Tried and Tested Laundry Favourites
Top Rated Laundry Detergent
I count myself as a laundry specialist by nature of the sheer volume of dirty washing I have processed over the last few decades. I love clean, fresh smelling washing and have tried numerous different products and tips to make our family laundry easier and smelling great.
The supermarket isles are crammed with a vast choice of powders, liquids, pods, capsules and sheets. I used to buy based on the best supermarket offers but now I do tend to buy my favourites on repeat. When it comes to a washing detergent, I prefer a liquid and my all time favourite is the Kirkland biological washing liquid from Costco.
I have made numerous repurchases of this. It’s a huge 5 Litre bottle which offers 178 washes for just £10.99 — that works out about £2.20 per litre, which is fantastic value for frugal households. It tackles everyday stains like mud, food stains, and general mess easily. It smells fresh, without being overpowering. The Kirkland formula includes odor-eliminating technology, so it’s perfect if you’ve got sweaty gym clothes, stinky socks or fusty pet bedding.
That said, for greasy or heavily pigmented stains (like oil or curry sauce), I still recommend a pre-wash treatment such as Vanish Oxy stain remover or using Elbow Grease spray which is incredible at dissolving grease stains. This has saved a number of our t-shirts being relegated to the bin.
The only real downside of the Kirkland detergent is that the bottle is huge and not the easiest to store in the cupboard but at least it lasts a long time.
Fabric Softeners: Smelling Fresh
I am not overly loyal when it comes to fabric softeners. I tend to rotate between a few favourites, partly because I get a bit “nose blind” after a while and fancy a change. There are no end of options including now various seasonal scents. I usually have a cheeky sniff in the shop and decide if I want to give them a go
That said, Comfort Gold Orchid and the Fairy Outdoorables range are the ones I return to the most. Both offer that lovely, clean, “hung-on-the-line-in-a-breeze” scent, even if they’ve actually just been hung on the airing rack next to the dog bed.
A fairly new addition to the fabric softener market are the Dr Beckmann fabric conditioner sheets. These are an interesting alternative to a liquid. They are light and easy to pack for travel and one dissolvable sheet is suitable for a load of washing. I like the Dr Beckmann range and will be trying these in the future as the use so much less plastic packaging than the liquid alternative. I spotted the ones below this week in Home Bargains, the also do a sensitive version for more delicate skin.
Travel Favourite: Dr. Beckmann Magic Leaves
I stumbled across these on a whim and they’ve become a staple in my travel kit: Dr. Beckmann Magic Leaves Wash Sheets. These little wonders are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and dermatologically tested and they actually work.
Each sheet dissolves completely in water and can be torn to the desired size. Although I have used them in the machine at home because I love the smell so much, I mainly use them for handwashing whilst away. They take up barely any space, will make the clothes in your suitcase smell lovely and they also won’t leak like more conventional gel travel washes. My mum has especially sensitive skin and has never had a problem with these either. They come in variable sizes of pack from 25, 40 or 50 sheets and are available in most supermarkets or B&M / Home Bargains.
IKEA Pressa Octopus Drier
One of my favorite drying accessories is IKEA’s Pressa’s octopus clip hangers. They are perfect for hanging socks and pants and dusters etc. I have two which I hang off either end of my drying rack. It helps small items to air properly, avoiding musty smells and dampness. I think they are fantastic value as well – currently retailing at just £3.
A few of the clips have fallen off the first Pressa I bought about 3 years ago, I feel on the whole, the quality of these is still excellent for the price. I always love a good Ikea haul and a bargain breakfast or lunch as well.
Underwhelming laundry products
I once got sucked into trying those highly scented little balls that you put in with your washing. I was underwhelmed to be honest. They went everywhere and just felt to be unnecessarily excessive for the small amount of scent payoff. I didn’t feel I wanted to add more chemicals into the laundry mix. I did put some in organza bags and hung them in my wardrobe but it felt wasteful when they stopped smelling and I threw them away. I wont be tempted to purchase them again.
Another product I did not get on well with was the Dettol laundry disinfectant. I used this when the boys were much smaller and in nappies. It made my laundry smell really unpleasant. Maybe I was doing something wrong and perhaps the formula has changed, but I haven’t been tempted to try it again — and honestly, I don’t think I’d have much use for it now anyway.
Summary
Laundry might not be glamorous, but it can be a little less painful with the right products. There is something very comforting and homely about clean and fresh smelling laundry. There are always new things coming onto the market. Whilst quite loyal to my tried and tested brands, I will certainly stray on occasion. I am tempted to try the INEOS detergent next as I have got on well with their products so far and have reviewed them here.
