Laundry Deterg - Powder vs Liquid

Which is best? Is it true powder clogs w/machine pipes? I've personally never experienced it. Can't find manual for my w/machine so can't see what they recommend.

Have been using liquid but have just become a Farmlands shareholder & they have powder in big buckets. If it's economical compared to the supermarket I will want to buy it but don't want to cause problems with my w/machine.

Have you shareholders found the detergent cheaper than the s/market? What about other s/market items that they stock - cheaper?

Thanks.

We aren't "shareholders" but it is definitly cheaper by the bucket, and the buckets a re useful Haven't bought washing detergent from the supermarket in yrs. I occassionally calculate per KG price to make sure.

Toast if you have a front end loader, then you cannot use some of the liquids unless they are specially designed for FL's, because of the excessive foam liquid d's sometimes produce.

V. the issue of what is better, back in aussie I loved a liquid wool wash but used only a smaller portion in my FL for undies and woolies, whereas the NZ equivalent is a totally different receipe and I don't like it.

But for my money I buy the powder for general washing in the buckets. However I have never used the recommended amounts since a wm serviceman told me there was too much residue build up on the tub barrel and to cut back the amount I was putting in.

I, too, think that the residue build up happens if you use excessive quantities of detergent. Powders have fillers and they may stick. We've had our old (Panasonic ) washing machine for 16 years. We had bought it used from someone who had bought it used, too, so it surely was more than 20 years old when the pump died. Never a repair while we had it . When we replaced it we had a look and there was no builtup of anything although it has washed cotton nappies for three children and all the washing that comes with raising them.

Someone told me a long time ago that you should use just as much detergent that there are very few bubbles during the washing cycle. The quantity depends on the ph level of your water.

My mother's washing machines never lasted more than 6 or 7 years, usually less and hers were full of yucky built-up and she used about 3 to 4 times the recommended quantity of detergent 'because she was a picture book housewife who kept everything extraordinarily clean'. At times she had two washing machines side by side because they broke down so often.

I use a 'green' powder so can't get it from Farmlands but I always dissolve it in a bucket of hot water first and that's the only hot water in the wash. Seems to work okay and haven't had a problem so far. I don't like the white residue that you get on some fabrics if the powder goes straight in.

We use their powder but we dissolve it in water first as Jeannielea said and had no problems with machine ours usally wear out due to the things we wash:rolleyes: but I strip them and fix if can[] ( mix in jug with hot or cold water and always cold wash, no hot to machine )hope this helps.

I've used powder most of my life, and haven't had a problem...even have managed to convert the chef to buying powder over liquid. Less mess, easier to clean up, and if I have a really dirty load, put less clothes in for same amount of powder/water for normal load.

Diane

Thanks everybody.

I ended up with a good deal on bulk liquid at Toops yesterday & when that's finished I'll buy a bucket at Farmlands.

I too have heard that you should use less than the recommended amount of detergent & have found that it still works just as well. If it doesn't come out clean, it's for another reason.

Dissolving in hot water sounds good. Thanks again.