Enzymes, meanwhile, are proteins that break down stains and grease. While biological detergents are perfect for most clothes, some people prefer detergents without enzymes, mainly for very delicate clothes, such as silk, satin, chiffon, wool and cashmere dresses. Non-bio detergents contain no enzymes, bleach or brightening agents, and because of this, they’re also less likely to cause skin irritation for people with a sensitive or ageing skin. What are the main ingredients that go into your detergent?

Most of us use our washing machines several times a week or more, but how many of us are confident that we’re using the correct amount of washing powder each time we do our laundry? Liquids are the most versatile of all, though. While they don’t contain bleach, they are perfect for pre-treating tough stains. Ariel Original Washing Liquid with a pre-treat cap is perfect here, allowing you to treat your stain simply and easily before the wash. How much to use? This is something you need to weigh up and consider. It depends on your family and yourself, and whether you have any severe skin sensitivities, or if you are particularly prone to irritation. If you are, it’s best to go with a non-bio option. See the best washing powders for sensitive skin here. It’s also worth remembering that if you’re doing a half-load of laundry, you need to use half the amount of powder than normal.

Guide to basics: So where to start?

Washing powder was first produced over 60 years ago, so it’s a traditional and well-tested product. Liquid detergents have become widely available in recent years, and there are many varieties to choose from, but are they an improvement on traditional powder? An average-sized or normal load weighs around seven pounds and will fill three-quarters of an average-sized washing machine drum. If you’re adding more clothes than this, you may need a little extra detergent. The UK is mostly made up of limestone and chalk which causes hard water, and around 60% of homes in England and Wales have a hard water supply. According to Persil, a standard load of laundry needs around 110 ml of powdered detergent, but heavily soiled clothes may need an extra 100-210 ml. Builders deal with hard-water molecules during the washing process, allowing surfactants get on with their job of removing stains. So, the harder the water, the more builders your detergent should have.

Even if your laundry is dirtier than usual or you’re doing a larger wash, don’t get tempted to add too much powder. It’s better to pre-soak dirty items than to use too much detergent in the main wash. Water hardness Trying to work out exactly the right amount of powder to use might seem confusing, but if we follow some basic advice we can get it right each time and get the best possible cleaning results. It uses exclusively naturally derived ingredients and is made in the UK, so its carbon footprint is low.

Best Washing Powders in the UK

Could damage clothes: There has been some discussion as to whether washing powders can damage clothes more easily than liquids because they contain more chemicals and can be more abrasive. This hasn’t been proven, and the wear and tear of clothes are more likely to be caused by the agitation of clothes in the washing machine. However, some people prefer to use liquid washing detergent for more delicate clothing to be safe. Basically, biological (bio) washing powders contain enzymes which are great for stain removal. Non-biological (non-bio) do not contain these enzymes, so whilst they are better for the skin, e.g. sensitivities, they aren’t as effective at removing stains. Washing powder doesn’t work as effectively in hard water areas because less lather is produced to clean the clothes properly.

This can result in the clothes soaking up all the water, preventing the detergent from dissolving properly. You should also consider the amount of clothes you’re washing in each load. Manufacturers might refer to a normal or large load in their dosing instructions. Aside from washing powders, there are liquids and gels, as well as capsules to choose from, but this totally depends on your washing machine and your personal preference as to whether you use them.

How much to use?

Contain more chemicals: Washing powders tend to contain more chemicals, and some ingredients such as sodium sulphate can destroy septic systems. It’s likely you’ll need to use a bit of extra washing powder to get your clothes clean if you live in a hard water area, and slightly less in soft water areas. Tablets also have this convenience, but can contain bleach, making them perfect for whites. Washing powders are also great for whites, and you can dose flexibly into the dispenser drawer.

If you’re looking for a more natural and eco-friendly choice, Bio-D’s washing powder could be a good option. For any brand of detergent, a good guideline when washing heavily stained clothes is to fill the dosing device to the next line up from usual. Now you know all about the major brand and supermarket brand washing powders on the market, you might have a few questions which have been thrown up by some of the words we have used. For instance, what is the difference between biological and non-biological? Bio vs. non-bio washing powder Bio-D’s washing powder is also approved by both the Cruelty Free Society and the Vegan Society, so you can rest assured that no animals were hurt in the process of testing and producing it. As a general rule, if you can’t fit your hand vertically between the top of the drum and the laundry, your machine is overloaded.If you really struggle to find time to measure your detergent, you could always consider buying washing powder tablets or pods. How many clothes are you washing and how dirty are they? Polymers help to trap and hold dirt and dyes. Each polymer performs a specific function, such as keeping stains from depositing themselves onto other garments after they’ve been removed by the surfactants.