkneyStar

Frugal wrote: »

I cannot see how using shampoo will ruin a machine!!

Next time I am in MrS I will certainly be buying it and using it for clothes.

Thanks OP

I am not sure 'ruin' would be the right word, I just wonder about the lather, and whether it would rinse out well enough ? I suppose there is no harm in trying a test run if you are interested .
x

Alleycat

With talk of shampoo as washing liquid, does anyone know if hair conditioner would work as washing conditioner as I've got numerous half empty bottles that didn't really work well on my hair?