Washing powder v liquid or tablets

Rikki

If it can make a gym kit smell nice after a session and a day in a kit bag its got to be good. :T

Maybe with the fabric softener being in with the powder means the smell gets into the fabric better, unlike fabric softener added in the final rinse?

Could you nose just be more sensitive to the change of washing powder smell?

I have noticed with the new comfort they have made the smell stronger. Which means I'm using less as the scent can be a bit overpowering.

rach

a washing machine engineer told my mum recently that using liquid is bad for your machine - something to do with it coating everything up i think.

rosh12

There have been a few threads on here about smelly washing machines and mould in the rubber seals on washing machine doors- one of the reasons someone suggested was that the liquids don't have the same chemicals in (some kind of bleach??) that they have in powders.

We have a bit of a damp issue in our kitchen, and the washing machine was a bit smelly too... we always use Ecover liquid, but, having read about washing powder on here, I used a free sample of Ariel powder and I have to say the machine didn't smell at all afterwards.

Unfortunately before my little experiment I'd bought some new Bio D liquid to try, so I'll have to stick to that for now!

stefejb

I heard long ago that liquid doesn't have phosphates in it so was a greener choice - i use soapnuts and a spoonful of washing soda but do have some emergency bio liquid too - I've had that for a few months actually and rarely have to use it

Garnet_Gem

I use liquid for 30 degree washes and am using up powder for 40 + 60 degree washes. I was going to stick to liquid only but if it ruins the washing machine I'll reconsider.

Bogof_Babe

I gave up powder as it seemed to leave white marks on dark items. However I am now wondering whether this was the machine's fault not the powder.

Been using liquid for about six months now, and I'm quite satisfied with the results.

trying-very-trying

I've been using the powder/sodacrystal mix in my machine, since I saw it discussed on here. I just use a 1/4 tablet and 1tbsp soda crystal on a general wash. It comes up great, and the tablets have lasted me for ages. I do use a whole tablet + soda crystal in huubby's dirty working stuff, and it seems to be coming up fine now as well.

Magentasue

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

I gave up powder as it seemed to leave white marks on dark items. However I am now wondering whether this was the machine's fault not the powder.

Been using liquid for about six months now, and I'm quite satisfied with the results.

I found this too. I've tried soap nuts and they're OK for clothes that aren't really dirty but no good for anything really mucky or stained. I've been using liquid (Ariel when it's on offer) for whites but, as part of my economy drive, will be changing back to powder and keep the liquid for non-whites.

grannybroon

I can't really offer anything constructive. I have tried various stuff over the years and always go back to my Ariel tablets from Costco, Fairy Tablets for the boys for their allergies and Comfort Pure for the conditioner. I do think it is a matter of choice and preference. Do use cheapest Bio powdder to soak the bath from time to time!

GB xxxxxxxxxx

trigger2

I've usually got a bottle of bio liquid to pretreat stains with. I tend to use non bio, usually powder but sometimes liquids if on offer. Personally I prefer the liquids but I don't like the fact that they can gunge up your machine making it smell, needing to do maintenance washes. I do like Persil non bio & also Sainsburys own one. I really haven't found an awful lot of difference in the brands though.