Washing machine sheets – Homethings (UK) recommended. Magic Clean, well…
We loved the Magic Clean washing sheets when it first came out. For about the first year, it seemed to fit our needs. Then we noticed something. When washing at 30 degrees, it didn’t seem to be quite the same.
- Doina
- Did you leave a piece of paper in your pocket?
- Mircea
- No.
- Doina
- Hm.
And, no it wasn’t. It happened again. Then, there was the dried up bit, stuck to clothing.
I think they changed the formula or the production process. Maybe the detergent is the same, but maybe one of the ingredients that helps dissolve the detergent has been altered. In any case, at 40 degrees they usually dissolved okay, and at 60 they did. But at 30, there was a problem.
There came the idea of using more than one sheet. There are a certain number of double-sheets in the packet. They are separated by a perforation. So, each double sheet is meant to be two washes. But, if you don’t feel that one perforation is enough, perhaps you only have half as many washes as the packet recommends. (or 2/3. We still recommend using less for small washes, or for light washes. And why not try a sheet and a half.)
In any case, we recently tried the British “Homethings” and they are just what we remembered Magic Clean being.
I still like Magic Clean, it’s still light, has paper packaging, and all that. They work well at higher temperatures, and are much easier to carry around than almost anything else in the market. But, if I am visiting Britain, I will bring home some Homethings.
There is still one more brand to try, Dr Beckmann. Unfortunately, Dr Beckmann has plastic packaging. But, it’s a small packet, with the same compact kind of sheets. They are very light, and easy to take home. (Good for everything so far except giving your arms a workout. If you want a workout, perhaps get the more traditional heavy laundry, or just keep some of your old laudry bottles and fill them with a cheaper liquid, like vinegar or water.) We hope to see soon how well Dr Beckmann’s dissolve and how well they clean.
Roach traps – Bros is recommended.
So far, of all the roach traps we tried, Bros seem to be the best. Bros have insect traps in most stores, but they no longer seem to be carried by Auchan. Keep your house clean, of course, and the roaches will be attracted to the food.
The worst we found were Vaco. We have a writer here with a similar name who is offended by his name being used. They are supposed to be environmental, which is a plus. They include a tablet, which makes it more complicated to set up. (In most, just just need to take off the cover and fold them into a roach house. Vaco makes you take out the tablet.
Maybe that tablet attracts roaches, but you’ll never know. The tape on the bottom does not stick very well. Most roaches escape it easily. After a while, you’ll find a lot of roach droppings, but not a lot of roaches.
We still have to try Raid. As Raid is a well known brand, perhaps they have good roach traps.
In any case, if you have roaches, and you keep your place clean, Bros should catch some. If it doesn’t catch any, either your house is such a mess that they are distracted by other sources of food, you’re not using them correctly, or maybe you don’t have roaches.
(Not, even after an exterminator came to our appartment building, Bros caught roaches in a matter of days. If you have dirty neighbours, well, roaches will soon explore their home no matter how much poison there is. And after their home, your home is next.)