Biological washing powder?

[want2change]

ive always used non-bio but am increasingly unhappy that my clothes arent clean enough; kids food stains etc neber seem to come out.
i cant actually remember the difference now between bio and non-bio - could somebody plse enlighten me, or else let me know of a non-bio that really does clean thankyou

Bio has the modern enzymes that "eat" the dirt out of your clothes. I use it all the time.

If you use stain removers you are basically adding the bio element of the wash powder.

I switched to bio because it washes better than non bio. we are an eczema family and have not noticed a difference with our skins.
really dirty items I pre soak with a little washing powder over night.

I've always used bio except for a couple of weeks when the lo's were newborns. None of us have skin issues with it.

I used non bio for years following a bad episode when I was in my teens, and because DS had sensitive skin as a baby, but I recently gave bio a go and we're all fine with it.

I read some interesting info on mnet (several different threads). Apparently the UK is one of the few countries where you can actually get non-bio and a differentiation is made. Most people that have allergies to washing powder/detergent are allergic to one of the other chemicals in it (e.g. the fragrance) rather than the enzyme part.

Non bio isn't great for your washing machine, (especially if you use non bio liquid or indeed any liquid in an older machine). Bio powder is generally better at keeping the pipes etc less clogged up.

fwiw I always buy bio powder, decent brand such as ariel or persil if on offer (it often is). Occasionally if there are no offers I find Aldi own brand is great.

morrisons has persil on buy one get one free at the moment

I remember people throwing their hands up in horror at bio powder and telling me that it was dreadful.

What is it that's dreadful about enzymes - please tell me. I've googled it and can't find out (and I've stopped buying it in the meantime because I'm gullible.)

There was some research published a couple of years ago which suggested bio was actually better for the skin than non-bio. DD had terrible nappy rash when we were using non-bio to wash our cloth nappies in - there was an instant improvement when we switched to bio.

I always use bio powder for things like DS' clothes he's spilled food on, or things which have got poo, sick etc on.

You can also get rid of stains (works well on 'organic' type stains like food & bodily fluids as well) by leaving things out to get the sunlight on them, even if it's raining or overnight (I just put a couple of things out if they are really bad and bung them in again with the next wash. Or leave them on a radiator to dry.)

Hi I was going to start a thread to ask how the hell do I get my 8mo clothes clean as going through weaning and so many of her things are getting stained. I was told I must use non bio with babies clothes.

So bio ok then??

I think it's become a bit of an urban myth that non-bio is better for babies' skin. Not much evidence that it is IMO. I'd try bio and if her skin seems OK then continue. Was better for us, as I said up the thread.

I use non bio
My MIL uses biological and washed some of my sones clothes. We changed him into underpants she'd washed and he can out in a terrible rash, it was like he had a pair of red pnts on still
That was several years ago. I was using non scented poweder and conditioner so will concede it may have been something other than the enzymes causing the reaction, but I'm not convinced
The biological bit are proteins called enzymes which are there to break down fats, starches, and proteins in the clothing.
Most enzymes have a temperature at which they work most efficiently which is why the manufactureres have temp mentioned on the packet.

All you can do is try diffrent types of detergent and see if there's any reaction and note which makes you happiest with your wash

best thing for stains is sunlight - even this time of year works! Today would be a good day to get stained bibs out on a line for as long as possible.

(but I'm down south - hope the nice weather is all round the country today!)

Bright but cold in the North West! :)

I switched to non bio after I got terrible skin rashes, but often put a scoop of stain remover in things that don't touch the skin so much, e.g. bibs.

I have switched to bio recently as non-bio wasn't enough to get the smell out of DD's nappies. They just weren't clean IMO.

Some friends commented the other week about how white my towels are, and another said 'your washing is so much cleaner than mine, how come?' (I have v exciting friends, obviously...) The answer is biological powder.

Is it really bad for the environment??

I always used non bio for the kids until recently when DD2 was born, her nappies just wernt getting clean! Someone suggested bio powder and i didnt know what to do as other two had always had nonbio washed clothes.

I switched to bio and all 3 children are fine, me and DP are ok and the clothes look and smell fresher. Im just sorry i didnt switch sooner, would of saved a lot of stained clothes going in the bin!!