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craven20
Hazel Seedling
Joined: 15 Jan 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Chichester, West Sussex
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 3:39 pm Post subject: Clothes washing!
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Hi everyone, Just was wondering what people are using as greener/more natural alternatives to the bog standard washing tablets, fabric softeners etc. I have used the basic tesco stuff for a while now and I don't really know where to start in terms of looking for a more natural alternative. Your recommendations would be really appreciated! Thanks!! Chris
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pork
Moderator / Ancient Yew
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 1404
Location: east sussex
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:16 pm Post subject:
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I think soap nuts are fab. They seem to clean as well as anything else did (unless handwashing - not good for that). I was beginning to lose faith but then the washing machine finally died after limping along for 6 years and the stuff that comes out of the new one is so clean I realise it was the machine not the powder.
Other than that I have used ecover but its quite costly and didn't do my hands any favours if I had to handwash.
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Remember - a good wife always helps her husband to do the dishes
Blog: http://pork-lifeafter40.blogspot.com/
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Billy Rhomboid
Moderator / Ancient Yew
Joined: 17 May 2006
Posts: 13671
Location: The Isle of Avalon
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:17 pm Post subject:
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Soapnuts here.
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Carpe Cerevisi
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happymama
Moderator / Ancient Yew
Joined: 17 May 2006
Posts: 8287
Location: Deepest darkest NE England
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:35 pm Post subject:
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I don't find soapnuts any good for mud, or grass stains, sadly, even with a washing booster like washing soda, which I use in every wash regardless.
I use Teso's own Eco wash, in Non-bio (I have itchy kids if I use bio) and it does very well. But only half required quantity because the rest is washing soda, 65p a bag or thereabouts.
Must point out that I can't be bothered to add treatment or to scrub grass stains, or mud. It just goes in the wash.
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People will continue to commit atrocities, as long as they believe in absurbities. (Voltaire)
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JellyB
Moderator / Ancient Yew
Joined: 21 May 2006
Posts: 7667
Location: North Manchester
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:01 pm Post subject:
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Soapnuts here too with the occasional addition of Ecover bleach for whites and a splash of white vinegar to soften towels
For the odd bit of handwashing I have some organic soap flakes
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I just want to be a veggrowingchickenlovingsoapmakinghappyhippyrockchick
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Akuma
Moderator / Ancient Yew
Joined: 19 Sep 2006
Posts: 1377
Location: Darlo, Co Durham
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject:
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Tesco's 'Naturals' Eco non bio (also half dose!) and I use washing soda too. I noticed Wilkinsons now do the 'Green Force' eco range to which is much cheaper then Ecover. Last week at sainsburys I found they are now selling Washing soda laundry boost (bit like the vanish stuff) but it came with a free bag of washing soda so I thought I'd give it a try. Clear vinegar instead of fabric softener most of the time. I occasionally use Ecover's stain remover for grubby shirt cuffs and collars.
Akuma
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Life is not a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in a pretty well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming ... WOW! What a ride!
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Tiggy
Established Chestnut
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 253
Location: worcester
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 7:30 pm Post subject:
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Ecover at the moment,have done for ages or I itch like fury.White vinegar for fabric softener. Cheap nasty powder big box stuff for overalls [oil grease and diesel on these to try and shift] my mother bought that didnt like it and gave it us for the work clothes.
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vialdana
Established Chestnut
Joined: 10 May 2007
Posts: 184
Location: Milton Keynes
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Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:20 pm Post subject:
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soapnuts or ecover here (soapnuts just don't cut it on grease stains sadly). Don't bother with fabric softner mostly coz with soapnuts you just don't need it.
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~*~ I live in my own little world - but it's ok, they know me here. ~*~
~*~ I would be unstoppable, if I could just get started ~*~
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Billy Rhomboid
Moderator / Ancient Yew
Joined: 17 May 2006
Posts: 13671
Location: The Isle of Avalon
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Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:32 pm Post subject:
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Fabric softener is utterly evil stuff from beginning to end. Quite wrong.
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Carpe Cerevisi
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pork
Moderator / Ancient Yew
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 1404
Location: east sussex
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Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject:
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Hear hear
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Remember - a good wife always helps her husband to do the dishes
Blog: http://pork-lifeafter40.blogspot.com/
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compostwoman
Ancient Yew
Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 8924
Location: Deepest Herefordshire
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Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject:
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Soapnuts here or Bio D washing powder...UK made, utterly wholesome, works a treat, totally ethical...
Fabric Softener.. It takes AT least 3 washes to get rid of the stench of it on any 2nd hand clothes I get...yuck...
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Environmental Educator, Forest School Leader, Master Composter, Holistic Therapist. Smallholder.
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jives11
Established Chestnut
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Posts: 266
Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 4:15 am Post subject:
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I just use half doses, which can mean chopping a tablet in half. I also have a small soap tablet string bag, full of plastic widgets from guinness cans, to act as an extra agitator
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