Non-Bio vs Bio washing powder - whats the difference, environmentaly speaking?

[Astrophe]

I know bio can affect sensitive skin - presumably it cleans better? (we use non-bio...seems ok)

I am choosing between ecologically friendly bio and ecologically friendly non-bio. I use less powder than what they recommend, so am wondering if I should switch to bio to get a better wash?

i tried soap nuts last week and found them BETTER than my normal biological detergent... and they are much better for the world

I've wondered about soap nuts, but have read on mn that some people find the clothes start going a bit stinky and manky over time. I guess I should try them though...

I've wondered about soap nuts, but have read on mn that some people find the clothes start going a bit stinky and manky over time. I guess I should try them though...

i have only done one wash, so cant give any vaild comments over time yet

but i can say that they got out a big muddy puddle splash out of my pale blue chords (that i wouldnt expect my normal detergent to get out) and the bottom of my socks (at work we have builders in at the moment so my socks get filthy) came out super clean as well... cleaner than normal actually

I was genuinely shocked at how well they worked!

a glowing report nannyL, will have to look into them more.

Still interested to know the diff between non and bio though, if anyone knows?

A small % of the population is sensitised to the enzymes in bio powders. For those people, they are better off using non-bio. Everyone else, bio is superior.

Bio washing powders use enzymes to digest the stains; non bios use a combination of chemicals, such as bleaches. Non-bio is actually harsher than bio.

Biological washing powder contains enzymes to break down stains. Non Bio has no enzymes. The enzymes in Bio powder take longer to break down in the environment but you can use lower wahing temps. Non bio powders need higher temps & hence use more electricity and water. Does that help!

Soap nuts = stinky and manky because they are ineffective and leave a lot of bacteria in teh clothes, which end up breeding.

Cool - bacteria, chemicals, digesting stains

Thanks, that helps a lot.

Where can i get the soap nuts from? Also what would i use as a softener? Natural oils?
Thanks

soap nuts don't need softener,
I used to use them, but found clothes smelt bad over time, especially if you do not hang them outside to dry straight away.
I added essential oil to make it smell nice, but it didnt smell at all.
I am sorry to say I stopped using them, dh was not happy with the results (he is very fussy), si used them for a year and then stopped.
However, they must do something right because they worked brilliantly on nappies, and I did not expect them to.

They are really cheap too, so if you can make them work then great, tbh I would probably still use them if I could make the washing smell nice.
Maybe soap nuts with a tiny bit of detergent?
I have been thinking about going back to them.

Which did a thing on soap nuts saying they didn't work - or was it washing balls? I'll check.

I have to admit that in terms of green products, washing powder is the one where I have given up

We use eco friendly eveything else, but every laundry detergent I tried didn't get stains out and made my (admittedly crap) washing machine stink after a couple of weeks. I am stuck with ariel, all along aware it's poisoning fishes and possibly us.

I use Tsunami washing balls and have done for several years. They are great. Cheaper than washing powder, better for your clothes and skin, and although the plastic probably isn't great recycling wise, they are very environmentally friendly
www.eco-local.org/tsunami-wave-twave-laundry-p-5400.html

Soap nuts are available from the natural collection or lakeland, HTH