Washing powder

Nor does bacteria get killed off at 30C! 60C is best for towels and bed linen, sometimes at least. Perhaps bibs could go in with towels.

I checked out laundry detergents on which? and they recommended Almat washing powder with Stain-Lift from Aldi so I bought both the bio for whites and the colour one. Have been really pleased with them, and it's so much cheaper. Good to use powder too as liquids can gum up the machine with sludgy stuff sometimes unless you do hot washes now and again.
I don't use the 30 degree wash either, unless stuff really is almost clean!

Oh for an Aldi ! I have heard such good reports of them.

Has anyone else found the "Fresh for a Week" type washing powders overwhelmingly strong.

I have had problems with these over perfumed products before, that was Shake and Vac and I suffered with allergic rhinitis for years after.

I get it back under control and the soap powder manufacturers start over perfuming their products. It seems nearly impossible to get any washing powder without this awful lasting stinking freshness.

I'm off to Aldi, thanks for the tip. We have 4 adults living here currently, 2 of whom are in their late 20's, so shower twice a day (at least), and change their outfits twice a day (at least). The washing machine is groaning, and I'm buying washing powder at a rate I haven't since the children left home.

Nellie - spot on about the perfumed products. Plus, packaging - well that's a whole other thread in it's own right isn't it. Almost everything over packaged, mountains of unnecessary waste.

Nanabelle which other ones came out well? My nearest Aldi is in Exeter, which is too far for me!

I use Aldi's Almat washing liquid with Stain Lift but I'm disappointed with it. I had to rewash a duvet cover that one of the dogs had jumped on with muddy paws as grey splodges were still there. I also find it quite harsh and clothes like DH's short sleeved shirts need a good ironing as a result.

Yesterday I borrowed a measure of Aerial from DD to rewash the cover and was amazed at the difference. It not only came out clean but much softer. I did use a small amount of fabric conditioner as well though.

I'm thinking of going back to a more expensive washing liquid as I live in a hard water area so that might be part of the problem.

Funny how we all have different results.

That is interesting, merlot. I have muddy cat prints on some of my sheets which have resisted years of washing with Bold liquid and Vanish! I don't suppose Ariel will work now, but will try for any future marks.

Ah thanks merlogran - I have rarely found the cheapest option to be cost effective sadly. Maybe I just tried the wrong ones. I'm still using persil, have tried various other washing stuff, but find it works well. Like everyone else, I use a hotter wash for sheets, towels, duvet covers

I've stuck with Ariel for many years now. It really isn't worth economising on washing powder as there's only the two of us, and nothing really 'dirty' to wash.

Must say, that for washing up liquid (as opposed to clothes washing stuff) I use Lidl W5 and find it just as good as Fairy for how far it goes, and better as Fairy makes my hands so dry I get skin cracks in my thumbs. (yes, I know I could wear rubber gloves.......)

Ana there's only the 2 of us as well, but Mr P's white shirt collars were a sight to behold last week! I felt I had to ask him if he had actually washed his neck. This resulted in an odd sort of high pitched indignant "humph!" The only way I can describe it is as sounding like a particularly disgruntled goose.

Have used Persil (now use the liquitabs), both the non-bio and the bio for as long as I can remember; also sometimes use Fairy, especially for children's clothes.
I only ever try to buy it on offer as it is quite expensive, then I stock up.

Have just bought some liquid for wool and silk but haven't used it yet; I had a problem with woollens shrinking even on a 'wool' wash, apparently it is supposed to prevent this.

I wash very little at 30 degrees as it doesn't always get stains out and, as has already been said, doesn't kill bacteria so sheets, towels, socks and underwear get the hot water treatment!

I've used Fairy detergent for over 30 years as it has no bleach in it (any bio makes my skin react very badly) and it does a very good job of getting clothes clean and whites do stay white if you don't wash them with coloureds.

I use Lidl liquid wash and I think it's great. There's only me though and I'm very clean!

I'm sure the hardness of water has a lot to do with results. I switched to Ariel this morning and was amazed at the difference. I don't think anything will need ironing.

Sorry, Aldi. I'm one of your biggest fans but not your washing liquid.

Since we don't like strong 'scents' we tried Tesco own Bio Gel and have been very pleased with that. Lifts stains and easy to iron afterwards [don't add any softeners.]We live in a very hard water area. I always do towels on a 60 wash but everything else on a 40.

We gave up using the Aldi range when I caught my OH having a good scratch 'down below' (most unlike him). My daughter also came to a similar decision and made the point of rewashing all her underwear to make sure. I now stick to basic persil powder or Fairy but make a point of following any offers and stocking up as and when. I do use a pre-wash stain remover from time to time but luckily less than perfect late middle aged eyesight does have its merits!

HildaW oh dear, I shall have to keep an eye out for this! But I don't use much powder - so far haven't had a reaction and am on my second big box. I don't use any conditioner. Some time ago I tried the eco balls but somehow didn't have the confidence that they could work! Guess if clothes etc not really dirty, agitation in just water and hanging outside would do a good job, but not with stains.

Ariel Bio with Actilift came out top of which? powder detergent, with 91% score and 34p per wash.
Persil Bio also 91 % score, costing 22p per wash.
Almat Bio with Stainlift had score of 89% and 10p per wash. (low price was why I thought I would give it a try).
Daz Bio also 89% score, costing 18p per wash.

They had different tables for liquids, powders and liquid capsules.

I think there may be a new table out in the August magazine ….. just looked and it is on liquid detergents:
Persil Small & Mighty Bio came out tops at 83% cost 27p per wash
Morrisons Lavender & Cotton, 80% and 11p per wash
then Ariel Actilift Bio Liquid 76% at 29p per wash.

I think the prices are standard ones - but often these detergents are on special offer, so it is difficult to make an informed choice on costs alone.

Often it is down to what we like, and the smell, as well as how they clean

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Spam

I use Persil Liquitabs. I think you get what you pay for.

I use Ecover non-bio for DH's pants, as bio detergent makes him itch. Odd that it's ok with shirts though. Suppose they are not so close fitting.

Oh crikey! This is an old thread! Yes. Spam.

The only thing I wash at 30 is delicates and probably the wool and silk wash although it doesn't specify. I use silk and wool wash for silk and wool and wouldn't use anything else now as it keeps both in beautiful condition. For everything else I wash accordingly so whites - hot colours 60 or 40 depending and I use persil or fairy depends on the offer. All non-bio.

I use an 'own brand' non-bio liquid and have no complaints.