Nope, you don't need a bin at all. Just make sure you turn it often because so much greens in the compost pile and no browns can cause odor. Actually, a better idea is let the grass clippings turn brown first to prevent them from becoming anerbic and smelling. If it does begin to smell, give it a sprinkle with the water hose. You need to keep it moist anyway. To help add some browns, wood shavings is a good addition. If there's a saw mill, a hay barn, or a construction site near you, ask if you can sweep the floor for them LOL. Hey, it's funny but free. If you have some wood but no shavings, make a small bonfire now and then to burn it and then add the ashes. You want unpainted wood though. Is there an ocean near you? Ground up some seashells. You'll be surprised how much you find around you that aren't in your own backyard. There are also lots of things from inside the house you can add to the pile like used tea bags, brewed coffee grounds w/ the filter, egg shells (crush them), almost anything you would put down the garbage disposal can go into the compost pile. Most people I talked to don't put meats in it but some do. Do you eat corn off the cob? Throw the cob when you're done. Hair, dryer lint, and even an old ragged cotton tshirt. believe it or not. My only concern is that the grass disease. You'll want to make the compost heats up really good to take care of that. There is much, much more to learn on composting on the Soil, Mulch, & Compost Forum. Really great folks over there just like here. I mentioned never using Scott's fertilizer without regard for whether you necessarily have that brand product. I only meant any store-bought fertilizer by whatever name. Instead use grains to fertilize the lawn. Alfalf meal, soybean meal, etc. or processed sewer waste. Apply grains at 10-20 lbs per 1000 square feet. You likely need to find a feed store near you. Wish I lived in France, South of France to be exact.

I seriously doubt if it "ruined" you washer....Either you didn't say or I missed if it is a top or front loader. There are several products made for cleaning machines. Tide makes one, as was mentioned, then there is "Afresh" , which you can get at Home Depot. Home Depot also sells a product called "Whirl Out" It is made for cleaning whirlpool tubs and is back where they sell tubs in the store. Whirlpool tubs are notorious for left over water in the lines souring and moulding. I have used them all in my front loader, just as a normal cleaning. If you have a front loader, does it have a sanatize or cleaning cycle? If so, run it and add a couple cups of bleach. If it doesn't have a sanatize or cleaning cycle, just run the longest cycle it has with the hottest water and a couple cups of bleach. If it's a top loader run the longest cycle with the hottest water and bleach... Then wipe out and leave the lid or door open to air out good. I have had a front loader for over 12 years and have never had any mold or smelly issues with mine, I do wipe it out good after the last load of the day and crack the door open, using a little towel. I can't leave it open very far because it is so close to the back door, so that proves just a little air flow helps. I have read where people put a small fan inside after the last load to help dry it out, that's not a bad idea at all either. I also had a problem with towels smelling soured this summer but it was not because of the machine, just because they were not drying good hanging up in all the humidity. Once that smell gets into a towel, it is hard to get out. I figured out if I add soda to every load of towels they come out nice and fresh smelling. I imagine the same would be for clothes also. I would be interested in hearing how this turns out for you so please update.. and best of luck...

When I used a homemade laundry soap mixtures in the past (I've used it longer than the Duggers have been around - off and on since the 1980's - and in one episode of the Duggers I noticed giant bottles of TIDE in use..... I guess that episode was brought to us by TIDE - LOL). I also used vinegar in each rinse to aid in removing the soap residue. Since switching to Charlie's Soap, I only put vinegar in the rinse for kitchen towels and bath towels since they may have soap residue from use and the vinegar rinse would aid in removing any soap left. I probably don't need vinegar at all, but when we got new water hoses for our F/P, I asked if there was anything I could do to help prevent repairs and they said to use vinegar in the rinse. Then he explained what part it would help (but I don't remember now what it was). So I continue to add vinegar to those two loads. I never use fabric softeners - sheets or liquids. Even dried on a line our clothes and towels are soft. Just an FYI moment concerning using the homemade mixtures (bar soap, washing soda, borax, etc...). Soap WILL build-up on your clothes after a period of time, especially if you have hard water. This build-up will cause fabric to deteriorate. Homemade soap mixtures don't work effectively in cold water (detergent manufacturers and care labels define cold water as 80-85°F - our cold water from the tap is currantly 62°F). Whites will start to look gray. -Grainlady

Ammonia was what I used on DS's clothes. He worked in a tire store/garage. For the greasy clothes and the smell. OR use Borax. 20 Mule Team Borax is wonderful stuff. DD used it when Steve and his son were out camping, slept on a air mattress. His son had a bed wetting problem. The top of the air mattress was that flocked stuff. She thought she'd have to toss it in the garbage. She sprinkled it on while the mattress was wet. Let it dry and the smell was almost gone. Did it a second time and it was gone. I've also used Borax in my laundry and had good luck with it. Its an additive, not a laundry soap so you will need soap also.