Why this basket
- Built from Which?'s washing guide: liquid for colours, new darks kept away from whites, mesh bags for delicates, and no overloading of the drum or the airer.
- Care labels settle the details. GINETEX, the association behind the symbols, explains each one, and the questions below decode them.
- The detergent is non-bio, the gentler type, so the basket adds a stain remover for the stains Which? says non-bio handles less well.
The wash
A liquid detergent
Persil Non Bio washing liquid (95 washes)
4.7 on Amazon · 2,929 ratings · 10K+ bought last month · #3 in Liquid Detergent · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Which? says liquids are good at keeping colours bright, while powder suits whites but can fade colours. It describes non-bio formulas, made without enzymes, as designed to be gentle on sensitive skin but less effective on tough stains. The listing gives 95 washes from this bottle.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Gets everyday loads clean, even at lower temperatures(5 of 8 reviews)
- Leaves clothes with a fresh, clean smell(5 of 8 reviews)
- The big bottle lasts ages and works out good value(7 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
A stain remover for the wash
Vanish Gold Oxi Action powder, 1.5 kg
4.7 on Amazon · 14,984 ratings · 7K+ bought last month · #3 in Stain Removers · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Which? explains that enzymes in bio detergent break down protein-based stains; non-bio has none, so a separate stain remover covers the gap. This Vanish tub is a stain remover powder, per the listing. Follow its label and the garment's care label.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Lifts older, set-in stains a normal wash left behind(5 of 13 reviews)
- Brightens whites and does not fade colours(6 of 13 reviews)
- A pre-soak or paste works best on the toughest marks(3 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
Colour catcher sheets for mixed loads
Colour Catcher Complete Action+ sheets (40)
4.8 on Amazon · 1,167 ratings · 9K+ bought last month · #1 in Tumble Dryer Sheets · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Which? says never to wash new, brightly coloured clothes with whites, because dye can bleed in the first one or two washes. If you have to mix, it suggests a 30°C wash and a colour catcher product. This box holds 40 sheets, per the listing.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Catches loose dye so colours do not run onto whites(8 of 13 reviews)
- Sheets come out visibly tinted, so you see what they caught(3 of 13 reviews)
- Large, thick sheets, and a box of 40 lasts a long time(3 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Not a full substitute for sorting, especially with new bold colours(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Weight
- 73 g
- In the box
- HX471
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Mesh bags for delicates
FUYOAL mesh laundry bags with zips (4)
4.6 on Amazon · 3,474 ratings · 6K+ bought last month · #2 in Laundry Bags · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Which? says to put delicate items in a mesh bag before washing so threads do not catch on the drum, and to fasten buttons and zips first. This pack has four zipped mesh bags in two sizes, per the listing.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- The zip tucks under a cover, so it stays shut and does not snag(5 of 9 reviews)
- Bigger than expected, with large bags for shirts and medium for socks(7 of 9 reviews)
- The mesh is stronger than it looks(5 of 9 reviews)
Our summary of the 9 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 60 x 60 x 50 cm
- Material
- Polyester
- Pack
- pack of 4
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
A laundry basket with a lid
Lifewit 85 L laundry basket with lid
4.6 on Amazon · 4,313 ratings · 2K+ bought last month · #1 in Laundry Baskets · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Which? advises letting sweaty gym kit breathe before it goes in the basket, so the sweat evaporates instead of feeding the bacteria behind smells. This 85-litre basket folds, and has a lid, handles and a bag, per the listing.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Goes together in a couple of minutes(7 of 13 reviews)
- The inner bag lifts out to carry to the washing machine(5 of 13 reviews)
- Holds a lot of washing but takes little floor space(5 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 60 x 43 x 33 cm
- Weight
- 1 kg
- Material
- Polyester
- Capacity
- 85 litres
- In the box
- Lid
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Drying
A clothes airer
Harbour Housewares 3-tier clothes airer
4.1 on Amazon · 296 ratings · 5K+ bought last month · #1 in Standing Dry Racks · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Which? says to dry clothes thoroughly and quickly, not leave them damp for days, and not to overload the airer. This folding three-tier airer has 18 rails, per the listing, so a load can be spread out. Drying clothes indoors has its own page.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Folds flat and tucks into a narrow gap when not in use(4 of 8 reviews)
- Three tiers take a full load with room to spread it out(3 of 8 reviews)
- Sturdy enough for a normal load of everyday washing(5 of 8 reviews)
Watch out for
- Light frame, so buyers keep heavy bedding off it(2 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 135 x 61 x 52 cm
- Weight
- 2.9 kg
- Material
- Carbon Steel
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Pegs for the line or the airer
Elliott hardwood clothes pegs (36)
4.4 on Amazon · 11,746 ratings · 6K+ bought last month · #1 in Laundry Pegs · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Which? says an outdoor washing line keeps items fresh. These are 36 hardwood pegs with metal springs, and the listing says they are shaped so they do not leave marks on clothes.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Grip firmly and hold washing on the line in wind(5 of 13 reviews)
- Wood stands up to the weather better than plastic pegs(3 of 13 reviews)
- Cheap for a pack of 36(4 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Small springs, so some pegs come apart quite easily(3 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Material
- Wood
- Pack
- pack of 36
- In the box
- Clothes Pegs
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 24 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 7 of them, including today.
Can wait
- Washing powder for whites. Which? says powder is best for whites and stains but can fade colours; add it once you wash whites as a separate load.
- An iron and ironing board. Which? suggests hanging washing out soon after the cycle to limit creases; buy an iron once you know you need one.
Skip it
- SkipFabric softenerWhich? says it can make clothes smell worse in the long run, and advises leaving it out for towels and synthetics.
Quick questions
What do the symbols on a clothes care label mean?
There are five, says GINETEX. The tub is washing: the number is the maximum temperature and a bar underneath means a milder cycle. The triangle covers bleaching. The square is drying, with a circle inside for tumble drying and lines for line or flat drying. The iron's dots show the ironing temperature, and the circle is professional cleaning.
Should I use bio or non-bio washing detergent?
Bio if stains are the main problem, non-bio if gentleness matters more. Which? explains that bio detergents contain enzymes that break down protein-based stains, while non-bio products are designed to be gentle on sensitive skin and are less effective on tough stains.
Can I wash colours and whites together?
Not new, bright colours. Which? says dye can bleed onto lighter clothes in the first one or two washes, especially on a hot cycle. If you have to mix, wash at 30°C and add a colour catcher.
What temperature should I wash towels and bedding at?
Which? suggests 40°C rather than 60°C for towels, with the drum no more than three-quarters full, and 60°C for most bedding. Silk sheets go at 30°C with a mild detergent. Check the care label first.
How long can wet washing stay in the machine?
No more than 8 to 12 hours, says Which?. If the washing smells less than fresh, run the wash again.
Sources: Which?: How to wash clothes, towels and bedding (checked 26 September 2026); GINETEX: Care symbols (checked 26 September 2026).
