Does anyone use dishwasher powder in the washing machine?

Crocswearer

I've recently bought dishwasher powder and bio washing powder from an Ebay seller: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/mrsudssoapfactory

and they are both great.

The dishwasher powder is slightly cheaper though. I've found threads on using washing powder in the dishwasher, but wondered if anyone had done it the other way round. If dishwasher powder is simply unscented washing powder, then I can add my own scent and save even more money!

TheConways

It depends on what you are washing. Washing powder contains enzymes and additives that tackle stains like blood, grass etc on fibres which won't exist in a dishwasher. In fact, washing powder is surprisingly complex when you go to the top end of the brands.

What is true of both washing and dishwasher powder is the reduced amount of foaming agents - you just don't need them in a dishwasher or washing machine. This is why putting Fairy liquid in a dishwasher will give you a whole heap of bubbles when you open it up... Don't do it!

Also: washing powders are carefully designed for certain temperatures and are designed to work at 30-40c. Dishwashers have a typical operating range of 50-70c - and therefore the chemistry is also designed to work at those temperatures, perhaps with longer chainlength surfactants that don't dissolve at 30-40c.

Net net, i think you are better off using the products as they are designed - though feel free to test out your idea' it shouldn't cause any harm in theory.

(nb. I happen to know the chemistry through my work, hope this all makes sense)

System

Before I got rid of my dishwasher I tried washing powder in the dishwasher just to see what would happen. Let's put it like this, everything needed rewashing.

squeaky

Hmmm... not something I think I'll try unless it's an experiment with very old clothes I'm about to get rid of.

DW powders have some very strong cleaning ingredients in them which are targeted at being used on solid objects. I'm not at all sure that some of these cleaning agents wouldn't start dissolving some fabrics.

Take_it_like_a_man,_sonny

My diswasher will not take powder! She has nice gloves though!

Crocswearer

Thanks all, I'll stick with the washing powder then!

faerie~spangles

Thanks for the link!

Ben84

Dishwasher powder contains strong bleaching agents, so likely to make clothes fade fast and maybe degrade the fibres too. I have occasionally used it with the washing machine empty however to clean the inside of the machine on a hot cycle.

DianneB

I can recommend the website, I get both my DW tablets and WP from them.

squeaky

15Kg of DW tablets (broken ones - who cares?) for a tenner? Wow. P&P ups the cost to £15 but that nets out at sort of £1 per kilo of tablets.

And I get a free bucket