J.O., Christchurch.

I use a tablespoon of soda with the detergent, which decreases the grease, and the detergent goes further. I also use soda to soak my tooth bushes and combs, which gives them another lease of life! Or in the bath as bath salts. I only use a fraction of toothpaste of what they advertise; I have a theory, that if toothpaste falls off your brush while cleaning, you don’t need it. If I need warm water in the basin, I fill a small bucket with water till it runs hot and use that for other needs. I use old soap to put in a stocking, but I use it to wash myself with, no different to other soap!