laundry
Choice, the publication of the Australian consumer organisation of the same name, has tested more than 90 laundry liquids, powders, pods and sheets. They tested the products using front loading and top loading machines. Their comments about the efficiency of top loading machines were quite harsh.
According to Mark Serrets, editorial director at Choice, ‘ Fancy new products don’t perform as well as old school stuff.’ I think he is referring to powders. He continues,’In fact, some of the lowest scoring products barely performed better than just water.’ The laundry sheets marketed as being eco-friendly were some of the worst performing. The Choice tests also showed using half the recommended dose of product resulted in much the same outcome as using the full amount.
For front loading machines the top four products recommended were OMO Ultimate Powder (86%), second was OMO Laundry Powder (84%), third was OMO capsules (the most expensive product tested) and in fourth place, ALDI’S Laundrite Powder, scoring 79% . This product was the best performer for top loading machines, too.
I bought this OMO powder as it met the criteria for ‘stripping’ and returning whites to crispy, clean whiteness. It worked well. So why is it sealed in a plastic bag? The scent is so strong and overpowering I could smell it in the laundry from the front door! Totally overpowering but a few days on the clothesline in the sun removed the smell, so I’d use it again.
There are no guidelines available in Australia defining eco-friendly laundry detergents. Manufacturers can claim whatever they like on the box.
the country women’s association cookbook and household hints
This household bible was first published in 1931 during the Depression. My copy, originally my grandmother’s, was published in 1941 and was a gift to her from my Father. It was published under the direction of the Country Women’s Association of Western Australia with the added title, Non Sectarian and Non Political.
The recipes and household hints were sent into the CWA by women from all over Western Australia. The CWA is still active in many farming and some city communities. And online. Apparently, the CWA are publishing old recipes that can be made from things you probably already have in the fridge or pantry. Hearty and economical, these recipes are easy to prepare and apparently a hit. More information (here) Recipes and information also on Facebook, search cwa woy woy online, also on Instagram.
Apart from recipes. the CWA Cookbook has a plethora of household hints, some you might never need , such as How To Mend A Leaking Bucket, but some you might like to try, such as Reviving Flowers.
What prompted me to get out and search the CWA cookbook in the first place? I bought some lovely chicken sausages last week. I rarely eat sausages but the men in the family really like them. These chicken sausages looked fat and glossy. I bought quite a lot!
Eventually there were eight left and I decided to make old fashioned curried sausages. Nothing fancy pants like my usual curries, involving racks of spices. I wanted something old fashioned, ergo the CWA Cookbook. There were fifteen recipes for curries, none involved sausages, so I did as I always do, and went to Nagi’s recipetineats.com
Delicious, warming on a freezing night and enough for lunch the next day, too. Perfect. So good I went out and bought more chicken sausages. We’re having them for dinner tonight.
rust stains
While we were away recently I left several indoor plants on the table with ceramic watering spears partially embedded so water seeped into the plant pot. It was very successful. And a relief as it was very, very hot at the time.
Unfortunately, I also left a wine cooler with a potted plant in it on the table, too. The metal happily rusted onto the tablecloth. Initially I treated it with a blend of salt and lemon juice. Then I spread the cloth over a drying frame and left it in the sun all day. The rust marks faded, but not completely.
Not totally effective. More research required.
Searched online again. Found several sites recommending vinegar for removing rust stains. Using the Weed Killer spray bottle of vinegar I was able to target the stains. Then I left it draped over a small olive tree, in the sun. The stains had mostly gone. Washed it. Hung it out in the sun. No more rust marks.
Billowing in the breeze and now stain free. It is not actually a tablecloth, it is an Italian double bedspread, but I don’t have any beds that size. I have a table that size. My Mother, who gave it to me, was a bit surprised to see it being used as a tablecloth.