'Value' laundry products - any good?

Flitty

I really need to save money, so I'm looking to buy value/basics products wherever I can. My mum says not to bother with the value/basics washing powder or fabric conditioner as they are a false economy. Is she right? Or are they actually ok at getting stuff clean? I usually use Persil or Ariel, with Comfort or Lenor, can anyone recommend a cheaper brand? I have 5 kids so need something good!

deebee

have a trip to Aldi or Lidl for these items - half the price of other supermarkets, and their dishwasher tabs are fab, and extremely cheap, as is their fabric conditioner

MrsTee_2

I've brought Asdas own 2 in 1 washing powder for the last 2 weeks, it's just as good as Bold, although I can't say I've tried it for typical children's stains like jam and ice cream etc. At a saving of over £1 though it's worth a try.

MoJo

Have a look on the old style forum pages - loadsa tips about laundry

valk_scot

I find a combination of half (or even less) the usual recommended amount of powder or liquid plus using a set of the reusable laundry balls works very well, and I've got two lots of rugby kit to deal with! The manufacturers seem to consistantly over-estimate how much product you need anyway, especially if you live in a soft water area. I find that if you use big box powder rather than liquids (especially concentrates) then it's far easier not to over-estimate what you need, and shoogle a bit out of the measure. And just don't go near one-dose pouches..they're set up for maximum detergent every time. The tablets are fine though if you can discipline yourself to use only one.

I don't use conditioner either...the slot for it bunged up on my machine a couple of years back and before I got round to cleaning it out I noticed that it made not one jot of difference, lol. I live in a soft water area though.

If you can cut down what you use, that will pay for using the brand name. I'm a great fan of Tesco own-brand non-bio myself though.

she_grinch

I use Tesco own brand non bio too and their own brand conditioner and have had no problems with it at all.

Enterprise_1701C

I used to use Tesco's own value washing powder, but I noticed a massive difference when I switched to one of the mainstream brands. I don't find much difference between them. Purely for storage reasons (I tend to bulk buy in Makro when offers are on!) I use washing tablets now, and instead of using two in a wash I use 1.5 - saving approximately one in four boxes! Never noticed the clothes being any less clean either and my household contains a county badminton player, a fanatical football player (at least four days a week!) and a Karate blue belt! I do use fabric conditioner though, we live in a hard water area and it is better for the fabric.

Nicifer_noonoo

Couldn't you try making your own? Have a dig around the OS board, lots of recipes there.

thriftybabe

I used Somerfield own brand (yellow and white pack) after Martin saying to switch down to cheaper brand. It has been great and no problems at all. I am quite happy with it.

Jonni2bad

Netto have a conditioner - 2L bottle - for only 33p.

Surely worth a punt to see if you like it, and if not - well, only 33p lost!

If you get on with it, that's a considerable saving over branded products.

katthehat

Asda washing powder and smart price conditioner are ok, your clothes smell nice and 'fresh' too!!