2 Comments

  • Oily Rag Ed' says:

    Michelle from Invercargill writes: “How to make your own dishwashing liquid”. You can use castile soap in the washing machine, household cleaners and for dishes. You can make a dual lye liquid Castile, or grate castile soap, cover with boiling water and loosely cap until cool. Castile soap contains only olive oil, making it gentle on skin, with low suds which may take time to get used to after surfactant dishwashing liquids but it cleans extremely well and some old-fashioned ways are just better! Castile soap is easy to make and there are plenty of recipes and videos on the internet. Some NZ suppliers offer soap making classes.

  • Oily Rag Ed' says:

    Carolyn from Auckland replies:

    Dishwashing liquid – I do not have a dishwasher so grate good old Sunlight soap and it is great. I make my own laundry products from Binn Inn – Baking soda and again grated Sunlight soap and a few drops of essential oils where necessary, likewise I have a container of 1/2 water and 1/2 white vinegar instead of fabric softener and again a drop or two of essential oil. The savings have been huge, not to mention sheets and clothes are all better and the washing machine is not clogged with all that gooey stuff and smells clean and no black rubber any more. We avoid the supermarket (as much as possible) and use our local butcher and vege shop and own bags and containers. We have gone back to good old soap instead of dispensers. It may sound hard initially, but once you are in the routine it is just second nature and easy. The nearest Binn Inn to me is the same area as my hairdresser so I do two things every 6 – 7 weeks out that way. Love the local cheap markets on a Sunday morning too! Eat and live well on the smell of an oily rag and will be able to retire comfortably and well by starting now.