Reducing single-use/disposable plastic
72 watchers
Jul 2019
7:11am, 9 Jul 2019
16,404 posts
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EvilPixie
I see on the BBC that some are saying don't wash clothes! CEO of Levi says he's not washed his jeans for 10 years (probably his maid!) Also wondered about tablets and pills Always in plastic/foil snap packs Any suggestions for them? And daily use contact lenses? I only use mine on long sessions and races so less than a packet a year! |
Jul 2019
7:28am, 9 Jul 2019
12,996 posts
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Rosehip
I use supermarket cheap dishwasher powder that comes in a box - however I did buy the Finish one in a plastic container once and kept that to transfer the boxed powder to - less chance of it getting wet. Trouble is the powder says all-in-one - but it really needs rinse aid - which only comes in plastic bottles. Hand knitted cotton dishcloths here too I went mad and made dozens of them at once from some yarn found at a charity shop  - also use cut up old towels to clean kitchen surfaces with, old T-shirts cut up as dusters (don't need many, don't dust very often .
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Jul 2019
7:30am, 9 Jul 2019
16,405 posts
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EvilPixie
The article on the BBC says washing powder creates friction that causes the clothes to get clean and fibres to come free. They say if you are to use a washing machine use liquid as it creates less friction
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Jul 2019
7:40am, 9 Jul 2019
12,997 posts
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Rosehip
- so liquid for synthetics maybe and powder for natural fabrics, which aren't such a problem if the fibres loosen? Powder is cheap and comes in cardboard boxes. Washing powders/liquids etc have been advertised for years as being new and improved and whiter than ever etc.etc - but are our clothes really any cleaner than when Granny washed them in a copper with soda and elbow grease? All the artificial perfumes in conditioners etc that Unliver/the advertisers would tell us we need , certainly don't make them smell any better than fresh from the line! |
Jul 2019
7:42am, 9 Jul 2019
20,798 posts
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Lizzie W
thewirecutter.com Nice in depth article on how rinse aid washes better than white vinegar. I'd probably give vinegar a try, but dilute it first to avoid rotting seals. Disclaimer: I don't have a dishwasher but use vinegar instead of fabric softener. |
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Jul 2019
7:45am, 9 Jul 2019
20,799 posts
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Lizzie W
Ecover do refilling, we're lucky to have 2 local shops who do it. I tried soap nuts, bits ended up in the washing. I'd like a real person long term review of eco egg/ball. |
Jul 2019
8:03am, 9 Jul 2019
4,861 posts
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Wine Legs
The dishwasher is definitely not plastic free. the tabs come in a plastic bag - no idea why they can't be packaged in a cardboard box. The rinse aid comes in a plastic bottle. The salt comes in a plastic bag. Again, why can't it be in a cardboard box? Hand washing fares slightly better. The washing up liquid is in a plastic bottle. The scourer is made of coconut coir. The dishes brush... we still have a couple of plastic ones that are going strong after about a year or so. I've got a wooden one I am trying too, but I can't say I am a fan. The brush head sheds bristles regularly and so it really won't last very long. I use a wooden brush head for my veg cleaning too. Also falling apart quite quickly. For cleaning benches, I have cotton cloths, and we also use the kids wipes regularly. That all gets lobbed in the wash. For clothes, I use a cardboard box of washing powder. No conditioner as it seems unnecessary. It's certainly more difficult than the bathroom to reduce plastic. |
Jul 2019
8:29am, 9 Jul 2019
10,696 posts
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Garfield
I'm going back to laundry detergent powder after I use the last of my laundry capsules...they stink too much. Alternatively, I may give them to my neighbours. Back to cardboard boxes again!
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Jul 2019
8:33am, 9 Jul 2019
42,212 posts
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Velociraptor
My daughter and SiL in Vancouver use some sort of eco-ball thing in the washing machine. Their attitude to laundry is likely to be that it has to come out clean and odour-free but removal of all visible stains and gleaming whiteness aren't all that important. Where laundry products are concerned, I follow the price tag rather than the marketing greenwash. |
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Jul 2019
8:40am, 9 Jul 2019
4,862 posts
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Wine Legs
That reminds me, with a pair of grubby 3-yo children...and Binks...I need to make a stain remover soap. Apparently bile soap is meant to be ace, so I need to call my butcher for a gall bladder! I suspect SilverShadow might join me for that experience
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