Own brand washing powder ?

OrkneyStar

ShelBell wrote: »

i would recommend researching soap nuts before trying them, there is a large opinion that they are pointless and a waste of money.

Took me a wee while to get going with them but I actually quite like mine now. I use 5 in a bag (not the rubbish one that came with it but a washing powder net bag) and can use then 3-4 times before they go useless. They are not great on red stains but otherwise fine (good enough for reusable nappies).
I use soap pods, eco balls, or washing liquid/powder (buy this when its on offer) and fab con sometimes as I like the smell.
hth

trinity_bleu

I assume "vinegar" is white vinegar ? Where do you get it from ? Can't find it on Tesco online !

Thanks,
Trinity x

hollydays

I buy mine by the gallon from makro.

nesssie1702

I use the Non-bio powder that Lidl sell - Formil - but it comes in a 5.2kg box or thereabouts and seems to last me for ages, but we do live in a soft water area, so I don't use too much of the stuff. The last time I bought it, it was on special offer at £3.99 a box, so I bought two as my nearest Lidl is 4 hours away - 3 hour ferry crossing and then an hour in the car!

hmkn

I use soapnuts and have done for a couple of years now.

They are as effective as a non-bio, IME, and way cheaper. I bought a 1 kg bag on holiday in France last summer for £16 (they're cheaper in France/Germany than here) and I'm only half way through the bag. I have 3 children under 9, one of whom is still in washable nappies at night, another of
whom occasionally wets her mattress protector.

I use a washing tablet bag too, and use about 5 shells for anything from 2 to 8 washes and then they go in the compost bin.
I use them on reusable nappies and they work fine with a drop of tea tree or lavender oil.

From the literature I've read (including Which magazine) soap nuts come out as good to ok. The laundry balls you can buy got rated the same as plain water, but I've still heard people rave about them, so I guess it's individual...

They also work the same at all temperatures. Most of the laundry in the UK is cosmetic, so we don't really need to worry about germs in most loads. Obviously tea towels/washable dishcloths/hankies/nappies etc are different but most tshirts etc don't need zapping they just need freshening up or the odd mark removed so low temperatures are ideal for them. On the continent laundry is generally washed much cooler than here and they don't have problems with infection because of it.

HMK

thecornflake

We use soapnuts most of the time, and powder (but only about a quarter of what the packet says) for heavy soiling.

Bearing in mind we have two kids, we only have to do a powder wash about once a week so it lasts for ages. In the sample someone mentioned they only got about 5, but you only need 8 half shells (separate them if they're whole) and these do about 3-4 washes. Nothing going into the water supply, they can be composted when used and works out about 3p per wash.

bunny999

Is it any good ?

Blackpool_Saver

I use it and find it ok, but then my washing isn't very solied, if there is a stain at all I spray with vanish first......

boredofbeingathome

I use it and add soda crystals as well..lasts for ages. It is excellent at getting rid of stains.

vodkawitch1

I use it but add the £1 stain removal powder that you can get from £1 shops to a large box of tesco powder, then I find it works as well as any expensive powder.