If Only They Knew

Lillibet_2

The small from vinegar evaporates as it dries, so although you might smell it really strongly when first adding it & even when taking the clothes out of the machine it will dissapear when they dry.

frizz_head

MATH wrote:

I'm in a total fuddle with washing powder flitting from one brand to another. I know I should stop my detergent tarty ways and attach myself to a solid, dependable biological but I just can't settle. The laundry aisle is starting to look like a line up of past lovers, used once and then rejected. They look at me with reproachful eyes as I wheel my lastest laundry paramour towards the checkout. The fabirc softners purse their lips at the sight of me picking up yet another one week stand but I just can't help myself.

You are so funny MATH!!!!

I love scents - but do find that I become immune to them after a while (just like perfume), so tend to rotate between brands.

Will be giving up the softener for vinegar as soon as I get through the huge bottle I have from Costco.

Curry_Queen

MrsMW wrote:

To clean the soap drawer on my washing machine, I shove it in the dishwasher occasionally.

Mine won't come out on this machine and its difficult to clean properly in situ

culpepper

I use white vinegar in the soap drawer.When I've used malt ,it has left a residue which goes mouldy.Ive also noticed that cleaning or descaling with white, the smell seems to dissapear much more quickly.

We do live in a hard water area,we have had our central heating pump replaced twice in 16 years because of limescale,I wish I could put vinegar through that.
We have got through a new washing machine about every 6 years so Im hoping with the aid of vinegar and washing crystals,this one will last longer.

Cullumpster

I still had half a bottle of fabric conditioner left so i filled the rest of the bottle up with water and a good old glug of white vinegar and gave it a good old shake.
Now i get softness, a clean washing machine and also a nice smell on my clothes :T

Austin_Allegro

Sarahsaver wrote:

Thats probably sponsored by the industries which make and sell detergent! The balls work by changing the ionisation (atomic charge) of the water.

URBAN MYTH ALERT URBAN MYTH ALERT URBAN MYTH ALERT URBAN MYTH ALERT

I'm no scientist, but that sounds like a load of 'laundry balls' to me, here's some more links. It seems that agitation and water are the main things that get your washing clean, not soap powder or balls. My main suspicion is if the product works, why do they need to supply a prewash stain remover, that contains detergent? Why not just increase the 'atomic charge' in the ball?

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_007b.html

http://www.sniggle.net/Laundry/index.php

Luis

OK, what I need here is for someone to explain what is going on with the vinegar and soda crystals thing. I understand you all use them, and they are great, and have something to do with softening clothes and making them smell nice...........

I feel like I am missing out from not understanding :rotfl:

So what do you use each for? Where do you get them from? How much do you use? What are the benefits? Over what?

I don't mean to sound dim, but i feel like I have come into the film halfway through the plot lol!

MATH

Luis - Soda Crystals soften the water and help to remove greasy stains so you need to use less soap powder to get the same quality of wash. Think of it as a detergent stretcher.
Vinegar will help to deoderise the clothes, removes excess lint that make dark washes look powdery and whites look grey, it is also excellent at removing soap residue and leaves your fabrics very soft. The vinegar smell goes once evrything is dry. Use it as you would fabric conditioner. Most Ol'Styers use white vinegar although I have used bog standard malt vinegar without any probs. HTH

katiepops_2

So where does one get white vinegar from? Will they have it in Tesco?? What about the soda crystals?

I used to have a pack of those scrub balls from QVC a good few years ago - basically it was 9 hard plastic grooved balls that you put in with the wash that enabled you to at least halve the amount of powder and softener you used, the idea being that the balls pounded the dirt out of the washing. They worked very well ... but when I got my new machine last year Col wouldn't let me use them any more.

I could quite easily do at least two washes a day, so I think perhaps I will try the soda and vinegar method to see how I go. I don't think I'm quite ready to give up my Ariel yet though!

Kate

PS: Do you use the vinegar instead of or as well as the softener?

calleyw

I have found my local tescos to be rather pants at being able to get white vinegar from. But you might be lucky in your local one.

When I get chance I get it from Asda about 46p for a small bottle. Need to find somewhere I can get it in bulk.

You use it instead of softner.


Yours

Calley