i have used lux flakes with all 6 of my bubs till they are about 6 months old i must say i was told to by my mum as thats what she used for all us and to be honest sometimes one or two of his things will go through the normal wash and he has never got a rash so i could probably use normal wash powder but the small of lux is so nice and just reminds me of new born babys and yes you do have to mix it with hot water and make sure it is desolved the about once a month i do a hot was to get rid of ant build up in the machine and hoses