Laundry

[mammabee1]

So for as long as I can remember I have used laundry pods just because they are more convenient but I also was notorious for using to much if I used powder or liquid.

I am finding that the pods are getting increasingly more expensive than liquid and powder so am thinking of switching. I wouldn't use powder it's just too messy especially if it spills it goes everywhere.

I have tried the Aldi and Lidl pods and I don't think they are anywhere near as good as Ariel or Persil.

I don't use softener as it's really bad for the fabric and the machine.

So I just wanted to ask what laundry stuff do you use ?

Try the laundry sheets - Dr Beckmann, available on Amazon or most supermarkets.
you can tear in half for smaller loads or use 1.5 or 2 for larger loads. They do bio or non bio

Laundry pods aren't good for the washing machine.

They aren't but they are better than using too much detergent, fabric conditioner is basically fragranced animal fat

I have seen them but not tried them, they seem a good price too

I use powder and measure with a plastic scoop. I dont find it messy and it doesn't go everywhere. Currently using Morrison's own make

They are usually on offer somewhere I find them quite good value. Price shown is for 50!
i do use powder at times - better for the machine but I have young ac who use the machine and these are convenient

I can’t help you - I only use powder, (Ariel professional or Fairy non-bio) and I always measure it, not least because it’s more economical. I don’t like the pods at all - I tried them, but I really didn’t like them, and because I didn’t use them very quickly, one of them broke and I ended up with a sort of washing liquid slurry in the bottom of the container.

I variously use Sainsbury's pods (bio), Sainsbury's bio liquid, Mother's Earth sheets and Eco Egg. All work well.

The egg is ok for lightly soiled small loads. The sheets, liquid and pods all do a good job on larger loads. I use Shout or Pink spray on heavy stains before washing. Everything gets rinsed 2-3 times (this makes a big difference).

None of my washes last more than 1hr, with only sheets and towels washed at 60.

Powder isn't messy at all. If some does spill, it's dry so it's easy to sweep up or vacuum.

I don’t understand your issue, just buy a standard liquid detergent and use a measuring cup. Surely you can control yourself not to pour too much.

How can it be so difficult to measure powder in a scoop? As a pp said, if you do spill some it's easy to clean up.

I use the sheets as well. They’re great. Easy to use. No mess. Better environmentally as less packaging. They’re great for holidays as well.

I’ve gone back to powder as the pods were getting expensive. I just buy whatever is on offer from Farmfoods. If I do spill some, I just wipe it up.x

Another vote for the Dr Beckmann sheets . They are easier to store too and great for holidays

another vote here for the sheets. easy to store and i rip them into multiple pieces depending on how big a wash or how soiled it is so you get more washes out of it than it says in the front.

i also use the dettol laundry sanitizer. it’s great. i dont use softener. just fling into the tumble dryer for quarter of an hour and hang on airer or radiator to dry. towels are fluffier than theyd he put straight into a radiator.

Powder all the way here, straight into the bottom of the drum. What is messy about it? I can't bear pods - expensive and you can't adjust the "dose".

I use waitrose fab soft it's vegan, I use powder too for whites just a scoop. Never spilled any (yet) I keep it in a lidded plastic container. And liquid for colours

I also moved back to using powder. Decanted into an old Tupperware container and an old scoop. I use pods occasionally to use up what I have left, but I found that when washing small loads, they left a plastic residue! Maybe that was the temperature I was using - too low to "melt" them. Made me think.

Would anyone know if the detergent sheets leave residue? I might try them, they would take up less room in storage!

Dylon liquids for colours and darks, I stock up when on half price offers . Easy to measure using the cap or a cup in the drum.

Then I use Sainsbury's Bio powder for whites. It helps keep the machine clear especially as it is used on my hot 60 degree cycles for towels and bedding too.

I've quit fabric softener too, but as we have very hard water I add a scoop of soda crystals to the drum on each wash to soften the water and it allows me to use a little less detergent. Plus I use a citric acid solution in the final rinse instead of softener.

(A monthly drum clean with special cleaning tablet too.)

ETA. I decant the powder into a lidded plastic box, with a scoop inside. If you were pouring powder from a box, I can see why you might get the occasional annoying spill.

I used to solely use liquid detergent but now use powdered which works very well. I use liquid detergent mainly for woollens. The powder is easy to dispense with a scoop and I don't find it messy at all. I never got on with the pods and found they left a residue in the drum.
I am interested in the sheets though and will give them a go.

I converted from powder for a period of time and used the same low temperature for a lot of things apart from stuff that needs a hot wash but found the washing smelt a bit and my washing machine repair man said powder was the best thing for keeping a washing machine clear. So Im back on the powder. Interested in your system @McJibes especially the soda crystals on each wash.

I got those sheets from Herons for £1 for 25 sheets. But I tear them in half so for 50 loads it's only cost me £1. I am going to continue with them because they take up no space on the side. I do use fabric softener sometimes but not in every wash load.

I think I'm gonna have to try laundry sheets and also powder but get a tub with a scoop to decant it into

I use Aldi liquid and use about half the recommended amount, then a slosh of white vinegar instead of softener.

I can't stand the pods, nasty expensive slimy things.

I use Lidl, Aldi, Morrisons or Sainsbury's own powder, liquid and colour liquid and all work well. Some loads I use powder and some liquid.