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Best washing powder and dishwasher tablets?

20 replies

tvlover1234 · 29/07/2015 23:56

So we're buying a house and only have cleaning products washing products etc to buy. As I've never had to buy washing powder or dishwasher tablets (is included in my rent whilst living at home) I was wondering what brands you would recommend? Star

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mrsmeerkat · 29/07/2015 23:59

I used to love Persil gel but have a dh and two dc now and switched to almost powder from aldi saved a fortune.

Don't have a dishwasher

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mrsmeerkat · 30/07/2015 00:00

Almat its the big green box then I use vinegar on under arms of gym gear before a wash. Works a treat

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onthering · 30/07/2015 00:02

Dishwasher tabs - I find the Fairy Platinum ones noticeably more reliable than other brands, including Finish which other people seem to like. The others don't always seem to disperse properly, that's happened in two different machines so I tend to think its not a machine issue.

Washing powder - much harder to differentiate. I think the programme you use and how much you fill the machine have way more effect that the brand of powder.

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tvlover1234 · 30/07/2015 00:04

A dishwasher came with the house haha.

It's just the two of us atm. We will be ttc next year so not much washing to be done really so will be smallish loads!(economically done of course ha)

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tvlover1234 · 30/07/2015 00:05

Oooooo meerkat I thought you were advising us not to have one. It's definitly too late in the day for me lol x

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AlfAlf · 30/07/2015 00:11

I always use Fairy washing powder like my mum because it works well but isn't too harsh. Dd1 and I have got a rash when I tried Persil and Ecover.
I don't use fabric conditioner because we react to that too.

I find lidl dishwasher tabs best (their most expensive type). They actually perform better than posh Finish Platinum etc. Do top machine up with salt and rinse aid every so often, no matter what lies the various tablets say about being 5in1 and whatever.

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wowfudge · 30/07/2015 00:18

Aldi Magnum dishwasher tablets - just the cheap ones. Almat washing powder - Aldi again. I use the bio and the one for colours.

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rabbit123 · 30/07/2015 08:34

Finish classic dishwasher tablets. Don't bother with all in one tablets, get the cheaper ones and use separate salt & rinse aid. You'll get much better results.

Washing powder wise, powder is generally better. Liquids don't contain a bleaching agent so they don't wash as well and can lead to a mouldy washer over time. Powders keep the machine clean as well as the clothes. I use whatever big box of bio powder is on offer, be it Persil, Daz, Ariel etc. Supermarkets usually have 1 on offer at a time. We've got Persil at the moment as it was on offer in Morrisons and it's great, but the last one we had was Daz which was fine too. I'm not too keen on Bold though.

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ProcrastinatorGeneral · 30/07/2015 11:08

I'm using the Aldi non-bio powder and have been for years. It's great. Dose for the load, and don't overload the machine.

Liquids and gels leave a scummy residue in the machine which leads to blockages and smell. Remember to do a seevice wash once a month or so. A hot wash (90°c on my machine) with soda crystals and an old towel in works for me, scours the machine and keeps it smelling decent.

Enjoy your new home:)

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fussychica · 30/07/2015 21:08

I use Aldi Almat powder tablets for the washing machine or Waitrose powder tablets. I find them excellent. For dishwashing I use Lidl tablets for light soil and Fairy Platinum for heavy soil. I thought Finish tabs were awful.

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Toffeelatteplease · 30/07/2015 21:13

Aldi bio almat concentrated washing up liquid. Also aldi magnum washing up tabs (just remember to top up the salt and rinse aid)

Tesco value concentrated bio and value tabs are good too.

Asda value bio is rubbish and brings dd up in a rash (as do most of the expensive ones)

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ThatBloodyWoman · 30/07/2015 21:16

I use Ecover washing powder and washing up liquid (no dishwasher).

Smells great.Washes great.

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Eternalsunshines · 30/07/2015 21:19

I always swore by fairy and would cut back on other things to make sure I could afford it, one week I couldn't and brought aldis almat (non bio) it's brill and is the only other powder my sensitive skin lot can tolerate.

I also use their bleach for the bathroom, and anti bac sprays for the kitchen.

I also love star drops pine disinfectant

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Diamondsmiles · 30/07/2015 21:23

Finish is rubbish. We find tesco own reliably much better. Finish always leaves a white film on our glasses.

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alseb · 30/07/2015 21:36

I have always used persil non bio as we have sensitive skin. However, I have recently used Aldi bio powder for things such as socks and I have been really surprised how clean they are. Apparently you need to use a bio powder now and again to clean your machine.

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PigletJohn · 30/07/2015 22:23

Aldi and Lidl are Which best buys, very good and very good VFM.

In your dishwasher be sure to add salt to the salt vessel in yjr dwr floor, and use rinse aid. Your machine probably has settings to adsjust according to water hardness. The salt is especially important as it regenerates the water softener which prevents limescale. All in one tablets are not sufficient. There will be no salt in the washing or rinsing water.

It is useful to run a hot hot hot service wash once a week or so with no powder and a cup of washing soda crystals. This removes soapy sludge that clings to the inside of the washing machine, especially if you mostly do low temp washes. Bacteria live in this sludge. You can put white cotton towels in the service wash as the 90 degree heat will not damage or fade them.

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BeaufortBelle · 30/07/2015 22:33

Dishwasher: supermarket own tablets, the cheapest usually. Plus salt and rinse aid. Find that works best and tops the expensive brands.

Washing Machine: Persil Non Bio liquid. Supermarket or comfort sensitive skin conditioner. Anything else brings the men in the this family up in a rash. I don't have any problems with smells or sludge I don't think but that might be because I do cricket kit and rugby kit in aerial (and then wash). And also use Ariel on a very hot wash for tea towels and DH's hankies - and the bath mats and hand towels.

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arnieschwartzsnogger · 31/07/2015 18:13

ALDI Almat Washing Powder - bloody brilliant stuff and much cheaper than the big brands...

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icelollycraving · 31/07/2015 21:21

Persil bio is the best for whites,ds & I have sensitive skin & it's always been fine.
Lidl colour powder,big giant box for about £6.
Either comfort pure or fairy fabric conditioner.
I used to only buy fairy platinum but now only buy lidl ones.

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LikeASoulWithoutAMind · 01/08/2015 08:35

Dishwasher: I use basic tablets - whichever brand is on offer - with separate dishwasher salt & rinse aid. Don't find own brand tabs as effective.

Washing powder: Sainsburys own brand powder is great. I mainly use the nonbio but use the bio for whites. I use Comfort Pure fabric conditioner.

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