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Original poster

Laundry detergent-pods,liquid or powder?

146 replies

MsMiaWallace · 14/04/2022 17:57

Which do you use? I buy pods but trying to save money.
Is it more cost effective to buy liquid or powder nowadays?
At least with pods you know it's the actual amount of washes you get.

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OP posts:
UseOfWeapons · 15/04/2022 07:18

Powder every time! Never used pods, but tried liquids…don’t wash as well. Better value per wash, and you can titration better for hand washing.

SirChenjins · 15/04/2022 07:26

If anyone is having difficulty getting hold of powder in the supermarket the big saver type places like B&M, Home Bargains, The Range etc usually have them if there’s one near you.

Footle · 15/04/2022 07:43

Surcare powder

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dementedma · 15/04/2022 07:48

Smol pods. Delivered to the house and environmentally friendly

GeneLovesJezebel · 15/04/2022 07:50

Powder.
I had a machine leaking one day, the first thing the repair man asked was if I use liquid or pods to wash. I’ve used powder since.

Coffeeonmytoffee · 15/04/2022 07:52

Powder. I get a massive box, use half of what they say I need and I can put the box in the recycling.

PuppyMonkey · 15/04/2022 07:59

Massive box of Fairy powder from Costco for everything in our house.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 15/04/2022 08:14

I stopped buying pods (and conditioner) a couple of years ago, after reading how they gunge up your machine. (Also the plastic pod boxes are a bugger to open.)

After doing a very hot (empty) was with just soda crystals, I was appalled at the amount of greyish foam that appeared.
Had to do a 2nd hot wash to clear it.

I now use just ordinary powder (cardboard carton, no plastic) and a lot less than I ever did, straight into the drum, plus soda crystals in the dispenser drawer.
Laundry is just as clean.
I also wash most laundry at 30 now.

Original poster
MsMiaWallace · 15/04/2022 08:16

Which powder do we all use?

OP posts:
GeneLovesJezebel · 15/04/2022 08:17

I buy Tesco non biological, because it’s cheap and does the job.

TitoMojito · 15/04/2022 08:19

I use liquid. I'm not sure if it's cost effective, it's just what I've always used haha!

BertieBotts · 15/04/2022 08:20

Powder is the most cost effective. I used to love Bold 2 in 1 purple. And white vinegar instead of fabric softener, really helps get a fresh clean smell.

I use pods now because I'm abroad and I like scented laundry and I can't find a powder like Bold :( but pods are so useless for front loaders, they get stuck in the door seal about 20% of the time, especially the flat Persil ones! Prefer the fatter Lenor ones.

FourTeaFallOut · 15/04/2022 08:21

Thanks Norgie.

I use Fairy or Persil non bio powder, whichever box is on offer in the largest size.

altforvarmt · 15/04/2022 08:24

I use Ariel powder for whites and the Almat colour powder from Aldi for most of my other washing.

Pugdogmom · 15/04/2022 08:27

I went back to powder. The pods made my machine stink and it wasva new machine.

dementedpixie · 15/04/2022 08:27

I use persil or ariel or bold or surf or even daz. I'm not that fussy. Always bio though. Think I have a Morrison's own make powder just now. I only buy branded if its on offer as I refuse to pay full price for it

OverByYer · 15/04/2022 08:27

Bio powder, whatever is cheapest or on offer. You can vary how much you use depending on load size or how dirty clothes are.

urrrgh46 · 15/04/2022 08:36

Powder as advised by a washing machine engineer and also as advised - straight into the drum to prevent the drawer becoming horrid.
I usually have a box of pods around for when I miss judge how much powder I have left (family of 11 plus pets).
Currently my favourite powder is Lidl's Surf equivalent.

urrrgh46 · 15/04/2022 08:38

And since the energy price rise I wash everything at 20 but I do tumble dry (have a heat pump one so it's the cheapest to run possible) so tumbling sanitises the washing if washing hasn't.

JimMorrisonsleathertrousers · 15/04/2022 08:42

@MsMiaWallace

Which powder do we all use?
I like the Aldi powder but can't usually get there. I try to stick to Aldi, Sainsbury's or Waitrose as they are cruelty free.
QuitMoaning · 15/04/2022 08:42

@CatNamedEaster

There was a really informative Ask Me Anything a while ago from someone who worked in the research & development of laundry products. The thing that stuck with me was: powder for whites only (because powder will always contain bleaching agents so will fade colours) and liquid for colours (liquid won't contain bleaching agents because the nature of the agents means they can't be in liquid form, or something like that, so it will help to minimise fading).

I use a baby weaning pot as my scoop for powder and I only noticed the other day that means I've only been using half the dosage, and I've never had an issue with whites coming out dirty.Grin

I loved that AMA and follow those recommendations. I use powder for whites and liquid for colours. I have a water softeners so use a lot less powder and I usually add soda crystals as well. Cheap as chips, and much better for environment, clothes and the machine.

Totally recommend soda crystals

We use Ariel ultra professional. We have found it is the best. It is expensive but used with the soda crystals it lasts for ages.

JimMorrisonsleathertrousers · 15/04/2022 08:43

@BertieBotts

Powder is the most cost effective. I used to love Bold 2 in 1 purple. And white vinegar instead of fabric softener, really helps get a fresh clean smell.

I use pods now because I'm abroad and I like scented laundry and I can't find a powder like Bold :( but pods are so useless for front loaders, they get stuck in the door seal about 20% of the time, especially the flat Persil ones! Prefer the fatter Lenor ones.

So annoying when they get stuck in the door. I always put them at back of the drum before the laundry but they find a way to get wedges in there. So do the colour run sheets
TheMoth · 15/04/2022 08:43

This is probably just psychological, but is powder as good if you have sensitive skin? I'm on the fairy pods.

MajesticElephant · 15/04/2022 08:44

Bio powder all round here - we have standard bio for whites, towels bedding etc. and powder for colours for clothes. Used non bio on baby clothes but gave up after I finished the box as it didn’t shift stains and I learned it doesn’t exist on the continent. Pre children I tried liquid but made everything smell terrible. Not sure if it’s relevant but I live in a very very hard water area so I’m not convinced the liquid could work properly. When I visit a soft water area I always am surprised about how little shampoo I need to use and imagine it’s similar for washing liquids!

SoupDragon · 15/04/2022 08:47

So annoying when they get stuck in the door. I always put them at back of the drum before the laundry but they find a way to get wedges in there. So do the colour run sheets

I put the colour run sheets in a net laundry bag. When tablets first came out, you had to put those on a little net bag too - I bet this would stop pods ending up in the door seal.

I switched from tablets to powder a little while ago.

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