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.

I love this thread. Have bought some powder, which also makes the room smell wonderful, and have drastically reduced the amount of detergent and conditioner I'm using.

What washing machine do you use or recommend?

@LapinR0se I know this thread is old but I SO enjoyed it!

If you are still around, can I ask a question please?

Can you put powder in the drum not the drawer? just to reduce build up in the drawer.

Thank you!

Hi @Katy75! No put it in the drawer but clean the drawer regularly

I use dettol laundry cleanser liquid in all my washes as I’m presuming it will kill all bacteria.

I also use three quarters of an Aldi bio washing tablet (I don’t use the whole thing as I feel it’s overkill).

Do I even need to use a tab or is the cleanser enough? Thanks.

I refuse to use the big guys detergents, and use bio d ( health food shops or online) and use powdered bleach, and stain remover.
Not needed bio for years.
And uk made, no one needs opticial brightners

For the comment about Ecover, yes not made with so much bleach and enzymes, as persil or aerial after it’s widely unknown take over along with method by sc johnson. ( why I avoid)
Bio d, clean much better, cheaper and can be used for wool/ silk ( as can non bio Ecover liquid), throw enough bleach ( seperate powdered) and rub on stain remover, you get a good result!
Noticed not so over powering smells too

@LapinR0se thank you!!

Hi @Elieza. If you want to kill bacteria then wash at a higher temp or use a tumble dryer. You don’t have to worry too much about bacteria except for underwear, towels and bedding.
The worst bacteria grows in your machine and that’s why it is important to let your machine dry between washes (door and drawer open) and do a service wash every few months.

Saturday evening.. fabulous reading material @LapinR0se!!! I’ve read your comments to DH (Laundry King) he’s actually gone and checked our products. Brilliant advice. Thank you!

Thanks OP.

Its easier to wash all my towels, undies and clothes together so that’s why I’m using the cleanser in the hope I’m killing bacteria that may be in the wash while washing at 30 or 40 degrees?

Will that work or should I split the loads into stuff that may have bacteria and other stuff? That will mean more half loads though as I don’t have many clothes!

I do an empty service wash at 90 degrees monthly and the door is always open when not in use.

Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated as I don’t have a scooby about how products work.

@Elieza yes wash your towels, bedding and undies together at 60 degrees or tumble dry them after a 40 degree wash.

@LapinR0se

dear Lapin, thanks again for all this wonderful advice, I thought of two more Qs if you have time please?

1. how much laundry can I put in a wash? I know not to overfill so I usually fill it about 2/3 full when the washing is dry.

2. I have a new machine and the cycles are so long! The 60 degree cotton wash is 4 hours (and this is not the eco setting). I can reduce the time setting to four shorter options but the second shortest is still 2.5 hours! do you think the shortest, at 1.5 hours, will still clean the clothes?

thank you!!

Hi @Katy75 yes 2/3 full is ideal.

The only way to know if a shorter cycle works is to give it a try. 4 hours is crazy!!

thank you!

Thanks lapinrose, most of my stuff is labelled 40degrees wash.

And I don’t use the tumble dryer except a half hour on towels to fluff them up and speed up drying.

Hence I’m using that cleanser in the hope it may solve my dilemma!

Surely laponrose you have a time saver button?
Mine doesn’t ( stupid me) tho choose a mixed or synthetic cycle, about an hour and respin

Love this. I’m slightly obsessed with the smell of Ariel, the green one. It makes my bedding smell so gorgeous. Any idea what the scent would be? Embarrassing to ask - I’ve nearly mentioned it on S&B. I adore this smell.

It will just be the signature “clean” fragrance that Ariel get supplied by their fragrance house.
If you call their careline they might tell you what the notes are (eg bergamot, lavender, citrus, musk) which you could then have copied by a fragrance expert, or you could look for a home fragrance with a similar profile.

Why (oh why oh why) do M&S not understand laundry labels??

And do you know anyone in the industry who can knock some sense into them?

Their most common combo is [temp with two underlines] plus [two dot tumble dry]. Those are basically mutually exclusive, right? It’s not just me?? If something is delicate enough to need the two line wash symbol, it’s not going to hold up to hot tumble drying.

Have I got this wrong or are they bats?

I realise this is not exactly the point of your thread but it does say AMA

@AllotmentTime can you post a pic of the label?

Here’s an online example:
www.marksandspencer.com/3pk-pure-cotton-printed-sleepsuits-61-2lbs-3-yrs-/p/clp60533759?color=MULTI#intid=prodColourId-60533759

(If you click on details & care it has the symbols)

That’s medium tumble dry. Should be fine

What’s two-line-wash then? The washing machines I’ve had have always said this is gentle.

So M&S sheets, to give another example, need a gentle wash?
www.marksandspencer.com/egyptian-cotton-230-thread-count-flat-sheet/p/hbp22275649?color=WHITE

(Can you tell I’ve got a bee in my bonnet about this )