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 will buy the powder in the VERY big boxes from the local agricultural merchant and I haven't yet found any containers big enough to take the whole box at once (it's about 8 kilos). I probably need one of the animal feed bins, but then I have to think of somewhere to keep that (it's cheaper for me to buy the very biggest boxes).

All this. I was given the same advice by a washing machine repair man.

I have only used powder for years now. Never in the dispenser always straight into the drum. The machine never gets clogged or smells. Add a bit of washing soda sometimes.
I also never used fabric conditioner but put a bit of white vinegar in the dispenser, it doesn't smell.

People get fixated on having highly perfumed laundry. It's not necessary for laundry to smell of perfume in order to be clean.

But what about fabric softener? That’s supposed to be a devil for blocking machines

Always use powder.
Better for the washing machine.

@Pollpoll Oooh, I assume that straight into the drum eschews the gunky buildup in the drawer? Why have I never thought of that?

Exactly. I just throw the scoop into the drum as well. It's very old school, as is the vinegar.

I use Ariel powder. I wait for it to be on offer then stock up as full price is pretty expensive theses days.

The vinegar I did know, thanks to my grandmother. Going to swap to in-drum powder from now on! Fully confident my life has changed for the better from this moment on. 😉 Genuine thanks for the info!

Genius , I’m going to do this from now on

Powder detergent, half the recommended amount straight in the drum plus a drop of fabric conditioner- probably a teaspoonful?- in the drawer.
I have never had any problems, I did try capsules but wasn’t impressed.

Just a point about quantity. You need to be mindful of how hard the water is and whether you use a water softener. Where I live the water is the hardest in the UK, my kettle scales up in two days so I wouldn't reduce the recommended quantity.

Omg why have I never thought of putting powder in the drum!!
I guess there might be residue if I use too much.
Honestly fed up og buying gels every week and they're getting more expensive for less washes. Theres 5 of us

I've just checked the prices.

£6.25 for 29 washes compared with £3.89 for 80 washes.

(Prices based on Persil pods vs Almat powder, both from Aldi)

Farmfoods, if you have one near you, often have good offers on washing powder. Last week they had 2 huge boxes of Persil non -bio for £18.

Not used it for years, horrible stuff

PLEASE everyone should use powder out of a cardboard box, the plastic use is a disgrace otherwise.

Fabric conditioner is horrible.

About half the amount of gel it says to use, Ariel or Fairy. I’d happily go back to powder but DP thinks gel doesn’t smell as strong. Have used pods before and did not like them, half the time a half dissolved pod would get stuck in the door seal

There was an excellent thread on here a few years ago from someone who worked in the industry. They said to use powder for whites and liquid for colours as they brighten and hold colours respectively. I believe the poster was LapinROse.

Edited to add poster’s name.

I use Persil's short wash cycle liquid, seems to work really well. It gets some stains out of clothes without any additional vanish stuff needed. I use non bio as my skin is sensitive to the fragranced varieties. I also use fabric softerner as otherwise my clothes will get static in the house.

I never use Vanish. Elbow Grease spray gets most stubborn stains out.

I use powder mostly. Currently have morrisons bio and the colour version too. I do have some Ariel the big one pods but they arent my favourite. I also have to put them in a little drawstring bag you used to get with powder tablets so they dont get stuck in the door seal

I use eco 30 degrees. Gets stains out.

Fairy used to do plastic refill bags. I tried Smol but wasn’t overly impressed and gave to brother.

Ariel pouches don't dissolve on 30 min or 15 min Bosch quick wash. Mostly I use gel, probs a third the quantity they suggest putting in a boule. Fairy non bio disagrees with my skin. I use Coop or Persil