Liquid or powder for washing clothes?

[angel21]

I have always used the powder but I was saying to my landlady how expensive it was (about �6.00 for 24 washes - although I did buy mine when it was on offer for �4.50 but still a lot) and my landlady said she uses the washing liquid (not to be confused with fabric conditioner -it is actually an alternative to washing powder) and she said its about �2.00 for 20 washes so its much cheaper. Has anyone tried this and is it ok?

[ummmm]

I tend to use liquid but mines not that cheap.

[rinkins]

I don't think many of them are particularly cheap, but personally I prefer the liquid, seems a better finish. No risk of clumps of powder that has not dissolved!

[mccfluff]

i prefer the liquid or liquitabs i just tend to go with whichever is on offer at the mo

[angel21]

Oh it seems liquid is more widly used and popular than I thought lol! I only found out they done liquid the other week! I might try using it then. The one my landlady gets is the tesco own brand so that might be why its cheaper than the one you get ummm

[danchip]

we used to use liquitabs and then that gel stuff that is out now all of which seemed to fade the clothes and even bleach some so we are back on the powders

[sandmaster]

As mccluff says - look out for offers. All types work out approx the same cost but powders contain a lot of bulking powder - does nothing to aid washing but makes the purchaser think she is getting a lot for her money. All this does is eventually clog up the washing machine.

[afcjan]

has anyone used those eco washing things, with the little salt pelletts in them. I dont how to describe them but they are about �25 for about 1000 washes.

I used 2 in 1 powder, because it suits me....

[angel21]

Sandmaster - I have heard that they put a lot of crap in the powders to bulk them out and make it look like you're getting more for your money than you are. I suppose if you were to compare own brand powder to own brand liquid it probs would work out the same sort of price for the same amount of washes. Forgot that I was comparing Bold powder to tesco washing liquid.

The prices are outrageous though. �6 is nearly a tenner just for a tub of washing powder

[angel21]

afcjan - I haven't heard of those. I wonder if they are any good.

[luxury]

Hi angel21,

I use Soap Nuts, soda crystals and borax. I throw dolly wash balls in the drum and my clothes are clean, fresh smelling without chemicals and the envoiroment is helped just a little....

http://www.inasoapnutshell.com/

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/F/product/21371

http://www.dripak.co.uk/

Initial outlay a little pricey, but soon pans out as you find you don't buy washing liquid/conditioner bottles...

L. xxx

[weeal]

I normally use Aerial liquitabs but I like the soapnuts idea from luxury ^

[luxury]

I really do like them Weeal :) and the indians have been using them for years... funnily enough my Jamaican friend was telling me the other night they use a vine type plant that lathers up to wash in, but the name of it escapes me lol and I don't think it'll be available here alas....

I think, since the soap nuts site is offering a free sample, give them a go...

L. xxx

[angel21]

Thanks for those links luxury. Going to get the free sample of soapnuts and I like the fact that they are natural and have no chemicals.

[natalie_1982]

I used to use powder tablet thingys, but tended to buy whatever was on offer which happened to be liquid capsule things last time, but they have gunked up all the inside of the door on my machine :-(

Think I will go back to tablets :-)

[angel21]

Hi Natalie, I have never used the liquitabs but my housemate does and I have noticed it leaves quite a lot of gunk on the inside of the door. It's really annoy too cus I washed my clothes the other day and I was going to put on my nice clean top for work this morning and it had gunk on it which must have come from where it was stuck on the rubber of the door. Now I'm gonna have to wash it again.

Another thing that annoys me is when I wash clothes and I come to iron something and it has a stain on. My nice new top has got spag bol sauce on it and it is a white and black top - luckily from afar you can't notice it at all but up close I can see little slodges of tomato sauce so annoying. I sprayed vanish on before I washed it but didn't realise it had so many splodges on and they haven't come out so I have now bought some vanish oxi action stain remover in powder that you put a scoop in with your normal detergent and I washed the top again at 50 degrees and still stains on it. It said one scoop of vanish would get tough dried in stains out. Hasn't worked though and that was a fiver.

[luxury]

Getting tomato sauce out is an absolute mare!!! I do use soda crystals, but patience and soaking is a must. The borax acts like a water softener.

The soap nuts won't remove major stains alas... but your clothes will smell... well....

.....Just clean.

:D xxx

[theonlyone]

I put fairy liquid on the stains and a scoop
of washing soda in with liquid detergent which
I put in the drum in a ball , my laundry is always
clean so I always hope the birds not poo on it !!

[ecogreen]

I have been using soapnuts for about a year and do an average of two to three washes a week. A 1kg bag lasted a year which is an amazing cost saving.
I also use soda crystals to add an extra boost and put some essential oil in the fabric conditioner draw which gives it a nice scent.
The idea of something that is substainable and will save you money is definately something I would reccommend

[asanexports]

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We can supply good quality of Soap Nut Whole or Soap Nut Half Shells in 500 gms x 40 PP bags in one master carton box packing or 1 Kg x 20 PP bags in one master carton box packing on FCL or LCL basis. If you are interest in our products please contact our email id [email protected] Url: www.mssasan.com.