I normally buy Daz or Aldi washing liquid but seeing Surf Essential Oils with Lavender Powder on offer ages ago I bought it. Made by Unilever it currently it costs around a fiver for 2kg which equates to 25 washes and is widely available. I usually get more than that out of these boxes.

The box is sturdy cardboard and looks nice in lilac with Surf printed on it, and tells us that it's 'Gorgeous Value' and that it's 'Surf with essential oils' my box was as above but I think it's a bit different now. The box has loads of info. It claims outstanding washing at 15 degrees but I wouldn't know as I've only washed at 30 and though it washes okay I wouldn't call it outstanding. I have hand washed with it but the water needs to be warm to dissolve it properly.

This is a biological washing powder which is great for cleaning, but not so great if you've got sensitive skin- biological powder can sometimes fade colours too (my sons black school jumper for example). I was surprised to read that this powder isn't suitable for wool and silk. Sometimes I find it can be a bit irritating- but maybe on occasion I've used too much.

The powder itself smells like Lavender, it looks like normal washing powder. You are instructed to put a cupful in the draw and not straight into the drum. I always wash at 30 degrees, unless I'm washing something particularly dirty, and this powder doesn't always completely dissolve properly. Clothes (dark Tee shirts in particular) can come out with a powder residue which is annoying, this is why I prefer using liquids.

It performs well and better than cheap branded powders but no better than other big brands, the washing comes out clean and smelling nice and Lavendery but the fragrance doesn't last as long as claimed. It has good results on stains when on a hot wash but doesn't always wash them out completely but mostly. Although containing essential oils this doesn't act as a softener.

I'm giving it 4 stars because it cleans as well as other brands and most powders leave a residue at 30 degrees and this one is no exception.