VaKim Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I had been using Gain, and was satisfied with it. But last time I needed more, I wanted to save money and bought Arm and Hammer instead. It does NOT get underarm odor out of shirts, so I won't be buying it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbkaren Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I don't know if it's been mentioned but now that the phosphates have been removed (July of last year), both laundry and dishwasher detergents don't work properly. Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP RED box) can be purchased very inexpensively at Home Depot and added manually. I put a pinch in each load of laundry, and a half teaspoon in the dishwasher and it's solved the problem. We almost got a new dishwasher because ours wasn't doing the job. Turns out it's the detergents' new "eco-friendly" formula. Little do they realize that by removing phosphates, it requires us to use twice the water and electricity because things just don't get clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewe Mama Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I've had a lot of success in getting rid of fresh grease stains by sprinkling cornstarch on them and scrubbing them with a wet toothbrush. I'm also a fan of homemade detergent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I use Ultra Sun Free and Clear and LOVE it! It really does get everything clean, especially using the Earth Friendly Products non chlorine bleach powder alongside it (EFP is cheaper than Oxyclean). For the life of me I just can't understand how people can walk around smelling like their laundry products :confused: That smell is transferred to every.single.thing it comes in contact with, sometimes for days :001_huh: Yeah, and my kids are sensitive to detergent. They will get full body hives if I wash their clothes in something like Tide. I learned that long ago and never made the mistake again. We now use Arm and Hammer Free of Dyes and Perfumes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profmom Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 I had been using Gain, and was satisfied with it. But last time I needed more, I wanted to save money and bought Arm and Hammer instead. It does NOT get underarm odor out of shirts, so I won't be buying it again. Yeah...see, I didn't realize that other detergents would get this out. :blushing: (Not that it's been a huge problem, but I have noticed this at times.) Are you guys also telling me that if I were to use Tide that I wouldn't have to be as tense when my kids ate chocolate ice cream, spaghetti, or salsa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profmom Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 I don't know if it's been mentioned but now that the phosphates have been removed (July of last year), both laundry and dishwasher detergents don't work properly. Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP RED box) can be purchased very inexpensively at Home Depot and added manually. I put a pinch in each load of laundry, and a half teaspoon in the dishwasher and it's solved the problem. We almost got a new dishwasher because ours wasn't doing the job. Turns out it's the detergents' new "eco-friendly" formula. Little do they realize that by removing phosphates, it requires us to use twice the water and electricity because things just don't get clean. We had the same problem with our dishwasher and have had great luck with adding a bit of Lemi-Shine to each load -- the white film was gone again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbkaren Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 ...adding a bit of Lemi-Shine to each load -- the white film was gone again. Just out of curiosity, I wonder if Lemi-Shine includes phosphate in its ingredients? I know vinegar helps too...but can never time it properly unless I'm working around the kitchen and can watch for the rinse cycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profmom Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 Just out of curiosity, I wonder if Lemi-Shine includes phosphate in its ingredients? I know vinegar helps too...but can never time it properly unless I'm working around the kitchen and can watch for the rinse cycle. Lemi-shine says, "phosphate free." "Made with: real fruit acids, natural citrus oils, fragrance." http://www.lemishine.com A friend has been using the phosphate from Lowe's and says it took the paint off their dishes. Scary! I guess they used too much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I don't know if it's been mentioned but now that the phosphates have been removed (July of last year), both laundry and dishwasher detergents don't work properly. Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP RED box) can be purchased very inexpensively at Home Depot and added manually. I put a pinch in each load of laundry, and a half teaspoon in the dishwasher and it's solved the problem. We almost got a new dishwasher because ours wasn't doing the job. Turns out it's the detergents' new "eco-friendly" formula. Little do they realize that by removing phosphates, it requires us to use twice the water and electricity because things just don't get clean. Do you have any idea how BAD Tri-Sodium Phospate is for the water? Matter of fact, it's one of the ingredients in laundry detergents that give people allergic reactions. “Phosphorous is like a fertilizer. It increases algae and aquatic weed growth in water bodies,†Bernie Duffy, natural resource specialist with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, told the AP. He said too much algae depletes oxygen needed for healthy fish and aquatic life. Sewage treatment plants and private septic systems can remove much but not all of the phosphorous from wastewater, so some of it ends up in lakes, streams and rivers. Just out of curiosity, I wonder if Lemi-Shine includes phosphate in its ingredients? I know vinegar helps too...but can never time it properly unless I'm working around the kitchen and can watch for the rinse cycle. Lemi-Shine is citric acid. Straight citric acid. Take a few packs of lemon kool aide and add them in to your powder, it's also citric acid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profmom Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 Lemi-Shine is citric acid. Straight citric acid. Take a few packs of lemon kool aide and add them in to your powder, it's also citric acid. Thanks for the tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbkaren Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Do you have any idea how BAD Tri-Sodium Phospate is for the water? Matter of fact, it's one of the ingredients in laundry detergents that give people allergic reactions... Yes, I'm aware. For us it's a balance of what works and what doesn't. And it's not giving any of us allergic reactions, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbkaren Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 ...A friend has been using the phosphate from Lowe's and says it took the paint off their dishes. Scary! I guess they used too much? I'd say so! I put just about everything in the DW and never saw anything like that. It's generally used for deep-cleaning walls, etc. in preparation for resurfacing (i.e. painting, refinishing floors, etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbkaren Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 ...Lemi-Shine is citric acid. Straight citric acid. Take a few packs of lemon kool aide and add them in to your powder, it's also citric acid. I have citric acid powder for canning and winemaking; I'll give it a try. If it works as well as the TSP, I'm happy to use that instead. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 What does Tide have in it that the others don't? Dawn I don't know...enzymes for one thing. But I agree with everyone else, I didn't realize other detergents were not working well until I switched to something that worked better. I switched because of my diapers, and haven't looked back. Actually..that's not true. I read good things about Kirkland Signature, in the box that looks like Tide kind of, and have started using it on clothes..so far so good. It does in fact get the sweat stains/smell out of my husband's shirts as well or better than tide, and is the ONLY detergent to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieH Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I won't use anything except for TIDE. Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profmom Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 Where do you guys find Tide at the best price? We don't have Costco here, and I'm not a member at Sam's (which isn't especially conveniently located anyway). I have some coupons for it right now. I guess I've never tried Tide in all these years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Do you have a Big Lots? They sometimes have it cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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