Best detergent for FL washer

[tvq1]

After MUCH consideration and "overthinking", we have purchased a new FL washer and dryer. We finally decided on the LG 4270, which should be delivered and hooked up in a2-3 weeks.

Now--on to the next decision! What is the best detergent to use? Liquid or powdered? Any specific brand to try (or avoid!) ?

For the past 3 years I have been using home made laundry soap, and it's been cheap and effective. I do understand we need to change to a HE detergent with the new washer, so I'm looking for recommendations.

Thanks!

 

[frigilux]

First off, congratulations on your purchase! The 4270 has so many great features for the money.

Tide's new HE Turbo Clean line is excellent, especially the Ultra Stain Release version (liquid). The Turbo formulation does a great job of breaking down suds for cleaner rinses and is available in liquid, powder and pod formats. Just look for the HE Turbo (or Turbo Clean) graphic on the front of the packaging.

Another excellent choice is Persil ProClean 2 in 1 (liquid). Both it and the aforementioned Tide top the ratings in cleaning/stain removal tests done by Consumer Reports.

My daily driver is the Tide Turbo Pod, but they're not everyone's cup of tea. I use Tide Ultra Stain Release and Persil ProClean 2 in 1 occasionally just to change things up a bit.

Some here prefer powders, but I think high-quality liquids have the edge on grease-based stains. As you found when researching your washer, conflicting opinions abound. Use whichever format you tend to prefer. Follow the LG's prompts to do an occasional 'clean washer' cycle and you should have no problems with build-up no matter which format you choose.

 

[henene4]

I'm from Germany, so I can't say which exact detergents to get, but from experience, one needs at least 3 products:

1. Detergent without any bleaching content. Will keep your laundry look like new and reduce fadeing. Can be hard to find, though. In the EU, liquid detergents do not contain bleaching agents and only small amounts of brightners. However, the US has liquid detergents that do contain bleach. There, its one trip to store and just looking through the labels.

2. A detergent with bleaching agents or some kind of bleaching additive. Use it on whites or resistent, heavy soiled colors. Whites won't turn dull, and certain stains just are best "removed" by bleaching.

3. A detergent for delicates, specials and wools. Usually, a detergent labeled for wool covers this branch. I use it for stuff like synthetic blankets, some more delicate items, wool sweaters and outdoor wear. This stuff usually does not contain enzymes due to wool being a natural fiber, but therefor other contents. Some of them suds up a tad more.

As "Add-Ons", depending on what you find you might need:

-Something to pretreat heavy stains if its just one or two heavy spots in a otherwise average load.
-Softner: I find it rather useless if laundry is dried in a dryer, but some just like the added softness. Though, again, there is debate if softner use might aid in the mold&#92smell issue. A good alternative are dryer sheets, which usually give better smell while reducing the washer smell problem.
-There are some special detergents out there. Some find them awesome, some plain gimmicky. We only have one extra detergent, which is a detergent specially designed for curtains (high oxigen bleach content, high sudsing). This, again, is up to what you think you need.

Powder versus liquid has been a debate on its own. Some manufacturers service departments (Miele for example here in Germany) recomend powder due to residues clogging smaller vent hoses in their drain system, but some like Samsung over here warned to use powder due to it not complety dissolving.
Some like the dosing of liquids more, some that of powder.

In the end, I guess its a draw. Use primarly hot and warm washes to make sure stuff gets dissolved, don't overdose, don't underdose.

 

[hotpointwma64]

Never ever use liquid ever

All I can say is never put liquid in your machine. As an engineer I see this day in day out and it completely destroys machines and causes fungus to grow inside, this corroding away drum shafts and bearing seals, and also making the machine stink- especially if washing at low temperatures.

I can promise you if you listen to the advice of using liquid you will regret it in not so long.

A good powder is all you need, it's cheaper and looks after your machine a lot compared to liquid therefore saving you more money and being more hygienic. In case you are worrying about colour on clothes then just use colour powder, however I just use whatever's on offer and my clothes are never effected no matter what powder it is.

George

Ps. Lg machines are Very good, good choice

 

[rp2813]

I use powder pretty much exclusively.  Tide HE is the only powder on the market I know of that won't cause oversudsing in a FL machine.

 

I had been using Gain HE powder for years, but recently they changed the formula and on the box it now indicates that it's "for both" HE and standard TL machines.  It causes major oversudsing problems since being reformulated, and I strongly suggest that you steer clear of any P&G product that states it's "for both" types of machines.  Tide is the only one left that doesn't.

 

If money is no object, there's always Rosalie's Zero Suds, which just recently hit the market and is available on line.

 

[alr2903]

tvq1,  tell us about your water?  Do you have a water softener?   Consider that first before you purchase detergent.  -A

 

[johnb300m]

I'm a big fan of the Arm & Hammer powder soap. I usually switch between that and Method liquid. Depending on where I'm shopping.

 

[nmassman44]

Congrats on your new LG's your going to love them! I have the LG 3570s washer and dryer and they perform like no other. For the washer I use Persil ProClean liquid Original scent for colors and the Persil ProClean PowerPearls powder for whites. This detergent will get your clothes clean and you will find, at least i do, that no pretreating is needed for stains. I use the TurboWash option for Bright Whites and Towels cycles. You will find that some cycles like Cotton/Normal defaults to TurboWash automatically. TurboWash will circulate the wash/rinse waters of the washer and make sure that no detergent /softener goes to waste. This washer is also a water miser, it will use exactly what it needs to get the job done and its isn't shy about water use either.
The only thing you will need for the washer is make sure you have water hammer arrestors installed between the washer and hoses. This washer uses a rapid open and closing of the valves and if you have high water pressure will cause your pipes to ''hammer'' and you will hear it. You can get the arresters at Home Depot or Lowes and its sold under the Sioux Chief brand name.
Anyways Tide HE Powder works well and so does the Tide Ultra liquid HE. I have them in my stash and I don't use Tide as often as I used to since I find that Persil does a better job and with no pretreating like I had to do with Tide.
The dryer of your set will amaze. It defaults to the Energy Saver and you can deselect it to make the cycle times faster. My LG dryer flies thru a load of laundry and dries to perfection. It will also save you money on your electric bill. Also check to see if there is a rebate on the dryer since its an Energy Star model. My sister in law bought this same set and she got a $50 rebate with it.
Also you may think about making sure your vent system is clear since the dryer will sense if there are any blockages. It will move about 215 cfm thru that dryer drum.

 

[tvq1]

Thank you everyone-- what helpful forum this is!

Our water in this area is very hard, but we have a water softener, so I guess we have soft water!

 

[askolover]

Same here....

water softener.  Been using liquid for at least 15 of my machine's 18year life and no problems so far...some do suds more than others.  Used Gain for many years, now Persil pods.  Same to be said about fabric softener..been using it the entire 18 years with NO mold problems...of course  do many loads in hot water with Clorox and I ALWAYS leave the door open after.