I developed laundry detergents AMA

[LapinR0se]

For many years I was responsible for innovation for one of the biggest laundry brands in the UK.
Any questions you have on stains, wash cycles, laundry products etc you can ask me.

What do you wash tea towels with?

What will bring my once white but now greyish slips and camisoles ( synthetic fabrics) from M&S back to white ?

What was your career path op?

I know this is an old post but I just wondered, in your experience can a 20 degree washing machine program clean clothes properly and be hygienic? My machine has one and says it washes as well as a 40 degree wash but with much lower energy use.

Why do liquids and softeners contain the warning “harmful to aquatic life with lasting effects” but powders don’t?

I hate to correct the OP, but there's a lot of errors here with the history if biological and non-biological detergents (I'm ex-Unilever)

Persil was the first major laundry detergent launched in 1909, which was made by adding a bleaching agent to powdered soap.

Perisl Automatic was launched in the early 70's. Unlike the older style, it was low sudsing specifically for automatic washers. It was however still non-bio at this point.

The first biological washing detergent was Ariel, launched in 1968. This was a high-sudsing powder designed for twin tub washers of that era. Ariel was very successful but didn't become available as a powder for Automatic's until 1983.

In 1984, to compete with the new Ariel Automatic, Persil launched "New System Persil Automatic" which was biological. Persil made absolutely no mention of it being biological on the packaging or in the ad campaigns. This caused an absolutely outcry with British mothers who angrily complained and boycotted the brand, citing enzymes causing irritation to skin. As a result, Persil brought back it's old non-biological formula and the 2 have been sold alongside eachother ever since.

Persil Power was a seperate issue altogether that happened in 1994 and not related to the bio/non-bio debate. That was caused by Persil desperately trying to keep up with new "compact" powders as they were known, and made a washing powder that cleaned brilliantly. Infact it cleaned so well that it ate away the fabric on clothes.

LapinR0se is absolutely right in that non-bio detergents aren't really a thing overseas and if they are, they are only available as a wool/silk detergent and not an everyday powder or liquid. There's also no scientific evidence to suggest that enzymes cause skin irritation. Perfumes, dyes, optical brighteners and even soap have all been linked to irritation. Chances are if you're having a reaction to bio detergent, it's the perfume or dye, which could be in either the detergent or the fabric softener, that's causing an issue and not the enzymes. Non-bio's are purposely made with less scent to keep that area of the market up.

Regarding liquids, whilst they are ok for dark coloured clothes, powder is essential for whites, light colours or anything where hygiene is a factor like bedsheets, towels, nappies or cleaning cloths. Liquids are a lot cheaper to manufacture than powders and less value for money, hence the big brands did such a push for them. I was around when the first liquids were being launched and management couldn't believe they were actually getting people to buy it. Yes, they do help to protect colours but if you're wanting more of a "one for all" detergent, stick to powder as it has far better stain removal and keeps the washing machine cleaner

OP - I use Persil or aerial, whichever is on offer and the white Fairy softener!

Based on your thread I will now also buy a stash of powder to use on my whites!

Am I up to scratch?

Fab thread

How come some people literally smell like a launderette with a fresh smelling powder smell, and my washing just smells regular for about a day, then nothing. Even if I use the same powder as my mum, her washing smells like a fresh Sunday morning and mine never does.

Also, I’d heard that suncream stains are actually a form of rust/oxidisation of a component in the cream and therefore will never wash out, and get worse when exposed to oxygen (and things like vanish?) Is this true?

Hunky
Which magazine voted Samsung the best washing machines apparently.

Great thread, can I add a question, please?
I visit an elderly gent who regularly runs out of washing powder, he tends to put Fairy Liquid in the machine, is this any good for clothes or machine? Thanks.

Sorry if this has already been asked, but what is the best way to remove those speckled black mold stains? I have a few things that got left wet in the laundry basket too long and also just bought a second hand stroller with these marks on it. TIA!

Placemarking!

Great thread, thank you.

You have explained a few things that I was wondering about Lapin.

I don't live in the UK, and you are correct, we do not have a bio / non-bio option, basically the two options are for automatic machine (low foam) or hand wash (high foam), which seems to be a bigger seller here, as it is what is used for top loader machines which are very popular here.

I did live in the UK and when we came back was shocked how limited our ranges are compared to what is available in the UK. I do recall many years back here that we could get Persil, but we don't now, but we do have Omo (which is probably the most popular seller), Skip, Sunlight (although their biggest seller is the green bar I am sure) and Ariel has only recently been introduced here within the last few years or so. I did not realise that Omo and Skip were made by the same manufacturer, i find Skip very harsh, yet Omo not. Also, the liquids are a fairly recent thing too, and the pods even more so.

Here for any stubborn stains, the green sunlight bar is our go to, scrub with that first and soak and it usually does the job. I am not sure if this is something available in UK, but what is in the bar that isn't in the powder that does such a good job of stain removing?

When laundry liquid came out, where you the one that said

"Theyve fallen for it, they are buying watered down detergent"

I was going to buy some dettol anti bac liquid to put in with my dog bedding... do I actually need this?

Fascinating thread.

Liquids are a lot cheaper to manufacture than powders and less value for money, hence the big brands did such a push for them. I was around when the first liquids were being launched and management couldn't believe they were actually getting people to buy it. Yes, they do help to protect colours but if you're wanting more of a "one for all" detergent, stick to powder as it has far better stain removal and keeps the washing machine cleaner

Thanks for this @rabbit123 . It's really interesting and very much a well kept secret!

Do you have a view on colour catcher sheets?

@Pinkandyellowandgreen I've never used colour catchers so I can't comment. They didn't become a thing until after I'd moved on from the industry. I've never had to use them at home, we have enough washing of each different type it would seem to mean that I don't need to mix colours.

This is my favourite ever AMA and I'm excited to read it

I'm only coming to this thread after seeing it mentioned in another thread (different topics entirely).

OP - why do some brands of powder/cleaning products disappear from our shelves when they've followed a massive marketing campaign - e.g. Radion for example? Other products like Colour Catcher sheets that are made into pockets that contain fabric softener or Mr Muscle drain unblocker in a spray can have disappeared but nothing similar has been brought out in their place.

@LapinR0se

Sorry for reviving this thread, but I have a question which I don't think has been answered here.

What is your opinion on colours washing powder (ie those which have been specially formulated for colour clothing?)

Are these on par with liquids for washing colours, and particularly black clothing?

What is best for black clothes - liquid or colour washing powder?

Thank you!

I nkimg about this thread this morning as I was sorting my laundry. I learnt quite a lot and have powder and liquid.

I was so pleased to see it pop up again so I can revise and check my laundry habits again.

I do use 50% premium powder/liquid and 50% soda crystals as they seem to really help and keep costs down.

Thanks @QuitMoaning. I found an ancient packet of soda crystals in the cupboard the other day and soaked some very pale towels which had become stained with, what I can only think can be, years of soap build-up (where people have dried their hands without first rinsing all the soap off). They look amazing now!