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 don't use fabric conditioner or any powder except Fairy because I hate the smell of (usually cheap) washing powders and conditioner - can't understand that stinking of these artificial smells is considered something to aim at.
Are there any perfume free ones that you know of as it seems I should be using conditioner?

George - there's a fragrance free brand called Neutral in the supermarkets now but its £6 for a tiny box of powder . We are longterm Fairy users for the same reason, hate fragranced laundry.

Lots of questions on fragrance.
Fragrance is the number one purchase driver in the UK.
Some people want a “clean” smell while others want floral or even fruity ones.
A lot of investment goes into fragrances that deposit well onto fabrics and are long-lasting.
The base actives in detergents and conditioners do not smell nice so some level of fragrance is always required to mask these.

Yes Neutral is formulated to be as hypoallergenic as possible. It will not give a top clean but it is suitable for people with skin conditions.

@butteredparsn1ps My drawer always clogged if I used the concentrated fabric conditioner. I had to clean the whole machine and then started using Lenor (normal, not the concentrated) and it hasn’t caused any clogging since. Lenor is a bit more of a watery consistency than Comfort, but the nice fragrance is strong. Hope this helps!

When you say the snell of the base actives is unpleasant, does that mean just when you sniff the product or would it actually leave an unpleasant smell on the laundry? I'd have thought there would be a market for fragrance that masks enough to avoid unpleasantness but disappears totally on drying.

I don't have any specific skin condition but find that lots of washing powders/fabric conditions bring me out in a rash. It doesn't seem to be a bio/non bio issue (fairy non bio and comfort pure are about the worst, closely followed by any 2 in 1). I used to be able to use Ariel without any issue but suddenly that also started causing a problem- I assume the ingredients changed. I have now found one (very cheap budget own brand) powder and conditioner that I can use and live in fear of something changing with that too. It's not got the best fragrance and I'd love something a little fresher smelling.Any ideas what might be irritating my skin or how I could make my washing smell a little better without getting a rash?

I lived abroad in a developing country and their own make of fabric conditioner smelled subtly of sewers, so I assume the strong smelling conditioners are to disguise this.

My favourite AMA! Have long wondered about bio/non-bio. I stopped using conditioner a long time ago but may start again now I know about its other positives. Thanks lapin

Do 'black' or 'denim' liquid detergents really work?

Opinion on colour catchers pls

Thanks OP. Brill thread.

So I see all these 'recipes'for home made washing powder. Some of the ingredients you can't seem to get in the UK (I think they're American recipes). Like. Borax.

Have you ever made your own washing powder and what can I use instead of borax?

@messybun - that’s a good thought actually- I was using concentrated products. Thank you

This is my favourite thread ever! I'm running my machine on a 90 degree wash with bleach added as I type!

What a fab thread thanks Op

Loads of tips to try here

My towels always feel hard, not fluffy and soft at all. Can you achieve 'fluffy'without tumble drying?

Also....I really, really now want a mini desktop washing machine

what's your opinion on the very short cycles or the very long eco ones?

we have sensitive skin and have discovered that using the long eco cycles + bio powder are the best for us (plus stuff gets clean). what happens in 3 hours that doesn't happen in 20min?

I've always assumed it was the soaking Blue. These very long cycles are not very practical though, I do a load of washing every morning and hang it out before going to work as the standard cycle on my oldish machine is 50 mins. 60C or 90C loads are about 100 mins and done at the weekend. I won't use the timer or leave it on when we're out because of the fire risk. I'm not looking forward to the day we have to replace it and put up with the newer very long cycles.

Do we need to kill bacteria in washing ?

You said 30 doesn't kill bacteria but then you said 30 was fine with liquid. I don't wash at 30 and use non bio powder, but would be interested to try see if it reduces my electricity bill at all ?

Do we need to kill bacteria in washing ?

yes you do.
just look at all the threads on housekeeping about smelly clothes...

I have severe eczema too and would like to know what you would recommend in my situation. I currently use Surecare or Ecover with no fabric conditioner.

You mentioned that vinegar can damage the washing machine, what about other things like Napisan, Zoflora, bleach, soda crystals etc?

Are you a named inventor on any granted patents?

Genius Lapin! Thankyou x

Yes I am a named inventor on some patents

Yes the drawer - it doesn't ever seem to leave!! Softener tablets are fine but conditioner just sits in the drawer and leads to a growth in mildew. I used to have this problem. Take the drawers out. It looks like you can't but try and pull it out. Clean it and it should be fine. Everything will flow better. You might have to soak it for a bit but it will work.

I have been asked to stop using conditioners to wash towels. Apparently, it stops it absorbing water over time, Is this true?

The other is that it's not good to use softener for sports wear and swimming kits, is this true and why?