Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Where to store washing up powder and dosage?

28 replies

Nelumbo · 21/08/2019 18:47

I always used to use the washing up tablets, one for a half load one for a full load.
I got a new washing machine and for some reason started using liquid, I've read that this isn't the best option and powder is better.
I bought a box of washing powder and it's too big to house in my cupboard and also quite messy.
I'm sure I've seen containers but can't seem to find any now. Any ideas?

The other thing is I really don't know how much to use!
Its says 50ml for light soiling, my machine has a daily 59min wash cycle which i use the most, it's an 8kg machine but this cycle is meant to be for 3-4kg loads. I tend to put in maybe a few trousers and 4 or 5 tops, so how much powder should I use for this type of wash? 50ml seems way too much, would half be enoigh?
I also don't have a scoop to measure!

OP posts:
Nextphonewontbesamsung · 21/08/2019 18:55

Yes, box powders are better for the machine and less environmentally unfriendly than all the options that come in plastic tubs.

I keep my big box in the cupboard under the sink. True it goes a bit damp and clumpy towards the end of the box but it can be broken up with a fork.

I find most boxes suggest a dosage depending on hardness of water, size of machine and dirtyness of load.

I always use close to the maximum amount because I live in a hard water area, have an 8kg machine and always do full loads.

I think I'd gauge if I'm using the correct amount of powder by 1. sniffing the armpits of my t shirts or the toes of my socks after they're washed and dry(!) and 2. making sure there isn't a slimy, stiff or unrinsed feel to my clothes when they come out of the machine.

MikeUniformMike · 21/08/2019 19:18

I use large plasic cereal containers to store the powder and just tip what I think is the right amount into the drawer.

DDIJ · 21/08/2019 19:23

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

ExpletiveDelighted · 21/08/2019 19:28

I use a plastic lidded jug and pour it in too.

Solewindow · 21/08/2019 19:33

Unless you're in a hard water area you probably need less than you think. I'd weigh out the amount it recommends then try reducing it a bit to see if you notice a difference. I use about 2/3 of the recommended amount and notice no difference.

Incidentally I do most things on a 40 degree quick wash now and also see no difference compared to the standard one.

dementedpixie · 21/08/2019 21:06

There is often a number on the box to get a free dosing scoop. That's how I got mine.

dementedpixie · 21/08/2019 21:08

I use 80-100mls as I have a 9kg machine and it often has rugby/football/gym kit in it

dementedpixie · 21/08/2019 21:15

Free scoop

Where to store washing up powder and dosage?
wowfudge · 21/08/2019 22:34

Don't use only the quick programme all the time - the machine can go smelly if you do. Things like towels should be washed at a higher temperature and a longer cottons wash.

Original poster
Nelumbo · 22/08/2019 09:02

Thanks, I don't use the quick wash all the time, when I do towels I do a 60 degree wash and if I do a big load it goes on a longer cottons cycle.

I get that you would put more in if the clothes were really dirty, but how do you work out depending on amount of clothes?

I may only wash 6-8 items on a daily wash. My son also sometines puts a few t-shirts and trousers on a 15min wash.

The dosage on the box is based on a 4-6kg wash, 75ml for hard water and lightly soiled ( i do live in a hard water area)
To be honest I have no idea how much 4-6kg is in clothes anyway!
I've done a few washes using about 20-30ml of powder and it's seems ok, still wondering if even that might be too much, I also add baking soda, (about half the amount of detergent)
I guess I just need to try a few things and see what works best as there seems to be no hard and fast rule, some people use very little and some people use max recommended it seems

I'm gonna try and get that scoop! My 16yr old son wants to start putting his own washing on as and when he wants so he needs something easy when it comes to measurong the powder!

I'm sure I've seen tins that say laundry and look quite nice for storage, but can't seem to find anything online apart from huge ones!

OP posts:
StrongTea · 22/08/2019 09:06

Think amazon may have them, I have a big tin for my dishwasher tablets. Possibly Lakeland?

kaldefotter · 22/08/2019 09:25

Google washing powder tins. Some of them come with a matching scoop that hangs on the side.

I buy big boxes of washing powder and just decant into the tin from time to time. I also just use a pink scoop from a Vanish tub... it’s only about a third of the recommended dosage, but I’ve got really, really soft water and it seems immensely wasteful to use 200ml of powder!

kaldefotter · 22/08/2019 09:30

The danger with the dosage scoops from the manufacturers is that they’re often these big plastic jugs that recommend using a lot of powder.

If your son uses the jug to get the recommended dose, then adds a bit more for luck, then does a 15 minute wash, then there’s a fair chance the powder won’t be adequately rinsed out of his clothes.

Better perhaps to get a smaller scoop than the manufacturer’s dosage jug.

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 22/08/2019 10:02

I've always used powder, I just use an old plastic cup to put some in. I've never measured it!!

dementedpixie · 22/08/2019 10:56

Excuse the powder encrusted scoop! This is the rough size of the scoop. It's not huge and lets you dose a wee bit more accurately. If you are only washing a few items on a faster wash then half the dose and see if that still cleans ok

Where to store washing up powder and dosage?
Sweetpotatoaddict · 22/08/2019 11:00

I use a glass ramekin that an Aldi dessert came in. Washing always seems clean and don’t seem to go through too much powder. In a soft water area.
Don’t try and figure out how to get a scoop from Ariel, the website makes you sign up to marketing but I still never got a scoop Angry

Propertyofhood · 22/08/2019 11:00

See this is why I switched back to tabs! I would always add in a bit more 'for luck' and realised that that was the reasons my clothes were going all horrible and faded! I don't trust myself to not add in too much powder and ruin my clothes!

WowOoo · 22/08/2019 11:04

You don't need to buy a plastic scoop. I use an old plastic mini bowl. I always err on the stingy side and dh puts too much in, in my opinion.
I use a stain remover too sometimes.
I buy a big box and store it in a cupboard. I decant a load into an old tupperware with my 'scoop' in it, ready to go!

PenelopeFlintstone · 22/08/2019 11:20

We still get plastic scoops in our boxes of washing powder in Australia but I realise that’s bad. I was wondering whether everywhere has them. Did the UK ever have them? I can’t remember.

SeroxatBlonde · 22/08/2019 11:23

Did the UK ever have them? I can’t remember

I think we did,it was a measuring ball in each box. Long time ago now!

QforCucumber · 22/08/2019 11:29

I have no idea where my scoop came from but I dont take any notice of the measurements - I keep the box on top of the fridgefreezer

PenelopeFlintstone · 22/08/2019 12:58

I think I remember the measuring balls! Were they blue? Our scoops are often blue. To make us think of fresh, clean and ‘blue white’, I suppose.

Original poster
Nelumbo · 23/08/2019 21:23

Ah yes, I did see them while searching online but the ones I looked at were too big, this one looks okay actually.

OP posts:
yikesanotherbooboo · 23/08/2019 21:41

We live in a medium softness area and I use a small scoop from a pot of vanish for dispensing powder. I rarely use more than one scoop...it seems more than adequate.