fionamw

Anyone know anywhere to buy Soda Crystals....the old fashioned washday staple, or brill for unbunging greasy drains, etc???? And yes, I've tried Iceland

(no, I don't want an alternative, thanks, I don't want to make matters worse by putting chemical nasties in our septic tank....better stop before TMI bubbles up)

spain

I think I have seen them in Mercadona

Casa Santo Estevo

That sort of thing is usually sold in a Drugoria (sp?) they sell paint, anti rat stuff, insect replenats, cleaning materials etc.
But no perfumes or medicines as the name would suggest.
It is a weird mix of goods to the Brits eyes.

Casa Santo Estevo

PS if you are on a septic tank be careful what you use to free up the flow.

poshnbucks

Yes saw them there on Friday. They are on the bottom shelf of the cleaning materials, Look out for a red bottle....This is a drain cleaner and the item you require is alongside.

fionamw

Thanks - haven't seen in Mercadona but will try again with specs on.... anyone know if Drugoria(sic) is in Malaga area as well?
I know about septic tanks, hence only wanting soda crystals! I've never used biological washpowders & try & limit what else I use in the house by way of cleaning stuff! - not least by limiting the cleaning

Hillybilly

It's a drogueria and it's the generic name for a shop that sells household goods, paint etc so they are everywhere!

Casa Santo Estevo

Thanks for putting me right with the spelling, no matter how I tried it I could not get it right.

fionamw

Thanks; what's the correct translation for the product soda crystals? I failed dismally with whatever I came up with last time!!

Casa Santo Estevo

Soda crystals? Do you mean Caustic Soda?

If so than the Spanish is Soda Cáustica.

jdr

I think the caustic is a stronger version, it gets so hot when in water, I smashed a toilet pan with it when I was an apprentice plumber, lol.

Hillybilly

Soda crystals are "cristales de sosa" or "sal sosa (de lavar)".

poshnbucks

Fiona

Try not to use washing powders use liquid its much kinder to drains.
We used Arial liquid then one day they didn't have any so we tried ELENA liquid its half the price and Mrs P uses it to great effect at 30 degrees.

The link below is American but gives a few tips. Below that is an English site.

http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/Sep...g_Machines.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A873876

fionamw

NOOOOO

Brilliant, thanks

I think it's the ingredients rather than being liquid or powder that makes the difference - for example I used to use Ecover in UK - powder. (here it's too costly for my liking) which would be better for my septic tank than Ariel liquid any day

Thanks all for your help... OH brought some out this weekend but it'll go pretty quick so now I've got some hope for next time

poshnbucks

Ecover......... A lot less skiddies for a few more quidies


That tie breaker won me a weeks holiday in the UK 2nd Prize was two weeks