Sneaky ways to save the pennies

phizzimum

BigMummaF wrote: »

I clean the machine by running it empty on the hottest setting, but add a bit of disinfectant & handful of soda crystals. A domestic appliance engineer said it was far more effective than the commercially available stuff, which is basically a brand name for said soda anyway! Which reminds me, it's about due for a clean..

As for the streaks, I turn all dark clothing inside out before putting it in the machine. Likewise thicker items, particularly fleece sweaters etc, as they seem to dry quicker that way tho goodness knows why

thanks bigmumma! didn't know that those products are basically soda crystals - will make me feel less panicky when I see one of those adverts. and good tip about turning clothes inside out - ours usually end up that way by the time they get to the laundry bin. seriously thinking about trying to make some gloop but the comments about streaks have been putting me off.

Becky_2

BigMummaF wrote: »

I clean the machine by running it empty on the hottest setting, but add a bit of disinfectant & handful of soda crystals. A domestic appliance engineer said it was far more effective than the commercially available stuff, which is basically a brand name for said soda anyway! Which reminds me, it's about due for a clean.IMG]

Thanks BigMummaF,

Next time I am cleaning the machine I shall also use soda crystals. What do you use as a disinfectant?

You have just reminded me that this is something I need to do as well. How often do you clean your macine?

ermintrude1

I have tips to share re cleaning, washing and dishwashing;

I do like to get pretty instant results and bought some cillit bang for general cleaning. The stuff is great, fetches off all manner of crud in no time at all. however, the spray dispenser just drops 'blobs' of the stuff about meaning you needed a dozen squirts to get any coverage. I swapped the trigger for an old rinsed one off another product and now only need a quarter to cover the same area.

Re earlier posts, Aldi do a twin pack of dishwasher cleaner for 1.99 - its pretty good for the price - i can't tell any difference from finish at more than double the cost.

White laundry marks - i had these with my old machine so it was either product build up or poor rinsing, as i haven't changed my wasing regime with the new washer. Easiest way to reduce or avoid the marks is to wash garments inside out. I believe that also slows fading.

nuttybabe

candygirl wrote: »

I think you can use more or less any soap.I used simple soap but have sensitive skin;):D

I made gloop this afternoon!! :T The lavender soap was actually a bath bomb but I found some grapefruit smelling soap and used that instead! It was a bit smaller than a usual bar and I only have a 2.5ltr saucepan so made up a batch of 2ltrs with the soap and 8oz of soda crystals. I used 50ml diluted with 150ml of hot water and my clothes came out clean. I have only done a light wash so far with it but if I get white marks on my darks tomorrow I will let you know. Although the mixture is quite difficult to get out of the container and I think thats cos I only used 2 ltrs of water so next time I will probably use half the soap bar and 4oz of soda crystals for the 2 ltrs.

But yay for less than 20p I have 40 washes!! :j

fairylittle

hello all

have been 'lurking' on this site for several weeks and love it so much :j
this thread in particular is brilliant, I have read the whole lot from beginning to end and it has given me so many great ideas. I have rediscovered how much I love baking as well.

yesterday I made HM chicken soup with the carcass from Sunday's roast, chucked in loads of veg and red lentils (which I had never tried before lol), whole family loved it, even v fussy ds who normally refuses to eat 'healthy' things like fruit & veg, I even made HM bread to go with it so feeling quite pleased with myself

Ive also bought own brand tbags and sneaked them into the branded box and no one has noticed have also stocked up on basic ingredients to cook from scratch and not bought any ready meals at all yay!!

Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful ideas, I must try and think of some myself to post now

daska

fairylittle wrote: »

Ive also bought own brand tbags and sneaked them into the branded box and no one has noticed

LOL, my FIL offered to get me some teabags today, knowing that I usually buy mine at Sainsbury's if I can get there. "Which are the ones you like?" he asks. "The really cheap, economy ones in the white and orange box" says me. So what does he turn up with? An enormous bag of 'Red Label'. So sweet of him and yet so wrong, only cost 4 times the price...

shankley4ever

I also made my first "GLOOP" today...Looking good...also cut top off small plastic bottle to make a funnel so I could easily put the gloop in 5LTR container and cut the bottom of the bottle off to make a dosing ball for the machine...Thanks for all your tips guys..:)

wssla00

HELP! Wanted to make gloop today but can't for the life of me find the recipe anymore. Can anyone help pleeesssseeee???

Thanks

BigMummaF

Becky_2 wrote: »

Thanks BigMummaF,

Next time I am cleaning the machine I shall also use soda crystals. What do you use as a disinfectant?

You have just reminded me that this is something I need to do as well. How often do you clean your macine?

I use whatever disinfectant is the cheapest--probably 200ml in the drawer of the machine--& a handful of soda crystals in the drum. Guess you could use a disinfectant with a perfume [z0fl0ra] if you like, but stuff like that makes me sneeze I try to run a cleaning cycle about every six weeks or so, but then there is one in the house who works outside all day so at least two 'dirty' wash loads a week. Hope this makes sense

wssla00

Aaaah found it! Could see for looking!