a month without supermarket - new challenge for 2011 starts at post 1013

competitionscafe

I think they are as good - haven't done a direct comparison, but I get quite muddy when I go hillwalking and the Clearspring (Faith in Nature) liquid does the job, no problemo. Mud is probably quite easy to clean though - don't know what it would be like on grass stains etc

dianeclaire

Also meant to say, did a search on Ebay for washing powder etc and there's a product on there that says it is crushed washing powder tablets, leading brand, anyone on here bought them or know if they are genuine, it recommends 1 tsp per wash and is £6 plus delivery!!! for 10kgs of the stuff

kscour

dianeclaire wrote:

Thanks for the links, looks like we can survive, but one question are the products as good as Ariel etc, not so much a problem for me and DH but there are 2 fabulous stepchildren to consider who are absolute mud-magnets

I use ecover non bio and if something's really really bad a bit of ecover stain remover. Seems to work fine for me, 2 DD's (one is an absolute dirt magnet - knelt down in a puddle of oil in her school dress once:eek: ) and OH who's a very grubby engineer. I use less than the recommended amount as well.

dianeclaire

:rotfl:

kscour wrote:

I use ecover non bio and if something's really really bad a bit of ecover stain remover. Seems to work fine for me, 2 DD's (one is an absolute dirt magnet - knelt down in a puddle of oil in her school dress once:eek: ) and OH who's a very grubby engineer. I use less than the recommended amount as well.

LOL, that nearly had me falling off the kitchen stool, me thinks had that happened here DD would have run away!!!!!!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

lil_me

You can use 1tsp of any powder, I use teaspoon bold and about the same soda crystals, washings fine, even the icky stuff that comes with having 2 boys! I'd suggest maybe try reducing your current one, I halved mine first and seen no difference, got it right down now, saves me a fortune!

kscour

dianeclaire wrote:

:rotfl:

LOL, that nearly had me falling off the kitchen stool, me thinks had that happened here DD would have run away!!!!!!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Not this one! She said "woops" if I remember rightly!:rolleyes: Didn't help that she was helping OH with something mechanical and he hadn't batted an eyelid. OH went and treated her to a pair of overalls after that!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

i got a pack of soda crystals under the sink which i have had for a few years.... but didnt even open it until a day or so ago....i have been adding it to my washing.. but didnt know how much......i am using ecover at mo.... the last box that i had... via.. r&r and also the satisfaction ..gaurentee thing or your money back....

i also have 1 box of bold 2 in 1 tabs..... so how much washing powder... and soda crystals do i use ? i have just been putting the normal amount of washing powder in and a big load of crystals lol.....

with not going to the supermarket....it has also made me use things up.. and look in the back of the cupboards.... especially the one under the sink.......

send hubby to the butchers today.... as i wasnt up to going out.... so he spend just over £16. pork chops... beef mince.. lamb peices and beef pieces......

and bread .....so far going ok......... did you see the bbc programme this morning...... very interesting.......glad that the woman who normally goes to the supermarket was well impressed with shopping locally.......

lil_me

I use between a teaspoon and tablespoon of washing powder, same with crystals, depends how dirty the washing is, if it's lightly soiled daily stuff teaspoon does it, bit more sometimes for the ickys.

This morning was very interesting, especially about the bit where they said just because you are buying locally doesn't mean it is produced locally. I've been working on this the most, making sure my shopping has done less 'miles' as they put it. I missed the second half as DP came down and changed the channel, because I was 'just listenig to it' as I was busy in between kitchen and sitting room when it was on. I do know what you mean about checking what you have in more, local shops don't have trolleys so more aware of what I am carrying aswell!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

thanks li_me for advice on the washing powder and crystals......i could have washed a football tean with the amount i was using in one wash....lol....

at the mo....i am trying not to put my money into the big supermarkets porfit purse.......

so to support local or independant traders...... i know most of the meat i buy from the butchers ...he rears pigs... and the old owner still supplies him with beef...... and the eggs are localish as well....... so he does try and source his meat locally when he can......

as for the fruit and veg stalls...... well prob most of that is bought in cardiff docks every morning..... so i should imagine that is not local....so most of it might be imported in.......

until i can find a proper local market...... with local produce.... than this is better than nothing.....

hopefully will be able to do a lot more growing this year......

kscour

Our old washing machine repair man told me that you should only see a few bubbles when the machine is going round - if there's lots and lots of bubbles you've used too much powder.
for bedding I use hardly any
for rest about 1/3 recommended. If clothes are noticably dirty I throw in about a tablespoon of washing soda, if it's OH's (or DD 2's!) clothes with oil & grease about a tablespoon of borax.
Got to be honest it's got to the point it's more gut instinct than anything (and a serious amount of bubble watching:D )