Further Economies
A few weeks ago I was asked to test some fabric conditioner. As I like to do these things properly I carefully measured out the recommended dose in a little plastic medicine cup (you know, the sort you get with cough medicine bottles) and the thought struck me that I could be using far too much as I normally just tip the liquid into the cap to measure the dosage for my load of washing. If that is the case could I be using too much washing powder too? So....I am conducting an experiment.....
This big box of powder should give 45 washes. It was on offer at £7 which works out at almost 16p per wash. Can I reduce the cost? Let's see.....
Now I add a stroke to my 5 bar gates each time I scoop some powder out. I am hoping to get far more than 45 washes. This is probably the most boring experiment that my readers have ever come across so I apologise in advance and I will forgive you if you stop here! It will, however, help me to decide if a) I am wasting money and b) if I am polluting the environment unnecessarily. I will post the results at a later date.
Broken Promises
When we downsized to our bungalow I agreed to manage without my trusty dishwasher. How much washing up can two people create, I asked myself. DH agreed and volunteered to take a turn with washing the dishes. Fair enough, I though, so....no dishwasher was made room for. Yesterday, I finally heard those longed for words " I'll wash up the breakfast things while you have a shower" Great! After 5 years! I took a leisurely shower and strolled back into the kitchen. Look at the time! We have to out by 11am!
Lawks! Look at the sink! DH is nowhere to be found. Guess who washed up....again....
My Small Treasure for today is that the wind has died down and the day is calm and peaceful. There is no damage in the garden that I can see and I will go out later and check it all properly. I hope you have all been lucky too. Has anyone's fencing (or worse) come down in the wind?
Thanks for popping in x
When we have our own house again, a dishwasher is a must, lifes to short to keep washing dishes, and as I spend alot of time in the kitchen there is always alot to do.
ReplyDeleteI have discovered the truth in that! Now we are being more frugal and I am cooking more from scratch once more, the amount of washing up has increased :-(
DeleteI use half the powder they recommend on the box and have found no difference whatsoever. If the washing is particularly grubby I'm a little more generous. It will be interesting to see how you get on.
ReplyDeleteOooh, it sounds as though I might be en route to saving then :) I'll post the results in a few weeks.
DeleteI don't think that is a boring experiment at all. I thought my experiment to test for a spray to resist blight on my tomatoes was pretty boring, but peeps were interested. That's what so good about frugal blogland. Folk get it!
ReplyDeleteI have a dishwasher and with the amount of food prep and preserving and "entertaining" that I do I wouldn't be without it. I do use it as carefully as possible.
Gill
Thank you for the positive comment, Gill. Re dishwashers, I really do wish I hadn't been persuaded to ditch mine now ;-(
DeleteI use the same brand of powder and use less than a full measure a d my washing is always clean, same with softener. We have a dishwasher and there is only the two of us but i wouldnt want to be without it, I would rather be without the tv :-)
ReplyDeleteHm...I am beginning to wish we HAD ditched the TV instead! The general consensus of opinion seems to be that I could well save money by using a lot less powder in my wash too, Karen.
DeleteI look forward to your results as made me think - yes, I just chuck the fabric softener in out the bottle - maybe there is a reason it has a cap on it??? Might read the bottle when I get home & see what it says. No dishwasher here think I am used to doing them now at 50 years of age.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I found is that I can't judge the amount properly by pouring it into the cap. It's too haphazard for a proper test so I used the medicine measure. Once I found 25ml (recommended dose) I poured it into the cap to see where the level was and it was much less than I imagined....
ReplyDelete