Powder or liquid?

[madasamarchhare]

Inspired by another thread which is best for your machine? I always used to use powder but have just had a new kitchen fitted and have begun using liquitabs. They smell v clean obv don't clog up the drawer. But so you know which is best for machines. I'd like to keep mine as good as possible.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Powder is best.

I use the Aldi powder/ tablets.

[wowfudge]

Use powder. Liquid doesn't contain bleaching agents and your machine will end up gunged up and smelly. I suspect tabs are even worse because bits of partially dissolved tab casing will add to things.

[ThenLaterWhenItGotDark]

Powder. Plumber told me that no machine yet has been invented that can cope with the animal fat that is used to make liquid the consistency it is. Hence the gunging up. He also said that no machine cleans at 30 degrees or cold, and they had been to a course where they saw undies tested having been washed at 30 and there was more bacteria than had they not been washed. Something to do with warm but not hot temps.

Since going back to powder I've noticed a real difference.

[rabbit123]

Definitely powder! I buy whatever big box of powder is on offer (except Bold as it doesn't wash too well & really stinks). Ariel, Persil, Daz & Surf are all fine and do a great job. Aldi's & Lidl's own powder is really good too.

[rabbit123]

Forgot to mention, I also find powder better value for money. Liquid & liquitabs always seem really expensive for the number of washes you get.

I've got Daz at the moment. It was on offer in Home Bargains - 60 washes for £4.99 I think.

[rabbit123]

ThenLaterWhenItGotDark, what your plumber said is really interesting. I've never been convinced by cool/cold washes, so that's good to know! I'll stick to my 40 & 60 washes

[cozietoesie]

I use liquid - I kept some of the little plastic balls to put it in - inside the body of the machine and 40/60 washes. (Or higher if I'm 'cleaning' the machine.) Not had any problems so far with either machines or clothes.

[madasamarchhare]

Lovely thank you for all your replies. Powder it is. I also rarely wash at 30. 40 or 60's here.

[kimlo]

I use powder, but I put it straight in to the drum to stop the draw getting clogged up.

[DubiousCredentials]

Yes powder straight on top of clothes in the drum keeps the drawer clean. Although if you use fabric softener that still has to go in the drawer obv.

[FiveShelties]

I use half the recommended amount of powder and add about a level tablespoon of Soda Crystals to every wash. The drawer never gets any gunk in and wshing is lovely and clean. I do not use fabric condtioner - used to until the repair man said how much money it earned him!

[specialsubject]

the Kiwis and Aussies would be most amused at that plumber's comment...

liquid if you have a septic tank. Powder otherwise. Half the amount suggested. And not liquitabs, environmental disaster. Buy a bottle of liquid for much less cash and much less plastic.

[LifeIsGoodish]

Both. Powder for almost everything, but liquid for delicates and bright colours.

And a hot service wash (my machine will do a 95C) 2-3 times a year with just powder, no conditioner, to clean the machine itself. I usually put the hand towels and tea towels in the service wash.

[DubiousCredentials]

Why's that special?

[FiveShelties]

special - why would Kiwis be amused?

Really interested as I return to NZ next year and have never seen fabric conditioner recommended there - other than by the manufacturers of course!

[DubiousCredentials]

If I don't use fabric softener then my washing spits and bites at me when I take it out of the tumble dryer

[rabbit123]

A lot of Aussie's and New Zealanders use liquid but buy a separate bleaching agent (like Oxy Clean) to add in for whites washes, towels & bed sheets, so they very rarely have the problem of smelly washers. A lot have top loaders too which makes a difference.

[specialsubject]

it's the 'you must wash clothes hot or you die horribly' thing. Cold water laundry is very common in Oz and NZ, and they don't seem to die horribly.

the top loaders use much less water (I think?) but mince clothes.

don't know about the antipodean attitude to fabric conditioner, it's not something I ever use.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

But as rabbit said, it's common to use bleaching agents which would help clear the pipes.

Which reminds me, I must do a service wash!

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Or even a maintenance wash!

[rabbit123]

specialsubject, top loaders use more water than front loaders.

Australia & NZ had detergents that are designed to work in cold water. We don't.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

Fairy tablets (compressed powder). No FC. The drawer on our 5yo machine is as clean as the day we bought it (never needed to clean it).

[feelingmiffed]

Ive always bought liquid but recently got a box of the powder and its lasting forever!

[specialsubject]

Top loaders mince clothes and use more water? Design genius ..

We could have cold wash powder too. With our forthcoming energy problems, not a bad idea.