i thought i would share this with you: advice on powder vs liquid vs tablets for washing machines

[yarooo]

after a (fascinating) conversation with my mil on this, i called miele to ask what they advise

they say that they always recommend powder, but that every 6 weeks or so you should run a hot wash (empty) with biological powder, to clean /clear it all through

so there you go

Interesting - our washing machine went kaput a few years ago and bloke who fixed it said it was because we used liquid - we've used powder ever since..

Tablets are pants. When you do a half load, you can't chop them in half. Makes you use more than you need. Powder rules. Man.

[htired mum]

I often break tablets in half, they just pull apart. Less mess than powder.

Ah, but what do you do with the ball? One load has to go ball-less. What load gets the ball? What load goes without? It's a situation I have nightmares about

I now buy big boxes of powder. Much cheaper and easier than breaking tablets.

That 15 degree liquid though, what on earth do they put in it to make clothes clean at 15 degrees?

am enjoying my boxes of powder

feels nostalgic

powder ruins the drains outside though

And it goes mouldy in the drawer.

so, clean your drawer! (mine pulls out)

I use Ecover liquid and have no problems - occasionally run a hot wash as OP says with biological powder, but otherwise liquid seems to work well.

And doesn't go mouldy in the drawer or leave white residue

tablets and sachets etc are just more packaging, totally wasteful

i used to use liquid in mine til one day i saw dh's shirts on fire inside the drum

i managed to get the door open and pour water on it

it was really scary! plumber said it was because liquid had blocked the pipes - machine was still heating up but there was no water in the drum to heat so the clothes had gone on fire

i use powder too now

I also use Ecover liquid. Never had any problems with it.

Powder is more abrasive and gets rid of crap in washer.

We used to use those horrible plastic sachets, they caused a real build up of gunk in the washer

Oh, vair interestink. I was eyeing up powder the other day to see if it's cheaper - doesn't seem to be, but if it sorts the machine out I'll maybe go back to using it.

i use the Lidl powders and only use half of recommended and top up with a couple of scoops of washing soda crystals.

much cheaper.

and every quarter, i run HG Service Engineer in the wash.

instead of liquid fabric softener, which really gums things up, try a mug full of white vinegar with a few drops of your fav essential oil.

it's a blowy day here, so thankfully can peg out!

Link to the site that explains it all.

my washing machine only goes down to 30 degrees.

it doesn't wash any lower than that from what i can see.

i use 30 for woolens and such like that, but other than that, i do 40 or 60 degree washes.

I do Expat, I find 30 degrees just doesn't get them clean enough. I keep trying, but it doesn't do it.

I'm back on jumbo boxes of powder, plus scoop. It felt like a free gift when I found it in the box!It made me stupidly pleased.

But the box lasts for aaaages, I reckon about 30 washes at least, all for £4. I used to get 9 washes with liquitabs for that!!.

.

I was told to use ariel big box powder in the drum or drawer (he did say certain types of washing for drum or drawer but I can't remember so put it in drum)

Once a month, I run a 90degree wash with half powder in drawer, half in drum

I get through washing machines at a rate of knots (4 kids, one disabled and prolific bedwetter)

Since using basic powder, I have to say, my washing is lovely and I can do most on a 40deg, 30 min wash

Ooooh Mrsmaidamess LOL...showing your age there!

me and my neighbour

Eeeeh, them were the days!

I am a washing machine slattern

Thank you for the link Lilymaid - have distilled vinegar running through machine on hot wash now.

Powder always used to leave a residue on dark clothes which is why I swopped to the liquid.

So, which powder to MNers recommend?