Washing detergent

I use liquid, more in England than in France because our water here is really hard where as in Normandy it is soft. The detergent is soap based and the manufacturer sells refilsl in plastic bags.

Kathsue I have one of those machines that measure the water in relation to the load. You have a good point that less detergent might be needed.

I use Ariel pods and Comfort pure.

I try to keep the washing smelling the same year after year, I think it's one of the comforting smells of home.

I think the washing soda soda softens the water so the powder/liquid works better.
My new washing machine takes in the right amount of water according to the amount of washing in the drum. So I have to adjust the amount of liquid I put in. Usually use less than recommended on the container.

Hi, my name is Kate and I’m a university student studying for a masters. For my dissertation project I’m conducting research into laundry habits in the over 55 age category. I would be extremely grateful if you could spare a minute to fill in my survey. It would help me a lot and be greatly appreciated.

This is the link:
nbsnu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5BZv1EMrcnLTpit

I’m not familiar with the policy for posting on this site so if this breaks any rules feel free to delete it.

Thank you for any help ?

By the way - I use Aldi detergent - brilliant and half the price of Named brands.

We have hard water (Thames Valley). I use less liquid detergent than the directions say - plus a couple of spoons of washing soda. clothes come up clean and sweet smelling. I too always dry outside - so I only do a wash when the BBC weather forecast is favourable.

We use EcoBalls. DD introduced us to them when she discovered DGS has an allergy to the standard Persil she use to use. We add Detol Laundry Cleanser (the recommended amount) to make sure it's all properly cleaned.

I prefer the smell of Lidl liquid wash (Formil) to the Aldi (Almat) one. I found the Aldi one to have rather a stale/fusty smell.

Maybe "disgusting" is too strong a word , they are highly perfumed ? Fairy Non Bio

That Lidl liquid is very good, isn't it? Very cheap, and my washing is lovely and white.

The ones I use don't smell disgusting...

My DD persuaded me to use the squidgy pouches for my wash , they smell disgusting ! I am back to the powder and use less than the box says . I use the plastic box for storing crayons etc for the DGC , but I would hate to have more than one

I marked the measurement on a beaker and use that.

I use Lidl liquid wash, diluted and then only half the recommended amount. Since I stopped using fabric conditioner, the powder drawer doesn't get that black gunge which I hate cleaning off.

I used to just chuck one of those liquid wash tabs in the drum with the clothes and could buy whatever was on offer. Nowadays, living permanently on our narrow boat and with all our 'grey' water emptying straight into the canal I use Ecover in a twin tub (yes, you can still get them!). If I'm using a launderette though I go mad and use whatever I grab in the nearest shop. Ecover's ok, but doesn't get things as bright as the ones with all the phosphates in.

Hello,
I too use Eco Balls in every wash. If the load is really dirty I supplement with small quantity of regular detergent. I think I've had the balls for about 12 years now and have had to refill very occasionally. The rubbery rim has worn off mine so they are a bit noisy though.

What does the washing soda do? I have vague recollections of a blue box of it under my mother's sink, I think.

Our water is extremely hard, kettles fur up in no time, and not good for tea. I have to use slightly more than recommended for Persil nonbio powder but also some washing soda. Sometimes Comfort but not often. If I use less dishcloths and towels aren't clean. Have to use more Persil washing-up detergent too. I dry everything outside, so at least they are soft and smell fresh.

After suffering skin problems I started using Eco Balls. They are the equivalent of taking your washing to the river and hitting it with stones. The balls have holes in them and contain an ionic cleaner(??) and they bounce around the drum. They can be quite noisy but some have a foam ring around the outside which is quieter. For my washing they are great but I suspect not so good for my daughter washing for her (messy) 3 year old.
The downsides are the cost (but they last for years)
You can't use them above 60 degrees
You need a stain remover for any really dirty marks.

Why on earth can't they sell those squidgy pouches in cardboard boxes though??? Those plastic boxes with lides they are sold in all end up in landfill in the UK. I suppose it is to keep mositure out so they don't fuse.

I use washing powder, in the biggest box that I can find on offer. It lasts us ages, and I use an old coffee scoop to measure the dosage, usually 1good scoop per wash. I have tried liquids before, but found that they left a decidedly " sour" smell in the machine. I do use softener, diluted, but find that it leaves a deposit around the dispenser, that can be hard to clean off.
When you could get it, I found that good old fashioned hard Sunlight soap bars were excellent at cleaning stains. Now the stuff you buy, on line, is pretty useless, and is definitely not the same. So much for progress. When I asked Sunlight, why they didn't make and market the original product, they told me, there was no demand!

I recently bought a bottle of Persil washing liquid that was designed to give you the correct dose every time. I tried to read the instructions but the writing was so small that even in a good light and good glasses I could not. The pictures of directions also were so small it was difficult to understand them. With the help of a friend we worked it out but each time I used this perfect dose bottle the dose got bigger. Yes, I have contacted the manufacturer.
My mother use to use soda so that is a good tip.
I also find spot cleaning before washing helps.

I use washing liquid, buy a 1.5 litre bottle, decant into an old 2 litre bottle - then fill up with cold water and shake well
THEN I use about half the quantity recommended - no fabric conditioner as it irritates my psoriasis & DDs eczema - and get sparkly clean washing at less than half the price

as little as I can get away with...

I prescrub suncream out of white collars, and the dreaded whiteboard marker out of their clothes with tesco value soap... (who thought white was a good idea for uniform, and black markers for white boards?)

Yep. Same here. No itching either.