Traditional and Economical: How products from yesteryear can help you save money!

Soda Crystals Box from 1955

There is a wealth of money saving hints and thrifty ideas around to help us weather these austere times, but this is not the first time the people of Britain have had to tighten their belts and be careful with their pennies! During the Second World War, British families had to carefully plan their outgoings and ‘make do and mend’ the possessions they had. Luxuries were rare, and even basic supplies like soap were rationed, so cleaning products like Soda Crystals became favourite alternatives for laundry and cleaning tasks.

Soda Crystals Packing Factory

Soda Crystals are once again gaining popularity due to their effective cleaning power, sustainability and versatility, as well as their economical value. For under a pound for a 1kg bag, Soda Crystals have hundreds of uses around the home, from unblocking a slow-draining sink, to clearing a driveway of moss, and removing laundry stains like grease, ink and blood.

Other traditional products like White Vinegar have also been used for centuries for cleaning. Remember Granny’s tip of cleaning windows and mirrors with White Vinegar and newspaper? Well it works a treat, and can also be used for removing limescale from taps, shower screens and draining boards or even as a fabric softener and dishwasher rinse aid!

Old Lux Soap Flakes Ad

Before washing machines were an essential part of every kitchen, laundry was a long and laborious task making use of wash boards, wooden dollys and soap flakes. Whilst these old-fashioned items are no longer necessary, easy to use Liquid Soap Flakes are especially good for washing delicate items like silk, lace, wool, and outdoor clothing, as well as cleaning leather, wooden floors, and natural stone.

These simple, multi-purpose products are just as effective as one-task modern-day products and their versatility means there’s more room in the cupboard and more money in your pocket! 

Have you switched to traditional products to save money?

Thinking about trying reusable nappies?

Did you know that if reusable nappies are laundered responsibly they can be up to 40 percent kinder to the environment? Despite the initial investment in purchasing a nappy system, reusable nappies have also shown to be more cost effective than disposables over the first two years of a child’s life.

The benefits of reusable nappies are plain to see - less waste in landfills, soft, natural fibres against baby’s skin and they are economical. Despite this some parents are put off by the thought of storing soiled nappies, as well as putting dirty nappies through the wash. Here are some helpful tips and ideas for hesitant parents, using traditional, reasonably-priced products from Dri-Pak.

The first thing parents considering using reusable nappies will need is a bucket with a tight fitting lid for soiled nappies to be placed in. A mesh liner for the bucket is also recommended so that no touching of soiled nappies is required once the bucket is full. A great tip is to periodically sprinkle naturally deodorising Bicarbonate of Soda into the bucket to help prevent smells. Once the bucket is full, simply lift the mesh bag out of the bucket, and either put the nappies straight into the washing machine (initially on a cold rinse), or leave them to soak in a regular hot Soda Crystal solution to help remove stains prior to washing.

When washing the nappies use a non-biological washing powder or liquid, as biological detergents are more likely to irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. Adding Soda Crystals to the detergent draw also helps to soften the water, aiding the cleaning action of the detergent, and meaning only the minimum amount of detergent is required to clean the nappies.

For very sensitive skin use Liquid Soap Flakes and a scoop of Soda Crystals in place of detergent. Containing only pure soap, Liquid Soap Flakes gently clean without fragrances or detergent that can irritate skin. To prevent the nappies losing absorbency, an occasional hot wash with a White Vinegar rinse will eliminate any soap build-up on the nappies.

Do not use fabric softener, as it leaves a residue on the surface of the fabric which affects absorbency and can stop the nappies working properly. White Vinegar is a good natural alternative to fabric softener that will ensure no residue is left on the fabric.

For parents worried about bacteria building up within the washing machine, a regular hot wash using half a bag of Soda Crystals will eliminate any smells and wash bacteria out of the machine.

Keep your workout gear smelling fresh and clean!

After the overindulgences of the Christmas celebrations it’s no wonder that one of the most popular New Year resolutions is to get fit! And with the success of the 2012 Olympics still fresh in our minds what better inspiration to shift those extra pounds and get active!

Whether you’re taking up a team sport, sweating it out at the gym or jogging round the park, investing in some good quality exercise clothes can give you extra motivation to push yourself that bit harder. But after a few sessions you may find that simply washing your clothes doesn’t remove lingering sweaty odours.

Our top tip to keep them smelling fresh is to spray them with White Vinegar 10-15 minutes before washing them. Any persistent odours will be neutralised by the vinegar quickly and safely, leaving you with fresh workout gear, ready for your next session.

And what about those whiffy trainers? Pour Bicarbonate of Soda into a pair of socks and tie at the top, then simply place them into the trainers until you use them next. The Bicarbonate of Soda neutralises the odours safely with minimum hassle!

Good luck with your resolutions for 2013!