Washing Machine Powder / Liquid Question!?

Question

A few questions. Firstly, is powder better or liquid. I normally use Tesco's colours liquid. Is it better to pour the liquid in the drawer or in a dispensing ball and place in the the drum? Does liquid for colours clean as well as normal biological liquid (I think the colours one is still bio but no bleach?). If powder is best, how do you measure it out of the box? ALSO, when washing hand wash stuff, should I use my 30 degree delicates wash or 30 woollen wash? Also, what's the use or Rinse hold on my washing machine?

Answer 1

I prefer the liquid - for no scientific reason other than the powder cloggs up the drawer in the machine :)

Answer 2

I prefer powder, but have used liquid. Whatever you use, it should be placed in the dispenser drawer of your machine so it mixes with the water, and this especially so since you use a front-loading washing machine. It helps dissolve the powder. I use a small scoop that measures exactly 125 mL of detergent powder, and that is more than enough for the average load.

Any detergent that is specially for colours should not contain bleaching agents. Those detergents are supposed to preserve the colour of your clothes.

If you insist on washing your handwashables in the machine, make sure you select the moset delicate cycle possible and use only COLD water. Else you have to wash it by hand.

I've never used the Rinse Hold on our machine. No idea what it does.

Bottom line is: use what you like best and make sure you use the least possible amount that will get your clothes clean. You'll help save the planet and reduce pollution to our water supplies.

Answer 3

I think the jury is still hung with this one... Depends on the machine you use, and what you prefer. I use an top loader, which apparently uses more water (probably not significant in the UK, but can be a concern in Australia) because I want to be able to add clothes during the wash, and also because the action is less wearing on the clothes. I place my (powder) detergent in the drum (middle pillar) so that it doesn't leave white marks the clothes. I used to use liquid detergent, using the dispensing ball, but swapped to powder because the brand I use (Biozet) seems to wash better and gives brighter colours. However, I still use a liquid for my woollens. Either delicates/woollen wash cycle is ok for handwash items. Have you also considered a delicates washbag whilst using those cycles? Not sure what Rinse hold is. Sorry. Hope I'e answered some of your questions.

Answer 4

I was told recently by a washing machine engineer not to use liquid as it can coat the outside of the drum and causes mould and bad smells as it builds up! We use tablets that we put in the drawer as they are apparently better for the machine. All the bio washing liquids/powders will wash as well, as you said, the only difference between regular and colour is that the colours won't fade as quickly if you use the colour products.
Rinse hold is recommended when you have out the machine on and are not going to be able to take the washing out as soon as it is finished. Using rinse hold means that the load will be held in the water until you manually move the cycle on, apparently very good for more delicate items.
Lastly, never wash handwash items in a machine, the action is too harsh for them.

Answer 5

You can use either powder or liquid. If powder, each box contains a "scoop" to measure with. Use only a quarter of a cup-1/4th. It will show lines on the cup.
It would be best to use the drawer that is in the machine. Powder is considered by some to be best.
For hand washables--I would suggest the wooens setting. May be a little more delicate-or might not be. You can use a mesh laundry bag in the washer for the hand washables if you would like.
I'm guessing on the Rinse hold-probably for items you would like to soak-to help get stains out, etc. Please look at your owner's manual on further answers to that one.
Personally, I do prefer powder, however I have also used liquid detergent. It seems to get the clothes a little bit cleaner-but then, these days some liquids are quite comparable to powder. It's each person's choice. Take care.

Answer 6

hi firstly its personal choice with powder you will have to clean the drawer regulary cos it can stay there, you can put the powder straight in with your washing, you can use a plastic cup to get it out the box, 1 small cup full should be plenty, with the liquid you can buy capsules and you just put 1 or 2 in with your clothes, hand wash stuff i would normally put on a 30 woollen wash. the thing with rinse hold is if you are not going to be taking your washing straight out it will hold it in water so your clothes don't get too creased up hope this helps you

Answer 7

Liquid has a small advantage over powder because it does not contain fillers. Where you put the liquid makes little difference in most washers and cycles. The exception is when a washer has a special rinse cycle that will flush the detergent out before washing, for this reason it is safer to use the automated dispenser.

Answer 8

I prefer liquid over powder I think it dissolves better, but if you have powder just put the detergent in while letting the wash tub fill and before you put your clothes in... I also like the liquid to use as a pretreater... I just put full strength on a spot and it helps (a lot)
I use All Free and Clear I have children so I stay away from perfume/dyes... I also wash most of our things in cold water except for our towels/sheets that I do in hot...
I also find it better to wash all your darks and heavy items like jeans inside out. It helps keep the color. I wash jeans seperate from my cotton tees/cami's and tanks...
All, my delicates I use Woolite/gentle cycle and hang to dry...I also soak my delicates before washing on the gentle cycle... I hope that helps.. Good luck

Answer 9

I prefer liquid for 2 reasons. First, powder doesn't desolve well in cold water. Secondly, if you own your home and it has a private septic system, you can actually cause your tank to need to be cleaned out by using washing powder. Ours had to be cleaned out a few years ago and the guys showed me the powder build up and told me to only use liquid detergent.

Answer 10

You have too much time on your hands.

Buy whatever is on special offer. They all do a pretty good job.

Follow the instructions on the box/bottle.

Handwash means wash by hand not in the machine. The clue is in the words.