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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wash clothes with a squirt of washing up liquid and some fabric conditioner….?!

88 replies

JemimaPyjamas · 11/12/2022 13:11

I’ve run out of washing powder and we are due to get some tomorrow with our Tesco delivery.

However, I need to wash uniforms for tomorrow.

I really can’t be bothered going out to buy some, so I was wondering if I could get away with a squirt of washing up liquid and some fabric conditioner? None of the clothes are filthy, but they do need a bit of a wash.

AIBU to improvise?

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 11/12/2022 13:28

Dotcheck · 11/12/2022 13:14

Hand washing ( then rinse and spin in washing machine)- yes
Dish soap in machine- no

Yeah do this , don't put washing up liquid in your machine it will be a disaster!

Carlycat · 11/12/2022 13:28

Definitely no. Hand wash and use machine to spin

BrutusMcDogface · 11/12/2022 13:28

Galarunner · 11/12/2022 13:14

I would just go with the fabric conditioner. I think there is often enough residue of washing powder in the machine to get stuff clean for one wash. I wouldn't risk damging your machine with washing up liquid

This is what I was going to say!

Paddingtonsmarmlade · 11/12/2022 13:30

Don't. It won't end well. I've seen a multitude of dishwashers destroyed in holiday houses this way

courgettigreensadwater · 11/12/2022 13:31

Agree with @mintich just wash and put the fabric conditioner in the detergent tray and it will be fine. Will be clean and smell fresh.

greenhousegal · 11/12/2022 13:34

I've often just used fabric conditioner on a quick wash. Turns out fine.

But you could bash up a dishwasher tablet if desperate.

WhiteFire · 11/12/2022 13:37

Are you talking stinky teenagers or little sweet smelling primary aged children? If it is the latter, just wash with nothing, if it is the former maybe some of the previous suggestions.

Or, this one is really outrageous, ask a neighbour.

ChillyFingers · 11/12/2022 13:37

Agree with a bit of grated bar soap, melt in microwave and pour in with a bit of hot water? Or a squirt of liquid handwash.

MoreSleepPleasee · 11/12/2022 13:39

I've done it a few times back in the day when I was skint and couldn't afford washing powder it was fine. Just use a little bit. Think I had to use hand soap once as well as didn't have washing up liquid.

Crunchymum · 11/12/2022 13:39

Any neighbours you can ask for a scoop / tab?

I've used washing up liquid on grease stains [several stains over a few items] and then washed the clothes (unrinsed) in the machine without the foam party.

Beamur · 11/12/2022 13:40

Galarunner · 11/12/2022 13:14

I would just go with the fabric conditioner. I think there is often enough residue of washing powder in the machine to get stuff clean for one wash. I wouldn't risk damging your machine with washing up liquid

This is what I would do (have done!) Works fine for one wash.

Thesearmsofmine · 11/12/2022 13:40

I would just use the fabric conditioner and wash at 40. It will be fine for one wash.

Theoldwoman · 11/12/2022 13:41

My grandmother used to back in the seventies, she also used to grate bar soap up, stir in a jug with boiling water and use that.

TinaDina · 11/12/2022 13:41

I think others have covered what I was going to say!

I remember getting on for 20 years ago I'd stayed at my boyfriend's (now husband) for a couple of days while his parents were away. We cleaned up the kitchen before I left, which included loading up the dishwasher. Once it was loaded we realised there were no dishwasher tablets.

'It's okay,' says my boyfriend, 'I'll just put some washing up liquid in. It'll get everything clean.'

And it did! Including the entire kitchen floor and halfway up the walls...(luckily, I'd been picked up by my parents by then so didn't have to help clean up!)

DDivaStar · 11/12/2022 13:42

Is there a neighbour you could ask for some ?

SkylightSkylight · 11/12/2022 13:45

Op is probably trying to de foam her kitchen!!

I sometimes use a tiny bit pn a greasy stain. But not loads. I'm bad enough with liquid clothes wash stuff, I'm a tad generous even when trying not to be! I'm far better when using pods!!

badbaduncle · 11/12/2022 13:50

no no no no no it's like the never ending porridge pot! Just plain water is better imo, or some white bar handsoap

MilkyYay · 11/12/2022 13:51

Can you just borrow a scoop of powder/tablet from a neighbour?

isthismylifenow · 11/12/2022 13:53

Just run it without powder.

When I do a service wash I only put vinegar in, and it's amazing to see how much soap is still in there.

dancingqueen123 · 11/12/2022 13:53

Just was without washing liquid. They'll be fine.

Flapjackquack · 11/12/2022 13:55

I use washing up liquid on stains all the time, put some on the clothes and rub into the stain. Works wonders and never had a foam party in the kitchen. It’s not the same as a dishwasher as the clothes absorb the suds and are then rinsed. It will be fine OP but just water and fabric softener will also be fine.

JayeAshe · 11/12/2022 13:56

@JemimaPyjamas use Stardrops if you have any. Cleans but doesn't foam much. Just a squirt directly into the drum of your machine. I've used it lots of times.

Original poster
JemimaPyjamas · 11/12/2022 13:58

Thank god I asked first! I had no idea, clearly.

The washing now has a blob of shampoo (Tresemme sulphate free) in it and a bit of fabric conditioner.

Oh, and DH has just informed me that there is actually some non-bio he bought ages ago in the cupboard...!

OP posts:
Falalalalaaah · 11/12/2022 13:59

I wouldn't use washing up liquid in the machine tbh. It might be fine but it might also be a foam party.

I'd do one of these;

  • Go the the shops
  • Ask the neighbours if they could give me some laundry detergent
- Handwash it in washing up liquid and fabric softener
  • Just use fabric softener in the machine
LaLuz7 · 11/12/2022 14:00

bloodyeverlastinghell · 11/12/2022 13:19

Check your cupboards for bicarbonate of soda, it will clean and deodorise. Great in a pinch.

I second this. Works really well.

Dishwasher detergent will produce a looooot of suds and make a mess.

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