and Jasp the fabirc softener - does it work ? what are your ratios ? i dont want my clothes to smell like vinegar or get oil stains .. kwim ... i have also seen a recipe where you can use conditioner as a main ingerident ... will have to find it again ..
I have 2 empty Earth Choice dishwashing liquid containers - the caps screw off & they are large-ish & easy to wash - I have rinsed them well & I just fill them almost to the top with vinegar. I add 2-4 drops each of oil, and if I'm using the cheaper Lavender oil which you can get in the supermarket then I add a capful of that.
So a typical blend might be 2-3 drops each of lemon, orange & sandalwood, plus a cap of lavender blend (you can get a water-soluble one in the supermarket cheap).
It's very cheap & very easy - easy is important! and IMO more effective than fabric softeners, which can be pretty nasty chemically.
I have been doing this for about 18 months & have never once had any problems with the machine or with oil stains etc, and I don't think you get the vinegar smell even wiothout the oils. Give it a go on a load of towels or something first if you're worried but I LOVE it & will never use anything else.

thanks,, is it actually cheaper mind u i buy the cheaper brands anyhow? anyone know what the savings are? anyone have some good feedback on these recipies?
I thought the washing powder in the machine worked quite well, although for white clothes I would still use something else now & again to keep them 'white' iykwim.
It was cheaper for us, but I use OMO or Coldpower if I'm not making my own. The biggest problem really is...like Lulu said... a lot of the time, I couldn't be arsed making it.

The dishwashing liquid, as I said I wasn't really impressed with. I will stick with Earth Choice.

And the fabric softener - I have never used anything else since I started with this, and never will, it's easy & cheap & IMO better