What washing detergent do you use?

nopot2pin

mrs_metal wrote: »

Thanks to this site I now use soap nuts with a bit of soda crystals for washing colours

Whats soap nuts ???
thanks

keelykat

Hey, as i have eczema and very sensitive skin i have to avoid bio' powders etc and stick to the non-bio version. I buy asda's non bio tablets but only use one at a time with a bit of asda's own (smart price) concentrated conditioner and am happy using this for all my clothes/towels/sheets etc.

Im not falling for the hype about brand names etc!

keely.

aimee21j

I also have eczema and have tried everything, even shops own sensitive non-bio. The only thing that doesn't bring me up in a horrendous red rash is fairy non-bio with fairy fabric softener or comfort sensitive softener.

rhonda_jean

I make my own. I've been using it for years and it's never let me down. Here's the recipe:
4 cups grated laundry soap
2 cups washing soda
2 cups borax

Just mix it all together and use ¼ cup per wash load. Softener is ½ cup of white vinegar.

Using these costs a fraction of the store bought products and you can add your own fragrance if you want to. I never bother. There's nothing better than the smell of sheets and clothes dried in the sun.

larmy16

I have started to use a liquid wash on my dark colours. This is because sometimes the powder does not disperse properly. I got a 3 litre bottle from Lidl for £3.99. Works great.

The 3 mix for light coloureds and whites. Cheap/more expensive/washing soda.

I have used the home made, both powder and liquid and they work well too.

I do like to use a branded fabric conditioner though. Mostly Lenor or Comfort but I bought some Co-op own brand FC (concentrated) and that was lovely.

nearlyrich

My son is allergic to Persil so we stick with Ariel and I only buy it in bulk when it's on special offfer.... I got a bargain in Tesco recently, the liqitabs were being sold off and the big boxes were half the price of the small boxes so I filled my trolley. I only use one tablet per wash and even at 30 degrees I don't have a problem with stains not coming out. I rarely use fabric conditioner, if I do on bedding for example I use the Tesco own brand, huge bottle lasts ages.

astonsmummy

I use persil gel tabs, and comfort concentrate softner.
One thing i definately wont scrimp on is washing powder, i like my clothes to smell nice although i'm not as fanatic as Kim!

trying-very-trying

nopot2pin wrote: »

Whats soap nuts ??? thanks

Here's a link that explains soapnuts. http://www.inasoapnutshell.com/

I just use aabout a tablespoonful of cheapest powder or about 1/4 or less of one of the cheapest tablets. For heavy loads, I add soda crystals, and for hubby's mucky workstuff, I use a whole tablet plus the soda crystals and some borax. I can't remember the last time i bought washing powder since visiting this site on a regular basis. I would like to start using the vinegar for fabric softener, but I can't find it cheap enough, so I just do without.

mrs_metal

nopot2pin wrote: »

Whats soap nuts ???
thanks

Sorry hadn't logged on for a couple of days. Soap nut are the actual shell of nut off a tree, 4 or 5 half shells in the wash (usually tied into the toe of an old pair of tights) will last three to four washes. I'll sometimes use a bit of soda crystals if I think the clothes need it but a bag of soapnuts that cost about £8 has lasted since april or may and will last about another month. You can tell they're ok for another wash by the feel of them, if they're still firm they're ok but once they've gone soft all the soap's gone and you can compost them.

Edited to say thanks to trying-very-trying for adding the link

Hope that helps

falady

hi everyone,

I've used sainsbury's non bio washing tablets in the past and they have been fine. i might try buying powder and mixing with soda crystals as suggested above -sounds a great way to save money if it gets things as clean!

Ali x