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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

How much washing powder?

22 replies

napkin · 09/04/2013 13:00

Was wondering how much washing powder to use in a hard water area? Have read that people use less than is recommended but how much roughly should i be using in a 6kg machine? Thanks

OP posts:

ilovepowerhoop · 09/04/2013 16:41

what does it say on the guide on the box? Hard water tends to need more powder than soft water. Soda crystals can also help soften the water - put it in the drawer with the powder

ilovepowerhoop · 09/04/2013 16:42

persil guide

ilovepowerhoop · 09/04/2013 16:44

www.ariel.co.uk/Products/DosingGuide.aspx

ilovepowerhoop · 09/04/2013 16:46

although when I use the ariel one it tells me to use double what I actually use!

littone · 09/04/2013 17:04

I use persil and use the persil measuring jug, use 40 (sorry not sure of the unit!) which is far less then persil tell,you to use. I would start with the recommended or what you use now and gradually reduce and stop when you notice the difference.

ilovepowerhoop · 09/04/2013 18:06

I use around 90 (using the measuring jug thing that you can get sent to you free) and have soft water and a 6kg machine

PigletJohn · 09/04/2013 20:35

if you live in a hard water area, the blend of Persil that the shops stock is one modified for hard water. Most people use too much powder.

I believe it is possible to tell from codes on the box, but I don't know how.

You can also add a little washing soda, which will help.

Don't waste your money on Calgon.

ilovepowerhoop · 09/04/2013 20:48

the box gives a table with amounts to use if you have soft/medium/hard water and depending how dirty the clothes are. I don't think they have different powders for different areas.

Original poster

napkin · 09/04/2013 20:57

I know the box states how much to use it's just everyone says they use less so was just wondering how much less everyone uses?

OP posts:

MousyMouse · 09/04/2013 21:02

I use about a third of the recommended dose.
hard water area, 7kg drum.
if things are really dirty I put the same amount of soda crystals into the drum.
I put the powder directly into the drum, no more manky drawer!

DeepRedBetty · 09/04/2013 21:06

I use half the recommended dose.

I really can't imagine that Persil solemnly make different types of powder for different parts of the country...

And half a dishwasher tablet gives just as good results as a whole one too.

This is a hard water area btw.

smaths · 09/04/2013 21:13

I use half of what the box tells me to. seems to wash just fine!

RunningAgain · 09/04/2013 22:48

I also use a lot less than recommended, just chuck a bit in, don't even measure it accurately anymore and clothes are clean and don't smell

MintyyAeroEgg · 09/04/2013 22:51

I used a very generous full scoop in the official measuring jug thingy and have a 6kg machine in a hard water area. My washing is always lovely .

BertieBotts · 10/04/2013 08:57

I use around 140ml but I like my clothes to smell of washing powder - I found if you use less they do still get clean but they won't smell nice.

MousyMouse · 12/04/2013 22:42

I measured it today. I use around 60ml.
box says 270ml for a full dirty 7kg load.
so I really use much less.
ah well, clothes get clean and smell nice and I save some money...

fussychica · 13/04/2013 17:26

I use tablets and usually use one per wash (think the guide is 2) plus some soda crystals. Everything is always clean and smells good. I live in a hard water area.

iZombie · 14/04/2013 19:47

I bought a wash powder tin thing from Tesco moons ago, and it comes with a scoop. I use one for a normal wash, two for a beastly one and it's all good. Scoop is small and I live in a hard water area:)

iZombie · 14/04/2013 19:48

I use a half dose of fabric softener too. I am a skinflint:o

e1y1 · 19/11/2014 22:20

I know this is an old thread, but Piglet john is correct , according to persil, the product is formualted as per the region. I wonder if the other detergents do this?

Rascalls3 · 20/11/2014 00:44

There was a thread a while ago on this subject. You can get away with much less washing powder than the recommended dose. Someone had tested this and didn't find a difference until it was reduced to less than 1/3 (if I remember correctly). I use less than half in a hard water area.
One of the reasons capsules were introduced by manufactures is that you can't reduce the dosage as you can with powder. Anyone using the recommended dosage should try and reduce amount used by half and see if they notice any difference.

AlpacaLypse · 20/11/2014 00:54

Rascalls3 I strongly suspect this is the very thread you mention... as I'm on it with my last username but three!

e1y1 OK so Persil say they have different formulations for different regions. Trouble is the water can be different from town to town let alone region to region. I want proof!

And meanwhile, I'm STILL getting perfect results with less than half the recommended dose, and that's of Lidl own brand too, so my washing is costing far far less than it would if I was using big brand box powders and jollops etc.

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