What laundry detergent do you use and do you use fabric softener

[Mumof3onetwothree]

I often get given bags of hand me down clothes for my children and I'm always curious what detergents people use because the clothes smell different to ours (but I don't want to ask those mums in case it comes across as rude!).
We use Aldi non bio powder (seems to not smell of much) and sometimes if I can get them on offer fairy non bio pods (I like the smell of these). No fabric softener and never have because growing up a sibling had eczema which was aggravated by fabric softener.
I always think other people's clothes smell nicer than ours!! But maybe they are all using fabric softener...

I use Aldi’s bio powder…and no conditioner as I’m in a very soft water area. I don’t know how fragrant it is as. I lost my sense of smell to covid 🙄, but I dry most washing outside so like to think it just smells fresh!

I use, Miniml Laundry Liquid Fresh Linen . It’s non bio and comes in a 5L container from Ocado. Really nice. I also used the same conditioner, but not ever wash.

I usethe cotton flower one from Splosh or occasionally the own brand powder from whichever shop I happen to be in.

Cannot bear fabric conditioner. I really don't want my clothes to be covered in a slimy layer of fat. Plus we live near a river and the smell of conditioner/those little beads hangs in the air. So unnecessary.

It's really antisocial to go round inflicting your laundry scent on everyone else.

It really isn't. 😂😂

The key to good smelling laundry is rotating the scents of different powders. Otherwise you just go nose blind.

It is. If people standing near you can smell what brand of detergent you use, you are being antisocial. Do you really think other people want to breathe in your "Unstoppable" scent?!

It's unpleasant like BO, strong perfume, dog smell, sweat, cigarettes and any other smell people give off.

I've been using Clothes Doctor basil and mandarin detergent and fabric conditioner for a few months now and am SO pleased with it. It cleans very well and the smell is really lovely. I bought it on special offer from Ocado when it was about £13 for a bottle and thought it was really expensive at first, but you need to use such a tiny bit for each wash, it doesn't work out any more expensive than other brands.

Those using white vinegar... How much, and where do you put it? As well as softener? Instead of? In the drum?

Yep, I can always smell fabric conditioner/beads on people. Really overpowering if you're someone with a strong sense of smell.

It's the feel of the fat on clothes I really can't stand though.

I used to be in favour of them, too, until I made a friend who had very, very serious asthma who was triggered by these scents and I saw the other side of it. Anyway, since then environmental concerns have come to the fore.

Ecover non bio and no softener. Can't stand the smell.

Persil bio powder with fairy scent booster

Agree, its horrible walking into a house full of artificial fragrance from clothes drying or being stuck next to someone in close proximity whose clothes reek of it.

I use Fairy and no fabric conditioner because I really dislike the smell of most washing powders.

I’ve been slowly changing all my cleaning to “old school” eco home made products with huge success. I’m just about finished my current box of washing powder and am away to try this (recipe from Nancy Birtwhistle)

Which one do you use please? I got their samples a while back and forgot to write Downe the ones I liked.
I remember one of them was very strong, a bit too strong smelling for me but it was nice.

Ariel bio powder and Lenor blue one - I buy them in bulk from Costco.

Aldi coconut crush powder, a touch of Aldi clear blue skies fabric conditioner and a good glug of laundry disinfectant from Home Bargains.

Works a treat and my laundry always smells gorgeous but not overpowering. Just lovely, fresh and clean.😁

Fairy powder & fairy conditioner.

I started using them when DC1 was a baby due to sensitive skin. They are now an adult & we still use them!

They smell nice, leave clean & soft clothes & it's also become our 'smell'.

When DC were at school, they could sniff any lost jumpers & work out who they belonged to by what they smelt like!

I've just started adding the fairy beads to our bedding wash so the sheets smell like fairy for longer.

@Halfwayuporhalfwaydown

Plus we live near a river and the smell of conditioner/those little beads hangs in the air. So unnecessary

I'm puzzled. What does living near a river have to do with anything??

arial gel and the yellow comfort. reminds me of home

Ariel pods white & colours for main washes.

I also have a bottle on hand for things that don't need a whole pod. This changes each time, but lasts forever!

i don't use fabric conditioner or whatever. I hate artificial scents & don't was animal fat on my clothes.

I line dry outside which, to me, is the loveliest. I finish off on an indoor line when necessary.

@Iwant2beJessicaFletcher
'When DC were at school, they could sniff any lost jumpers & work out who they belonged to by what they smelt like!'

My DC did this too. It must be a primary school pupil superpower 😂

Because the river is full of the detergents and fabric containers. It smells like a laundry where the waste water enters the river.