2026 Frugal Living Challenge

fionaandphil

I use the Aldi non bio powder and it seems to work for us, 2 of us with sensitive skin and no reactions. I am a bit stingy with the amount going in as it seems to need an extra rinse otherwise. I keep thinking about the laundry goop but haven't tried it, maybe sometime over the summer I will cut back the ivy and give it a go

kayannie

I use L!dl non bio powder - I prefer this as it doesn't have a strong artificial smell. A box lasts ages for 2 - 3 washes a week. It sometimes doesn't dissolve properly (most likely to me washing at a cool temperature & too many items in the drum). I've solved this by dissolving the powder in warm water before adding it to the machine, this avoids any white streaks on black clothes.

KA

PipneyJane

@ET22 We use Persil Non-bio powder, the big 130-wash box, which cost £16.74 at C0stc0 in January of this year. A helpful note that I wrote on the lid of the box tells me that one box lasts about 18 months. (2 adults, approximately 4 loads a week.). The most important thing was working out how to measure the recommended 50g per wash. I use the scoop from an old tub of Vanish; one full scoop is approximately 50g.

To answer your other question about how much is a reasonable grocery budget for two, may I suggest you read the posts at the start of the monthly Grocery Challenge? (Here’s a link to June’s.) The first post includes details of the UK’s average grocery spends. There are also links to helpful posts and the recipe collection.

HTH

Pip

Arrietty

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82026176#Comment_82026176

I bought myself an EcoEgg a couple of years ago and haven't bought regular washing stuff since - it's brilliant! No chemicals and doesn't clog up your machine. I probably buy new pellets about very 3 months, also just me for laundry but I do 4 loads a week. Initial investment of about £10 to buy the actual egg + pellets. They have a shop on Eboy so you can buy via TopCoshBock and earn yourself a few pennies along the way 😉

Debsnewbudget

another vote for the eco egg

We dont tend to fill it as regularly as we should though, however we do use a Lidl (3 in 1 or 4 in 1 ? ) for whites

Cherryfudge

I got an eco egg in the sale at Yorksh1re Trad!ng for all of 50p and it's doing me really well. I have a rather odd system in that I use that for most summer washes, as items will also get sunshine. Otherwise I use those little soluble 'pods' from Sm0l, which do nicely though I'm not sure of the cost per wash. I also use those for things that are stained, sometimes alongside a stain remover (my go-to is a bar of plain white soap).

If I'm using the 'pods', I add washing soda as we have hard water - never had a limescale problem in the washing machine in 15 years or so, so it must be working. 😊

I think it depends on many things - personal preference, budget, how grubby things get in your house. I'd certainly recommend the eco egg for light washes and thanks, @Arrietty, for the mention of refills - I need to find where to buy those but I'm not ready for them yet. Do you just top up whatever's left, or wait till it's empty, or do the pellets loose efficiency and have to be thrown out?

fionaandphil

Gosh now I'm embarrassed! I have an eco egg too - forgot about it despite it sitting above my washing machine!!!

I also use it in the summer as I like a bit of scent for winter when things don't go out to dry. I will go and move it now so I can't miss it. Will save me a bit of money for summer, thanks for the reminder

startin_again

It’s been over a week since I last posted,  It’s been a busy and expensive week.  I had two close  family celebrations and I paid for my Will and my enduring power of attorney.  It was £480 ..I was initially shocked at the cost. However,  I struggled to get someone to do it so when I finally did get it sorted it felt like such a relief that the cost faded into the background. 

I did pick  up a few bits and bobs from Oilio last Sunday…in particular soup veg and bread rolls. I made a big pot of vegetable soup which gave me free lunches all week. I also made banana bread with over ripe bananas I pick up. I still have bananas left over and hopefully i can freeze them for a later date. 

I opened a chase bank account after reading about it on here. I’m going to transfer over my monthly spending e.g. petrol money, going out money and monthly food shop. I also might consider opening a Loyds account as well to give me the free magazine…lol

startin_again

Thanks everyone for washing powder/liquid recommendations. I previously tried the eco egg but wasn’t too sure about it.

Arrietty

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82027962#Comment_82027962

Full disclosure - I use a tiny splash of conditioner for scent alongside my ecoegg 🤫 Trial and error reveals product quantity recommendation is far too much - a tiny splash is plenty.