Bio vs non bio?

[happyhopefulmummy]

I'm sorry for the silly question...but what is the difference? I know non-bio washing powder is better for sensitive skin, but does bio wash clothes better? Is one better for the washing machine?

[Seona1973]

bio has enzymes in it that helps break down food stains. I always use bio powder and have found it very effective. Low temperatures and non-bio detergents (especially liquids) can lead to a build up of slime in the washing machine. I used to use liquid detergents and found I got a lot of marks on my washing from the drum of the machine. It has greatly reduced since switching to powder.

[MousyMouse]

bio washes better definitly.
careful with silk and wool, though, as the enzymes 'eat' the fabric.

the 'non-bio is kinder to skin' is a myth. what is harsh to skin are perfumes and other things in detergent. if in doubt you can always chose an eco brand and do an extra rinse.

[DukeHumfrey]

I always use non-bio because, as noted above, bio makes holes in clothes. Which is not a price I'm willing to pay for slightly-cleaner clothes.

[happyhopefulmummy]

Ah, I didn't know that was a myth. Does anyone hae any suggestions then for a decent washing powder, good for sensitive skin ad that cleans clothes well? I have a crawling, blw, messy baby!

[SpagboLagain]

Bio is only damaging to wool and silk as they are protein based. All other fibres are fine.

Powders clean the best as they also contain some gentle bleach (even most of the non bio ones) so I use these for most o my washing, all whites and lights. For really dark stuff I use a liquid, but then stains show much less on dark things anyway, and this is only 1 load a week. I use persil for both, big box powder and small and mighty liquid. Have baby and toddler and persil deals with most stuff!

[Seona1973]

I buy powder when it is on offer so I am using Ariel just now and have a big box of Persil ready for when the Ariel is finished.

[NotMostPeople]

It isn't a myth at all. I have no allergies other than when I've use bio washing powder which results in a horrible itchy skin rash. My Doctor told me that it's very coomon.

[DukeHumfrey]

"Bio is only damaging to wool and silk as they are protein based. All other fibres are fine."

And cotton - which I have a lot of.

[NeedlesCuties]

I got a horrible terrible rash after using Bio. Was so bad I got sent home from work!

Have never used it since, always use non-bio and that is fine for me and also for DC.

The Fairy non-bio is good and sometimes is on offer too.

[AdventuresWithVoles]

Don't use Bio on durable water-repellent finished fabrics, either (like expensive sports jackets & leggings); Bio deterg enzymes bind to & strip or interfere with the DWR layer. Okay with Goretex, though.

We used non-bio for years & never had smelly washing machine or any other problems.

Have now used bio for years, including on wool, and not had any problems! But appreciate lower costs/colour detergent/lower temp options.

[SpagboLagain]

Yes I would be careful with anything with a technical finish and only use something v gentle!

DukeHumfrey eh? What enzymes in washing powder attack cotton? If you mean the cellulases then I think they are only found in specific colour care detergents not regular bio powders. Cleaning enzymes are proteases and lipases, so will go for fats and proteins, not cotton. What sort of damage do you mean?

[alana39]

I started using bio when I bought washable nappies for DS3, based on advice on a cloth nappy website. Their recommendation was for bio (which is understandable on dirty nappies!) and said that bio detergents are very different from 20 years ago - when I avoided them due to skin reactions.

Apparently the enzymes should be used up during the wash and this is more reliable in modern detergents BUT they suggested the recommended dosage from manufacturers was higher than you needed. I only use about 2/3 of the recommended amount. Clothes clean better than with non-bio and none of us have had any skin reaction (and we have mild eczema and psoriasis in various family members).

I have no idea whether the science behind the advice I followed is sound, so this is just my experience really. I do suspect the dosage thing is probably true - encourages replacement more quickly! I don't use bio on anything remotely delicate anyway (use handwash liquid in the machine).

If you do have a build up of grime then a 90 degree wash with half a bag of soda crystals in an empty machine every 3 months will sort that out.

[tak1ngchances]

A lot of people are very knowledgable about detergents on here!

[chipsandpeas]

i always get a skin rash after wearing clothes that have been washed in bio washing powder been that way for about 20 years
was a nightmare when i was younger and swapping clothes with friends and some of them used bio powder as i'd come out in a rash

havent used bio in years just easier to stick to non bio

[colditz]

Bio isn't damaging to cotton, as the fibres are not protein based, like work, leather and silk. Cotton fibres are cellulose base, ie, from plants. Wool and silk are from animals

[happyhopefulmummy]

WOw, lots of clued up people here about washin powerds! Thanks.

Although, I'm sorry to say I don't know what soda crystals are or where I can get them...

[MousyMouse]

soda crystals are just one of the components of washing detergents. they are brilliant for greasy stains. diluted with water they make a strong solution (caustic soda I think) so have to be handled carefully.
I use much less powder than it says on the pack (about a third) and for tough stains I add some soda crystals.
they can be found in the supermarket either where the stain remover stuff or dishwashing stuff is.

[PigletJohn]

usually it means Washing Soda crystals, which are quite cheap and sold in the laundry aisles of supermarkets or hardware stores, usually in a light-blue box. The crystals are quite large and icy-looking. It can be used for cleaning greasy things, or added to soap, and used for clearing drains.

Caustic soda is a much fiercer chemical, it will dissolve skin, clothes and eyeballs so you have to be very careful with it. It is also used for clearing drain blockages, usually in made-up brand-name chemicals.

[Seona1973]

our soda crystals are in a green bag and the grains are quite fine

[PigletJohn]

oh yes, same green polybag here too now. I wonder what brand the blue box is?

[takingiteasy]

Thanks for all the replies! Using bio the awful smell is subsiding after a few hot empty washes.

[Autonomy14]

Non bio being kinder to skin is no myth, if I use bio detergent my skin will turn bright red and after a few days exposure it will cause my tongue and throat to swell down to my lungs. I was seriously ill for six months and the doctors had no answers after antibiotics failed to help. Luckily a work colleague suggested I change my detergent to non bio and I have never looked back since.

[RavioliOnToast]

Non bio gives my dd rashes all over her legs, non bio doesn't

[RavioliOnToast]

Shit, haha bio gives her rashes, non bio doesn't

I can't type on this tablet