Ask a Persil laundry expert anything: stains, smells and washing-machine mysteries (plus your chance to win a £200 VEX gift voucher)

[LibbyMumsnet]

A few weeks ago, we asked Mumsnetters whether some families had cracked laundry while the rest of us were making life unnecessarily difficult for ourselves.

More than 100 replies later, we learned that some of you are impressively organised while others just shove everything in the machine and hope for the best. The thread also produced plenty of questions. What actually works on stubborn stains? Why does a sports kit still smell like a wet dog after washing? Are very long wash cycles genuinely necessary? And why the washing machine has been saying “10 minutes remaining” for the past half-hour. (Yes, why do they lie?)

So we've invited an actual laundry expert to answer your questions.

Helen Lyon is Global R&D Lead for Laundry Capsules at Unilever and, in partnership with *Persil Ultimate Non-Bio Capsules, she'll be answering your questions about stains, fabrics, detergents, washing machines and the everyday realities of family laundry.

About Helen
Helen is the Global R&D Lead for Laundry Capsules at Unilever. She has spent 23 years developing innovative laundry products, leading teams that bring new detergent technologies from concept to market. She's passionate about creating products that deliver outstanding performance while supporting a more sustainable future. As a mum of two young children, she also knows first-hand that family laundry is rarely straightforward and is passionate about finding ways to make everyday life a little easier for families.

So, what would you like to ask a laundry expert?

Post your question on this thread by 31st August 2026 for your chance to win a £200 VEX gift voucher (T&Cs apply).

*Keep out of reach of children. LEARN MORE www.keepcapsfromkids.eu ©A.I.S.E.

Which is better for the environment- detergent tablets or detergent capsules ?

How well do washing machines typically wash away bacteria - do I really need to wash at 60 or use laundry disinfectants to get rid of germs, or would a longer wash or extra rinse get day-to-day items clean enough? Obviously this would not apply to soiled items due to illness etc which would get both a hot wash and disinfectant!

Is there any other way to get towels soft and fluffy other than putting them in a tumble dryer?? I don’t have space for one but DH loves a fluffy towel!!!!

How do I get tomato stains out with no issues?

What is best for my washing machine - liquid or powder detergent ?

When is the expert going to reply?

The washing machine engineer who fixed my machine last week said the quick cycle only washes for 5 minutes

I wondered that too @SignsofLife

I bought a massive box of persil washing powder and my washing absolutely reeks of it when im hanging it up. Why is the smell so strong?

Where are the answers?

Best thing is astonish laundry stain remover, found in most of the pound shops, not supermarkets. Use as directed and if you can hang it outside in the sunlight, even better as the sun bleaches all stains naturally

Why doesn't my pod dissolve every time - and I have to rewash - any tips to stop this happening ?

Hi Helen - is it better to wash white bras separately to keep them looking bright rather than bunging them in with a bigger white wash? Any other tips please for keeping them white for longer?

How can I make my Vinted purchases resemble the vibrant colours in the Seller's photos? 🤨
Something to bring the colours closer to their original glory from Y2K? 😁
Many thanks.

If I was to presoak a stain on a delicate - what would you recommend ? What technique and if you've let a stain dry or only just noticed it on a delicate silk dry clean only - can I presoak to save the garment. Is there a one-does all solutiuon to help with those dried in stains (a meat sauce, an oily sauce or grass stains on cricket whites)

I sometimes use the 15 min speed cycle, usually if DC need uniform for the next day. The clothes always seems clean and fresh so I'm wondering if I could do all my laundry on the 15 min cycle?

I'd also like to know the answer to the suncream question! The yellow stains must cause so many clothes to be thrown away unnecessarily.

When do we get answers to our questions?

Thanks so much for all your questions so far - we’ve loved reading through all your laundry conundrums!

And thanks for bearing with us while you’ve been waiting for answers. Helen will be starting to post her responses this morning and will continue working her way through your questions.

@30DegreesHighAndRising

A top tip to remove sun cream or deodorant stains from clothes is to use a laundry detergent that’s designed to cut through oils and grease. Many sun creams contain oils to help moisturise the skin and replace moisture that’s been lost through exposure to the sun. Look for a biological laundry detergent like Persil Ultimate Stain Removal capsules which now contains lipase. Lipase is an enzyme offers brilliant stain removal on these sorts of stains and is great at tackling modern oil stains like hamburger grease, mechanical grease, and so on.

Remember to check the care labels on your clothes before treating stains, and wash at a warm but not hot temperature – hotter temperatures can cause oily stains to set into the fabric.

And to your second question - today's liquids, capsules and powders all clean brilliantly. Powders are especially good if you have the time for longer, hotter washes. Liquids are probably the most versatile and especially good in fast, low temperature cycles, and for applying directly to stains. And I'm very proud that our new 4-in-1 capsules have the latest and greatest cleaning technology in them and they are super convenient!

For Powder, you want to check your machine's instructions, but typically adding into the drawer is best to ensure it's dissolved before entering the machine during the correct part of the cycle

@JamieOliverPetrolStation Fabric Conditioner is generally great for clothes care and longevity, retaining colour and shape, and adding long-lasting freshness. Some synthetic clothes (like high-end sportswear) advise against using conditioners as conditioners can affect the breathability and absorption properties of the fabrics. My friends across the office in the Comfort team developed Comfort Botanicals for just this reason - it delivers the benefits of a traditional conditioner while maintaining the fabric’s breathability and absorbent properties.

On nail polish - if on a natural fibre such as cotton or linen or synthetic like nylon or polyester then place an ice pack on the stain to harden it – working with wet polish will just encourage smudging and even more staining. Peel off any large flakes of dried polish if they come away from the fabric easily – never pull or tug at the clothing. Handy hint: use tweezers to gently pick up the flakes. Soak a microfiber cloth in an acetone-based nail polish remover, and test on an inconspicuous area of clothing – check that the solution does not discolour the fabric. Always check the care label first. Dab the back of the stain with the acetone-soaked cloth until the colour of the stain has faded. Never scrub or wipe as you may damage the fabric.

Machine wash as normal with a great detergent like Persil Ultimate Stain Removal capsule, to remove any residue left by the nail polish or the remover.

@Sakura7 We regularly improve the formulations of our products and they are tested extensively with thousands of consumer before launch to ensure people see the improvements we are designing for and are not disappointed. If you have a particular issue with a product and want some advice, there are contact details for our Care Lines on the back of each pack, and they can talk you through the steps to see what the issue is.

@LadyFuchsiaGroan

This depends on the life you lead and the products you use! Lots of everyday stains and dirt will come out with the right product in as little as 15 minutes (e.g. Persil Wonder Wash!), but a dried-in stain may need a longer cycle with a Persil Ultimate capsule. Try sorting your laundry into those which have a tough stain, and those which don't, and using the right product / cycle combo.

@UsernameHoarder

I agree that Liquids and Capsules are generally better than Powders for darker colours, because some Powders contain bleach which can cause white marks. My favourite product for colours is Persil Colour 4-in-1 Capsules, which contain a specific enzyme that's great for colour care. If you only want to use non-bio products, the Persil Non Bio 4-in-1 Capsules will also do a great job.

@MumC2141

Yeah, this is a nightmare! In my experience, Domestos Power Foam is great for cleaning up the areas where mould and grime commonly build up, especially the rubber seal, detergent drawer and around the washing machine door. Just remember to follow the usage instructions, and if you want more tips and tricks, have a look at our Cleanipedia website. It's packed with helpful advice for keeping your machine fresh and clean and all things cleaning.