washing powder

I use what's on offer and always powder - in the effort to use less plastic.
I haven't used fabric conditioner for around 20 years now, after reading an article about the chemicals in it. I tried going without and honestly didn't miss it at all - less cost and less waste.

Thanks for the replies, and for your explanation, Farmor.
I might try to was our things separately - he has a lot more washing than me as he wears white shirts, uses white cotton hankies etc.

I seem to remember from the v young days of DD that bio were advised against for babies

Interesting article farmor, especially this bit: The funding for this study was not described, though conflicts of interest and the receipt of consultancy fees from Unilever were declared.

I was advised by my consultant to stop using bio detergents when I was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus. I now use only Tesco Loves Baby washing powder or liquid, and never use fabric conditioner. It gets everything clean, even whites!

We have to use non bio in our family because any bio product brings out our excema. I remember yonks ago when Persil changed its formulation without telling anyone we came out in rashes. I wrote to them and they denied there was a change but then the complaints from others snowballed and it made the national press. Then they admitted it. Since then we have always stuck to non bio. I will soak in bio but rinse and the. Out in wash as normal and that seems to be fine.
I would be wary of using bio Fennel as you say you are susceptible to rashes.

Persil bio colour for coloureds and bio white for whites, Fairy non-bio for DGS but it doesn't get food stains out at 40 degrees. I now soak his stains overnight in Vanish then wash in Fairy non-bio. Use Fairy fabric conditioner for him and whatevers on offer for me - I like the nicely perfumed fabric conditioners, they make the house smell lovely when you do the ironing ☺️

OH has skin problems and I can't abide perfumed laundry products so we use Surcare liquid or Essential Waitrose Sensitive laundry liquid. Both do an excellent job.

Fairy Non-Bio gel. Get on really well with it.

It is the temperature that makes the difference, not the detergent. I think washing machines should have a program for a standard wash at 60 degrees. I am sure it would work out more energy efficient than having to put garments through the 30/40 degree wash several times, sprayed and smeared with strong chemicals which are energy intensive in their manufacture and damaging for sensitive skins.

I buy a soap based eco-detergent when I am in France and bring it home. I also supply it to DS and family as DDiL has an auto-immune illness that has caused her to become sensitive to ordinary detergents. My skin is also hyper sensitive.

Bio powders are supposed to be more effective against stains of animal or plant origin (eg blood, plants stains etc). If one bio powder doesn't agree with you, try another. Does your machine have an extra rinse option? Maybe that will help the skin problem.
I use Lidl Formil Colour (powder) for everything and it's not highly perfumed. I also wash regularly at 60℃ for cottons and 40℃ for synthetics, always choosing very low temperature cycles can lead to smelly washing machines.

Synonymous, I too was pleased to have made my washing machine last many years. However, when it finally had to be replaced this year (17 years old), the new one washes so much better than the old one that I regretted not changing it sooner.

I use Ariel bio liquid, the one for whites for the whites, and the colours one for colours. I sometimes add a scoop of Vanish stain remover if the load is particularly dirty or particularly large. I wash everything on 30 degrees except towels, they get 40 degrees. I use a fabric softener in the rinse, and hang out in the air to dry whenever possible, otherwise I tumble dry. Everything comes up nice and clean, and fresh.

I suppose it beats the crap out of things. (Nappies?)

That would be non-bio! Violent washing liquid doesn't beat thinking about! ?

I use whatever DH brings home. As he works in the Co-op he brings me the one that is on offer that week. Lately it's been Ariel liqui-tabs, or Fairy non-violent liquid.

www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/bio-washing-powder-rashes-a-myth/
There seems to be good evidence that biological washing powders do not actually cause skin problems in general, even for babies.

To answer your original question, Fennel - biological detergents contain enzymes that digest stains. The original ones, had ads that featured PacMan like creatures “gobbling up” the stains, but some people got nervous of them, thinking there was something alive in the powder.?

Ariel bio is what I use and I find it gets everything very clean.

I use Persil Small and Mighty Bio or Ariel Bio both in liquid form and have no complaints at all,

jusnoneed Agree about the washing up liquid for grease stains, it's the only thing that works I find. Had a money off coupon for Unilever Neutral liquid so bought some. It has no fragrance so laundry has no fresh smell and if you use it for handwashing it is 'slimy' and takes ages to remove from your hands. I'll stick with Ecover.

so not do !

I have used Persil powder non bio) for over 50 years and I'm on my second washing machine. I treated the current machine to a new door seal on it's 25th birthday but only because I wanted one that was cleaner looking, I expect it was clean enough but it looked discoloured. The maintenance man said the machine was in good order as I have never used liquid washing stuff and to keep on doing whatever I am doing and not to buy a modern machine until this one died as they don't make them like that any more. My DM always quoted"if it ain't broke don't fix it" do I won't. She wouldn't have been impressed by me buying the new door seal?

And I wash whites separately at 60 degrees plus, with a booster such as Glowhite. I can’t abide dingy whites.

I use whatever bio powder’s on offer, but I do like Bold. I too gave up on washing liquids and 30 degree washes when my laundry started smelling worse when it came out than it did going in. After following umpteen machine-cleaning tips I just went back to powder and 40 degrees - problem solved.

I use non-bio still if I’m washing any of the grandsons’ stuff.

I use Morrisons bio tablets- a lot cheaper than the main brands and they wash well.

Another vote for Formil or Almat ( I swear they are the same).

I use Sainsbury own Bio washing powder, good results all round.
I changed to this earlier in the year when there was a thread about washing machines and their pongy niffs,I was using a gel or a liquid and it was this causing the problem.
For some delicate things I use Fairy non bio or Surcare.