Latest news with #detergent
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
I reviewed a little-known laundry product that costs just 7p per wash — my clothes have never smelled fresher
WHEN I'm doing laundry, I like to keep it simple. Powder detergent and fabric conditioner are my usual combo, but after trying re:gn laundry sheets for the first time, I might just be converted. 2 re:gn Laundry Detergent Sheets, from £4.40 with code Q2QYT9QDANF2 BUY HERE The most irritating thing about washing supplies is storing them —the box of laundry powder I usually buy takes up half a kitchen cupboard. This is just one of the problems laundry sheets can solve. They're a much more compact option. Plus, investing in a subscription means avoiding the issue of running out of detergent when you've got washing piling up, instead getting it delivered straight to your door each month. re:gn is currently running an offer allowing new subscribers to get their first pack of 64 Laundry Detergent Sheets for £4.40 (32% off) using the code Q2QYT9QDANF2. After the first pack, you'll get 12.5% off, with each pack costing £5.51. Performance Laundry sheets are essentially concentrated detergent. You simply pop them into the machine and they dissolve during the wash. They're incredibly easy to use, so you really can't go wrong, and they're far less messy than alternatives — you won't get sticky detergent all over your hands or need to vacuum powder off the floor. I trialled a small washload with one sheet and a large washload with two sheets, as suggested on the website. With the scented sheets, my laundry came out smelling amazing — it had a stronger, fresher scent than I get from my Lidl detergent, and I'd go as far as to liken it to the freshness of hanging washing outside. My laundry came out smelling amazing — it had a stronger, fresher scent than I get from my Lidl detergent, and I'd go as far as to liken it to the freshness of hanging washing outside. The unscented sheets are just as effective cleaning-wise, just (spoiler alert) without the scent. They're great for people with sensitive skin who prefer to keep their products stripped back. 2 re:gn Laundry Detergent Sheets, from £4.40 with code Q2QYT9QDANF2 I still used fabric conditioner to soften the washing, but having the laundry sheets at least cuts down on storage. As the sheets are pre-measured, it also reduces waste, and there's no tricky measuring to get the correct dose for the amount of washing you're doing. Another benefit is that they're eco-friendly, because the packaging is minimal, and the box is fully made of compostable cardboard, with no plastic in sight. Aside from saving space at home, I also think these would be handy if you were travelling somewhere with a washing machine, as it saves having to take messy liquid detergent with you. Cost-wise, it works out around 7p per wash if you're using one sheet. These laundry sheets are definitely worth a try if you want to switch up your laundry routine. If you're in the market for a new washing machine, check out the best washing machine deals for discounts from LG, Beko and Samsung.
CBS News
18-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- CBS News
The best ways to do your laundry, according to an expert on the chore
How to have your laundry come out perfect How to have your laundry come out perfect How to have your laundry come out perfect It's something we do every week — for some of us, every day. The average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry per year. When it comes to laundry, Patric Richardson, "The Laundry Evangelist," is a whisperer of sorts. He got his first toy washing machine for Christmas at 3 years old, and created Mona Williams, a natural cleaning store at Mall of America He's even starred in a Discovery+ show to share his laundry expertise. "The biggest question I get is how much detergent," he said. He believes most of us are overdoing it. "I'm a fan of soap, much less common product. For soap, use one tablespoon for a full load of laundry. If you are going to use commercial laundry from the store, it's two tablespoons. That's all," Richardson said. "People love to ask about dingy white. It's because they are using too much detergent. Because the detergent is holding all the dirt from the washing machine, and it has nowhere to go, so it settles back into your clothes. So more soap does not yield cleaner results." As for the the temperature, Richardson suggests warm water. "I never use cold because we live in Minnesota and our water is too cold. I always use warm because its warm enough to activtate the detergent but its not hot enough to do any damage," Richardson said. No matter the color he says, "I use warm for everything." As for germs, he says its OK to wash bath towels with kitchen towels. "They are gonna come clean, you don't have to worry," Richardson said. Nor does he worry about dryer sheets. "No, we never need dryer sheets, never ever ever. The coat, the fabric, they make it harder to remove stains," Richardson said. He suggests removing the dread. "You absolutely can have fun when you do laundry," Richardson said. "You should hang a disco ball in your laundry room. You should get some candy and crank up some music and get a decent light." Richardson also advises people to skip fabric softener, saying if you use less detergent, your clothes will be soft enough. As for washing your bed sheets, he suggests once a week.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Amazon shoppers race to buy 48-pack of Persil washing capsules – slashed to 16p each
SHOPPERS are rushing to Amazon to claim a deal on a 48-pack set of Persil washing capsules that now cost just 16p each. The retail giant has discounted a 48-tablet XXL pack from £12 to just £7.59 – that's a 37% saving. Persil Colour Protect 3-in-1 Capsules (48 washes), £7.59 (was £12) The deal has already amassed over 10,000 sales in the last month alone, and these bargain tabs are now the top-selling detergent capsules on Amazon. It's no wonder, as the discounted detergent is currently priced at 16p per wash on Amazon, compared to other major retailers such as Sainsbury's (24p per wash) and Waitrose (26p per wash). From one of the biggest names on the laundy market, Persil's Colour Protect 3-in-1 Washing Capsules keep colours bright, remove tough marks and stains, and even de-bobble clothes wash after wash. They are the fastest-dissolving tablets, working quickly even in cold washes, and there's no need for messy pouring or measuring – simply pop one in the drum and wait for the powerful pods to do their job. Whether it's school sports kits, everyday wear, or even last night's wine spills, these capsules promise to deliver fresh, clean laundry with ease and "do an outstanding job at removing stains." The 48-capsule XXL pack is perfect for families or anyone wanting to get ahead of their laundry game without breaking the bank. They're suitable for both whites and colours, so there's no need to buy different products for separate loads. Plus, they're compatible with all machines, making them a hassle-free choice for any household. Shoppers have been quick to share their thoughts on these no-mess, no-hassle laundry capsules, praising their price, scent, and stain-removing qualities. One happy shopper wrote: "They effectively remove stains, protect colours, and leave laundry smelling fresh." Another customer commented on the "great value for money" and labelled the capsules as a "must-have for any laundry routine." Amazon's limited-time deals don't tend to stick around for long, so act fast to stock up and take advantage. This isn't the only great home bargain we've spotted on Amazon lately - there have been some terrific deals and sales. The retail giant has also slashed the cost of a portable charger from £140 to just £27.
New York Times
10-06-2025
- General
- New York Times
Is Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap Really the Only Household Soap You Need?
Both soap and modern-day detergents clean by mixing with water to lower the surface tension and lift dirt away. When the solution rubs against a surface, such as dirty dishes, the dirt temporarily bonds to the solution, allowing you to rinse or wipe it away. Andrea compared the cleaning power of Dr. Bronner's liquid Castile soap with that of two dish detergents, Seventh Generation Dish Soap and Dawn Platinum Dishwashing Liquid, which contain multiple surfactants to pull dirt from dishes and hands, as well as other ingredients such as viscosity adjusters, pH adjusters, and stabilizers to hold the formula together. (Though 'soap' and 'detergent' are often used interchangeably by both consumers and manufacturers, the Seventh Generation and Dawn liquids are both technically detergents, while Dr. Bronner's is a true soap.) I also used Dr. Bronner's Castile soap as dish soap in my kitchen, scrubbing plastic storage containers with greasy film, an enamelware sheet pan with baked-on cheese, and stainless steel utensils with peanut butter and cream sauce residue. During my day-to-day testing, I applied a few drops of Castile soap to a sponge and cleaned dishes in my sink just as I would with dish detergent. Caroline Mullen/NYT Wirecutter Castile soap produces suds like dish detergent, but it left my hands feeling quite dry, and I had to rinse dishes more thoroughly than I would with dish detergent. Caroline Mullen/NYT Wirecutter During my day-to-day testing, I applied a few drops of Castile soap to a sponge and cleaned dishes in my sink just as I would with dish detergent. Caroline Mullen/NYT Wirecutter The Dr. Bronner's soap did an adequate job of cleaning dishes, sudsing up similarly to the dish detergents. But it was less effective than the Seventh Generation and Dawn liquids, which did a better job of tackling grease and stuck-on food and required less rinsing for items to get clean. The verdict: 2 out of 5 (somewhat effective with some shortcomings). Dr. Bronner's Castile soap will clean your dishes, but we found that the dish detergents were better at lifting grease and stuck-on food, and with their neutral pH, they're less likely to irritate your hands. They are also less likely to leave a film of soap scum in the sink or on your dishes if you're not careful about thoroughly rinsing it off. That is especially true if you have hard water, since soap scum develops when saponified oils (like those in Castile soap) react with minerals in water. In addition to surfactants, most laundry detergents also include other cleaning ingredients, such as enzymes, which target and break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that are otherwise difficult to remove with soap or surfactants alone. Depending on the type of detergent and how you use it (such as in a machine versus hand-washing), a laundry detergent may also include other additives, such as polymers to suspend dirt before being washed away, optical brighteners and oxidizing agents to improve the appearance of fabrics, solvents to stabilize formulas, and disinfectants like bleach or other antibacterial agents. We tested Dr. Bronner's liquid Castile soap as a hand-washing laundry detergent against Soak Laundry Rinse and Dirty Labs Hand Wash & Delicates Detergent, two picks from our hand-washing laundry detergents guide. Andrea tested how the cleaners removed stains by washing industrial stain monitors, professionally stained jersey-cotton swatches that allow us to directly compare cleaning power on substances such as red wine, pig blood, sebum, peat, and engine oil. We also washed three swatches of sebum-stained silk with each detergent and Castile soap and compared the results. We hand-washed jersey-cotton swatches that were pretreated with common stains. While neither cleaner eliminated the stains, Dr. Bronner's Castile soap (left) made little difference, while Dirty Labs Hand Wash & Delicates Detergent (right) significantly improved some stains. Andrea Barnes/NYT Wirecutter We washed sebum-stained silk with the three cleaners. From top to bottom: Dirty Labs Hand Wash & Delicates Detergent, Soak, and Dr. Bronner's. The detergents almost returned the sebum-stained silk back to its original luster, while Dr. Bronner's soap made almost no difference. Andrea Barnes/NYT Wirecutter We hand-washed jersey-cotton swatches that were pretreated with common stains. While neither cleaner eliminated the stains, Dr. Bronner's Castile soap (left) made little difference, while Dirty Labs Hand Wash & Delicates Detergent (right) significantly improved some stains. Andrea Barnes/NYT Wirecutter Dr. Bronner's Castile soap performed worse than either of our picks. It lifted significantly fewer stains on the stain monitor than the Dirty Labs detergent, our pick for washing stained delicates. The Dr. Bronner's soap also left the sebum-stained silk looking rather gray compared with the samples we washed with the Soak and Dirty Labs detergents. The verdict: 1 out of 5 (ineffective with disqualifying shortcomings). Dr. Bronner's Castile soap was far worse at lifting stains than the hand-wash laundry detergents we tested. Vigorous scrubbing or very hot water might improve its performance, but we don't recommend trying, since they may damage delicate fabrics you would typically wash by hand, such as silk, lace, cashmere, and wool. Hand-wash laundry detergents like Dirty Labs Hand Wash & Delicates Detergent and Soak are gentle on fabrics and have proven stain removal abilities. Like dish and laundry detergent, all-purpose spray cleaners work by lowering the surface tension between the dirt or liquid you're removing and the liquid of the cleaning solution. Dirt, grease, and crud become suspended in the solution and can then be wiped away with a cloth. I tested Dr. Bronner's liquid Castile soap as an all-purpose cleaner by diluting it according to package instructions and comparing its effectiveness with that of the top pick in our all-purpose cleaner guide, Clorox Free & Clear Multi-Surface Spray Cleaner. I used it on sriracha and toothpaste that I had left to dry on glass, as well as on smeared butter and ricotta on stainless steel. I cleaned the messes with both sprays using a microfiber cloth, paper towels, and a cotton rag. We tested a diluted Castile soap solution on (clockwise from top left) dried sriracha and toothpaste on a glass table and ricotta cheese and butter on a stainless steel fridge. Caroline Mullen/NYT Wirecutter The Dr. Bronner's soap and the Clorox all-purpose cleaner both cleaned those surfaces, although Dr. Bronner's left behind more streaking and residue and required an extra buffing-dry step to get the surfaces fully spotless. Both cleaners were effective and required the same level of soaking (spraying and leaving the solution to sit) and scrubbing action to remove the dried substances. One major drawback to using diluted Castile soap as an all-purpose spray: Overspray not immediately wiped up leaves behind residue. Caroline Mullen/NYT Wirecutter The verdict: 2 out of 5 (somewhat effective with some shortcomings). As an all-purpose cleaner, diluted Castile soap worked about as well as our top pick when applied in small amounts. But you may need to worry about residue and streaking. A few things can help to prevent those issues: Use the smallest amount possible, which is easier to fully wipe off than a heavy spray. Wipe up overspray immediately, or it may leave behind specks of soap scum, which I noticed were particularly visible on stainless steel. Use a microfiber cloth, rather than a paper towel or a cotton cloth, as the tiny fibers of a microfiber cloth are more effective at buffing away residue. I found these extra steps to be enough of a deterrent that I wouldn't opt for diluted Castile soap as an alternative to Clorox Free & Clear Multi-Surface Spray Cleaner. When I reach for an all-purpose cleaner, I'm usually quickly wiping something down, such as kitchen appliances or countertops, and worrying about residue eliminates Castile soap as a replacement. Neither Castile soap nor Clorox Free & Clear Multi-Surface Spray Cleaner is a disinfectant, though with scrubbing and wiping or rinsing, either cleaner can remove pathogens. For disinfecting, we recommend using Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach for killing pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. There's a misconception that cleaning products made from synthetic ingredients may be more irritating than those made from natural ones. Depending on their formulations, detergents and Castile soap alike may be harsh for your skin, particularly if you have underlying skin conditions. In fact, due to their alkaline pH, Castile soaps may be more drying than some detergents, said Marisa Garshick, a dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell University, since Castile soap is even more alkaline than most detergents. This is especially true if you use Castile soap straight from the bottle without diluting it, for instance, as a dish soap, though some formulations, like Dr. Bronner's Unscented Pure-Castile Magic Soap, may include unsaponified fatty acids to help minimize irritation. Whether you're using a detergent or Castile soap, Garshick recommends wearing gloves when cleaning by hand or washing off residue, and applying moisturizer afterward. People with eczema or sensitive skin should be especially cautious when trying any new product. And keep in mind that any scented cleaner could be potentially irritating to people with allergies, respiratory conditions, or fragrance sensitivities. If you are considering health and safety when looking for a cleaning product, note that 'natural,' 'non-toxic,' 'eco-friendly,' or 'clean' claims on labels are unregulated and may mean different things to different manufacturers. Voluntary third-party certifications, such as the EPA Safer Choice certification, UL Ecologo, or Green Seal, may give more peace of mind, since they set criteria for product ingredients regarding human and environmental safety. Dr. Bronner's Castile soap contains ingredients that are certified organic, which means they adhere to the standards outlined by the USDA's National Organic Program. After weighing performance and safety considerations, I don't plan to switch to Castile soap over my preferred dish soap, laundry detergent, or all-purpose cleaner. Its universal-cleaner promises are enticing, and it does perform adequately or well at some tasks, but for other purposes it can't compare to the best dedicated cleaners. I'll use the rest of the bottle I have on hand for quick wipe-downs in the kitchen and otherwise, but after that's gone, I'll repurchase my old standbys. This article was edited by Katie Okamoto and Megan Beauchamp. Andrea Barnes contributed reporting. If you're sensitive or allergic to fragrances in cleaning, personal-care, or other products, there's a distinct difference you should keep in mind. After 65 hours of research, testing 28 detergents, and 7 years of long-term testing, we found Seventh Generation Dish Liquid to be the best dish soap for most people. We hand-washed vintage linens, cashmere sweaters, and delicates in a variety of detergents and soaps, and Soak came out on top. Clorox Free & Clear Multi-Surface Spray Cleaner rids surfaces of grime and comes with the EPA's Safer Choice certification. Tide's newest laundry detergent comes in a sponge-like tile that looks strange but is surprisingly powerful, even in cold water. What I Cover Caroline Mullen is a staff writer reporting on cleaning and organizing at Wirecutter. Though she's waging a constant battle against the dog hair and dust bunnies in her apartment, she's not willing to scale back on tchotchkes to make it easier. It also takes her two to three business days to complete a load of laundry—but she's made peace with that.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Users are raving about this $0.45 laundry pod that is beating the big brands and is eco-friendly too
Tackling endless laundry cycles can be a pain, especially if your detergent just does not do the job as well as you'd like. All you're asking for is clean, bright, fresh-smelling clothes, right? For some reason, that's a pretty tall order. If you're in the market for a reliable and eco-friendly alternative to your usual, Dropps Odor & Stain Laundry Detergent Pods are well worth all of the attention they receive (you may have heard of the brand in eco-friendly circles). At just .45 cents a load, they're affordable, effective, and backed by glowing reviews. Dropps Odor & Stain Laundry Detergent Pods These odor- and dirt-busting drops pack a powerful clean into a tiny and affordable package. Users love how effectively they eliminate even the toughest odors and stains, leaving laundry looking, smelling, and feeling brighter and fresher. With plant-based ingredients, recyclable packaging, and no harsh additives, they're good for the planet, too! .45/load Shop Unlike traditional detergents that mask smells on your laundry with heavy fragrances, Dropps actually targets the odors at the source. The brand uses advanced anti-odor technology to go beyond the surface and dig deep. It works overtime, basically, to neutralize stubborn smells and leave your fabrics cleaner. Sweaty gym clothes and soggy towels are no match for this brand's high-powered technology. Stains can be difficult to handle under ordinary circumstances, too. How many times have you washed the same piece over and over without result? Dropps uses a blend of five powerful enzymes to break down everything from grass to grease to wine, without relying on harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach. The end result is whites that look brighter and whiter, colors that appear crisper and more vibrant, and laundry that is well maintained for life. You really do not have to spend hours pre-treating all of your shirts! Many users say they notice a difference after just a single wash. One reviewer wrote, 'I'm so impressed with the cleanest and best smelling laundry I've ever had. I'm a user for life!' 'I absolutely love this company, their morals, and their environmental efforts,' declared another. 'The scent is light and natural, not perfumey at all, but my clothes still smell great after washing. Love everything I have purchased from them!' With a scent that isn't overpowering (it's subtle and more nature-inspired), it lingers just enough to give your laundry a pleasant, refreshing lift. The pods are formulated to work in both high-efficiency and standard machines in any temperature, too. And they're eco-friendly as well, with each pod constructed of a 58 percent USDA-certified biobased formula and packaged in recycled cardboard. It's also cruelty-free, dye-free, and made without harsh additives, so you can feel incredibly good knowing that you're doing your part for the planet. Forget about overpriced products that don't deliver on their promises — Dropps simply works, and it's an incredible value.
