Washing Powder - what is it?

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Washing Powder - what is it?
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hedgewitch

Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Posts: 5834
Location: Daft wench GHQ

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 8:48 pm Post subject: Washing Powder - what is it?

I know this seems a bit of a daft question, but what am I paying for in washing powder?

I bought some pure soap flakes a while ago for handwashing, but noticed the packet also said I could put them in the washing machine. I did a machine load with soap flakes and it came out fine - better if anything than with the powder.

The soap flakes are about a quarter of the price per wash load as I was paying for Ecover non-bio.

So, what's in the Ecover (or any other powder - I've checked and the soap flakes are cheaper per wash than all the powders)?

And what are the environmental impact of the soap flakes compared to washing powder?

2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 8:58 pm Post subject:
I'd be interested in the answers too. I didn't know you could use soap flakes in the machine. 2 of my children have really sensitive skin when it comes to wash powder so there are few I can use and even then I don't use the full stated dose or use it every wash

hedgewitch

Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Posts: 5834
Location: Daft wench GHQ

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:01 pm Post subject:
One of my hounds (my big, tough, saluki/greyhound lad !) is very, very sensitive to biological washing powder. So I have to be careful, and the soapflakes are fine from that point of view. To be honest, I was expecting the clothes not to be as clean, but they were fine.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:04 pm Post subject:
Just checked my persil non-bio, and the main ingedient is ...you guessed it...soap! Plus a few bits and bobs I assume are there to reduce the surface tension of the water.

hedgewitch

Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Posts: 5834
Location: Daft wench GHQ

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:07 pm Post subject:
We have very soft water here. Would that make a difference? Would hard water need extra ingredients to soften the water? Or am I talking b*****ks?

Green Man

Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 5272
Location: Rural Scotland.

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:11 pm Post subject:
If soap flakes are cheaper and give good results I would stick to them. There is no need to make Uni-Lever any more £bn . (Why have I got a new keyboard that does not have the euro symbol?) Last edited by Green Man on Sun Feb 25, 07 9:19 pm; edited 1 time in total

hedgewitch

Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Posts: 5834
Location: Daft wench GHQ

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:16 pm Post subject:
I agree, CKR. I was just interested to see if there was something I was missing, or if I'd been suckered in by marketing. When I thought about it, I realised I had no idea what the difference was

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:21 pm Post subject:

I usually use offcuts and pan scrapings from soapmaking in the washing machine. As I understand it small amounts of real soap are far more readily biodegraded than most of the mass produced washing powders, though I couldnt explain the chemistry to you I'm afraid, (but I'm sure someone will or will set me right if I'm in error)

Sometimes I also use a glug of vinegar in the rinse drawer, usually I don't bother though. The laundry smells clean, not stinky with synthetic perfumes, and it doesnt make anybody itch

In my opinion, the modern stuff has its place for occasional serious re-whitening/attacking remnants of small children, but its not necessary to just get clothes clean after normal wear.

hedgewitch

Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Posts: 5834
Location: Daft wench GHQ

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:31 pm Post subject:

I'm wondering if we have mostly 'clean dirt' on our washing. We use crystal deodorants so don't get a buildup of that white residue, we tend to avoid manufactured stuff in the house as a rule for food, cleaning etc. Most of our dirt is mud and general wear and tear.

I washed a load of bedding with ground in muddy paw prints today - forgot to close the bedroom door so the hounds got in and then forgot to put the bedding once I changed the bed

It came up fine, really clean.

Sally, I like just the clean smell too. Even Ecover wiffs a bit, though not as strongly as other powders. But the soap is very gentle and clean scented.

Green Man

Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 5272
Location: Rural Scotland.

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:36 pm Post subject:

In my bedroom I have a old piece of furniture that has a shelf that draws out. This is where a gentleman would lay his trousers to brush them clean. When I see mountains of washing going into the machine I'm convinced we wash our our clothes far too much and certainly would think twice about it if we didn't have machines. Do you all remember when our parents/grandparents only washed clothes on a Monday?

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:38 pm Post subject:

Cho-ku-ri wrote:

In my bedroom I have a old piece of furniture that has a shelf that draws out. This is where a gentleman would lay his trousers to brush them clean.

Surely a gentleman would have had a servant to do that sort of thing?

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:41 pm Post subject:

Jamanda wrote:

Just checked my persil non-bio, and the main ingedient is ...you guessed it...soap! Plus a few bits and bobs I assume are there to reduce the surface tension of the water.

She's hiding Persil non-bio somewhere. I've been using Fairy. I'm going to have to search the house for contraband washing powder tomorrow. Again.

Green Man

Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 5272
Location: Rural Scotland.

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:43 pm Post subject:

sean wrote:

Surely a gentleman would have had a servant to do that sort of thing?

I've heard not so gentlemen had servants do all sorts of things in the bedroom.

hedgewitch

Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Posts: 5834
Location: Daft wench GHQ

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:47 pm Post subject:

Cho-ku-ri wrote:

We wear mostly natural fibres - cotton, wool and linen. The few synthetic clothes we have need washing constantly as they really hum after one wear - your body can't breath in them.

I suspect the synthetic clothes play a big part in the washing mountain many people have.

hedgewitch

Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Posts: 5834
Location: Daft wench GHQ

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 07 9:48 pm Post subject:

sean wrote:

Jamanda wrote:

Just checked my persil non-bio, and the main ingedient is ...you guessed it...soap! Plus a few bits and bobs I assume are there to reduce the surface tension of the water.

She's hiding Persil non-bio somewhere. I've been using Fairy. I'm going to have to search the house for contraband washing powder tomorrow. Again.

Why is Persil outlawed in your house, Sean?

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