Cost of Washing Powder

billybob_2

Does anyone know why this is so expensive, when we ALL use it? Some sort of monopoly perhaps? I do huge amounts of washing with 2 small children and washable nappies as well. Any cheap bargains you know about. Have a feeling its cheaper in France!

Trudi_Lavigne

Make your own!

https://www.gaia-exchange.sunmaia.net

The recipe is on this link, it takes 20 mins tops to make and I haven't noticed any difference in the performance from normal powders.

If you don't fancy this and you are lucky enough to live in a soft water area, just try using half the ammount of normal powder they recommend, unless it's a really muddy/pooey load. I found this worked fine, but now I make my own for pence.

Nickynoo1

I bought washing powder in France last year. The big big box about 7kilo I think. It was about £7. In fact they even sold it onboard the the on the dover to Calais route (P&O) at around the same price. Crew going ashore on the Portsmouth route always used to buy it in bulk there too.

I dont stop in France often now so buy the 7k one in asda. Cost £12 here though, but does last about 4-6 months. (was only 2 of us, now 1).

Someone somewhere is ripping us off in Britain again, me thinks!

System

I only spend about a £1 a week on washing powder for my family (two adults, two teenagers and an 8 year old. I dont buy softner either so i cant complain about the cost.

MATH

I but the cheapest powder I can lay hands on. Tesco Econobrand is about £1.60 for an e3 box. It last me about 2 weeks using it in my washer (top-loader so you use about double the powder) and in the dishwasher.

Doesn't wash quite as well as top brand but a splash of cheapo bleach in with the whites/pastels does the trick. Don't buy softner cos I can't smell it when they clothes are dry.

macchicken

Go to your local industrial hardware shop, loads of them sell stuff for hotels and bars, so you can get industrial size brand name washing powder at trade prices.

filigree_2

I use a tablespoon of washing soda in the drum then about 2/3 the recommended amount of powder. Then I use white vinegar for softener. You could try the economy powders, but I found they don't dissolve properly at low temps and leave white streaks. Perhaps you could try cutting half/half ordinary powder with the economy stuff.

MATH

Does anyone still make the Laudry Gloop? I used it for a while but then found things getting a bit dingy so stopped

System

Put a tiny bit of bleach in the wash cycle or use a couple of teaspoons of napisan in with it - but i spose that defeats the object really.

Sarahsaver

I make the gloop and its fine. If my kids clothes get a stain i have some spray from the pound shop, or use washing up liquid - tesco value - for grease marks. I use vinegar in the rinse for whites and bedlinen/towels.
I add lavender and geranium essential oils to my gloop.