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???

With the vinegar make sure it’s added in the softener dispenser, I think it can cause problems with the machine if it’s added to the drum or detergent dispenser.

To those who use only a 30 degree cycle and liquids, this is harming your machine and not cleaning your clothes properly. The r/laundry subreddit is full of people with musty smelling clothes and machines asking how that’s happened.

How many kg's is that powder for 40 washes?

Our washing powder are sold per kg (not per washes) and from my calculations that would be around 4kg?

3.89GBP is really cheap for 4kg if that is the case. We pay that for 2kg! (which they say is 20 washes).

I don't use the amount they say, but this is one of the things that has hiked up so much in price recently.

Also just had a quick look - the pods are equivalent to 4.80GBP for a box of 14 pods. So that is really only 14 washes.

I just reminded myself what I buy a years worth in the Black Friday sales.

Many years ago I lived in Hong Kong. All washing machines were cold wash only. I used a powder called Pow, it was lemon flavour. I never ever thought it would clean my clothes properly, but it did. All my underwear, towels, bedding, everything, cold wash only. My machine never ever went mouldy or smelly. My washing was fresh and bright and CLEAN!

Just goes to show, you really don’t need a hot or even warm wash as cold water and powder did the trick. I’m still here, 40 years later. I survived my towels never ever having a boil wash.

Since then I’ve washed every mortal thing at 20c (lowest setting on my machine). I think we are all conditioned by manufacturers to use too much powder and too hot a wash.

Not a stupid question - I’ve just stuck mine in on the top. 😂 Hopefully it won’t be too streaky.

I love powder, smells and cleans so much better, slimy gel makes me go all funny 😂

I use Ariel Professional - I have two boxes, one for whites and one for coloureds, and Fairy non-bio powder for delicates. Yes, it’s expensive to buy, but it lasts for ages.

It is still the case here. I live in SA.

A lot of people have top loaders (and even twin tubs), and these don't heat the water. If you want a hot water wash, it would have to be plumbed to a hot tap, but most people don't do that. It is a case of take a bucket and fill it with hot water and pour it in, if needed.

So mostly all the washing is done in cold water.

Everything gets washed perfectly fine and not one person I have ever known (and I am in my mid 50s) has ever ailed from washing laundry in cold water. I did refer to different detergents upthread. If you are using a cold fill non heating machine, then the more foamy hand wash powder would be the one to use.

Of course many people have an auto front loader, but these get run on quick washes or 40 max. I have never washed any washing on 90 degrees.

I always read threads here saying things have to be washes on 60 or 90 because.... no, they really don't. It it just taking extra energy and most of all, time.

Granted though, we do hang our washing out on line to dry 99% of the time. Perhaps that makes some difference?

I've been using the detergent sheets lately and I've been pleasantly surprised. No mess, small amount of cardboard packaging and a fresh, subtle smell. I'm using the Ocean Saver ones at the moment but will try others. I just order them from Amazon. No lugging bulky boxes or bottles around.

The aldi powder is 2kg and says 40 washes. I suppose it depends how much you put in each wash as to how many it does

If I am not using box powder, I tend to use the laundry sheets - they completely dissolve like powder but take up less space in the cupboard!

I buy a huge box of Surf whenever it’s on offer, currently £14 in Tesco for 6250g.
Only ever use half the recommended dose, any particularly bad stains get pre-treated overnight with a dab of Fairy liquid. I’ve never used fabric softener, don’t see the point, I don’t like lots of conflicting smells.

After every wash I pull the drawer out and place it upside down in the empty machine, then leave the machine door open.

I know powders are in different concentrations, but this is the 2kg here. 20 washes.

I use probably a quarter of the amount they suggest, but it's a sure fire way to sell more when people are using the suggested amount 🙈

That OMO powder has very similar branding to Persil that we have in the UK and has the same tagline; 'dirt is good'
Has 42 washes for just over 2kg

Omw yes, that flower logo is exactly the same.

We do not get Persil, so it is probably the equivalent as I see they are both Unilever products. We get Skip as well, also Unilever.

We are definitely getting conned about how much to use though....

I used Fairy non-bio for all his clothes. Still use it for some of mine!

I have it on good authority from Washing Machine Jeff (Facebook approved) that power is better as the capsules slime up yer tubes. Maybe not exactley what he said but that was the jist 🤪

If someone is allergic to house dust mites a 60 degree wash will kill them. Lower temperatures don't.

Daz powder for me! A massive box usually lasts me about 5 months and I use way less than the recommended dose and it still does an excellent job.
I do sometimes get the smol bio pods because I love the smell of them. But I think powder is better for the washing machine

I use powder, supermarket own make.
i was told previously that powder is like exfoliater for your machine as it needs the roughness to keep the pipes clean.

I use powder but the current box has gone all solid at the bottom which is a pain. Does anyone have any advice on whether a different brand might be better (I’m using Fairy) or could it be how I’m storing it?

I use the sheets that dissolve and are better for you anyway - they seem to last longer

Another detergent sheet user here.

How much white vinegar do you use?

I also only use half the suggested amount of powder . I haven't noticed any difference still get clean washing , a dermatologist told me to half the dose.

I've put my powder directly in the drum for a good few years now , never had a problem doing it that way .
As you say it keeps the dispenser clean and I don't use softener either .