How many things can you make yourself?

[LadyOfWaffle]

Sorry, I know I keep starting threads, I keep thinking of more Qs! Just wondering how many things you can actually make yourself ie. soaps (which I know you can) but then I was thinking about washing powder? Washing up liquid? I know you can make household cleaners... erm... fabric softner? Tumble dryer sheets? I am so addicted to cleaning things but I dread to think what I am spraying/wiping around the house etc. Thankyou!

[TheProvincialLady]

Some of that stuff you really don't need. Fabric softener can be replaced with white vinegar and a drop of essential oil. Tumble dryer sheets are no better than dryer balls in terms of results and dryer balls cut down on the amount of time you need to dry clothes for. Once you stop using these chemical things you start to realise just how chemically they are, and how strong they smell - I can't abide them on other people now I have given up!

You could make washing up liquid from soap and I know people make washing liquid from soap nuts but that is too much like effort for me.

[LadyOfWaffle]

I am really addicted to the smells etc. of them though Does vinegar replacing fabric softner not make the wash smell vinegary?

[NumberFour]

No, I have tried vinegar, too a couple of times and there is no smell at all. Promise! I started a thread a while ago (sorry for minor hijack!) about a childminded child of mine who said her jumper smelled "horrible" after she left it here one weekend and I washed it for her mum.

[TheProvincialLady]

No there is no vinegary smell. I prefer natural smells now and I used to love fabric conditioner etc as well.