What’s something you buy which is cheap/basic that is really good?

[Earbogeys]

Mine is bars of unscented soap from (predictably) Aldi, and also Waitrose own salt and vinegar crisps.

What gems are in your life?

Jar of coconut oil as a make up remover. Melt a small amount in your hands then put onto your dry face, remove with a warm damp flannel. I then follow up with a normal gentle cleanser. So cheap, and I don't need any eye make up remover or anything like that.

Ooh I’ll try that.Got a jar in the kitchen cupboard.

I second the washing up liquid for most cleaning jobs. As has been proven re Covid, basic soap is all you need.

@Benjispruce5 thank you - you have just changed my life with that magnetic soap holder. I never knew such a thing existed and have just been cleaning slimy soap residue off my sink.

Nivea Soft cream for the fizzog and neck.

Excellent.

Tesco/Aldi/Morrison’s etc Basics dishwasher tablets. The type that cost £2.50 for 50. We have very soft water and they clean far, far better than any others.

@MrsTophamHat you’re welcome.

Also, we’ve had a few mentions of Astral moisturiser, but I also find Atrixo hand cream amazing. It’s light enough for face cream, and contains camomile, it’s just lovely. I’d I am going away lightweight, it’s the only cream I take.

My grandmother used Atrix for decades on her hands @IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads and they looked very smooth! It’s a great soothing product and I can see why it has been around for so long.

@LaBellina, my gm used it too!

I've also switched to bar soap for kitchen and bathroom. Still use all my nice shower gels though.

It’s a typical gm thing to use, along with Nivea moisturizer, Pond’s cold cream, Max Factor pink lipstick etc! Classic beauty products

@MrsTophamHat thanks for that. I rarely wear makeup but when my DD plays with it...I always have to keep a bottle of makeup remover just in case. I'll just use the coconut oil next time...much better for her skin!

Also washing powder Save on the plastic waste.

@spinachandchickpea

Sitting my laptop on my lap when working home alone (I sit in an armchair with a pouffe rather than at a desk to make this work). Discovered by accident that I then don’t need to put the heating on - the heat from the laptop keeps me very warm!

That's an excellent tip. Going to try that...

Aldi tropical blast Lilt dupe is awesome

Body shop camomile cleansing butter is brilliant for make up removal.

Aldi fake Fanta is way nicer than genuine Fanta.

Avon Lavender Foot Cream my feet used to be awful so dry and cracked and I’d never wear sandals but this has totally changed the appearance of my feet.I use it twice a day morning and night and also use the foot scrub when I have a shower.I’d tried various more expensive products which did nothing but this ones worked wonders

I'm intrigued why you need to private message about soap nuts?

I just assumed that the poster may have a referral or discount code that she wanted to share privately as its a one time code/limited number of uses so didn't want to put it on the public forum in case someone else used it first

Aldis Lacura skincare range is basically dupes of Kiehls

Off to google soap nuts!

Is it just me, but I find bar soap smells lovely when just opened but after a couole of days it doesn’t smell as fresh..?

Plain unscented pillar candles from Wilko.

I love having candles lit in the evening and used to buy those scented Lily Flame ones in the little tins. But I worked out that the scent/colour and the pretty tins are unimportant - in the end it's the comforting glow of the flame that I want. And those pillar candles last ages. I've got two still going that I started on New Year's Eve.

@melj1213

I'm intrigued why you need to private message about soap nuts?

I just assumed that the poster may have a referral or discount code that she wanted to share privately as its a one time code/limited number of uses so didn't want to put it on the public forum in case someone else used it first

I’ll just say not all MNetters are vipers @Thatkid is being very kind.

@blahblahx

Aldis Lacura skincare range is basically dupes of Kiehls

I find Aldi face creams etc very good too. I particularly like a night cream that contains lavender.

Probably already mentioned, but some of their candles are lovely, and brilliant value.