What Type of Washing (Laundry) Cleaning Product Do You Use?

iammumtoone

gayleygoo wrote: »

It's easy to make - finely grate a cheap soap bar (expensive soaps might have lotions or oils which can stain the clothes) add a cup/200g of washing soda and the same of borax. Mix really well, store in a tub and use 1tbsp per wash, putting it in the machine before the clothes apparently works better than in the drawer. Ta-da! Under 3p per wash load!

where do you buy the borax from? I might give this a try.

anotheruser

Tried out Asda Smart Price washing powder this morning. I usually use about 150ml-ish of the "Chosen By You" powder but SP needs around 80ml. Washing came out clean, so I'd probably use this again.

I bought the Asda gel to give that a try and a bottle of their liquid too, both claiming to provide more washes than the equivalent powder:

Chosen By You:

Powder: £6 / 50 washes
Gel: £3 / 28 washes (£6 / 56 washes)
Liquid: £3 / 28 washes (£6 / 56 washes)

SP Powder: £2.80 / 50 washes.

I'll probably stick to SP powder with some soda crystals for clothes which have more stains.

Asda currently have Ariel Excel / Fairy (24 wash) gel on offer for £4.

gayleygoo wrote: »

...putting it in the machine before the clothes apparently works better than in the drawer.

Interesting you should say that as both the gel and liquid go in the drum rather than in the drawer, plus in the olden days you used to get those plastic things which powder could go in to go in the drum... might see if I still have one!

Edwardia

Ecover non bio powder plus Arm and Hammer washing soda or soda crystals when I can't get it. Ecover laundry bleach if needed. Ecover fabric softener but not happy with towels so may try vinegar.

abaxas

We keep a selection of cheapo/expensive powders/gels. That way we can tailor the detergent to the load and try to keep the similar things in each load.

Eg... quick t-shirt refresh = vvv small amount of cheap powder.
Dirty work clothes = standard dosing of ariel gel.

No point using more detergent than you need but equally no point using an expensive bio powder on a hot wash :P

anotheruser

Found one:


Who remembers these?

gayleygoo

iammumtoone wrote: »

where do you buy the borax from? I might give this a try.

I ordered it off ebay, I think it was £5.59 for 1kg of it posted, it used to be much cheaper when it was available in shops. The washing soda was 65p from a shop in town (a supermarket will charge more), and the soap was some I had lying under the sink

rosalie-lavender

I use a washball. I very rarely use detergent.

kittendothroar

I use Fairy non bio powder and have done for years, mainly as used to get in bulk with the ex from Costco and also is kind to my skin. Bought a 72 wash box ages back on offer for £10, is only me at the moment so lasts forever! I daresay when me and the BF move in it won't last quite as long...

Also use colour catcher sheets on coloureds stuff, mainly as use communal laundry and they strip the colour from clothes unfortunately.

No softener as we are not allowed weirdly??

LittleMissAspie

I use Co-op own brand because it's all animal friendly. They even label their stuff to say whether it contains animal ingredients. I buy their standard non-bio liquid and their eco conditioner as unfortunately their standard conditioners are not animal-free. I wish the eco conditioner smelt nicer though.

skintas_2

i use 24 washes gel for £1 from savers...does the trick for me