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.

@enjoyinglifenowretired

A top tip to remove sun cream 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.

@salemaxo

These are tough stains and something that benefits from first rinsing in cold water, then pre-treating with a good quality Non Bio Laundry liquid detergent and then washing with a Persil Ultimate Non Bio capsule, which is perfect for tough stains and still gentle next to delicate or sensitive skin

@Kweenxo

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.

@alshareif

Our Persil Ultimate Stain Removal Capsules are built to take on tough stains without any extra steps. That said, if you're up against a really really stubborn, dried-in stain, a little Persil Bio Liquid applied directly to the stain and left for 15 minutes before washing can help give it an extra helping hand.
Then simply pop in the wash as you normally would.

@TweetTwewt Yes, I would expect a difference, but it will depend on the cycle length and how dirty your washing is. In the UK, most machines are 'cold water inlet' so it takes time for the machine to heat the water to your selected temperature. The longer the cycle, the longer for the warm water to help with the cleaning. As people are naturally looking to save time and energy by washing in shorter, colder cycles, we look for new ways that clever science can give effective cleaning even in these conditions.

@tiptoptoemaytoe

Our Persil Ultimate Stain Removal Capsules are built to take on tough stains without any extra steps. That said, if you're up against a really really stubborn, dried-in stain like grass or mud, a little Persil Bio Liquid applied directly to the stain and left for 15 minutes before washing can help give it an extra helping hand.
Then simply pop in the wash as you normally would.

@itsjustasecrethandshake

A top tip to remove sun cream 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 Ultra 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 absolutely, soaking in cold water overnight can be beneficial to certain types or stains especially those protein based like blood and grass.

@landmarkyear

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.

@WimbleOfWombledon

Ah, the age old 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!

@TheGospelAccordingToMe
Super sorry you have experienced this - just to share what works for me, let me tell you my laundry routine to see if it helps. I wash with Persil Ultimate Stain Removal or Persil Ultimate Non Bio capsules at 30C (capsule in the drum first & then clothes on top), typically on a 1hr cycle and I add the recommended dosage of Comfort Pure Fabric Conditioner (maybe a bit extra for good luck :) & I love the fragrance). Then depending on the weather and how much time I have, I'll either line dry or tumble dry. My washing comes out clean, fresh-smelling and soft, without any harsh or stiff feeling. Hopefully that helps let me know how you get on.

@Jambags

These are tough stains and something that benefits from first rinsing in cold water, then pre-treating with a good quality Non-Bio Laundry liquid detergent and then washing with Persil Ultimate Non-Bio capsule, which is perfect for tough stains on clothes and still gentle next to delicate or sensitive skin.

@Seasonofthesticks

A top tip to remove sun cream 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 Ultra 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 absolutely, soaking in cold water overnight can be beneficial to certain types or stains especially those protein based like blood and grass.

@Cyclistmumgrandma

This is a very tough stain on a delicate fabric - the sort of challenge that keeps my job in R&D always interesting. If anyone has a good hack or solution, please check out our Careers website :) I would rinse in cold water, pre-treat the stain directly with a good quality Non Bio Laundry liquid detergent, then wash. If any remaining stain is left, leave the garment to dry in the sun after washing as sunlight can break down the pigment helping it to fade.

@Kaidaia

A top tip to remove sun cream 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 Ultra 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 absolutely, soaking in cold water overnight can be beneficial to certain types or stains especially those protein based like blood and grass.

@SignsofLife

Super sorry you have experienced this - just to share what works for me let me tell you my laundry routine to see if it helps. I wash with Persil Ultimate Stain Removal or Persil Ultimate Non Bio capsules at 30C (capsule in the drum first & then clothes on top), typically on a 1hr cycle and I add the recommended dosage of Comfort Pure Fabric Conditioner (maybe a bit extra for good luck :) & I love the fragrance). Then depending on the weather and how much time I have, I'll either line dry or tumble dry. My washing comes out clean, fresh-smelling and soft, without any harsh or stiff feeling. Hopefully that helps let me know how you get on.

Some machines will default to an 'eco' cycle, which may run at a colder temperature but on a longer cycle, given most of the energy used is associated with heating the water. But play around with the options! Most machines have a short or quick cycle option which can work for all but the toughest stains

@QueenofDrudgery

Our Persil detergents have been developed to get clothes brilliantly clean in a single, short wash, but a tough, dried-in blood stain may benefit from a pre-soak to rehydrate it and start to work it loose. Soak the garment in cold, salted water for a few hours before washing as usual.

Make sure the entire blood stain is out before washing your garment with hot water otherwise you risk setting it into the fabric. All our products achieve excellent results at cold temperatures so if in doubt, when it comes to blood stains use a cold wash. An enzyme-rich biological formula such as Persil Ultimate Stain Removal capsule would pack more punch, but shouldn’t be used on certain delicate fabrics such as wool and silk – so always check the washing label of the item.

@GentleSheep

Our Persil Ultimate Non Bio Capsules are designed to tackle tough stains while being gentle next to sensitive skin without any extra steps. That said, for particularly stubborn, ingrained dirt, such as that found on tea towels or hand towels, you can apply a small amount of Persil Ultimate Non Bio Liquid directly to the stain and leave it for around 15 minutes before washing. Then wash as normal with Persil Ultimate Non Bio Capsules for the best results.

Thanks to @HelenLyonPersil for answering some of your questions this morning! Do keep an eye on the thread as she will be answering more over the next couple of weeks. And please keep your questions coming in the meantime.

Thanks very much @HelenLyonPersil I will try your advice. 😊

Why have scent pods suddenly become necessary to making your clothes smell fresh? I used to get a lovely fresh smell from powder or pods but not nearly as much any more.

1. If clothes are lightly soiled eg worn and slightly sweaty but not stinky or stained, what temp and cycle is the minimum to get a good result?
2. How shoud i wash football shirts / sports tops? I find they get incredibly smelly and still have a sweaty smell after a 40 degree 3 hour cycle.

Hi have you any ideas how to remove deodorant stains on coloured and dark tops .I have tried all the suggestions and nothing worked. hanks

Thanks

Hi Do you know where I could buy detergent tablets in Dublin Ireland.
Less faff than a box of powder which I have to transfer to a sealed box as my utility can be a wee bit damp. I don’t buy capsules as I think they are less good for the environment than detergent powders are.

Whats the best way to remove yellow suncream stains on white school shirts?