What's Your Favorite Laundry Detergent?

[whitestavern]

I tend to stick with Tide, only because it really really works IMO. I've tried some cheaper brands and haven't been as satisfied. I'm really trying to cut my budget wherever possible and this is a fairly big expense for me so I'm wondering if anyone has found something they think really works well. I do have some recipes to make my own, but since I work from home, homeschool, etc., there just never seems time to do this. Thanks for any suggestions!

[hsmom]

ERA is great with stains and works wonderful, now when I use powder I use Gain. My youngest breaks out when I use Tide. Not sure why.

[BikeBookBread]

All Free and Clear liquid. The big "tap" bottles are frequently on sale at Target. I do boost my detergent frequently with either baking soda, Borax, Oxyclean powder or if it is REALLY bad, Biz.

 

I wonder if I'm spending the so much on supplemental boosters, though, that a more-expensive, more effective brand would be a better solution...

 

I've tried "greener" brands (Method, 7th Generation, the Costco environmental friendly brand), and they just haven't gotten the stink out of DH's bike-commute clothing, though. I HAVE to soak his stuff with baking soda or Borax, or the smell lingers.

[AlmiraGulch]

I've been using Gain for a few years. We like the scent, everyone's skin tolerates it and it works well.

[BearWallowSchool]

When I can't afford Tide, I buy Gain. It's a little cheaper and I think it smells really nice.

[BeckyFL]

Biokleen is my favorite, but I'll use All Free and Clear.

[JillZ]

I like Gain or Tide. Some of the cheaper ones just didn't get all the crud and food from our toddler's clothes.

[Guest Cindie2dds]

Gain.

[Gretchen in NJ]

I would like to help you save money, but I think Tide is the best. I have tried cheaper brands without success. I never use the recommended amount. Before I purchased our front loader, I used half the recommended amount. Now, I use a small amount for each load.

[BakersDozen]

Tide, hands down. I just tried homemade detergent this week and will never do that again as I had to rewash every load! Like I have time for that?! Tide is worth every penny since I don't have to look for spots and spray them and never have to rewash anything.

[KS_]

I would like to help you save money, but I think Tide is the best. I have tried cheaper brands without success. I never use the recommended amount. Before I purchased our front loader, I used half the recommended amount. Now, I use a small amount for each load.

 

I like Tide Free - and also don't use the recommended amount (I use less than half for most loads). Even a small box lasts a very long time for me using that much and I'm doing probably 10+ loads a week.

[BikeBookBread]

I keep seeing Tide...

 

Which one? Are they all equally effective?

[k2bdeutmeyer]

I've been using a cheap brand, and then just throwing in a splash of Tide. The Tide has worked WONDERS, but the bottle lasts forever doing it that way!

[Elfinlady]

Wisk. Tide makes me itch.

[Lara in Colo]

Try combining a sale with coupon. Target has "just for Target" coupons in the Sunday paper that you can combine with a manf coupon to add more savings. Same with Safeway.

 

Lara

[whitestavern]

I've been using a cheap brand, and then just throwing in a splash of Tide. The Tide has worked WONDERS, but the bottle lasts forever doing it that way!

 

Interesting...I never thought of that! What brand are you using it with?

[whitestavern]

I keep seeing Tide...

 

Which one? Are they all equally effective?

 

 

I use either the Ultra Tide or Regular Tide, in the regular scent.

[RanchGirl]

I'm a huge fan of Charlie's Soap. I use the powder - 1 tbsp per load. When I bought Tide on sale at CVS, suddenly my clothes were not as clean! I had to switch back to Charlie's.

[athena1277]

I also use All Free Clear. My dh has bad allergies and scents can quickly trigger them. The All Free Clear doesn't have a smell and does clean clothes well, plus it's not too expensive.

 

Although, if i had my choice, I would use Gain. I love the smell! :D

[Pippen]

I also use All Free Clear. My dh has bad allergies and scents can quickly trigger them. The All Free Clear doesn't have a smell and does clean clothes well, plus it's not too expensive.

:D

 

Ditto with the All Free & Clear. I've used unscented for so long that I can't stand wearing a garment that has been washed in scented soap or softener. I usually stock up big time when the 3X goes on sale and most of the time I use half the recommended amount.

 

My husband likes scented and is particular about how his laundry is done so he takes care of his own. It really hurt my feelings when we were first married but nowadays I say more power to him. :lol:

[justamouse]

The one I make at home. :-) It doesn't make the clothes brighter, or prettier (store brands have optic brighteners that are horrible for the water) but it gets them clean.

[Desert Rat]

All free and clear.

[delaney]

The easiest way to boost detergent is to add a small squirt of Dawn. That is by far the BEST stain remover I have found. That you can get for almost free on sale and with coupons.

[k2bdeutmeyer]

Interesting...I never thought of that! What brand are you using it with?

 

We've been using it with Xtra....cheapest one I can find at Walmart :)

[newbie]

Method

[Cera]

We use the all free and clear without optical brighteners (there are 2 versions). I used to love Tide but switched when our oldest was little as it gave her a rash. I've never had issues with stains.

[Ellie]

I've used only Amway laundry products for over 30 years. They're economical and environmentally sound, and they *work.* I have no plans to change, ever. :-)

[mrsrevmeg]

We use All Small and Mighty Lavender and Water Lily scent. So far we have not had any problems with anyone breaking out. (used Tide for years, then my middle son developed an allergy)

[Ruby]

ditto on the Amway products. you only use a quarter cup scoop. They've taken out all of the extra fillers and junk so it is highly concentrated. The stain products will get anything out. Good for the environment too. My favorite by far. Ruby

[runamuk]

Tide Free. I've tried other detergents but nothing works like Tide. I can't stand the scent of most other detergents and the fragrances make my son break out.

[sleepymommy]

Charlie's soap! Love it, love it, love it!

[hsmom]

The easiest way to boost detergent is to add a small squirt of Dawn. That is by far the BEST stain remover I have found. That you can get for almost free on sale and with coupons.

 

I agree. I use this in his Steven's work clothes. His clothes are yuck since he works on the drilling rigs and all that yuck breaks down the soap. Now the Dawn doesn't break down and his clothes come out way cleaner this way.

[Mrs Mungo]

I use Seventh Generation's blue lavender and eucalyptus detergent. *Most* detergents break me out, I even have to use an SLS-free toothpaste. I do fine with this detergent and it smells lovely.

[KidsHappen]

Tide, it's what my mother used before me. When I left home, I decided that my mother didn't know what she was talking about and had been suckered by advertising so I tried every single product on the market. I went back to Tide. I have repeated the experiement once since then with the same results. My dd did the same thing when she left home as did my brother. My hubby recently asked about the whole Tide worship thing so I bought a couple of small bottles of the leading products and subjected them to chocolate, wine, blood, grass, ink and maybe coffee I think. Tide was the only one that got them all out. I use Tide as a pre-treatment if necessary and sometimes have to rewash an item but it has gotten out just about any stain I have ever run across including chapstick, crayons and W-D 40. I use the smallest recommended amount and it work great. :D

Edited April 1, 2010 by KidsHappen

[Baseball mom]

Members Mark from Sam's Club

[Alison in KY]

Charlie's soap! Love it, love it, love it!

 

Please tell me more :) It seems like it's a bit more expensive than regular laundry detergent.

[memmerrill]

We also use All Free & Clear liquid detergent. Great stuff!

[BlessedMom]

"Cheer" is absolutely my favorite!

[Brindee]

We use ALL Free & Clear liquid (since we have septic), since other brands we've tried make us break out, and fragrances are hard on me! I'd LOVE to have fragrance, though, but my body doesn't like it! :( We've been happy with ALL!

[Tap]

Tide HE. I don't pretreat anything unless it is very grimy, and it keeps almost every stain at bay.

[TammyinTN]

We use Tide Coldwater. It keeps everything looking nice and bright and whites very clean.

[justamouse]

I've used only Amway laundry products for over 30 years. They're economical and environmentally sound, and they *work.* I have no plans to change, ever. :-)

 

I've been thinking of trying them! I'll have to call up a rep.

[sleepymommy]

Please tell me more :) It seems like it's a bit more expensive than regular laundry detergent.

 

It can be a little more upfront, but it lasts a really long time. I use the liquid that comes in a gallon container. You only use 1/8th of a cup per load.

 

It makes our clothes truly clean. No perfume smells, no residue or soapy feeling, the clothes just smell and feel really clean. It's also great for those with sensitive skin, ds1 has really sensitive skin and this detergent was definitely the best of the various brands we tried.

 

I don't usually have "love" for household products, but I totally heart Charlie's soap.

[5forMe]

All Free and Clear HE for my frontloader. I can't stand perfumes in my clothes. To me clean clothes shouldn't smell like anything.

[NancyNellen]

Tide - just like my Mommy.

[tonersl]

I really like Arm and Hammer with Oxi Clean. Purex is my second choice. Have never tried Tide mainly because of the price but it seems like I need to give it a try. If I need to, I pretreat with Spray and Wash and this works great for me. Love Dawn dish detergent for greasy/oil stains.

 

Shannon

[Impish]

My homemade stuff.

[chickenpatty]

Homemade. It really isn't as time consuming as it sounds. The recipe I use makes 10 gallons, which last a long time, so it's not like I'm making it every week. The 10 gallons cost less than $3.00.

[MaMa2005]

My homemade detergent. Tide makes us all itch. For years I used Gain (love the smell). When I switched to my own detergent, DS cried because it didn't have the Gain smell. So I put just a tad of Gain fabric softener in the rinse cycle for the fragrance. Now everybody is happy.:001_smile:

[blessed3x]

Shaklee's Get Clean Fresh Laundry here. Works great!