Detergents Update: What are you using?

[polkanut]

Here's page 2 of the MSDS for the detergent from Wausau Chemical giving the breakdown of % by weight of each ingredient.

 

Sodium Carbonate 497-19-8   51.7% 
Sodium Tripolyphosphate 7758-29-4   34.5% 
Sodium Metasilicate, Pentahydrate 10213-79-3   8.6% 
Alcohol Ethoxylate 900 68439-46-3   3.5% 

 

[joeypete]

I like to try different detergents, but lately have been alternating between Persil Fresh Scent and some variant of Tide. Usually go for Tide because it's on sale or has coupons more often. I loved Wisk, but obviously it's not available any longer. Right now I'm using Tide PurClean and I think it's fantastic! Cleans very well and smells good. Gain now has a "naturals" line so I may try that too. I have a bag of Mexican Ariel waiting for me next. I LOVE the smell of it. Have to see how well it cleans...and it's wicked cheap.

 

[frigilux]

Lawrence-- I had great luck using pods in front-loaders and they are very convenient in situations like yours. Much easier than lugging a jug around.

Have been tempted to try them in the top-loading SQ. While I have my own washer and dryer in this apartment building, they're in a common area and our hours are restricted to 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. I find myself using the delay start feature a lot, so that a load is washed and ready for the dryer when I get home, which is sometimes later than 10:00. The dryer, fortunately is very quiet, so no one has complained when I run it after hours. Everyone on my floor would hear the washer's hum, so I always make sure it will complete the cycle by 10:00.

ANYWAY... I often think a pod or two at the bottom of the tub would be better than having fabrics in contact with full-strength liquid detergent for 8-12 hours before the cycle finally begins.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Tide

I have been using Tide plus Bleach Powder for a white now on anything white or rags. Any items that are colorfast and are washed in Hot get Tide powder Mountain Spring, which smells incredible paired with a Bounce Outdoor Fresh dryer sheet. Otherwise, all other loads get Tide PurClean. I have three bottles of this and love it. It cleans great and smells very good as well. I do not have any sudsing issues like others have mentioned. 1T of STPP is used in every load.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

I forgot to mention, my next detergent will likely be Cheer powder. It is very similar to Tide powder but does not contain the OBAs. It doesn't make sense to buy three detergents when one can simply replace them all!

 

[angus]

I tend to go between brands within a range. I still have a stash of Tide with Bleach HE powder in the original fragrance so I alternate that with Persil 2 in 1 liquid and the remaining stash of Persil Power Pearls, For kitchen cloths, rags and lightly soiled items, Surf powder in the "spring burst" scent does a creditable job and kind of smells like a vintage detergent. I was using the Ajax pods also, but those seem to have disappeared from all local store shelves - while the Fab and Dynamo pods remain.

 

[mrsalvo]

lakewebsterkid, I used Cheer powder for a long time and found it to be an very good at cleaning, and I liked the scent too. I switched off of it due to the frothing / sudsing. Too many extra rinses in the SQ. But yes, it's a good detergent.

"It doesn't make sense to buy three detergents when one can simply replace them all!" Totally agree, but don't we all love trying different detergents!! LOL. I'm trying to find "my" detergent, the perfect one!! I'll probably never find it.

Decided for my Christmas present to myself that I'm going to try Rosalie's Low Sudsing. Just got to decide what "flavor" to choose from, unscented or the other. LOL.

Barry

 

[lordkenmore]

Lawrence/Maytagbear--sorry to hear about losing the Maytag set! I know you really liked that set. Hope the new place will over all work out for you.

 

As for pods in apartment living, I've heard this before. On another forum, a college student praised pods for their convenience in his dorm laundry.

 

I'm not sure it's something I'd do (and this is only speaking for me, myself). I am such a control freak in the laundry room that I'd probably hate programmed doses! Plus I frankly think carrying detergent is (again speaking for me) the least of the coin operated laundry hassle.

 

[lordkenmore]

I often think a pod or two at the bottom of the tub would be better than having fabrics in contact with full-strength liquid detergent for 8-12 hours before the cycle finally begins.

 

 

No! No! <span style="text-decoration: underline;">NO!!!!</span> We rescued you from the evil pod world, Frigilux, and YOU ARE NOT GOING BACK!

 

LOL

 

 

[aquacycle]

Splosh powder and EcoZone liquid

 

[launderess]

Wisk Detergent

There's tons of the stuff on fleaPay. Though being liquid detergent you're paying to ship a good amount of water, but there you are....

 

[imperial70]

Tandil by ALDI for whites and some colored items.
Woolite Laundry Detergent for darks and delicates.

 

[grwasher_expert]

Skip or Ariel bio powder+some oxy powder for whites and light coloureds,
Omo, Neo-mat or Essex liquid for dark coloreds and delicates.

 

[paulc]

I’ve been using Nellie’s laundry soda and the brightener for a good few months now. It’s wonderful stuff. Cleans great, gets rid of odours , rinses completely clear and leaves everything really soft.

 

[joeypete]

Surf

I just bought a small box of Surf at Walmart. Has anyone ever used it? Smells decent...more old school detergent smell.

 

[frigilux]

I used Nellie's Washing Soda for awhile on loads of bath towels. The refillable tin was pretty wonderful, too. Believe I bought a tin of dishwashing pacs, as well.

 

[jerrod6]

I use Persil 2n1 for color items, and have a stash of Persil Pro Perl's that is used for whites. Works well in my front loader.
With the revised 10 dimensions of clean formula the rinsing has improved, and on my current cap there are now more lines so that gives better control of the dosing. I rarely use the suggested amount and still get clean clothes and good rinses. Happy with it so far.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Right now, in my dishwasher, these, alternating between scents:

I had Cascade or Finish gels, which were twice as many, and also a couple boxes of, alternating between the two, with even as often as I do my kitchenware, I had a lot of, marked down from when I used to work at Walmart, and as in the more you buy, the more you save, as the large sizes these were, were priced like the smaller...

So, these, are almost, as many--likely to be a year, as opposed to YEARS, bought (also on sale) at my job at Kroger... And they, along with my DW, do, do a good job!

-- Dave