Whiting?

[jazzactivist]

Hi all! At the weekend I bought a book that includes recipes for eco-cleaning products. However, some of them include "whiting" and I have no idea what this is. It is a modern book and says that it can be bought in chemists. Do you know what it is and what it is for?

There are some very easy tips in the book too, such as that it is important to close the toilet lid before flushing it if your toilet is in your bathroom, as a fine mist of bacteria blows up and covers everything incuding your toothbrush! Another tip is to wash your white linens and towels with light blue items as the slight blue cast creates an optical illusion that the whites are whiter, the same as the old Reckitts Blue did.

[Crocus]

Hi Jazz, i've no idea what it is, perhaps this? http://www.lawrence.co.uk/data_sheets/pdfs/1221.PDF

According to Wiki.answers, "Calcium carbonate, a de-greasing powder."

[jazzactivist]

Well, that would explain why it is included then, crocus, as calcium carbonate is natural. Our nearest pharmacy is a Co-op one, so I don't know if they have anything exotic like that in it! I have just tried out the trick of washing whites with blues and it does work. I washed a couple of old greyish white sheets with a pair of OH's faded jeans and the sheets have come out looking really nice! Who would have thought...

[Crocus]

That's a very good tip Jazz - I'm going to try it definitely! Thanks. X

[franbee]

Just found it on google, it's ground chalk, which of course is calcium carbonate. I found it on a site 'newhouse farm' household tips.

[Ivy]

Maybe you could order it on the internet. I know that there are some websites in GErmany retailing organic/eco friendly household products, so I think there surely are some in England too. If your Pharmacy can't order it for you.

[souter girl]

I suspect our grannies would have known all about such products...........

[cindy]

My Mum used to clean my plimsolls with it and Dad used to use it on his white uniform belts