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 ?

Daz is colour safe.

Thanks for that, I didn't know I thought they all contained oxygen bleach. Will look at Daz

Any powder detergent that says its ok for colours will not have bleaches e.g persil colour, ariel colour, etc

The last colour powder i used was Morrison's brand

I use Ariel Liquitabs, they are expensive but as op said convenient. I have previously used Ariel and own brand gels that you measure out into the cap and put straight into the drum. I think most detergents these days have a measuring cap which helps to not use too much. I do use fabric conditioner cos i notice how rough my clothes are when I don't and also use the measuring cap for that.

Daz was my “go to” powder for years.
It had got a good recommendation from Which, the independent consumer magazine/organization.
Now I can’t get Daz powders. Fe*kers !
Interesting whoever posted that today’s washing machines use less water and powders lather more.
Thank you. I didn’t know that.
I have noticed my newish Miele sometimes has lather at the seal when I open the door.
I will try a liquid. I don’t like the pods.

They are good. I use the bio ones.

For my white towels, bedding, dishcloths and tea towels, I use one Dr Beckmann sheet plus a cupful of soda crystals. The latter is cheap and good at keeping whites white.

I'm a recent convert to the Dr. Beckman laundry sheets. No mess, no fuss, no taking up much room storage wise, worked really well on my first 40d normal wash 50 minutes.

I don't like the pods or gel liquid. I used powder in scoops until I began to use the sheets. I'll keep the remains of the powder I have left for emergencies!

Tesco and Asda always have Daz powder

It depends what setting you use, the eco programmes uses less water but for example the cotton's cycles use large amounts of water.

I have just tried the sheets and I personally don't feel they clean very well, I think they are more just to refresh laundry rather than clean.

I see Daz everywhere. They have all sorts of varieties of it now

Well it's just me here and I'm not down the mines or in mucky fields, so they do the job for me! I have to change the beds tomorrow so we'll see how that works, although they are not mucky either. Towels came out fine using them. I really miss the old powder tablets though.

I'm not saying you are mucky BTW! But you may have younger children, and I know how mucky their stuff can get....

Decant powder into a plastic container and use a scoop into the drawer, I do the decanting in the kitchen sink in case bits of powder fly out (cleans the sink well afterwards too) - no mess. The drawer stays spotless too. If any does get on the floor it is very easy to sweep up with a dustpan and brush. My DCs have had sheets/pods for uni for convenience but I haven’t tried either, I used liquid before going back to powder about 10 years ago. .

I use the Costco Kirkland megatubs if powder and as others decant into a tub with a scoop clearly marked with a sharpie. I've used this for years but they've now discontinued it (sob!).

I do sometimes use a liquid for black work trousers etc as the powder sometimes leaves marks on a 30 wash.

We don't seem to get build up issues and I also use fabric softener as I like it!

We need to change our machine as it's rusting out. The new ones do seem to come with liquid dispensers so I may change to to liquid.

If your water meter can measure the difference in how much electricity is used by different programmes then you are doing pretty well.

No my smart meter and in home display does that 😏

I use powder, never had it go everywhere 🤷🏻‍♀️ I put it straight in the drum though as it works better and I use white vinegar in place of softener.

I’m not in the UK @dementedpixie

I think I'm gonna replace mine and get one of those auto dosing washers where the washer works out itself how much detergent it needs to use based on the weight of the load

Be really careful about choosing the right machine and please do your due diligence.

Admittedly mine was an early Samsung auto dose model from 2020, but the tanks are situated in the drawer and get very wet, leak detergent if I leave the drawer open for airflow and promote mould/ mildew.

I don't use the auto dose feature as a result and it is a pain as there is no traditional softener slot. (I use citric acid solution rather than softener, but a dedicated slot would mean I didn't have to run an extra rinse cycle to add it. I use citric acid as vinegar is harmful to the rubber of the washing machine seals.)

Bio d do powder, great eco stuff, more often than not I use it or their liquid, a quick 95 wash clears any gunk .
Measure powder about 3 teaspoons per wash, lovely aeg steam clean machine

Yes we tried white vinegar a couple of times and our door seal went. We got a water softener fairly soon after so only need detergent and occasional disinfectant for pongy sports gear now.

These sheets are really excellent. They wash extremely well and take up so little space. Currently not too pricey but they may raise the price if they get popular. Not sure how eco they are though.

We use the laundry sheets in our campervan for hand washing or in machines in longer trips. They seem to work OK