What's the best washing powder?

[LyraBelaqua]

I know this is a bit of a strange question but I am totally fed up with my washing coming from the machine looking almost as dirty as when it went in. We are hard on our clothes and currently live in a very dusty house which is having loads of work done and I currently use morrisons own non-bio. I don't mind spending more if it actually gets clothes clean! Any recommendations gladly received, also tips on how to get clothes clean very welcome thanks

[squirre1]

Daz. I had to use up the end of some other powder the other day and my OH noticed there were stains left in and wondered why. I didn't realise quite how good daz was until then. Don't think I'd change now

[Whileweareonthesubject]

Pickle, you can get soda crystals in any supermarket, usually on the laundry aisle. Tesco sells them for about £1 a bag. You use them to clean your machine (bung about a third of the bag in on a boil wash -no clothes) or clean and clear gunky sink wastes etc. They clean away all the built up gunk that hides in the pipes. Just as efficient and far cheaper than the stuff the washing machine technicians try to sell you. I'm convinced that regular use of them contributed to the lifespan of my last machine. Indeed, if it wasn't for the fact that a part not in contact with water, was obsolete, it would still be going strong.

[user1495915742]

Aldi but I use half a scoop which is half the recommended dose I think. Things come out feeling powdery otherwise.

[Whileweareonthesubject]

That will teach me to type a post when I'm half asleep! Napisan not Madison!

[Hidingtonothing]

I've always used Persil bio but recently switched to Daz as I went off the smell of the Persil. Am really impressed with Daz, everything comes out clean, it smells lovely and it's cheaper than Persil.

[LightastheBreeze]

Ariel original powder for dirty stuff, whites and sheets, Halo sports wash or Ariel for sportswear, Persil colour for black and coloured stuff which isn't too dirty, Persil wool wash for woollens

[Picklepickle123]

Watching with interest! What are soda crystals btw? How do you use them? (Sorry to derail thread.)

[Whileweareonthesubject]

Wow Alexis - I hope you're being well paid by Ariel!
My experience of it was that had no used it for years with no issues, when DC were small, they both had a rash everytime I used it on their clothes. When I stopped using it, the rash went. Given that I've been doing the family washing for over 30 years, I think I'm well aware of how much washing to put in the machine and which programme to use - I'm old enough to remember Using the 'boil wash'on cotton sheets and towels. I rarely wash anything at less than 40. I find that Tesco non bio does the job without any rashes or irritations. For very heavy soiling or sheets and towels , I add a scoop of Madison. Washing powders orbooster products definitely cause skin problems in this house. Regardless of what 'which' might say.

[MightyLightningMouse]

Sorry I meant Ariel!!

[MightyLightningMouse]

Love the liquid Persil Original. Smells gorgeous cleans really well and lasts ages. I've tried most washing powders / liquids / pods and I always come back to Persil, it's a little pricey but it lasts for ages as I find you don't need that much.

[Alexis1983]

Buy Ariel Original Powder. it's the best detergent according to Which? Using a powder that contains colour safe oxygen bleach helps to really blast your clothes clean without the loss of colour, and it also helps to keep your machine gunk free and in tip top condition. Another tip is to always use the correct cycle, it's always tempting to use the 'quick 30' or 'flash 15' cycle. But these actually just put strain on you machine, use 3x more water (think of the dolphins!) And don't wash your clothes properly. Any decent wash cycle should be at least 1-3 hours of working on those dirty clothes.

[pineappleeyes]

A hotpoint engineer told me once that liquid washing detergents ruin your machine & gunk up all the insides & make it less effective at actually cleaning the laundry. He said always use powder.

[MikeUniformMike]

I am another Aldi washing powder user. Very impressed even on low temp quick wash. Previously used Ariel, Persil or Fairy. Generally get better results with the Bio.

[Alexis1983]

You need Ariel Original Powder. It's simply the best, Which? Says so. Please do not buy 'non-bio' it's purely just marketing, and is a lot less effective at cleaning your clothes and tackling those tough stains. The UK is the only country to offer 'non-bio' laundry detergent, there is no scientific evidence suggesting it is a skin irritant - oh but a 1980s Daily Mail article said it was so it's true apparently. Any skin reaction to detergent is because of the perfume/colouring. You're either using too much detergent or overfilling your drum, so the detergent struggles to be washed away, leaving residue on your clothes - giving your precious ones a rash! So do your clothes, your hygeine and your washing machine a favour and buy a biological powder please :-)

[WingsClipped]

Ariel bio here. Always the powder as it's cheaper and you can adjust the dosage. I never use the full recommended amount unless the clothes are filthy. I always buy on offer as well.

[Fancythat69]

I use fairy non-bio gel pods, tried aldi/lidls own and they didnt compare

[ShatnersBassoon]

Lidl biological powder.

Liquid detergents just clog the machine up and make it smell.

[rabbit123]

The Persil damaging clothes thing happened over 20 years ago and was a powder that was discontinued within 6 months. It was specific to "Persil Power" which you can't buy anymore.

[goingtotown]

If you're overloading your machine you won't get a clean wash.

[WeAllHaveWings]

Persil or Ariel bio powder, I buy extra of either whenever on offer, don't find much difference between the two. Never had problems with rotting or bobbling clothes.

I avoid non-bio, liquid and tabs at all costs as machine always ends up smelly/mouldy.

[rabbit123]

Persil Bio is my preference. My Mum always used it back when it was Persil Automatic and it's never let us down. I later went on to work for Unilever who make Persil and got to see some of the testing and manufacture process which was very interesting.

Only downside to Persil is that it's sometimes pricey so I only buy it when it's on offer. Ariel, Surf & Daz powders are my other choices so I go for which ever is on offer. Persil was £6 in Morrisons so I'm stocked up at the moment.

I always use powder, never liquids.

[Madhouse09]

I have recently started using soda crystals in my wash, I use bold washing powder, the colours are more vibrant and whites are coming out lovely, soda crystals very cheap 99p a bag in home bargains. It softens the water which helps the powder to clean better 😊

[GaryGilmoresEyes]

I use Aldi liquid and I also have just used up a huge box of powder from Bookers. Can't remember the name but it's a sanitizing one they use in hotels. It lasted 5 months. DP is a decorator and we also live on a farm so lots of washing going on here!

[MongerTruffle]

Unless you have sensitive skin, use bio.

[Madbengalmum]

Ariel bio, nothing else compares to it.