Pods vs washing powder

[octopuseyes]

I’ve been washing towels/ bedclothes at 60 degrees with powder and vinegar to rinse
And all other clothes sorted by colour and washed at 40 degrees in powder. . I’ve been really happy with the results ( clean fresh smelling laundry) However in a bid to ‘move with the times’ and lower electricity bills I’ve started using pods on a 20/30 degree wash. So far I’m not impressed. The pods seem highly perfumed and I’m worried that they’re not really cleaning much, just masking any smells?? Am I making savings or better to stick with the ( cheaper) powder and pay more for the electricity. Ariel tell me that they’ve discontinued their powder permanently so I’m going to have to find something else anyway…. Any thoughts or experiences welcome!!

Ariel have discontinued powder - are you sure??!

I always use powder - cleans clothes far better than pods, doesn’t gunk up the machine as much, and far less plastic waste as the cartons are cardboard.

Why don't you try using powder at 30 degrees or pods at 60 degrees to compare like with like.

Personally I use powder at 30 degrees but might have to change if it is going to be difficult to get hold of.

I don' t like pods they don't always dissolve.

I also always use Ariel powder for the same reasons, no plastic and i used to find the pods didn’t dissolve properly. I use it on a 30 degree wash without any problems. Can’t often find the colour one in the shops so I order massive hotel size boxes on Amazon which last for ages.

Pods are ok I find for hot washes, but totally useless on less than 60 degrees.
Lots of people are going back to powder as, quite simply, it's better. My plumber told me the problem is with "eco" low temp washes. Gels, liquids, pods just don't get going at that temp.

Powder here, and white vinegar with a few drops of lavender oil. Powder doesn't gunk up the machine like pods and conditioner.

I wash everything at 40 or 60 with powder. I don't believe for one minute that a 30 degree wash gets out stains or armpit smells. And when the cardboard box is empty at least you know it will break diwn in landfill unlike the plastic box or bottle that pods and liquids come in.

Have you gone down to 20/30 degrees for everything or are you still washing your bedding etc at higher temps?

I wouldn’t necessarily have said that pods = lower temperatures?

Anyway, I love powder. I use Daz - 60 degrees for bedding etc, 30 degrees for everything else. The only exception is that I use Persil colour liquid on dark, grown up clothes. I find Daz can be a little hard on darks and can also occasionally leave a residue.

Also, I worry about pods and DC eating them. Of course you can keep them up high but I don’t trust myself not to get distracted for a second and leave them out

We use powder at 30 (Aldi own brand, the fragrance smells strong in the box but doesn't survive washing). Does a good job.

Tell me more about vinegar? I’ve cleaned the machine with it but never put it in the actual washing.

Yes- unfortunately so. I’m in Ireland and the reason I chanced the pods was because it was getting so difficult to get the colour powder in particular. They told me that it’s been discontinued and basically to stock up if I see any- which I haven’t ☹️ The pods just aren’t the same..☹️☹️

Could you try another brand? I’m from Ireland and there are tons of Aldi and Lidl branches if you could try one of their own brand ones?

@octopuseyes

Yes- unfortunately so. I’m in Ireland and the reason I chanced the pods was because it was getting so difficult to get the colour powder in particular. They told me that it’s been discontinued and basically to stock up if I see any- which I haven’t ☹️ The pods just aren’t the same..☹️☹️

Oh no ☹️ are there any alternative powders you can buy? I hope that doesn’t extend to the UK too, surely powder is better for the environment?

Yes. I suspect the powder is just better. Probs I find s that it doesn’t dissolve as well on quick cool washes- unless I flush it down with hot water… I don’t want that highly perfumed blast of the pods. Just clean clothes.

Yes. I’ve heard they’re good! Take it they wash well and smell nice??

I switched to powder to reduce plastic consumption. It seemuch better for the machine, I put powder in the drum, not dispenser and white vinegar in the fabric softener compartment.

I absolutely despise this modern over chemicalisation and scenting of washing.

20/30 isn't good for the washing machine, mould etc, it needs a 60/90 maintenance wash through it quite frequently.

I don't wash with smelly chemicals ever. They make me feel sick. You can use liquid detergent on the clothes and just be fastidious about putting through hot washes and perhaps machine cleaner once in a while.

It’s just that I noticed the box mentioned that the pods were good for 20 degree washing. I had never used them before….

Both Lidl and Aldi powders are v good - not used the non-bio ones, but their bio ones are fab. Confession time - I use fabric conditioner so the smell comes from that, but if you like clean smelling clothes as opposed to fragranced ones they’re great.

I don't like to buy pods.
the packaging seems wasteful.
they are basically just liquid detergent filled into a gelatine (?) form.

plus you can't easily dose it if you want to use less or more detergent.
my sports kits only need a very little amount but for a full drum of laundrh I would really need one and a half tabs.

Are you using biological powder and/or pods?

Biological washing stuff won't work over 40: they contain enzymes which literally digest the dirt etc on your clothes, but enzymes are proteins and they usually denature above about 40 degrees.

Yes. I have always done this. I think ok go back to powder and vinegar. 👍👍

Powder is better and cheaper. Pods were a pretty gimmick that turned out to not be as good. Plus they smell unbelievably strong

Exactly!!! Why discontinue a good thing??

I've used both, usually i run my washer on an economy mode at around 1hr for most washing. Pods, and powder has been just as good.