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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 7, 2007 8:17:16 GMT 1
I use the Ecover range The witch and have done for years. I haven't used any other sort at all since smallest's eczema started when she was a baby. I really love the coconutty smell of the washing liquid and fabric softener and on the odd occasion my eldest daughter has washed any of smallest's clothes I have found the chemical, artificial smell of conventional powders really unpleasant and overpowering. I am trying to convert her now but she says they are too expensive for her budget (although Tescos own brand eco range is very reasonably priced). One good point to emphasise is the temperature of the washing cycle used as too many people wash at far too high and long a cycle regularly - modern machines work very efficiently as 40 degrees which is far more energy friendly. And at the risk of sounding like a neanderthal stinker - people also wash their clothes too often also - a garment (unstained obviously!) which has only been worn for a short while is not 'dirty' and if aired overnight is still 'clean' enough to wear. As most people wash daily nowadays we are all much cleaner and more fragrant! Do the environment a favour and wear your clothes for a bit longer before you wash them........don't all shriek at me at once - I don't smell (only of leeks and they smell nice!) and no one has ever reeled away in horror from me (well, not because of the odour, but maybe a few times for other reasons....  ). And as for household cleaning, the joys of lemons and bicarbonate of soda are an undiscovered area for most people - we do NOT need daily appliances of bleach, chemicals and sprays to keep our house dirt free either......and don't get me started on 'plug-in' scent thingies and other toxic 'cleaning' tools - they are literally poisoning us all......get rid of that sort of stuff and the nation's asthmatics and allergy ridden people would feel much better overnight. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 7, 2007 14:46:54 GMT 1
I use the Ecover range The witch and have done for years. I haven't used any other sort at all since smallest's eczema started when she was a baby. I really love the coconutty smell of the washing liquid and fabric softener and on the odd occasion my eldest daughter has washed any of smallest's clothes I have found the chemical, artificial smell of conventional powders really unpleasant and overpowering. I am trying to convert her now but she says they are too expensive for her budget (although Tescos own brand eco range is very reasonably priced). One good point to emphasise is the temperature of the washing cycle used as too many people wash at far too high and long a cycle regularly - modern machines work very efficiently as 40 degrees which is far more energy friendly. And at the risk of sounding like a neanderthal stinker - people also wash their clothes too often also - a garment (unstained obviously!) which has only been worn for a short while is not 'dirty' and if aired overnight is still 'clean' enough to wear. As most people wash daily nowadays we are all much cleaner and more fragrant! Do the environment a favour and wear your clothes for a bit longer before you wash them........don't all shriek at me at once - I don't smell (only of leeks and they smell nice!) and no one has ever reeled away in horror from me (well, not because of the odour, but maybe a few times for other reasons.... ). And as for household cleaning, the joys of lemons and bicarbonate of soda are an undiscovered area for most people - we do NOT need daily appliances of bleach, chemicals and sprays to keep our house dirt free either......and don't get me started on 'plug-in' scent thingies and other toxic 'cleaning' tools - they are literally poisoning us all......get rid of that sort of stuff and the nation's asthmatics and allergy ridden people would feel much better overnight. Well that's made me feel guilty - I rather like the mulled wine scent that we have at the moment........ |
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Post by Sleepy on Nov 7, 2007 15:03:27 GMT 1
I try to do my bit by minimising my consumption of washing-up liquid.
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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 7, 2007 15:16:59 GMT 1
I try to do my bit by minimising my consumption of washing-up liquid. What a strange choice of drink. Wouldn't a nice Merlot or a Rioja be better? |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 7, 2007 15:44:58 GMT 1
I try to do my bit by minimising my consumption of washing-up liquid. What a strange choice of drink. Wouldn't a nice Merlot or a Rioja be better? ;D |
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Post by Sleepy on Nov 7, 2007 15:46:30 GMT 1
What a strange choice of drink. Wouldn't a nice Merlot or a Rioja be better? ;D Now look you! I'm always so nice to you. So don't you start siding with Mickiepoos against me!!! |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 7, 2007 15:54:05 GMT 1
Now look you! I'm always so nice to you. So don't you start siding with Mickiepoos against me!!! Just 'aving a larf....don't get your knickers in a twist, dearie! X |
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Post by maggyd on Nov 9, 2007 16:42:41 GMT 1
Youve sold me on that one too 4Ps I shall give it a try ;D err....it does keep your whites white ? "doesnt it"? Johns always complaining about itchy calves (legs) so he will be pleased.  |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jan 14, 2008 19:33:55 GMT 1
Youve sold me on that one too 4Ps I shall give it a try ;D err....it does keep your whites white ? "doesnt it"? Johns always complaining about itchy calves (legs) so he will be pleased. The eco-range products don't have bleach in Maggy so your whites might not be quite as blindingly white as with the chemical laden ones. I like ecovere but don't use it ALL the time...anybody tried those 'tumble dryer balls' or the balls (!) you put in your washing machine instead of cleaning products? I have been known to run the washing machine with no products in it at all...if the items are just a bit wiffy as opposed to soiled...EW what a word that is... |
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Post by Sweetleaf on Jan 14, 2008 20:16:58 GMT 1
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Post by canarycreeper on Jan 15, 2008 17:10:36 GMT 1
Ooooh, don't get me started on the cleaning products industry! I don't use Ecover because it's quite dear and not that readily available, but generally avoid products with bleach and only use half the recommended dosage in the washing machine unless something is really filthy - and always use the machine at 30oC. We've been conned into thinking that we have to be super-clean, boil everything etc. Absolutely agree with 4P - we wash our clothes far too often, and if you're personally clean there's no need. Obviously underwear should be changed every day, but I see no reason to change a jumper, skirt or jeans more than once a week unless I've been ... er ... gardening (fat chance in this weather). Likewise, it's a long time since I've used anything but vinegar to clean windows, mirrors etc, and baking soda is brilliant for a range of uses ... cheers ...
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Post by debbiem on Jan 15, 2008 18:50:36 GMT 1
What would be a good alternative to spray bleach for work surfaces etc?
I'm lucky, none of my family have any real allergy problems, regular illnesses or asthma - my house isn't clinically clean and often quite dusty but it's tidy and clean where it counts. I've read somewhere that if everything in your house was so clean you could call it sterilized the body wouldn't have anything going on to enable it to build up a resistance to germs and nasty bacteria. Like our grandmas used to say' A bit of dirt never hurt anyone.'
But what would be a much nicer alternative to all those kitchen/bathroom spray thingies?
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