Washing clothes

JackyB

#£%&-

I would love to be able to use powder but I have had to throw out so many clothes which were bleached in a spotty pattern from the machine.

I have tried everything, including dissolving the powder before adding the clothes to the machine, using the correct type of powder and programme for the washing being washed. I am careful to dose as per instructions, sometimes even less. I always turn things inside out.

So I returned to using liquids, but in my efforts to reduce plastic waste, I use the pods rather than those huge plastic bottles.

If you are concerned about your plastic waste why don’t you buy soap powder in a cardboard box

I do not want my clothes smelling of anything, neither fabric softener, nor the funny smell that comes with washing in cool water and using corrisive, potentially harmful chemicals. I use a soap based ecological clothes washing liquid I buy in France and wash at 60 degrees.

Asked my partner to pick up some soap powder when he was out shopping as I’m about to run out and he’s bought Tescos non bio which I haven’t used before. I can’t even remember what my current powder is. I’ve just checked the reviews and people with sensitive skin say they’re ok with it but it does have a perfume which I noticed because I started itching from the smell. I guess I’ll just have to try it and see.

In the summer the water in my area can stink of rotten eggs .
My father used to complain a great deal about it when he first moved here . He said that it spoilt the taste of tea .
He was right .
It's really foul.
And my washing can smell unpleasant.
I tend to add Zoflora to the wash and it gets rid of the pong .

I detest strong-smelling laundry products and now use unscented washing sheets from The Lab Co. for most things. For bed linen, I use the very delicately lavender-scented version of the same product. They do the job very efficiently.
No fabric conditioner, ever. It's vile stuff.

I use powder. I don't like strong smells and find Asda's own make or powder from Aldi both suit us.

I use Tesco non- bio powder and I put white spirit vinegar in the rinse box:
scald dish towels and dish cloths after washing:
leave the door and drawer open when not in use:
clean the machine with very hot water and washing soda once a month.

Esmay

In the summer the water in my area can stink of rotten eggs .
My father used to complain a great deal about it when he first moved here . He said that it spoilt the taste of tea .
He was right .
It's really foul.
And my washing can smell unpleasant.
I tend to add Zoflora to the wash and it gets rid of the pong .

That's not good!

What do the local water company say about it?

Persil is highly rated tho dont forget to change or clean your washer filter. Also, a vinegar rinse does well.

I always use powder and like it. I also use fabric softener and fabric sanitiser. I stopped using washing pods as they left stains and residue from the pod cases, on my clothes.

I use Sainsbury's Sensitive laundry liquid. It's for wool and delicates. But I find it works for everything. I just adjust the temperature according to the type of wash. My washing smells fresh and the machine never had a bad odour. I don't use fabric softener.

I like Dr Beckmann non bio washing sheets . Don’t take up much space either

I don’t understand the logic of swapping a large recyclable bottle for lots of smaller pods which release the plastic straight into the water system.

I am using miniml liquid, I bought a litre pouch when on special offer, the machine has remained fresh and the clothes all wash well. I use far less than suggested, months of use so far

I also bought a 5l container at the time, I will be filling a bottle from that and I think I will have enough for well over a year. It is nice to my skin and an eco product. The large container will be collected when empty and then re-used

I have a miele twin dos machine and lots of the dos liquids in my corner cupboard, bought when on special offer. I do like the miniml but also like the dos liquids.

I use BioD unscented concentrated liquid, and get the 5l bottles from Natural Collection. It seems to work well and lasts for ages and I can use it for hand-washing woollen jumpers too. We have soft water, but even if we didn't I wouldn't use fabric conditioner.

midgey, I agree with you about soluble pods, both for washing machines and dishwashers. Why add plastic to the water??

Bold powder.
It isnt in all supermarkets[linen and camomile?] so order online if i have to.
It was the only brand i could find that got rid of my DH workclothes smells[you wouldnt want to know what of].

I too am no fan of expemsive pods

When I use my tumble dryer, mainly for towels and bedding I use the woollen tumble dryer balls.
A tip someone gave me is to put a drop of essential oil on the balls, last week I put a drop of lavender oil on them - my bedding smelt lovely.

I use washing powder too, usually surf...

I use a laundry cleanser for most washes as I do not wash above 40 degrees. I bought a load of Fabulosa winter angel and thought it would be good as it is scented. I hate the smell of it but will have to put up with it until I finish it. I started using cleanser during the covid outbreak and as reluctant to stop now . I do not use any fabric conditioner as our water is soft here.

Mollygo

We use Leaf brand laundry sheets. I bought multiple packs way back in 2022 when they were on offer £6 for 75 sheets. When we ran out, I was horrified that they’ve more than doubled in price (£14 even on Amazon).
In response to the OP, I find everything smells fine regardless of fabric or garment except they don’t remove the chlorine smell from my swimsuit.

Try homebargains they sell those leaf type detergents.

I like Aldi powder, and put it straight into the drum, not the drawer. I’ve tried the (expensive) Smol range but wasn’t impressed.

Thanks MT62.
They do sell Dr Beckmann at Home Bargains and they’re cheaper, but I prefer Leaf to Dr Beckmann.

Please do not use the pods. Every time they are used they release micro-plastic into the worlds seas, which is killing so many of the inhabitants of our oceans.
Either cardboard boxes of powder, or the easy to use, easy to store, lightweight to purchase laundry sheets.

Aldi powder for me which has little to no snell. Tried the pods which would leave a sticky mess on the clothes. I just don't get the need for clothes to smell of goodness knows what. We don't smell clothes on shop rails and buy because of the smell. Really dislike getting a whiff of fabric softener as someone passes by - some of it is ghastly.