I currently use large plastic containers of liquid laundry soap for my top loading clothes washer. I would love stop adding plastic waste to our garbage. What is a good alternative? I've seen ads for laundry strips. Anybody use them? Do they work...of course I have to read the one star reviews and there seem to be a few issues. What else is available?

I live on the 25th floor of my building, so it's tough for me to squeegee my windows every time the birds take target practice... I was talking to some guys doing windowwashing on a building down the street, and they were evangelizing the "black magic" of just using a scrub brush and de-ionized (DI) water. Here's the thing - I know I can buy DI water, but it's like $12 a gallon, and that seems like it will add up really fast. I've tried looking online for systems to make my own, but I'm not having an easy time figuring out what I need. (I'm neither an engineer nor a chemist). I see lots of under-sink reverse-osmosis and 99.9% filtration systems, but I don't know that 99.9 percent filtration is what I want - I [u]believe[/u] I want the RO to filter the crap out of the water, but want to actually change the charge(s) of the water itself, right? (Isn't that the black magic part?) An under-counter system isn't ideal (I rent my place). I was kind of hoping I'd find something like a "home brew" kit where I can fill a tank from the sink! I have found things like this [url=https://www.homedepot.com/p/Spot-Free-Car-Wash-Water-Filter-System-CWS-300/300636942?MERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-314269424-_-300636942-_-N] Car Wash Filter system [/url], but that needs a garden hose hookup. I suppose I [u]could[/u] jury-rig a connection in my apartment. This would lack the pressure of a garden hose, probably - would that be a problem, does anyone know? And, you know, if I could keep it to a few hundred bucks, that would be great. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions and / or experience? Thanks!!