This is a load I did today, notice anything about them? They are all dark colours. Black jog bottoms and trousers, black and blue shorts, blue and dark green sweatshirts, purple and black teashirts, black, grey and blue pants, and black socks. I have been saving up my mucky dark clothes for ages till I had enough for a full wash load, because I dont believe in washing something untill it is well grubby. Also, I choose dark colours because they dont show the dirt, so I can wear them for a bit longer.Notice anything else about them? They don't need ironing. I don't buy clothes that need ironing, big waste of time is ironing, expensive too, when the little wheel whizzes round on the electricity meter.
So, dark clothes don't need washing very often, therefore will last longer, and wont need replacing very often. You can get away with using less washing powder because there are no stains to shift. I bought a big box of Daz about three years ago from a wholesaler and there is still lots left. And of course you will save money by not ironing. A win win situation really. I don't think I can get my washing done any cheaper and easier than that :o)
Three pics added. It's a big box, had to cut the top off to get it in the cupboard under the sink. The line shows how much is left. I scoop it out with a tablespoon, three per wash.
8.55kg. Supposed to be 90 standard washes, I've had a lot more than that.
You are doing well if you are still on the same box of Daz after 3 years. Was it an industrial sized box or just a jumbo one ? Think of all the money you have saved!
ReplyDeleteI washed and dried three good loads yesterday!
ReplyDeleteI only use washing powder when it is really necessary, the Eco Washballs do a good job, and if there is a stain you pre-treat it first.
Yes, I have some wash balls but I keep forgetting to use them. Maybe when I run out of powder they will come in usefull.
ReplyDeleteI have some wash balls too, but like MQ, I keep forgetting to use them. I now use half of washing powder and half of soda crystals, makes it go even further - and there is no way we need to use as much as they recommend, how dirty do they think we are! You are always an inspiration MeanQueen.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your posts, I'm amazed how much further you makes things go than some people do. I've just finished a 60 wash box of Lidl Lavender and Cammomile powder I bought at the beginning of the year. I have a scoop that I kept from a box of Vanish powder which I use, just one of those in the ball, and put it in the drum. I read on the MSE forum, someone just puts their machine on until the drum is filled with water and the powder has been mixed etc, then switches it off until the items soak for a half an hour or so and then just runs it through a rinse. Said that everything came up grand that way. I sometimes put some soda crystals, just a half Vanish scoop size (10mls I think) into the wash if things are particularly dirty. I'm not sure about the wash balls because of the noise that they would make and wonder if they would damage the drum of the machine. I think if I were to use the recommended amount of washing powder in the wash the excessive detergent button would flash on my machine and the clothes would need a lot more rinsing etc to get the lather out. Both my boys have eczema so I tend not to use a lot for that reason also. Have a 31 minute wash on my machine which I use for small loads. I have a lot of fleece tops which don't need ironing and also try to smooth things out instead of ironing them. I'm wondering whether I could get washing liquid next time and just use a cold wash instead, and water the liquid down 50/50 and use less than recommended amount. Have always used powder but may give liquid a go. I always dismantle the box too to get every last bit of the powder out as there is usually a good amount trapped between the layers of the cardboard. Cheers, Christy
ReplyDeleteWe had a song at a camp I went to called "Black socks". It went"black socks, they never get dirty-the longer you wear them the stiffer they get. Sometimes I think of the laundry but something inside me says "don't send them yet!!"
ReplyDeleteThere you go-applies to all manner of black clothes but mine tend to get a bit of an odor so I have to wash them!
I use Aldi cheapo and it does very well. My washes are often the other way - having two teenagers, there is a lot of black but I have to save up the white! And, my daughter likes red so I have to save up all the red otherwise things come out pink - as they did recently with a nice bit of linen I wanted to sell (came alright in the end - soaked it in bleachey stuff overnight)
ReplyDeleteI might give the homemade gloop recipe a go when this runs out.
Have you thought about making your own detergent? Here's some recipes
ReplyDeletehttp://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
TRy using two scoops instead of three - small difference I know but the box would last a third longer. I have an he machine and use a tiny amount of powder. If your water is hard put a teaspoon of washing soda instead of the third scoop of powder.
ReplyDeleteSorry going off topic. Just came across this re Blogger brand. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/05/google-blogger-picasa_n_890535.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003
ReplyDeleteback again!
ReplyDeleteEco washballs have a rubber ring round the outside, so they don't damage the drum.
Sainsby's basics is less than £2 for a large box..and only one tablespooonful is needed, if that.
I make my own laundry powder now. I get very cheap soda and some Borax, mix both with some grated castile soap. I`ve prepared a nice little stash of that. This should last at least a year.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for doing as little ironing as possible, unlike my Mum who used to iron everything, including towels and pants!
ReplyDeleteChristy, I use 1/8 the recommended liquid.I don't dilute it, just pour it in the lid of the container and then into the machine. Never pour directly from the bottle because you use more than you think.
ReplyDeleteLynda, When I wash pants with odor not dirt, I just give them a rinse with 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar. They come out smelling nice. After hanging on the line, the look and smell just fine. I wash black socks, tops, knit pants, and bras all together this way....well, put them all in a rinse only.
I am going to try and remember to use my balls, with one spoon of powder, to stretch it out a bit further. Then when it's gone I might try one of those recipes.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone tried soapnuts (http://soapnuts.co.uk/) a sustainable product from India, I've achieved some very satisfactory washing results using them. Also work out very economical.
ReplyDeleteHelen
I only do four loads of laundry a month. Two white and two dark. I have a he machine and sometimes have trouble filling it up with clothes although it uses very little water as it only spray washes. I love it. I also have a ten gallon bath. I put five gallons in the bath and then fill the bucket up again with another five gallons of hot water. I have a plastic cup like the ones you get at fast food chains. I scrub up with the water in the bath and using the cup rinse with the water in the bucket. I do this twice a month and have 2 minutes showers as needed and wash in the sink apart from that. Last water bill was seven quid.
ReplyDeleteI also make my own Laundry powder,as Sarina does,and it last's me a long time,so cheap to make!the clothes that i wear these day's don't require ironing either!!i'm happy with that!
ReplyDeleteSome good tips here. In the last few years I've purchased a lot more dark clothes than I had before for casual wear. I also have a lot of neutral tones> I make my own liquid detergent very cheaply so I don't worry so much about the cost of the laundry detergent. It also saves me from carrying heavy detergent home as I have no car and have to pack everything home.
ReplyDeleteI must have used my iron about 30 times since I got married.
ReplyDeleteIt gets used twice a week now by my son for his Karate gear. OH rarely irons his, he prefers the rugged, crumpled look straight from the washing line or if he is being ultra lazy,straight from the floor where he last hung it.
if you use powder with the balls, the granules inside the balls don't last so long
ReplyDeleteAny comments about the borax substitute we now can only buy? I don't think that it is so good.
The bicarb you can buy in larger boxes is very granular too, doesn't dissolve easily
Hi Ilona....I'm going nuts trying to post on your blog regarding cleaning your bath etc This is what I wrote...(I have a google account but each I typed in the security word it took me be to signing in at Blogger lol!)
ReplyDelete"I'd use bicarbonate of soda to wash the bath and loo...sprinkle it over a damp rag and use it like Ajax powder.
At the Down To Earth forums we've been going mad for a homemade citrus cleaner from the blog Just Like My Nan Made in Australia....soak lots citrus peels in white vinegar for 3 weeks and then strain and use in a spray bottle...it's brilliant for all surfaces around the house and even as a salad dressing with oil and S & P! Cheap to make and very safe and gentle but it does cut through grease brilliantly "
The Down to Earth forums are a spin-off from Rhonda's blog and we have a nice membership...no "bitching' allowed, Narelle is another moderator there and blogs at "Just like my Nan made"...she's very busy and inventive too so you may enjoy their blogs and pick up more ideas.
Hope you're enjoying the summer, cool and wet here now thank goodness,
Love from Sue
The above post was sent to me by email. Thanks for the info Sue.
ReplyDeleteAll of your post are so interesting.....I cant stop reading. I am a new follower and I will be stalking your blog! Lol, hope you don't mind.
ReplyDelete