tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post5617979441405519863..comments2024-03-29T16:34:01.380+10:00Comments on down to earth: Washing the dishes - the continuing storyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77945743529674151662017-05-29T00:46:04.496+10:002017-05-29T00:46:04.496+10:00i know people who washed dishes all their lives an...i know people who washed dishes all their lives and used bar soap and they never died they lived to be in their nineties,its good to be clean but we have to take in some germs,or we will dieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11574978331940663182016-08-20T20:59:31.184+10:002016-08-20T20:59:31.184+10:00Claire, I didn't stay with ecologic long, it w...Claire, I didn't stay with ecologic long, it was difficult to find and I went to ecostore, which I'm still using.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81323815629444795662016-08-20T20:34:57.660+10:002016-08-20T20:34:57.660+10:00Hi Rhonda, I'm joining the convo a few years l...Hi Rhonda, I'm joining the convo a few years late :) but I wondered why you went back to making your own soap when you were happy with ecologic? Or is it just much cheaper to make your own?Clairenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59561447277134020412010-11-26T07:07:08.201+10:002010-11-26T07:07:08.201+10:00Good to see you again, Miss R. I bought the ecolo...Good to see you again, Miss R. I bought the ecologic at my local IGA,rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43429439732576232382010-11-26T06:51:36.953+10:002010-11-26T06:51:36.953+10:00I don't have a dishdrainer and it drives me nu...I don't have a dishdrainer and it drives me nuts!<br />where do you buy the ecologic dishwashing detergent?<br />[ps - i have been busy moving or rather downsizing.. and moving mum to an aged care unit at the same time! love that i now have time to come and read your blog :) ]Miss Robynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15144002124919728056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89422454445374561432010-11-21T22:46:59.452+10:002010-11-21T22:46:59.452+10:00The ecologic product sounds really good. This New ...The ecologic product sounds really good. This New Zealander doesn't use that NZ product - I have gone back to what my dear Maternal Grandmother (my Nana) used, sunlight soap.<br /><br />I would love to be making my own soap howeever my home is tiny and I share my life and home with an older resuce cat. Once upon a time, hopefully way in the future, my rescue lad, Zebby, will have passed on and then soap making may be possible. <br /><br />Until then I'll use sunlight soap for the dishes, make washing powder using a mix of plant oil and sard soaps, and wash my delicates in grated Pears soap. A microplane grater is brilliant for grating the soaps - the gratings dissolve very fast even in cold water. <br /><br />I'm a singleton and don't wash the dishes every day, however I always ensure they are well rinsed. I'm loving the gleaming shine on my cutlery and stainless steel sink and benchtop from using the Sunlight soap for the actual wash.Mickle in NZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10432796020646607634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-23464384565606372302010-11-21T12:32:33.368+10:002010-11-21T12:32:33.368+10:00I know this is slightly off topic, re scouring pow...I know this is slightly off topic, re scouring powder. I have my own recipe for this. Use a firm bristle brush and scrub with pure soap combined with either table salt or baking soda. Baking soda alone on a damp sponge is also effective on most surfaces. You can also personalise your scouring powder by adding an aromatic herb or flower. Put the ingredients in a blender and run until the fragrance has infused the powder (source: Greenpeace website http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/news/blog/green-cleaning-share-your-recipes/blog/24499). Blessings, BevBevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04315751945668772995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11776304596354676402010-11-20T21:40:55.229+10:002010-11-20T21:40:55.229+10:00hello, im new to your site but just love all the v...hello, im new to your site but just love all the very useful information you post.. right off the bat i tried the lemon butter and the home made dog food. my husband fell in love with that lemon butter.ate a whole pint himself in little over a day..and my dog food budget has went frpm aprox 70 dollars every 2 weeks to aprox 15.. dogs love it and saving money is great.. thank you so much.. keep posting...new friend GLORIAMovinon04https://www.blogger.com/profile/14207542388104371183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69494433619191455702010-11-19T21:53:34.632+10:002010-11-19T21:53:34.632+10:00I know Ikea sells a sink that has two bowls and a ...I know Ikea sells a sink that has two bowls and a drain board attached. I almost bought it when we redid our kitchen. I really really wish I would have. I opted for the counter space but that was silly because I can never use it anyway...dishes are always drying there.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03755201514713025969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80461029534517954592010-11-19T13:26:12.320+10:002010-11-19T13:26:12.320+10:00I use a commerical size stainless steel cookie she...I use a commerical size stainless steel cookie sheet, no leakage!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43312979385175827192010-11-19T12:19:04.659+10:002010-11-19T12:19:04.659+10:00Hi, I was discussing with my Aunt Irene the other ...Hi, I was discussing with my Aunt Irene the other day about alternatives to phosphate base dish washing liquids and she mentioned using bicarb and vinegar in the dishwasher. I have been trialing this plus using them in the washing machine. For detailsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04496278095450358103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77344737349428723602010-11-19T07:29:25.245+10:002010-11-19T07:29:25.245+10:00I use a dishwasher; studies are now showing that d...I use a dishwasher; studies are now showing that dishwashers use less water than washing by hand, though of course there's the electricity they run with so it probably still isn't perfect. However I do not have the energy with my health the way it is to wash by hand. It's not convenient at all - the dishwasher is in an outbuilding and requires me to go back and forth with a tray to put everything away and then to put it in. But once it's done once, it's done for the day, and I don't have to stand in one spot for it, which puts me in just too much pain.Oya's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184649716540468970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35065788441723432092010-11-19T06:34:28.942+10:002010-11-19T06:34:28.942+10:00I had an idea which may help a little Rhonda. What...I had an idea which may help a little Rhonda. What about an old metal fridge shelf, placed over one of your sinks? Then place your draining rack on top of that.<br /><br />Both the shelf and rack can then be put away after use.<br /><br />Fridge shelves can be found in second-hand shops or rubbish tips with a Lifeline shop attached. All you need to do is take the measurements of your sink (allow for overhang) and rummage through the shelves that would otherwise go into landfill.<br /><br />I've always wondered how people could use those metal (pvc coated) fridge shelves. They're everywhere!Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62959117205485876712010-11-19T04:55:25.241+10:002010-11-19T04:55:25.241+10:00I have read somewhere that lemon juice and white v...I have read somewhere that lemon juice and white vinegar help cut grease. Is there some way this could be added to your liquid soap or at least add some to your sink water when you are soaking? <br /><br />I have made CP soap one time over a year ago and it was very fun. Your posts have inspired me to give it a go again and try to get more chemicals out of my house! My husband groans when he sees I've done another experiment changing out store bought products with a more frugal option but I love it! Thanks for being one of my favorite inspiring blogs!Candicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00002732775005247919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43072629043834840112010-11-19T03:45:43.805+10:002010-11-19T03:45:43.805+10:00I've never had a dishwasher. In this house, th...I've never had a dishwasher. In this house, the edge of the sink is a good half-inch above the counter top. I use a plastic tray and rack to one side, supported on a piece of old cutting board right next to the sink, and a piece of 2x4 on the far end so that it drains into the sink.<br /><br />I don't like the look of the shiny plastic tray, nor the white spots left by my hard water, so I line the tray, underneath the rack, with a colored tea towel that coordinates with the rest of my changing seasonal decor. It dries quickly, and is easy to just slide out, throw in with the wash each week, and then replace.Sadgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01953324909028095434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-83769532237409170122010-11-19T02:30:01.701+10:002010-11-19T02:30:01.701+10:00Many sinks come with a splash or draining section ...Many sinks come with a splash or draining section attached made in the same material as the sink eg aluminum. When not installed, they look like giant spoons with the splash/draining section being like the handle and the sink(s) being the "spoon". I have a double sink like this and put my dish rack on top of the draining section. When I put the washed & rinsed dishes in the rack to drip-dry, some water falls onto the draining section. It either falls back into the sink--or if not, I wipe it back into the sink about once/day. After putting the dishes away after they've air-dried, I rinse off the dish rack from time to time under the tap. If I have a lot of dishes to hand-wash, I put a second dish rack next to the other one--but right on top of my granite counter top with nothing underneath it. Dishes dry off quickly (esp in the hot South African summers) and the bit of water is usually minimal on the granite tops. I think my dish racks are a bit sturdier than what you have, Rhonda, and so maybe the water stays in them until it evaporates. But, it's the splash guard/draining section that really is the answer. Hope your new sink comes with it! Thanks for such a fantastic blog--always a pleasure to read and apply little by little.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122656833028913453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49873868693398066362010-11-19T00:42:01.230+10:002010-11-19T00:42:01.230+10:00ok disreguard my comment I hadn't read your co...ok disreguard my comment I hadn't read your comment backs yet, but it just stands to reason not as much is going to leak when used properly and if it's still leaking I think I would look into buying a new one because I've never had one made like that leak. Good luckCottage in the City!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02744671613684419963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-52193879445613214612010-11-19T00:38:07.670+10:002010-11-19T00:38:07.670+10:00umm I'm not sure if I'm pointing out the o...umm I'm not sure if I'm pointing out the ovious or not but the space at the end of the mat under your rack the one that seems to bend down is to be placed on the side of the sink so that the excess water run down into the sink and not your counter. :)Cottage in the City!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02744671613684419963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-19878245471505222322010-11-19T00:26:40.801+10:002010-11-19T00:26:40.801+10:00One of the things that I missed when I came from A...One of the things that I missed when I came from Australia to Canada to live was the stainless steel draining board as part of the sink, and I still miss it! I now resort to having the rack in one side of my double sink so it drains there. That frees up counter space (as I don't have much) but is not as convenient. Plastic draining trays never satisfied; they are too flexible, hard to keep really clean and they develop dimples where the "feet" of the rack sit.aussiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01447817935451850594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2795205342413104572010-11-19T00:11:32.341+10:002010-11-19T00:11:32.341+10:00Hi Rhonda,
(FYI - I read your blog regularly but t...Hi Rhonda,<br />(FYI - I read your blog regularly but this is my first time leaving a comment)<br />I use a normal rectangular washing up dish bowl as a dish drainer. I usually dry the dishes straight away so water scums is never a problem. Once I'm done, all I have to do is tip the water back in the sink and voila. <br />With regard the washing up liquid, what's wrong with using castile soap (that's what i use, diluted) such as Dr Bronner? (Sorry I think I might have missed something here as i read the post rather quickly).Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10602961850530194977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-14480789188345679972010-11-19T00:08:09.014+10:002010-11-19T00:08:09.014+10:00I can totally relate to this post!! years ago we h...I can totally relate to this post!! years ago we had our tiny kitchen done up and foolishly decided that as counter space was at a premium we would have a small circular sink and no draining board and a dishwasher under the counter. well thats was fine until we no longer HAD a dish washer and for 3 years I had to wash by handn with no draining board. <br />In the end I brought a cheap melomine (sp?) tray to sit the drainer in and had a towel under that to catch spills and drips. When we moved the kitchen a couple of years ago I found a sink and drainer on freecylce and although its just a basic one I was as happy as larry lol. Now if only I had running water to the kitchen ;)Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11198712369425823683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-25962004806659006172010-11-18T23:51:06.229+10:002010-11-18T23:51:06.229+10:00I use a dishwasher because I am feeding three boys...I use a dishwasher because I am feeding three boys (two teens and an almost teen) so we have LOTS of dishes and I simply do not have the time to hand wash them all. (I'm a single mom and I homeschool all of them so time is very scarce). I try to buy detergents that are safe ecologically but they are quite expensive and would love to know how to make them for dishwashers. I do a fair amount of hand washing, too, since wood, cast iron, and good pots and knives need hand washing (I am in the process of getting rid of plastics entirely for cooking and was fortunate enough to have inherited my mother's wooden-handled cooking spoons and spatulas as well as both of my grandmothers' cast iron cookware). <br /><br />I haven't found a good solution for drainers. Mine always leak, too. I just mop up under them on a regular basis. <br /><br />Thanks for this post. It made me think about when all of my boys are gone and it's just me. Then I'll probably go to all hand washing. <br /><br />Joy (VA)jlthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01293720624466655384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-68395376079915662232010-11-18T23:10:46.987+10:002010-11-18T23:10:46.987+10:00When sinks come with a side splash or draining sec...When sinks come with a side splash or draining section, then it's easy to put your dish rack on top of the draining section. It is made all in one unit out of the same material as the sink eg aluminum. It looks like a giant spoon before it is installed ie the draining section is the handle and the sink or double sinks are the bowl part of the "spoon". There's no need for an extra tray or plastic section for draining underneath the dish rack. This works for me here in Cape Town -- a simple wipe off straight into the sink is all that's needed about once a day. For big handwashes, I have another dish rack that I put next to the other one and the pots & pans and dishes just drip-dry onto my black granite counter top. Again, just wiping off the excess water occasionally is easy to do. And washing out the dish rack.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122656833028913453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88949990990649888952010-11-18T22:53:58.333+10:002010-11-18T22:53:58.333+10:00I use a drainer and tray just like yours. I have ...I use a drainer and tray just like yours. I have the drain tray turned with the drain lip toward the sink and the lip extending over the edge of the sink. It never leaks under the drain try that way.<br /><br />I use a bar of castile soap that I buy at the dollar store. I grate a little of it into hot water, add a teaspoon of vinegar and use that to wash my dishes. When I use the store boughten dish soap or detergent my skin gets really dry and red.Grannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13687590785527530194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89686614582133505322010-11-18T22:36:49.455+10:002010-11-18T22:36:49.455+10:00Yesterday I bought Planet dish detergent for the f...Yesterday I bought Planet dish detergent for the first time (I have used Ajax up till now) and it is made of coconut oil based cleaners,salt,and sodium bicarbonate.It is hypoallergenic,<br />biodegradeable,scent and color free,and works great! so long,Ajax!Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18146666825333788187noreply@blogger.com