cheapest way to buy washing detergent?

Every time I go in the supermarket to buy washing detergent I have a crisis because of all the different options. Leaving aside special offers, generally speaking what is the cheapest form of washing detergent: powder, liquid, liquitabs, concentrated versions?
«1

Comments

  • newleaf
    newleaf Posts: 3,132 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker PPI Party Pooper
    Powder is definitely cheapest. You can mix it with washing soda crystals to make it go further too. I use equal parts of a 'quality' powder, a 'value' powder and soda crystals mixed together in a huge plastic tub. I'd also say you should experiment with using less than the manufacturer's recommendation. I use a 50ml measure of powder in a full load with no difference to the quality of my wash. (Manufacturer recommends more than double that amount)
    If you can get into a Costco, the washing powder is very cheap there. Their own brand, 'Kirkland', is super value and comes in a big plastic drum. It's as good as any posh brand.
    Official DFW Nerd No 096 - Proud to have dealt with my debt!
  • furndire
    furndire Posts: 7,308 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I must admit I like the liquid kind best, (Aldi) as you can use it with a lower temp wash, sometimes powder can leave white marks. Do Costco do a reasonable priced liquid?
  • newleaf
    newleaf Posts: 3,132 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker PPI Party Pooper
    I didn't look specifically at prices for liquid, as I don't use it, but my mum got her Ariel liquid there last time we went. I guess you would need to go and browse.
    What I would say is that white marks left by powder are usually a sign that you are either using too much powder or overloading your machine. Try using less powder and adding 30mls of white vinegar in the final rinse instead of fabric softener. You'll be amazed.
    If you don't fancy the smell of vinegar you can put a few drops of Zoflora in to disguise it, but the vinegary whiff does dissipate during drying anyway.
    Official DFW Nerd No 096 - Proud to have dealt with my debt!
  • cabra1
    cabra1 Posts: 300 Forumite
    I have always found that no matter
    what machine I have had I always use half
    what ever it says on the packet.

    At the moment I am using airiel tablets
    its a box with 24 written on the front.
    But that is 24 little packets and each packet
    contains two tablets.One tablet is more
    than enough for a full machine load.
    So this box is going to give me 48 washes
    its less than 10p a wash because it was on
    offer in Tesco for under £4.
    When I use liquid I only use about 1/2 a
    cap full.Soap powder at most half a teacup
    full.

    I have used the cheaper own brand powders
    and the results have been good enough.
    Although if its something thats badly
    marked I swear by Ariel as it really does shift
    the grime.Rescued loads of stuff thats had
    bad spills on with Ariel.

    Most brands are OK

    Just get yourself the one that seems like good
    value for everyday stuff and keep some Ariel
    in reserve for grim washing.
  • tee_pee_2
    tee_pee_2 Posts: 1,674 Forumite
    i use tablets fairy for the baby and sainsburys own lable biological and I out one tablet in and a scoop of soda crystals. Saw it on here and it works a treat.
  • jaygrunt
    jaygrunt Posts: 529 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    why use soda crystals?
    will this not just add to the cost

    e.g if you use half of what company recommends then fill up with soda crystals doesnt that defeat the object?
    Or does putting in crystals have some other benefits aswell|?
    If you dont ask you dont get!!
  • My wife will only use Daz and comfort. She puts so much comfort in that we go through a bottle a fortnight. Considering its only two of us thats a lot i think.

    When i do the washing (rarely i know!) i use half as much of both and i don't see any difference!

    I'm trying to get her to try different washing powder/tablets but she won't. She says anything else makes her itch!!

    We do some shopping at aldi's some times is there own brand stuff any good?
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • hesjane
    hesjane Posts: 2,123 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    jaygrunt wrote:
    why use soda crystals?
    will this not just add to the cost
    Soda crystals soften water, and are excellent for loosening dirt & dissolving grease. Soda crystals are much cheaper than detergents and therefore by mixing them with your detergent, eg Persil, Fairy or whatever, you are improving the wash but reducing the per wash cost (because you can use about half the detergent to achieve good results)

    Hope this makes sense.....it did to me until I read it back:rotfl:
  • jinkssick
    jinkssick Posts: 1,323 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    I use Morrisons or Asdas own brand. incredibly cheap at £1.50 and washes just like expensive detergent. A 60ml shud do fine for any large load. The white lines from using powdered detergent when it is used over or exactly what is said on the box.

    like someone said stick to half the recommended and you get a nice wash and no white lines.
    Save saynoto0870.com in your favorites, and stop giving companies more £££ dialling 0870 numbers when you can dial freephones or cheaper alternatives
    call your credit card company, tell them that you want to leave, 99% of the time theyll lower your APR%
    Remember when that Bank Manager or Salesperson smiles at you, all he sees is £ notes. Dont forget the motto, "the wider their grin, the more debt your in"
  • black-saturn
    black-saturn Posts: 13,937 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I'm still using the soapnuts.
    2008 Comping Challenge
    Won so far - £3010 Needed - £230
    Debt free since Oct 2004
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 597.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.6K Life & Family
  • 256.3K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.