Washing clothes

Powder fan here. I like to decide on amount to go with a wash. Powder is better for machine in a soft water area. I dont use conditioner. I use two types from Lidl, one for all whites and other for colours and non bio.

I use powder in my washing machine, I put it in the drum, along with some washing soda. I have not had any spotting on my clothing - and I don't actually know what you mean either.

I use Aldi powder have done for a long time I am another who likes powder as opposed to pods

Baggs

Just seem your post, Mollygo. Soda crystals get the chlorine smell out of my swimsuit.

Thanks Baggs. I’ll give that a try.

DDIL always comments how lovely my washing smells when they visit. I have always used Persil non bio as the family gets excema and that one suits us. DS and DDIL can’t get it as they live in Spain.

jusnoneed

I use Lidls non bio liquid. Sometimes add some soda crystals to help clean the machine too.
I never use softener, I just don't like clothes smelling of artificial scents and it clogs up the machine.

I do exactly the same. Never use fabric softener, but I do put a little vinegar in the tray instead. Leave the drawer and door open during washes, so the machine never smells.

Water, not eater!

I use M&S non-bio liquid for sensitive skin. It’s v good value, £5.50 for a large bottle, which lasts for ages. To be fair, we have very soft eater so I don’t need to add much. It doesn’t have a scent at all, so our clothes/linens just smell clean, however one defines that. In summer and line-dried they smell even better!

Every other tv advert seems to be about people smelling of their laundry detergent of choice ( ie the whoosh). But, on thinking about it, I’ve never found myself standing next to someone and being aware of them smelling of anything. Except, that is, when someone has that frousty smell because they’ve put clothes away without properly airing them.

I’ve tried everything, and prefer powder because it seems to keep the pipes in the washing machine cleaner so you don’t get any fusty smell, but I put it in a little plastic pot straight in with the wash, not in the dispenser. It never leaves a white residue.

*seen

Just seem your post, Mollygo. Soda crystals get the chlorine smell out of my swimsuit.

I use a spoonful of soda crystals because I don't like my laundry or my washing-machine to smell of anything. Most synthetic smells and even natural fragrances just make me sneeze.

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.

I used to use Bold liquid, but have recently changed to the Asda version of the same. I can't tell the difference. I only use a small quantity of the detergent and everything comes out clean and fresh.

I use Sainsbury’s own brand that come in cardboard Tetra packs. You can choose between Bio and NonBio. Very effective and about £2.50

I use Lidls non bio liquid. Sometimes add some soda crystals to help clean the machine too.
I never use softener, I just don't like clothes smelling of artificial scents and it clogs up the machine.

And I do not like the smell of Ariel.

#£%&-

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.

I make my own laundry detergent and it works perfectly well on whites, lights and darks.

I use Aldi bio pods for full loads. They don't smell. I have tried quite a few and most of them are too highly scented.

I am another fan of good old fashioned powder.
The pods are expensive and full of micro plastics.

Why does everything have to smell?

I don’t understand the use of pods. I’m still using powder ( in fact I can can’t remember the last time I bought a box as it lasts so long and I don’t use the amount they recommend which is far too much. I throw a bit of laundry sanitiser in the wash and put distilled vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser ( I stopped using fabric conditioner a long time ago). I did give my machine a hot wash with soda crystals to give it a good clean recently.