KonMari 2016 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

MMF007

Charis, I also worry about washing at 30° and rarely use that temp. 40° for most things, 60° for towels and bedding!
I got fed up of highly fragranced washing powder and bought a big bag of Ecover zero (no fragrance), £36 with free del. Says it is 100 washes but of course it will do at least 200, so cost per wash will be 18p at most.

Progress on the ' too large' tops was mixed..... 4 now in CS bag and one being worn to see how i feel later. Actually, as I type I realise it is hanging off my shoulder so it can be released as well

DH has just come in with an armful of rhubarb so I shall be making rhubarb n ginger jam this evening (have stem ginger ready and waiting). It won't stay in the house long because several people have requested a jar!!

Also want to report that i have adopted the 15 minute dash as a way to get stuff done when i am inclined to sit down when I come in from work.
I set myself a few little tasks as soon as I get in, that will get good results. It is surprising that once a few things have been dealt with i am inclined to carry on for bit longer and do plenty more.

Doing a manual job now has led to the temptation to 'rest' all evening (messing about on internet or reading a book) and that is not how I want to fritter away time! The more i get done in the evening the more chance I have of getting outside in the daytime, and sunny days beckon

Techno

Just a reminder that it is pointless using biological washing powder much above 40 degrees. It contains enzymes which are proteins which digest food stains. Optimum temp is body temp (40) the enzymes do work when it's cooler though not quite as well but stop working altogether by the time the wash gets up to 60 degrees. So just use cheaper non bio

PollyWollyDoodle

That's interesting- I use non-bio anyway, as biological powder makes me itch. I find washing powder is very expensive, I never use as much as the packet recommends and I buy Lidl cheap and cheerful and it seems to work fine, but I keep thinking I should try soapnuts or something different- does anyone make their own?

I use Ecover washing up liquid and dishwasher tablets and they're both fine. I've just bought some Star Drops for the bathroom but it really smells strongly of vinegar.

greenbee

MMF007 wrote: »

I got fed up of highly fragranced washing powder

This is my main reason for sticking with ecover... I find it really hard to wear clothes that have been washed with scented laundry products.

Unfortunatley I have yet to find anything that really gets the smell out of the synthetic fabrics my running stuff is made of, but then no one other than me smells it! I have to throw them out when they get too bad, but masking with perfumes isn't the same as getting the smell out. (I do soak in bicarb and rinse in vinegar, but eventually it stops working).

greent

I make my own laundry gloop, rather than use any commercial product - it's essentially grated soap (I have a large supply of craft/ handmade soaps, made with just fats/ oils, caustic soda and essential oils), boiled up in lots of water with a large handful of soda crystals thrown in. I keep it in 4pt milk bottles . I wash most things at 40, as that's the default setting on my machine! I like using a liquid, as it's handy for the speedy wash on my WM (15 mins! ) It just smells of 'soap' (like old fashioned soap flakes), not the EOs. I buy white vinegar from the cash n carry in 5L bottles

Ec0ver washing up liquid gives me itchy, peeling, red hands (contact dermatitis, I believe?) I like Fa1ry (the red one - pomegranate and something) I use Fa1ry on most food/oil based stains on clothes. And I didn't like Ec0ver loo cleaner.

I use Fa1ry dishwasher blobs. I used to use Fin1sh tablets, but found that they are not as effective as they used to be

BettiePage

A letter from our chosen charity shop (local hospice) tells us we've raised just over £85 (plus £20 tax rebate thing) from the last couple of months. :T

Ladykernow

Partner cleared out a charity bag full of clothes he didn't need. I managed to throw away an old pair of shorts! It doesn't look any different in our wardrobe. Haha

Floss

I need to put my gift aid cards away, as I am no longer a tax payer so cannot donate as a gift aider

I did however remember this, and had a really good clear-out to our local hospice shop before the end of March

maryb

I'm ok with Ecover washing up liquid now but when I first tried it 20 odd years ago I think it was basically washing soda and my hands literally cracked open. It needed steroid ointment before it would heal

But I find their all purpose cleaner diluted in one of my own spray bottles is excellent. It cuts through kitchen grease easily but it's the only cleaner that doesn't set me coughing

[Deleted User]

very interesting topics again, always good reading every single post

The best washing up liquid for me is bio D and I have enough for donkey`s years, from the days when I gor sucked into `bargains` online. I have over almost 2 gallons, which I decant. It is good stuff and I am making a point of using it. I have very many washing balls, fom a lakeland sale many years ago, they were practically given away. Every six months or so, I pass a couple on to a dd, they are good enough for towels and sheets and will wash at 60. I also like a paste in a box called bio-mex and again have enough for a long time, :cool: also bought similar when qvc had a very special offer. Good on sinks and for getting into toilets and does not get into my lungs, like a spray

My washing machine is miele and my water source for that is rain water, so I use half or less of the recommended dosage amounts. After so many trial and errors over years with bio friendly, including soap nuts, I decided to stick with miele detergents and again stocked up with special offers. They last me a very long time and are efficient. I never use conditioner

I sorted some socks from my kondo drawer, easy, three out and three in. House cleaning is very easy, except that today, I decided to look up all around the house and will be equipped with my cobweb busting long pole duster. Floors are clean, skirtings are clean, I think I have finished and then I look up