Powder vs liquid vs gel

[IcyShark]

Powder vs gel vs liquid

I seem to be going through a hell of a lot of gel for the washing. Am I the only one who thinks the quantity looks less? Same for liquid, bottles never seem full anymore. I seem to go through a hell of a lot and Im constantly buying it. Thinking of switching to powder but I find clothes smell better and are softer with gels and liquids. However, I guess powder if more economical. Any thoughts???

I buy a massive box of old-fashioned powder from amazon. They bring it to my door (no lugging it from the supermarket). I learned years ago that using half the quantity recommended by the manufacturer gets clothes perfectly clean, barring stains like red wine, tomato, etc. Only 2 of us living here, so it lasts 9+ months.

I like Bold or Fairy but find the prices are becoming ridiculous. How big is your big powder?

Big box only, after an expensive washing machine repair. The chap who fixed it told me they would only get half the call outs if everyone used box powder, and never used any eco settings. His explanation was the gels and liquids are harder to rinse, can coat small places in the machine, and lead to blockages and bad smells. Avoiding the eco washes means that a proper amount of water is flushing the pipes. Water saving programmes lead to more blockages etc as not enough flushing through. He said that manufacturers have to provide the eco settings for regulatory reasons, but we should not use them. I follow his advice. My last washing machine was bought in 2009 and is still going well. It’s had a few minor repairs (door seals etc) but that’s all.

PS I buy supermarket own brand, and like previous poster, use less than the recommended amount. Clothes all sparkling clean.

Powder. Machine lasts longer. Cheaper as well I think.

I’ve always alternated, but I agree with PP re: smells. I’ve just realised that my machine hasn’t had that grotty smell since I went back to a big box of powder. It’s just me and DC at home, so a big box lasts us ages. The one I’ve got now, I bought it in January and there’s still a quarter of it left. I do at least two washes a week.

Used to use gel liquid now swapped to powder. Just as good and much cheaper.

I always use powder, the Aldi one. It doesn't smell particularly strongly and it gets everything clean without needing to use lots of it.

I use powder. It’s cheaper, gets the clothes clean, lasts longer and your machine doesn’t stink.

Always use powder and always Bold. I use a small scoop(the ones from porridge tubs)and use 1-2 of them depending on size of wash. Used pods once on holidays as that's what was in our holiday let and thought the smell on the clothes was just too strong afterwards. Tried liquid years ago and thought it left a strange film on the clothes so now I just stick with the powder. I buy a box of Bold for €10(I'm not in UK) once a month so find it good value. For reference that's at least 1 load a day, usually 2, sometimes 3.

Powder as it comes in a cardboard box which can be recycled.

I use the Ariel pouches you chuck in the machine. I don't wash above 30 and they dissolve even in cold water

I use powder, usually persil bio or surf
surf is cheapest

I use powder all the time for whites and when I can find it for coloureds.

A few years ago someone posted on MN - she wrote that she worked in a related industry of some sorts (research?) - that powder was best for cleaning and value, so I follow her advice.

I use powder. When DS was a baby and had bad eczema, I was advised by the eczema nurse to half the amount of washing powder recommended on the box; my clothes would still be clean and there was less chance of residue that would spark his eczema off. Did as she said, used half the amount, everything still came out clean. Still following her suggestion, he's adult now.

Buy it in the biggest box available - the price per wash seriously reduces then. And, I've only got a cardboard box to recycle not something plastic.

I buy these. They last an age.

www.frenchsoaps.co.uk/collections/soap-flakes-for-laundry

I currently use gel. I would FAR rather use big box powder (cheaper, better for the machine and, I think, gives a better clean), but as I am very short of storage space and would have to decant the powder into a tin (so that I can seal it, the gel pods can be laid down on their side or even stored upside down as they don't spill) and then I need space to store it.

Powder with a spoon of washing soda added.

Powder, measured with an old coffee scoop, as others have said, comes with easily recycled cardboard box. Clothes clean and
no plastic!

Persil 8.4kg. Currently £24.55 on amazon.

I have gone back to powder recently. Usually Daz, nice subtle smell and great performance.
If economical too as you can adjust how much you use, I never have problems with residue or it not dissolving (although we are in a soft water area).
Also comes in a recyclable cardboard box which is a bonus.

Yes when DD was little the only thing her skin could tolerate was non bio powder, it rinses off better than liquid so less residue and perfume left
on the clothes

Half the recommended amount of gel and washing soda

I use powder, normally Daz or supermarket own brand. Better do the environment and for you as no microplastics.

@Vroomfondleswaistcoat , I decant the powder into a large cereal container. It keeps it dry and has a smaller footprint.

I use Formil or Almat powder, and like other pp use less than the suggested amount.
Anything grubby gets soaked first.