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

[TerrysNo2]

I use this Method stuff, its expensive but lasts for ages.

I buy mine at Waitrose or Ocado but you can get it online.

[user1489577723]

I went off the fragrance of a lot of the major detergents and I am mindful of what chemicals might do to my child's skin and the impact on the water cycle. I use Ecover at the moment but it's quite expensive but I like the fragrance. Going to try the new Bold one and if we get on with it and it's cheaper may have to switch back to save money. You can get a free sample of the new Bold one at the moment here www.gratisfaction.co.uk

[DrDreReturns]

We use the Sainsbury's bio powder. Nice smell and gets the clothes nice and clean.
We used to use the Aldi powder but the clothes didn't smell clean afterwards. We also noticed the powder didn't always dissolve, after the first 'squirt' of water I used to stir the powder in the tray with a teaspoon to help it dissolve.

[Zoflorabore]

I have tried everything under the sun and always go back to bold lavender and chamomile, zaps all dirt and clothes smell divine, I am one for smells and this ticks all the boxes for me, for uniforms though I like to use fairy, always have done this though I don't really know why

[RoscoesMummy]

Bold Lavender is really nice but I am a bit worried that my son has quite sensitive skin so I am reluctant to change anything at the moment!

[spiney]

I heard this scientific programme on the radio - this is what I learnt

The bio bit in Bio washing powder is what makes it really work as a stain
remover and also makes it perform at 40 c or below.

The no of people whose skin will be irritated by the bio bit is really tiny.

Since then I have always bought Bio wash powder and I like the least scented poss. Currently Tesco own.

Works a treat / 4 sporty, rugby DC s.

[HmmOkay]

Like somethingscary, I also found the Aldi stuff didn't dissolve. And it clumped together in the box before you even used it. It wasn't damp in the cupboard as all the other powders have been fine before and since.

I am back on Persil powder.

[previously1474etc]

I use Surf or Lidl Formil powder and alternate with Surf liquid or Ecover unperfumed which is use for towels in an attempt to stop them turning into sandpaper.

The reason a lot of powders etc. are not getting laundry as clean any more is the removal of phosphates from products in an attempt to 'save' the environment. It actually hasn't done this at all but that's another subject.

Bio will help and so do the optical whiteners that are added to most laundry products. It is no longer a case of buying what you like the look of, you now need to read the ingredients list and maybe get a science degree to buy your powder.

[FrogFairy]

I use Ariel bio. In the past I have used the Lidl and Aldi powders but these days I bulk buy Ariel when on offer so it costs the same as the cheapies but I feel it does the best job for my washing.

[hairymuffet]

Aldi almat bio powder, half dose.
Straight into the drum.

[Madbengalmum]

Ariel bio, nothing else compares to it.

[MongerTruffle]

Unless you have sensitive skin, use bio.

[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!

[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 😊

[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.

[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.

[goingtotown]

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

[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.

[ShatnersBassoon]

Lidl biological powder.

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

[Fancythat69]

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

[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.

[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 :-)

[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.

[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.

[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.