Since phosphates were banned and removed from detergents, my towels (and probably everything else) retain a residue and dry so stiff they become unusable. If I run a wash with no detergent there is always suds at the door of the machine.
The only way to make towels useable is to use a tumble dryer, which I didn't previously own so had to chuck away many towels.
Is there anything that can resolve the rock hard towel problem? I have done lots of research on laundry products as a result of this, and have a large selection of different types. I have also purchased chemicals which are not readily available, however none of those have worked either.
Extra rinsing is no use because the deposits settle back into the fabric, but ingredients in the detergent seem to be intended to prevent the residue from washing out.
So is it correct that phosphonates really are not as effective as phosphates or is it the other ingredients that is causing this build up and stiffness?
One other question, what is this increased trend for adding irritants, disguising the fact that they are irritants by calling them natural ingredients or natural perfumes, which they are, but why not a warning that limonene, geraniol, linalool etc. are allergens?
For people looking for unperfumed detergents, I use Surcare and Waitrose Sensitive.