best washing detergent...

dawnie1972

For those that recommended Persil have you seen this offer (in Sainsburys)
Persil Small & Mighty Liquid Detergent, Non Biological 3L (85 Washes)

Save 50% was £15.00 now £7.50

Cacolantern

Ariel Excel Gel (non bio for you) all the way, it's worth the price, it's often on offer too, we've evolved from the powdered stuff now! So much easier!

dasophster

The Ariel gel is fantastic, better than Daz actually. I put one of my toddler's t-shirts in that was heavily tomato stained forgetting to put stain remover in too; when I got it out I inwardly groaned as I realised I'd forgotten the stain remover and thought I'd have to wash it again, looked at it and not a stain on it. Also I live in a very very hard water area, even with calgon or soda crystals added to the wash and cleaning the inside of the maching frequently any other liquid or gel detergent leaves a 'stinky' smell on the clothes if I don't remove them and hang them up right away once the wash cycle has finished. Even then with some darker colours it still happens, with the ariel I was very impressed because I fell asleep when a wash was on and woke up 3 hours later and not a 'stink' on them! We do use the bio; my husband is asthmatic and has sensitive skin but he has been fine with it, I think because its a gel its less product to need rinsing off xx

andy2004

Lugh_Chronain wrote: »

Ariel Actilift Biological Powder - 45 Washes (3.6Kg) is on offer at Sainsbury's until 27/11/2012 though isn't exactly the cheapest compared to some all ready mentioned at 15.8p/Wash.

Check mySupermarket Edwardia, there does appear to be some offers on at Sainsbury's alright, haven't checked other stores though.

Don't know if you've checked out this website before though if you haven't, click on any image, then click on the Add Price Alert Button. This will send you an email once the prices drop. You have to be a signed up member of course.

Sainsbury's also sell Simply products as well.

Personally I wouldnt buy the 45wash.
For my sisters I buy the Ariel 38 wash for £5 / £5.50 when its on offer. i currently have around 16 box's of it in house.
£5.50 last time it was on offer, making it 14.4p per wash.
currently lidl is selling it at £5.99 a wash just a fraction cheaper than the 15.8p per wash @ 15.7p per wash.

Haffiana

If you want stain removal then never use a liquid. They cannot be formulated in the same way as a powder because the bleaching agents are unstable in liquid form. This is also why they can make washing machines smell (and also become mouldy). They also can cause drain blockages.

If you insist on a liquid then you will need to add one of those powdered stain removers such as ariel or vanish.

mrs_lds

Ariel gel 888ml down to £4 plus you can you the £1 coupon off from old mag.

Lugh_Chronain

Haffiana wrote: »

If you want stain removal then never use a liquid. They cannot be formulated in the same way as a powder because the bleaching agents are unstable in liquid form. This is also why they can make washing machines smell (and also become mouldy). They also can cause drain blockages.

If you insist on a liquid then you will need to add one of those powdered stain removers such as ariel or vanish.

Keeping the washing machine door open should also prevent mould. Or wipe down with white (distilled) vinegar. Plenty of information on the vinegar book on how to remove mould using vinegar.

Haffiana

It is true that leaving the door open will help. However, the little pool of liquid at the bottom of a washing machine doesn't usually dry fast enough. The lack of bleaching agents in liquid detergent means that not only can mould grow more easily, but also bacteria. Combine this with a series of 30 degree washes, and the bacteria are not killed at all, nor are the mould spores. Which equals a stinky machine, and not very hygienic wash loads.

This is what Which says about different types of detergent (- but note that Which are as usual, conflicted between recommending that everyone wash at low temps because it is economical and energy saving, versus using a hotter wash which actually does the job properly!):
"Laundry detergent FAQs


Are laundry liquids better for coloured clothes?

Laundry liquids are particularly good for washing coloured clothes, as they don't contain bleaching agents, which break down the coloured dyes in the fabric.
They are also better at removing fatty stains. Clear fatty stains (like vegetable oil) are more obvious on colourful clothing, creating darker blobs than the surrounding material.
See our full laundry detergent test results to find out which liquid is the best.
What about powder detergent?

Powders take the lead when it comes to cleaning stains such as tea, blueberry and wine as they contain bleaching agents. White and pale clothes also benefit from the optical brighteners in powder that slow down the rate at which they go grey.
Are liquitabs or powder tablets as good as free-flowing liquid or powder detergent?


Powder tablets and liquid sachets can certainly give boxed powders and bottled liquids a run for their money, but per wash they can cost a little more – the price you pay for the ease of popping detergent in to your washing machine without measuring.
Powder tablets
The bleaching agents in most powder tablets mean that they’re usually better at tackling food stains such as wine and ketchup.
Liquid sachets
These often contain solvents and a higher quantity of surfactants, which are better at breaking down fatty stains such as lipstick, motor oil and hamburger grease.
How much should I use?

For free-flowing powders and liquids, manufacturers suggest the amount of laundry detergent you should use with each load on the packaging, including advice for lightly/heavily soiled loads and soft/hard water areas.
You can normally get a free scoop by ringing the detergent brand's customer care line.
For liquitabs and tablets, most manufacturers recommend using two tablets in your wash for a normal soiled load. But the amount can depends upon the hardness of water where you live. In hard water areas, you may need to use more detergent.
Refer to the manufacturer's guidance on the number of tablets recommended for the hardness of your water and dirtiness of the clothes that you're washing.


Does it matter if I use extra detergent?

Using too much laundry detergent in your wash is a waste of money, so use the measuring jug or cap provided.

• Too much laundry detergent hinders the cleaning power of the wash, as the bubbles cushion fabric, preventing wash agitation (when the fabrics rub together).
• Excess foam will also block the washing machine drainpipes, which results in a poorly-rinsed wash.
• Laundry detergent that hasn’t been completely rinsed off fabrics can cause skin irritation.

This is more important today as washing machine manufacturers continually strive to reduce the amount of water their models consume to improve efficiency ratings. So, putting ‘a little extra in for luck’ could cost you more in rinsing water at best, or give you a rash at worst.
Should I sort my washing?

Yes. Sort your clothes into white, dark and similarly-coloured loads before you wash them to prevent dye creeping between clothes in the wash – a problem even our Best Buys can’t solve for you.
Why won’t 'environmentally friendly' detergents get clothes as white as other detergents?


Unlike most laundry liquids, these don’t contain optical brighteners. Optical brighteners give fabrics a cleaner, whiter appearance by coating the fabric in a reflective solution.
What happens when you leave laundry liquid out and just wash with water?

Washing with water alone won't remove stains, but the agitation of the washing machine is enough to release some dirt and will freshen up a lightly soiled load.
Giving up detergent altogether isn’t really practical, but if you want to help the environment you should choose the lowest possible wash temperature and use the correct dosage, or consider using detergent alternatives such as wash balls and soap nuts. See the Eco laundry detergent page for more.
How well do gel detergents work at 15°C?


We tested Ariel Excel, and three new gel detergents (Bold 2in1, Co-op Bio Ultra and Fairy Non Bio) on a cold wash to see how good they were at removing stains. All four gel detergents were more effective at removing stains at 30˚C than on a cold 15˚C wash.
Ariel Excel Gel was the best at removing stains at 30˚C, but Fairy Non Bio had the edge when used in a cold wash. However, all the gels struggled to remove highly coloured stains, such as make-up, on a cold wash. Many washing machines don’t have a 15˚C program, so Which? tested the gels on a cold wash – the temperature of the water going into the machine was 15˚C.
We recommend that you wash at 30˚C if you want top performance from a gel.
When do I need a 60°C wash?

We recommend that you use a powder that contains bleach (most do) with a 60°C wash (or higher), to kill bacteria lurking in towels and bedding. This should be carried out at least once a month to help keep your machine bacteria free, or more regularly if a member of the household is ill.
Why should I wash most of my clothes at 30°C?

Recent research shows most of the energy associated with clothing is used when washing them. By washing at 30°C instead of 40°C you can shave a few pounds off your energy bills and help to lower emissions from power stations. Over a year, this can cut between £8 and £18 off your electricity bill. "

newnham

I have very sensitive skin and have used Persil non-bio powder for years. The powders are much more cost effective.

jenniewb

Thanks for those washing machine tips, that's really helpful! May explain to me why I've ended up using Fairy gel. The majority of my clothes are black or very dark grey and I sweat a lot when at the gym both of which seem to be best suited to Fairy and it seems I've come to the same conclusion as the survey.

I don't tend to use powder or powder tablets but as my towels seem to be covered in mascara stains! I think maybe I'll give them a go- anyone know if mascara/eyeliner would work best as a grease stain or a food stain? The basis of the product seems to be various silicons and waxes rather then being either oil or food based.