Washing Powder or liquid and sensitive skin

flaire

I have a septic tank type thing and my neighbour advised me to use only non biological washing powder. Something about the enzymes in biological killing off the useful organisms that breakdown..'solids'..and causing an overflow.

So, I now purchase Sainsbury's Non-Biological cut half and half with soda crystals. Happy with my whites and colours too.

kellybigboobs

I use whatever is on offer,where ever I happen to be when I remember we're low/have run out of powder!Don't seem to get any reactions thankfully.Currently using wilkos own liquid tabs,one for colours,one non bio for whites.They work out at 8.5 ish per wash and I think that's cheap.I usually do my wash at 30 or 40 stain intensive on greasy things and towels/bedding.Always come up fine as long as I don't overload the machine.....!

I hate fabric softener,I've never used one that made my clothes (or towels) soft.They are made of fabric and are clean,how much softer do I need them to be?!?Also I can't stand the gross fake smells from them.Nothing like the smell of plain clean washing to me!Has anyone ever smelt a black diamond?I've always wondered....
I think they are just another way of getting people to spend money on crap they don't need.Sorry to be blunt but it drives me mad when people fall for the ploys that marketing companies create.

I do use vinegar,a capful,in each wash as I think it works much like rinse aid in a dishwasher and I like things squeaky clean.Never noticed a pungent odour even when wet.

For stain I use a little of wilkos oxy stuff,either before (if I remember) or in the wash if I don't (far more likely!),usually does the trick.

[Deleted User]

If its on the offer I get whatevers going, at around £2.00 a bottle I have Surf comcentrated at the moment as wiliksons had an off a little while ago at £1.99 so I bought a couple of bottles But I don't use 'bio' powders or wash as my clothes don't get that mucky.Probably if I had my DDs 4 mucky-footballing-lads I would need to,(she uses Ariel I think ) I normally buy Tescos non bio liquid and its good value at under £3.00 a bottle for 20 odd washes .I only use about half to two thirds of the amount specified and thats more than enough I found if you used the amount they said the clothes wern't any cleaner and they seemed to go very 'hard' I only use white vinegar for conditioning as I hate the 'slimy ' feel of clothes conditioner plus I'm not very keen on artificial chemicals stinking my washing as a good blow on the washing line gets them smelling gorgeous

darleydame

What about using those washing balls?
In poorer countries they dont have washing powder only soap blocks and its the beating that gets clothes clean- perhaps not good for the fabric but we dont keep the same clothes for very long and if its a delicate fabric it should surely be handwashed?
Are we being conned into buying the expensive stuff?
Although Which reports do put Ariel & Persil best at getting stains out but a little rub with white soap or vanish is cost effective rather than the oxy powder that costs more than washing powder!

And has anyone else noticed the shrinking size of the basic wash powder? Its gone from 3kg to 2.4kg and now its 2kg. It still does the same amount of washes but they recommend less powder!

PS Why is this site 2 hours behind real time?

GHB

rolleypolleypud wrote: »

I was just reading through this post and noticed some of you use vinegar? What does this do in the wash load? Is it as an alternative to normal fabric softener?
Does it leave a vinegary smell on your clothes when you take them out of the wash? Does it damage the fabrics?

Sorry for so many questions but I am a bit of an over user of the old fabric softener (I like my clothes to smell) but I'm looking to be more mse with my washing:o

Also apart from the smell and the softening do you peeps think there is very much difference in results between a wash with and a wash without softener?

Use WHITE vinegar, about the same amount as you would use conditioner. It eliminates static and makes cotton soooo much easier to iron. I usually only use it on shirts, bedding, towels etc and use regular conditioner for jumpers, teeshirts, etc. And no, it doesn't smell. And yes, there's a huge difference between a wash with conditioner and a wash without.

GHB

Mayflower10cat wrote: »

I discovered a range of cleaning/household products stocked by Wilkinson just after Christmas. Called 'Green Force' they are Vegan Society approved and not tested on animals (this is very important to us.) We use their washing up liquid, bio-washing tablets, non-bio laundry liquid, toilet cleaner and also their multi-surface spray. Not only are they considerably cheaper than the 'big brands', they're a bit dearer than Wilko's own brand and they are also a lot cheaper than Ecover. Wilko have had lots of special offers just recently so I stocked up. I'm delighted that I haven't had to compromise performance over principles - every product works very well.

Thank Heavens someone else has discovered Green Force. The best stuff ever invented - it's green and it does exactly what it says on the pot! :T

lindseykim13

Nobody has mentioned the non-bio from the poundshop i use probably a quater of the recommended powder and never use fabric cond. With 3 kids and most of us with sesitive skin it does a good enough job for me. I find the more chemicals you use the worse the skin reactions. I've tried the ecover (sample) and that was nice but a bit pricey for just washing clothes!

bare_foot_hippy

I have super sensitive skin, a minuscule budget and strong eco-morals so I rarely use washing powder or liquid - only if the wash is really grubby or smelly will I put a bit of Green Force Bio Powder or BioD liquid. I just use a scoop of soda crystals or bicarb of soda for the wash and a cap-full of vinegar for the 'conditioner', oh and I usually wash at 40-50C on a short cycle (not sure of the precise numbers but have been told cutting the length of time the machine is on saves vastly more energy than reducing the temperature of the water). If there are stains I use Wilko's Oxy clean powder on it before washing, though I try and catch the stain before it sets - a bit of soap and water does wonders when applied immediately after the spill/splodge/smudge!

Winchelsea

Slightly off-topic, but....about using bar soap as a stain remover - this morning as I went to clean my sink I realised my cream cleanser was empty, so picked up the old-fashioned bar of hand soap, rubbed a bit on a damp rag, and, hey presto, a lovely shiny sink!

And, the fact that fabric conditioner makes ironing easier doesn't influence me a bit - I DON'T BELIEVE IN IRONING!! Yes, I occasionally do a bit, but try not to buy clothes or fabrics that definitely need an iron. So, no nice linens or silks in my wardrobe! As I see it, ironing is a real waste of energy (my own, and the sort that runs up your leccy bill and adds to global warming!)

Now on topic - at present I'm using Formil bio powder from L*dl for my whites, and use it half & half with soda - seems to work well. For coloureds, I use the Ecoballs - throw three in with a spoonful of soda, and the clothes are fine. For both coloureds and whites I use a tablespoon of vinegar (S**nsb*rys basics brown one at about 14p a bottle) in the fabric conditioner drawer.

The only time I've had a really bad allergic dermatitis was a couple of years ago when I tried S**nsb*rys Basics bio powder.

rita-rabbit

I use Eco-balls and a ball magnet thing (to soften the water) & v little washing liquid (Liddles own brand - colour). I just spot treat stained/v dirty part of items with Fairy washing up liquid & put in machine. I sometimes put white vineagre in with wash too & a tiny bit of fabric conditioner. Modern machines are not great at rinsing so less powder/liquid = softer less irritatating fabric!
http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/eco-laundry.html - sorry I don't know how to do proper links