cheap eco friendly laundry solution???

[petesgirl]

hi--i'm new to mumsnet and this is my very first post! i am interested in making the big switch from persil non-bio to an eco friendly alternative but do not want to pay price of small island in carribean for laundry detergent every month as have 2 (+ 1-on-way) children, and am going to be cloth diapering two kids... any suggestions.. old-fashioned tips? cheaper brands, deals on web etc? thanks georgia

What you need is Flamesparrow I shall try and link her over here!

I have a wash ball from Lakeland, wash usually once a day (when the machines not broke )and so far has been going for 6 months (no Nappies though)
Costs about £10

Ello

The eco ball things are meant to be great (not used them though ). Nappies I do know though.

First of all questions...
How old are your children?
What sort of shape are they (chunky, skinny etc)? I'm guessing if you are talking eco friendly, no tumble drying - so do you have radiators/airing cupboard/clothes horse?
How easy are you want, and how much does appearance matter (slimmer fitting nappies etc, folding terry squares...)?

Will be back a bit later

Laundry gloop:
In a BIG saucepan heat 4Litres of water and grate half a bar of cheapest soap (not olive oil based though), stirring until melted. Stir in 250g (I think, someone confirm for me please?) soda crystals (from the stain remover aisle in supermarkets.) Cool a bit and pour into empty detergent or soda bottles (will still be runny until completely cold).
To use, squidge out some gloop into a detergent dispenser ball and pop it in the drum with your washing.

Eco-friendly detergents aren't necessarily expensive - they are often more concentrated so last longer. Soap nuts are also worth trying.

I use Ecover products

Soapnuts and gloop are ok on lightly soiled things, coloured/patterned items and things you don't mind stains taking longer to fade on, like nappies maybe.
If you want bright whites without sunshine you'll need the optical whiteners and bleach etc of normal detergent.

you can buy ecover laundry bleach and that's not too expensive tho' - I add it to the wash with my eco balls

we use ecover which is cheapest from asda where we are and then put in a scoop of oxyclean now and then if the whites are looking a bit dreary.

thanks for your posts..! will try ecover at asda as live very near to one....

try SOAPODS the eco-friendly (and cheap!) way to wash your clothes
www.soapods.com
penny morgan
director