Is own brand washing powder as good as big names?

[ThePetiteMummy]

I'm sorry if this has been done before, but just wondering if anyone has an opinion on this? I've always bought supermarket own brand non-bio wash tablets as they're cheaper, but am wondering if I would get better results with one of the big brands. I can't say the ones I use are any good at shifting stains like grease. Also is powder better than tablets, or liquid?

Would be grateful for opinions on this. Thank you.

I don't think there's a difference - all non-bio's are rubbish at stain removal!!

only every buy own brands non bio. our clothes as clean as anyone elses
use powder, its the cheapest

I think you'll only notice a difference in stain removal if you buy biological detergent.

I've never noticed any difference between powder, liquid or tablets, but big brands do seem to get things cleaner than shop's own detergents. Or perhaps they're just more strongly perfumed and that makes me believe the clothes have been cleaned better.

Thanks for the replies and tips everyone. Guess I'll stick with own brand then! Just wanted to check I wasn't missing anything. Was hoping for a reply before I went to the supermarket this afternoon, and Mnetters didn't disappoint!

Ariel is the best laundry detergent there is.

Ariel makes me itch like a bastard.

Ariel makes me sneeze.
Persil liquid makes me itch if I get it neat on my hands/skin.

Daz is great.

can't stand the smell of daz

Persil rots clothes!
My experience of non bios is they don't get anything clean.

amothersplaceisinthewrong Tue 15-Feb-11 16:46:49
Persil rots clothes!

Not sure about that. Are you thinking of that special super-strong powder that they launched about 20 years ago, which damaged fabrics? Can't remember what it was called, but they stopped selling it pretty quickly.

I use non-bios otherwise DP itches ( well sometimes I "accidently use the bio just to watch his itchy dance routine). Ariel tablets and Persil liquid seems to clean well and I find Sainsburys liquid capsules are good. And I have 2 boys who roll in mud.

Branded bio powder here. I think Ariel and Persil are best.

The big brands like Ariel, Daz, Persil alltest on animals. If you are against this, buy own brand non tested (Aldi are good).

That's interesting Lovesdogsandcats, is there any way of finding out which other ones don't test, I don't have an Aldi near me?

This website tells you who to trust www.uncaged.co.uk/crueltyfree.htm

Co-op own brands are great and even have the BUAV label on, meaning they are endorsed by the Union for Abolition of Vivisection. Their own washing powder is really effective.

The other shop you can trust for own brand toiletries/cleaning products is Superdrug.

Also Nisa own brands if there is one nearby.

For hair dye, Holland and Barrett sell Naturetint and then Aldi and Superdrug own brands are just about the only ones you can buy that have nothing to do with animal testing.

It is easy to stay cruelty free once you know who to avoid.

My DH is allergic to bio detergents too. I use fairy non bio liquid (often half price in sainsburys) and rub any stains first with vanish stick, seems to work well.

I use supermarket own brand non bio (dh and ds1 have excema) and vanish oxy action stuff in each wash (except delicates)

I also use sensitive skin softner.

I do struggle sometimes to get the really bad stains out - marker pen etc - but generally am happy.

(I use asda non bio tabs btw)

I did try one of those "eco ball" things from lakeland as I was fed up of spending so much on laundry products but it was rubbish...made the clothes smell musty and didnt get rid of even easy stains like juice and gravy.

I also like the co op stuff but its quite pricey.

I use Co-Op bio 2-in-1 (lavender smell) and seems just as good as Bold 2-in-1 which seems to be the equivilent. I did, however, buy some of that new Ariel liquid (the one with the advert with the white sock on the dirty floor) last night because it was half price and I was wooed by the prospect of ultra-white whites . Will be interested to see if I actually notice a difference.

All washing powders get smells and germs out, but some leave behind stains.

The more expensive ones tend to be better at removing stains.

Ecover washing liquid is an interesting product - normally I do not approve of Ecover as they talk a lot of marketing guff, but they have a product there that is good on whites and coloureds, and smells divine. I have to hand it to them.

Much prefer own brands as DSs had bad excema when babies and some of the branded ones made it worse (Bold,Persil and Aerial). In fact I even ended up with little blisters all over my hands after using Bold.

We stuck religiously to Tesco's own brand non bio. On the odd occasion there was a stubborn stain I'd use Vanish but not sure if a branded detergent would have done any better.

I use Sainsbury's bio powder. No noticeable difference in actual cleaning from the Bold bio powder I used to use although the Sainsbury one is not as strongly scented.

The best thing I've ever found for getting rid of stubborn stains is sunlight. Admittedly that can be hard to obtain during the winter