Laundry gel or powder

[lahdeedah2019]

I used to use laundry powder all the time and fabric softener . Then I switched to laundry 2 in 1 gel and also use fabric softener at the same time (I'm aware it's not necessary ) I just like to . I was just wondering what actually is better for washing clothes with gel or powder ? I find with gel the clothes don't always come out smelling nice , not horrible just don't smell of anything but when I used powder sometimes there would be powder residue when I'd take the clothes out the washing machine

I use both depending on what I'm washing (I do however possess far too much knowledge on this subject )

However, in terms of what's better, powder - every day of the week. The cheapest powder will clean remove stains better than the most expensive liquid due to fact they all* contain oxygen based bleaching agents (liquids can't contain them).
*save for colour or ecological versions

As mentioned a few times by PP "wet" detergent formats will cause a build up and odour in machines and clothes - especially gels and capsules as thick and gloopy and really had to rinse clean in what is basically cold water (30 degrees is of course less than body temperature).

Manufacturers want everyone using liquids and gels and especially liquid capsules - cheaper to make, more expensive to buy as they're sold on "convenience" and due to them not being as good at cleaning and can cause odour or build up you can then buy extras such as a certain famous pink stain remover additive, a certain branded Dr washing machine cleaner or a well known disinfectant branded washing machine cleaner or rinse additive. This is why if you pay attention in the supermarket aisle you'll see how much shelf space is devoted to wet detergent formats vs dry formats.

Bloody love@e1y1 you are the fountain of knowledge all things laundry xx I might go back to powder is it safe to lob it in the drum clothes on top for some reason my machine doesn't rinse it through the drawer would it break if I just chucked it in??

Ha thank you @dragonflyinn10 glad I can help.

Re putting powder straight in the drum, should be entirely fine, the only risk of putting in the drum is that the powder can make its way into the gaps between the clothes making it harder to dissolve, and in the first stage of the cycle - until the laundry is fully wet and detergent is dissolved (so that half dry/wet phase as it's filling iyswim) it will activate the detergent that has gotten wet and it could Bleach dark/coloured clothes as it will be sat directly on the clothes until fully dissolved.

To be fair the chance is small and is more of a risk with the powder tablets as they take longer to dissolve and they have more chance of getting stuck in the bundle of laundry in the one spot - a bit like when you put a tablet in your mouth and don't get to a drink straight away, it "sticks" to your tongue as it's stating to dissolve but hasn't entirely.

Most people have no problem at all though and you should be fine :)

Powder, changed from gel to reduce plastic and all my clothes get clean and the machine stays fresh. We use Splosh concentrated powder, 20g scope per wash and its slightly scented with Jasmine.

Well I just tried the method fabric softener and I'm sad to say I'm not impressed. My laundry smells musty and not clean.

I usually use method detergent, first time I've used the softener. I think I will switch to a mainstream powder after reading this thread.

I really am trying to use eco products but am not having much luck with laundry products. None of them seem to work as well as the mainstream products.

ecover bio powder (if you can get it) is good and has a great subtle fragrance. their softener is also good.

Laundry product boxes can't be recycled as they have a coating to stop damp affecting the inners.

@greenelephantscarf I can only ever find the non bio ecover, not the bio. But it's just so bloody expensive.

Weird - when I wash my clothes with Method they smell musty, but that doesn't happen with bed linen, cloths or towels. Why is that?

I liked Smol but cancelled after my £1 trial as we have a smaller than normal letterbox and I had to collect from local collection office so cant be doing with that. Was impressed with it though. How using Method and Evcover liquid but as pp said, hard to find the Ecover bio powder that isn't stupidly expensive!