General Chat

I buy branded ones, usually Finish or Fairy but only when they are on special offer, 10p or less per tablet / capsule is my benchmark. Other makes tend to end up in a congealed mess in the dispenser. I've been ignoring the rinse-aid warning indicator on my dishwasher, intending to re-research all-in-one tablets to see if you need salt and rinse-aid.

White vinegar and soda crystals seem to be my mainstay at the moment, from weed and moss killer to clothes stain removal, grease cleaner etc. Environmentally and cost wise tI hope they prove to be better than the chemical alternatives.

That fat build up was disgusting and a lot of it is caused by restaurants not disposing of surplus fat properly. However our drains round here are always getting blocked, I assume by soap build up or fat, not the house drains but in the road. I never these days put fat, oil or surplus gravies or sauces down the sink.

Thanks for the tips re vinegar scozz and soda crystals, which we have used, GL.

My daughter used to cut her dishwasher tablets in half, said that was plenty (now lives in a v. eco-community where dishwashers discouraged)

ermm I always thought the dish washer was OH mind there is only the 2 of us.

I’m ashamed of myself. I’ve willingly and knowingly embraced consumerism as a hungry dog facing a bowl of food.

For the first time in my life, our home has a dishwasher. Have to say I wasn’t terribly excited by the prospect, because most of the time, it’s just easier for her indoors to do the dishes by hand. Incredibly tedious she complains sometimes, but she was fast and efficient.

But when we have guests, or on her day off, I sometimes help by filling the new machine and let it do its stuff.

Dermot! You're living dangerously :-( A dishwasher might not be needed in your house soon, because all the dishes will be thrown at you.

:-D

Re "soda crystals" to clean drains etc......... what are they? I sometimes pour some bicarb soda in the sink, then a kettle full of boiling water.

I don't put fat (only water goes down the plughole) in the sink..... I keep plastic containers (eg yoghurt pots) and use them. When they're full of yuck (fat, sauce, etc) they go in the bin.

Quite a lot of info here about soda crystals - 10 pages in fact! (I've only read the first page so far)

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=279912&page=1

Twice last winter we had a drain blockage - if next door has a blockage it backs up to us. Called Water Board - first man said there were Wipes blocking the drain where it left neighbour's property, second time they definitely said Baby Wipes - next door have 3 children.

We only throw Andrex down our toilets. However I did read in our paper this week that a lot of blockages are caused not only by fat/soap but Wipes used by the ladies!!!

Although it may say these wipes are all disposable - not true.

"Baby Wipes" do say in the small print not to throw down the loo, but you can with the ones on the loopaper shelves called "Wet Wipes". I use baby wipes a lot, clean my shoes, spilt coffee on desk, keep as pack in the car, quick makeup clean - but they do go in the bin!

I put several tablets in my dishwasher, Warfarin, indigestion capsules, blood pressure and it has lasted ninety-three years.

I started using Calgon in a new washing machine I had and will not make that mistake again. The front of the machine rusted. I don't know what must be in them.

They do work very well in the toilet bowl though.