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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

What washing detergent do you use and why?

37 replies

TiredMule · 22/04/2011 10:25

I'm getting fed up with my washing not coming up to scratch and depressing me!, and want to know what other people use and why. I'm rubbish at remembering what i've tried before....I know there was one that didn't clean at all and one that made dd1 and my skin dry but I can't remember which! So i'm after recommendations for good ones. I normally use powder, but will try anything if it will actually work! And seeing another thread i'm happy to try two or more different ones for different jobs.

OP posts:
purepurple · 22/04/2011 10:45

I have tried every washing powder/liqiud under the sun, I think!
The one that I use now is Aldi's concentrated bio liquid. It is very good value for money and works a treat on my work clothes. i work as a nursery nurse so usually go home covered in something every day. It smells nice and fresh too, though I use Aldi's fabric conditioner too.
I was sceptical about using Aldi's but have to say that it works for me.

TheChewyToffeeMum · 22/04/2011 10:46

I use Aldi 2 in 1 washing tabs (only one per wash though) - they are cheap and they work. Their bio tabs/liquid clean even better but I cannot be bothered with separate fabric conditioner.

Thornham · 22/04/2011 10:48

I use Tesco or Persil (depending what's on offer) colour capsules. It's a new washing machine and I'm a bit precious about the drawer not ending up covered in washing powder gunk so I like the capsules you just throw into the drum - no mess at all, and only Comfort in the drawer. Oh, and I only buy white coloured Comfort. It all seems to work pretty well. What is it that you think is wrong with your washing?

gillybean2 · 22/04/2011 10:57

I use ariel because (years ago) it was the only one that didn't see to make my skin itch and so I have stuck to it. I use the white version for school shirts/sheets etc and coloured versions for everything else. Whites do tend to stay whiter and colours do seem to last rather than bleech out.

I am getting mightely fed up though. I pay a premium for this powder and it doesn't seem to get the stains out as well as it used to (even though it has been 'improved' umpteen times Hmm ). And yet they keep putting 'free' sachets of their stain remover in it. Well I'm sorry but can't you just include the stain remover in my powder to start with. Otehrwise what am I actually paying for?!

I also use the white comfort. It smells lovely, makes my clothes nice and soft, but most important it is hypoallergenic so doesn't leave me itching or with a rash.

Thornham - I throw the posder in the drum. There's no rule that says you can't [bugrin]

Original poster
TiredMule · 22/04/2011 11:03

Thanks purepurple and toffeemum! A trip to Aldi I think!

Thornham-several things....whites not very white, stains not coming out (and not the serious kind that you'd expect to have trouble with), DH's shirts still smelling (yuck!)

Does Bio and non bio make a difference? I think I read somewhere a while ago that we're one of the only countries that have non bio.

I don't think our machine helps things....it is quite old now (was my grandmas before we had it-think it's nearing 10) and i'm secretly hoping it breaks down soon so we can get a new one!!! Trouble is i think it may go on and on and on.....

OP posts:
CailinBainne · 22/04/2011 11:05

Aldi 2 in 1 liquid but recently discovered Lidl 2 in 1 liquid which smells gorgeous and does shift all the farm-type stains we acquire.

Original poster
TiredMule · 22/04/2011 11:06

Gillybean-I think it was Ariel that I bought and was really shocked that no stains came out at all-it was really bad. I think it was either persil or ariel that made us itch......I can't remember which it may have even been something completely different!?

OP posts:
Original poster
TiredMule · 22/04/2011 11:08

CailinBainne-...looks like I really need to get to Aldi or Lidl to give it a try

OP posts:
TheChewyToffeeMum · 22/04/2011 11:08

I think Bio is much better. In fact I have just convinced myself to go back to aldi bio tabs!

teta · 22/04/2011 11:33

We use non-bio as we all get mild exczema and cystitus with bio.Did use persil non-bio but have now started using Aldi's one .On white towels and sheets [and kids school shirts] i occasionally wash with a couple of scoops of whitening powder.Always use the white fabric conditioner [whatever is on special offer].Very occasionally use bio if something is really filthy and smelly.I also use silk and wool cleaner for fragile items.

gillybean2 · 22/04/2011 12:26

TiredMule I know I need to change. Ds school shirt had/has mud on the sleeves and even that didn't come out ( even several washes later it's still there. It seems to have become permanent now!). I'm just worried about spending out on other powder which will give me a nasty rash and wasted money.
I've also found it extra concentrated lately and even with an extra rise thge machine is full of bubbles. Have cut the amount of powder I am using significantly this last month or am having to do extra rinses (which isn't ideal in a machine that is designed to use less water)

brighthair · 22/04/2011 13:35

For stained or smelly clothes - esp those that still smell a bit sweaty after I've washed them, I use Napisan. Stick clothes in with it to soak for as long as I can, then chuck them in washing machine with bio powder and no conditioner
I use Comfort exhilarations bluebell conditioner (but not on sweaty gym stuff as it holds smells in)
Anything that is cleaner I use a non bio powder for
that sounds really complicated, but my horseriding tops seem to get sweaty under arms and not wash out properly otherwise. I swear by Napisan!

peasizedbladder · 24/04/2011 07:50

Non bio all the way for me for eco reasons (its better for the rivers).
We live in a really hard water area, nothing worked when I didn't put in enough to compensate for the hard water, since i've been putting in as such liquid as is recommended the cleaning is much better! I buy whaterever is on offer...

LawrieMarlow · 24/04/2011 07:56

I use Fairy non bio - started using it when DS was born and never stopped (he's 7 now). I like how it smells - things washed in other detergents smell "wrong" somehow.

FiveGoMadOnAZ650 · 24/04/2011 08:09

I use whatever is on offer but it has to be bio as dp is a pig farmer and his clothes are rank when he gets home! Persil small and mighty is usually very good for us.

littledolly · 24/04/2011 08:43

I always use Persil or Ariel - whichever is on offer. I did try some own brand at one stage (Tesco I think) and while I found it OK at cleaning, the washing didn't smell as fresh and I have a real thing about clean clothes smelling clean! I use vanish from time to time too when DD has stains on her clothes - it recently did a great job on he new white top after an encounter with Tomato soup!

Seona1973 · 24/04/2011 09:00

I use branded bio powders when they are on offer - using persil at the moment and have bought surf for using next. Also use ariel. I stopped using liquids when it made the drum slimy and made marks on the clothes.

ragged · 24/04/2011 09:32

Peasizedbladder, please give a link about non-bio being better for rivers?

I use ordinary bio for whites and colour detergent (also a bio) for everything else. Usually from Lidl.

heliumballoons · 24/04/2011 09:44

Oh I use Aldi's too. I use non-bio (because DS gets hives alot due to allergies). I am atm using tesco sensistive fabric conditioner and it smells lovely - it reminds me of tht newborn baby smell. Grin. I usually use Aldis own though. (Almat I think its called)

CeliaFate · 24/04/2011 10:09

I use Napisan on stuff that's really smelly/dirty too. Aerial bio for whites, Persil small and mighty for coloureds.
It may not be the detergent though - you may be overloading the machine or not putting them on a hot enough or long enough wash.

saltyseadog · 24/04/2011 11:05

Lidls. Came Second only to Ariel in Which test and is MUCH cheaper.

TrillianAstra · 24/04/2011 11:28

Supermarket biological, from whatever supermarket we used the week that the last lot ran out (usually Tesco or Waitrose).

Biological because the enzymes break down dirt, non-bio is obviously useful if you react badly to bio but otherwise it's a bit silly to use it.

No fabric conditioner, I dno't want my washing to smell of anything.

peasizedbladder · 24/04/2011 11:43

In the words of others.... Biological washing powder contains enzymes which break down stains etc in the wash .Non Bio doesn't contain the enzymes.
In terms of the environmental impact, neither system is perfect. Whilst the enzymes contained in a biological wash powder may take longer to disperse in the environment, the temperatures for washing can be lower than for a non-biological powder. The non-bio powder could take a higher temperature to do the same wash, which uses more electricity and water and this also has an environmental impact.

What I don't know is how long the enzymes in the bio detergents take to break down (i.e. do they break down during wastewater treatment before being discharged to the river). Personally, I prefer to use non-bio on the basis it is likely to have less environmental impact on discharge. Clearly this is based on personal judgement rather than a full life cycle analysis!!

theanimalswentintwobytwo · 24/04/2011 11:44

Fairy Non-bio (for mine and DS's)

I let the wash start, until the first rinse then add the fabric conditioner so that the washing machine doesn't coat the clothes in conditioner BEFORE they are clean.

For other laundry I use Persil or Ariel for washing and Comfort Pure fabric conditioner.

LadyLapsang · 24/04/2011 15:43

Woolite for delicates & lingerie
Fairy non-bio for everything else
Ecover fabric conditioner

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