Leaving your parents and family, you come across the ocean to live alone in the UK, a foreign country. In addition to cooking for yourself, there is also the worrying problem of washing clothes! There are so many different laundry products in the UK supermarkets that you don’t know what’s what! Either they wash wool jumpers into baby-size ones, or they wash the colours out of the clothes. You can’t wear the clothes anymore.
The UK has many convenient and helpful laundry products to suit different people’s preferences and needs. With so many different products available, it’s hard not to get confused. You can’t tell the difference between Bio and Non-Bio, and you can’t tell the difference between powder and softener. Please don’t panic. This article will help you to sort it out!
Common Brands of UK Laundry Detergent
Not only do you need to choose a suitable washing machine for your clothes, but you also need to know about UK laundry products. The most common brands of laundry products are Fairy, Persil, Ariel, Surf, Daz, Bold and so on. Fairy is the biggest seller with the best reputation, followed by Persil, a commercial rival. A few years ago, Persil sued Fairy for false advertising. But in the end, Fairy successfully dismissed the allegation of the product’s strength. In addition, you can choose Ecover for babies with higher environmental requirements, but it seems to have a mediocre stain-removal effect.
Laundry Detergent VS Washing Powder
According to a survey from Which? Conversation, most people use liquid laundry detergent, followed by those who use washing powder. Washing the same pile of clothes in the exact dosage, liquid laundry detergent is not as good at removing stains as washing powder. However, it is much better at keeping the colours of the clothes themselves and is less likely to drop and mix colours. So, if your clothes aren’t often stained with foul substances like wine stains and dirt. Then, you can choose laundry detergent; however, you should use laundry detergent to remove stains.
Laundry Capsules
Laundry Capsules, the most common in supermarkets, are small capsules packaged in plastic film with laundry detergent inside. These capsules are easy to use, eliminating the headache of pouring too much or too little laundry detergent. Just follow the instructions and throw a small capsule into it, and then you don’t have to worry about it. The film will melt automatically when it meets water.
However, this has also caused some minor problems. The Dutch media have warned parents not to let their children touch these laundry detergent capsules. The reason is that they look bulbous and candy-like. When kids pick them up and lick them, the film melts. So they ate the liquid in their stomachs. So, parents with children at home must pay attention to oh!
There is another kind of laundry capsule called a Tablet, which is similar to a small pill. It’s a lump of solid laundry detergent, which also solves the problem of dosage and portability and is very convenient.
Laundry Paper
The other kind is relatively rare but looks quite high-end; you can call it “laundry sheet” or “laundry paper”. Anyway, it’s the kind that comes in sheets, just like paper. They are made of nanotechnology and have a solid stain-removing ability. When travelling, you can also take a piece of it with you, which is an excellent tool for housekeeping.
What Are Bio And Non-Bio Anyway?
In addition to the dazzling variety, it is silly to distinguish between Non-Bio and Bio. What is the difference? Which one is better? Bio is a biodegradable laundry detergent, that is, enzyme-added. It has a more vital stain removal ability than Non-Bio, especially for grease, blood, sweat, and other substances with the best effect. But at the same time, it can be more irritating to the skin. Therefore, many parents with children at home will prefer to buy Non-Bio for their baby.
If you have sensitive skin, the members also recommend getting Non-Bio. It’s relatively weaker at removing dirt, but it’s gentler. In the UK, Non-Bio will also be slightly more expensive than Bio.
Special Laundry Detergent
Bleaches
White or light-coloured clothes can fade or even stain after a long time. This is when some people may think of using bleach, often together with fabric softener. Bleach can be harmful to your health beyond measure. Therefore, avoiding using bleach by changing light-coloured clothes regularly is advisable. Or, within reasonable bounds, try a life hack using white vinegar to clean instead of bleach. What had seemed impossible seemed a distinct possibility.
Stain Remover
Vanish is a miracle product with stain-removing and bleaching properties. Vanish is a stain remover that removes stains powerfully. However, it is not a substitute for laundry detergent and should be used together. It is designed to remove stains from white clothes and mixed colours.
How to Use
Procedures:
♦Dissolve one spoonful (60g) of soaking powder in 4L of water (water should not exceed 40 degrees) and soak the soiled clothes.
♦Soak coloured laundry for no more than 1 hour and white laundry for no more than 6 hours.
♦Afterwards, add washing powder/liquid and wash as usual.
♦For best results, add another tablespoon of soaking powder to the wash.
Softener
Some people can’t tell the difference between fabric softener and laundry detergent. Always consider a variety of factors before buying the wrong one. Fabric Conditioner or Softener are both for fabric clothing. Laundry detergents are often labelled Wash or Cleanser. Softeners provide a protective film on more “delicate” clothing, such as silk fabrics, to make the fabric softer and smoother and improve static electricity on the fabric’s surface. Some fabric softeners also protect clothing from moths. You can use it based on your personal preference.
Softener is usually put in at the end of the washing programme. Do not pour it onto the clothes on a whim or mix it with laundry detergent on impulse. This may damage the clothes and diminish the effect. Depending on the construction of the washing machine, the places to put the detergent and softener are different. Generally, if there are three compartments in the washing machine, the softener is placed in the middle. Please don’t mess it up in the moment of truth.
Detergent For Wool, Cashmere, Silk Fabrics
Some wool, cashmere and silk fabrics must be dry cleaned, which you can decide based on the label of the garment’s lining. When it comes to these types of clothes, you can hand wash them with a specialised wool and silk detergent and then hang them flat to dry. There are many supermarkets in the UK where you can buy this speciality detergent. Besides supermarkets, clothes shops selling wool products will also sell this detergent. If you’re going to put them in the washing machine, select the Delicate option. And never tumble dry. Wash and dry them flat.
Mild Detergent
Many Delicate detergents can be used to wash both wool and silk fabrics. Some people experience skin irritation with alkaline detergents. So, whether you hand wash or machine wash, this gentle detergent is your optimal choice!
Each detergent will have slightly different uses and dosages, especially as some sanitisers may need diluted before they can be used.
Many detergents must be poured into the little compartment at the top of the detergent drum. There will often be three: detergent, disinfectant and softener poured in different orders.
However, many washing machines may not have this feature and only have one drum. Then, you will have to read the instructions for each product carefully to find the right way to wash it.
There is more practical information about living in the UK, such as student accommodation and commuting to university, so come and visit the official website of uhomes more often!
Laundry Products In The UK FAQs
- What are some popular laundry product brands in the UK?
Several well-known brands in the UK offer high-quality laundry products. Some of the popular ones include Persil, Fairy, and Ariel.
- Can laundry products be delivered to my home?
Yes, most UK-based online retailers, including Amazon, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s, offer home delivery services for laundry products.
- Are there eco-friendly laundry products available in the UK?
Absolutely! There has been a significant rise in the number of brands offering eco-friendly laundry products in the UK. Brands like Ecover and Method lead the way with their environmentally friendly options.
- Can I find hypoallergenic laundry products in the UK?
Yes, several brands produce hypoallergenic laundry products suitable for sensitive skin. Key among them are Neutral 0% and Fairy Non-Bio.
