Use powder in your washing machine.

amalis

christal and kitchenskink, thank you very much!

rachbc

Slinky wrote: »

I only ever use one tablet and have never had any problems with it dissolving (or not). I use tablets as a means of controlling the amount of powder that goes in, it's too tempting to be a bit heavy handed with the loose powder and can start getting expensive.

I saw a review on the TV a while ago where they tested powders/tablets/gels against each other, and the gels came out bottom in terms of results.

If you are worried about the tablet blocking the pipes, why not break it up a bit before putting in the drawer.

I don't use tablets for the same reason - you can use less of a liquid/ powder but by using tablets you are stuck with te recommended amount.

The which report I read said ariel excel gel was the best at cleaning....seems to differ depending on who you ask....

OrkneyStar

I find that liquid works best in our WM- don't really like powder, rarely use tablets, and gel sachets only when on offer!
ETA I like Surf and Bold (not together lol)...thinking of doing a vinegar/soda crystal rinse too.

ginnyknit

I only use a fraction of the recommended dose as I read in the New York Times via here that the doses were totally un-necessary. My clothes actually seem cleaner and fresher that way. I use gloop for bedding and towels but am trying dry gloop next time as I done have room for a big container of it.

MrsE_2

rachbc wrote: »

The which report I read said ariel excel gel was the best at cleaning....seems to differ depending on who you ask....

Hmmmmmmm

Which are usually pretty good.

Anyway the message the man was saying was not to use tablets.

I think I will give the excel gel a go

elf06

I use less than the recommended amount of liquid and boil wash with vinegar once every few weeks - same as a few others on here

Natty68

I squish my ariel tablet up and it basically becomes a powder that way. I only use about half of one tablet with a bit of borax, Aldi stain remover powder and a bit of bicarb of soda. Then I add a dollop of white vinegar to the fabric conditioner section (no fabric conditioner is used at all!) and I must admit I have very very clean washing, and a lovely sparkling clean drawer, and clean pipes too Although I do do the bedding on a 90 deg wash once a week as well as washing towels and teatowels on a 90 deg wash. So that might have something to do with it, but I have noticed I don't get a musty/icky smell either in the machine or on my washing anymore (you know that damp jumper smell!)

Brooktop

Perhaps best to just buy what is on offer in the supermarket at the time...that way you won't be using any one type exclusively

Hippeechiq

My OH works in an office and always wears white shirts.

Few months back now Ariel Gel was on offer, so I thought I'd try it to see what it was like - it didn't even touch the collars and cuffs, and we're not talking caked on filth here, just a day in the office!

I finished using it, but I wouldn't waste my money buying it again no matter what Which say.

Makes you wonder though, if it doesn't all boil down (no pun intended ) to what machine you have?

ceridwen

ginnyknit wrote: »

I only use a fraction of the recommended dose as I read in the New York Times via here that the doses were totally un-necessary. My clothes actually seem cleaner and fresher that way. I use gloop for bedding and towels but am trying dry gloop next time as I done have room for a big container of it.

I use gloop for all my machine washing.

I have been wondering if I'm using the right quantity of it - as I'm using a soup ladle worth (as recommended originally).

My washing machine is a slightly larger one (think its 8kg?) and I make sure its got a full load before I use it - so I suppose I'm using the right amount?