What laundry detergents do you use to keep your lovely clothes looking nice?

[JanaOfTheJungle]

Feel like I've revamped my wardrobe and am in danger of wrecking it all.

Currently use Fairy non bio powder and Fairy fabric conditioner. Except woolens.

[WastingMyYoungYears]

I think you also need a colour powder (as your non-bio probably contains whitening agents) for colour washes.

What about bio instead of non-bio? I think it works better.

I like colour catchers too - I put one in with mixed colour washes to try to protect everything.

Also, I now do a strictly white wash for my white clothes, bedding etc. and I add some Ecover laundry bleach to keep it nice and white.

And I spray DH's underarms with vinegar to prevent deodorant / sweat stains. (I simply glow )

I am rock and roll .

[WastingMyYoungYears]

Oh, and I tumble dry most things, so I don't use fabric conditioner. You can use white vinegar instead (if you don't tumble dry).

[LuvDaMorso]

Ariel bio tablets.

Strict separation of whites, darks, lights and brights.

No fabric conditioner. It is bad for your clothes.

Do not overstuff the washing machine. No more than two thirds full.

Water softener like Calgon if you have hard water.

Soak stains ASAP after they happen.

[ThePerfectNegroni]

We are non bio fans and can't use bio due to sensitive skin. Some lovely mumsnetter introduced me to Woolite Non Bio Darks liquid. I've only found it on Ocado.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Waitrose own brand for dark washing is good.

[itsnothingoriginal]

I like the Waitrose own brand for colours too. Aldi Almat came out top of a Which test a few years ago and I think it's as good as Ariel or the other brands I've tried wasted money on!

Surcare is the best fabric conditioner I've tried but don't use it for all washes. Also very reasonably priced compared to Comfort or Fairy!

[mirpuppet]

I use the woolite refernced above.

Also do not over pack machine.

I also wash many of my clothes on handwash cycle and leave to dry.

[ThisBitchIsResting]

I use Woolite for all my nice clothes and wash at 30 degrees on a low spin setting, on a gentle (wool) cycle. This includes posh jeans, tees I don't want to shrink, dresses, bras, tights and anything knitted.

[TheMightyMing]

I use fairy liquitabs for most washing, my good stuff on a 30 degree handwash cycle using Woolite on handwash liquid in the machine.

Handwash super delicate stuff in cool water.

[mausmaus]

colour powder for darks
bio powder for lights/whites
shampoo for wool/silk

always powder as cleans better and bio cleans mies better than non bio.

brand doesn't really matter, it's more a case of preferred scent.

[Carpaccio]

I use whatever big brand is on offer - I'm a little bit sensitive about some of the scents so I go for the brands I know. I think we currently have Persil, but Ariel also works for us. I use the colour products and prefer the liquid products.

I wash all clothes at 40 degrees. Bras and delicate items go in those lingerie bags to protect both the clothes and the machine.

Separating the different colours to avoid discolouration, not overfilling the machine (3-4 inches space between top of clothes and the top of the drum) and not using fabric softener or vinegar.

I try to let the clothes and other stuff hang dry outside as dryers cause a lot of wear.

Silk and wool clothes are washed on a Woolmark program (or if not possible a handwash or delicate 30 degree program) using a Woolmark detergent (currently Persil silk & wool).
Dried lying flat on a towel until almost dry, then hung up. If the clothes is very wet, it'll be heavy and can lose its shape if hung up to dry.

[Fallulah]

Why is fabric conditioner bad for your clothes?

[rockpink]

Sensitive skins here at our house, we use Surecare detergent and Comfort "baby on the front" fabric conditioner, however loads of our clothes are quite faded.
I hand wash woollens and delicates in Ecover.
I use colour catchers as well and also wash bedding separately with that antibacterial additive.
I tumble dry stuff inside out.

[JanaOfTheJungle]

Thank you so much everyone.

Main takeaway seems to be to use a colour detergent, possibly liquid (although I've heard liquids are not good for machines?), separate colours more thoroughly, use a colour catcher, and anything slightly nice use Woolpit on a delicates wash. I already hang to dry.

Am I right?

[cardigal]

I use liquids because I found the powder caked - it also left streaks on dark washing.

I use a colour catcher sheet (Waitrose own) Ariel white and Ariel colour liquids or Persil liquids depending on offers.

One other thing I've found important is to not spin at 1600 - it's for towels and sheets but it sets creases in my clothes that really show so now I use a cotton or acrylic 40 degree wash and set the spin cycle at 800 max. I think the acrylic is at 800 but the cotton one needs reducing.

I also am fastidious about a whites only wash. I turn dark clothes inside out too. I dry what I can outside or overnight on the clothes hose and do a 10 minute tumble to break up the crunchy feeling and help ironing. I also tumble anything dark after drying to damp as it gets fluff off.
HTH!

[tak1ngchances]

Scientifically speaking, this is the best thing to do

Whites : bio powder as it contains bleach
Sheets and towels : bio powder at 60 degrees for germ kill

Colours : any liquid detergent, as they do not contain bleach, plus fabric conditioner (can keep colours true 20-25% longer), washed inside out ideally at 30-40 degrees max

I have insider knowledge but cannot reveal my sources

[Medievalmurdermystery]

I also heard that about liquids not being good for machines. I had no idea until my machine started to smell (I know, gross) and apparantly it is because the liquid can leave a film inside and go mouldy or something. Doesn't mean you can't use liquid but maybe not all the time.
This came fom my MIL though so could be total nonsense!

[elQuintoConyo]

Supermarket own-brand liquid and conditioner.
I wash everytjing inside out.
I don't own anything white as it just gets dirty within five minutes - sitting on the bus, splashes off wet pavements etc. I seem to be a magnet for uneven paving slabs that flick up dirty water when I step on them plus I'm usually covered in whatever DS is eating at any given moment!

But, none of us have sensitive skin; we rent and the washing machine in the house is older than my grandmother and doesn't have any fancy cycles on it.

[bishboschone]

I use daz for whites , non bio for colours and liquid non bio for delicates . One won't do for all.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Anyone tried those new Lenor Unstoppables?
I keep getting a waft of them as I go by.

(I love the Sainsburys Colour Wash - it's purple) Very nice.

[burfur1]

Do I need to use fabric conditioner with Fairy wool and delicates liquid?

[LaPampa]

I use method non-bio for everything except wool where I use woolite or whatever it is in the pink bottle and I’ve started to use smol for sheets and towels. No fabric conditioner. Occasionally some vanish, ecover laundry bleach or tea tree oil depending on needs. Everything seems Ok!