Bold 2 in 1 Lavender & Camomile laundry powder (Bold 2 in 1)

Member Name: Darkstar101

Product:	Bold 2 in 1
Date:	16/10/09 (114 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: No need for separate fabric conditioner, large packs are good value when on promotion

Disadvantages: Fragrance doesn't last long and clothes aren't that soft.

I normally buy washing powder and fabric conditioner separately as I feel that overall, clothes dry softer and smell fresher for longer. However whilst shopping in Makro recently, I noticed they were selling the huge 90 wash boxes of Bold 2 in 1 washing powder for £9.99 + VAT which seemed like a good deal to me so I bought a box.

The product I bought was the Bold 2 in 1 Lavender and Camomile combined detergent and fabric softener which comes in a lilac coloured box. The box itself was quite big and heavy, being the 90 wash pack size, but it did have a useful plastic carry handle on top. The box was easy to open with its tear around strip which unzips three sides of the box leaving a hinged edge for re-closure. The powder itself is white in colour interspersed with lots of little red and blue flecks which I assume are the fabric conditioner component. The powder smells clean and fresh with a delicate lavender smell, but nothing too overpowering. The sides of the box give detailed product information including the volumes of powder needed, depending on how soiled your laundry is, and whether or not you live in a hard or soft water area. However, the box I bought didn't contain a measuring scoop. I don't know if there was supposed to be a scoop or measuring cup, but I feel that inclusion of one would have been useful. As it happened, I did have a spare scoop which I used to measure out the volume required.

As I nearly always wash my laundry at low temperatures, usually 30 or 40º C, I was curious to see how effective the detergent was. I found that the powder fully dissolved in the washing machine, and there were no residual white marks on the clothes, like I've experienced with cheaper own brand laundry products. I found this product particularly good at cleaning white wash loads, but with repeated use, I found coloured clothes faded quite a bit.

The manufacturer claims that the natural extracts of Lavender and Camomile bring a soothing fragrance to your family's laundry - with the freshness experience lasting up to 7 days. I found that my utility room smelt nice whilst the laundry was being washed, the wet clothes smelled nice, but once dried the fresh lavender smell disappeared almost straight away. I also found that the dried clothes weren't that soft, particularly if the clothes were line-dried.

Overall, at the price I paid, I would say that Bold 2 in 1 is good value for money as it does clean clothes effectively, but I was a little disappointed by how quickly the fresh fragrance disappeared. I still think that separate detergents and conditioners give laundry a longer lasting fragrance and softness.

Summary: Great cleaning, disappointing softening and fragrance