[John Z]

Not really about emigration but...

I was wondering if something that occurs in Europe now, happens in NZ too. It's about...dish-washing.

During it's evolution dish-washing machines became better and better. And so were the powders, tablets and liquids. The tablets, "power-balls" etc., had reached their top, everything came out clean and shiny. Then, about a year ago we suddenly had "glass-corosion". A few years ago nobody ever heard of it? Then we had to buy special tablets or fluids to prevent "glass-corosion". What happened recently is that our dishes aren't clean any more. The newest marketing is about tea-stains. Again, the dishes used to be clean, but now it seems to me the soap marketing-mobs have left out some ("selective") cleaning-ingredients.

New high-quality machine, A-brand tablets...

Does this happen in NZ too? Or would you think it is still in another marketing phase?

John Z

[John Z]

Hm, there are viewers, but no replies.

Guess dish-washing isn't really popular in NZ? :laugh

[kanatakiwi]

you can use a mixture of equal parts borax and washing soda (also known as soda ash or sodium carbonate) in your dish washing machine. it saves lots of money and is much better for the environment. Gets the dishes clean without all the fancy additives.
kanatakiwi

[IanW99]

Dish washers appear to be very popular in NZ, they tend to come as part of the fitted kitchens here.

I can only guess that they are a few marketing phases behind as the glassess are still coming out like new at the moment?

One thing to note is that there is no limescale (hard water) here so there is no need to add any salt.

Ian

[jubjub]

Hmm, not got any probs with ours either, everything comes out sparkly...

[zardell]

I found the dish-drawers to be absolutely useless.

The ordinary type dishwashers seem OK.

As long as I use Finish 5 Powerball Tablets - which, surprise, surprise, is the most expensive, I end up with really clean dishes.

Borax and washing soda you say, Kanatakiwi ? Haven't seen Borax in years......will have a look for it.

Julie

xx

Haven't noticed any advertising for 'glass corrosion' or 'tea stains' though.

[kanatakiwi]

yep borax. i think I saw some in pak n save but will have a look and let you know where I find it. washing soda might be the harder one to find.
Gloria

[John Z]

Haven't noticed any advertising for 'glass corrosion' or 'tea stains' though.

Great, these responses! With practical advise as well. Thanks a lot already.:cheers

Please, if you start to stumble upon these kind of advertisements, give us "a call", that would be the ultimate proof of global marketing illusions. Well, maybe I just have to wait 'till we get to NZ and experience it ourselves. It would be a laugh and a cry at the same time!

John Z

[zardell]

yep borax. i think I saw some in pak n save but will have a look and let you know where I find it. washing soda might be the harder one to find.
Gloria



Cheers Gloria.

I have to call in at Mitre10 today. Wonder if they have washing soda? I'll have to look.

What quantities to use in the dishwasher are we talking here??

Julie

xx

[kanatakiwi]

2 tbsp, (so one of each) I dont ahve a dishwasher now but when I did have, I just used about what I would nornally use for the commercial powders. I see on a site that recoommends eco-friendly housecleaning solutions, that you can add a tbsp of vinegar to the rinse cycle....guess that's for the "sparkly" result!
G

[nippa&pippa]

Kanatakiwi, any tip of chemical-free household cleaner? etc as I mean to get around to switch into vingear and water to clean the house or anything similar will be great as got fed up of allergy reactions to chemical cleaners every times I clean kitchen, bathroom etc:roll .....Thanks!

[kanatakiwi]

Hi Sophia
I'm researching this because I am sick of using so many chemical products in NZ and they are not cheap either.!

Here is a NZ govt site on "safe substitutes" for chemicals.
http://www.ecan.govt.nz/Our+Environment/Waste/Hazardous+Waste/safe-substitutes.htm
and here is one from Permaculture NZ which has recipes for all sorts of cleaning stuff --- liquid hand soap, disinfectant, laundrey etc. etc.
http://www.permaculture.org.nz/showReadingInfo.php?id=26

hope this helps
Gloria

[nippa&pippa]

Hi Sophia
I'm researching this because I am sick of using so many chemical products in NZ and they are not cheap either.!

Here is a NZ govt site on "safe substitutes" for chemicals.
http://www.ecan.govt.nz/Our+Environment/Waste/Hazardous+Waste/safe-substitutes.htm
and here is one from Permaculture NZ which has recipes for all sorts of cleaning stuff --- liquid hand soap, disinfectant, laundrey etc. etc.
http://www.permaculture.org.nz/showReadingInfo.php?id=26

hope this helps
Gloria

Thanks gloria for this link, very helpful...I have already made enviorment changes in our house:raebanana , have switch all bulbs to low energy bulbs, brought compost bins for garden waste, a worm farm for food waste, switch from using baby wipe to reuseable baby wipes and paper liner to fleece liner for cloth nappies that we already use after can't put paper liner down the toilet anymore. Plan to get water butt to collect rainwater for water the gardens etc. Next things is cleaning products, hence my questions above also my allergy didn't any help.....but funny things I have already notice how much the changes has save your money at the same times!!!!

[StevieD]

Julie, actually think you can get Borax in the Bin Inn, not sure, but will check next time in one if you like?

We got the old manual dishwasher - sink, hot water and washing up liquid in this rental :laugh

[zardell]

Julie, actually think you can get Borax in the Bin Inn, not sure, but will check next time in one if you like?



Thanks for that PB1 - I keep forgetting about the Bin Inn - don't know why 'cos that's where I get my blue peas......:)

Julie

xx

[StevieD]

Exactly! Love that shop to bits I do.

[kanatakiwi]

Thanks for that PB1 - I keep forgetting about the Bin Inn - don't know why 'cos that's where I get my blue peas......:)

Julie

xx

OK, I have to know.....
what are blue peas???:confused:
Gloria

[zardell]

OK, I have to know.....
what are blue peas???:confused:
Gloria



Oh dear - you're not from the UK Gloria, so blue peas may not be as appetising to you as they are to some of us Brits.

They are commonly known as 'mushy peas' and are sold (cooked and ready to eat) at the local 'chippies' (fish and chip shops) as an accompaniment to fish and chips etc.

The Bin Inn sells dried blue peas, which when soaked overnight in cold water and bicarb, then the following day rinsed and then cooked in water and bicarb, turn into 'mushy peas'....yummy!!

I have a mental picture of you turning green whilst reading this post......:laugh

Well - you did ask........:exit

Julie

xx

[Sam B]

Let me reassure you Gloria, that many Brits find them pretty yuck too!

I'm with you on the dish drawers Julie - total rubbish, takes the food off the plates, swills it around, then bakes it on all the other stuff, especially the bottom of glasses.

[zardell]

Let me reassure you Gloria, that many Brits find them pretty yuck too!



I have a feeling it might take more than borax and washing soda to get rid of mushy peas in your dish drawers, don't you think Sam..........:D

Julie

xx