Eco-friendly HE powders?
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zipdang
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According to their website, Seventh Generation powders are not recommended for use in HE/front-load machines. Tell me not to do something and I will. And I did. I used the Free and Clear powder in my front loader and it worked just fine. On regular and large loads I used the quantities recommended on the box and didn't have any issues with excess suds. On smaller loads, though, I had to cut back the dosage to keep sudsing in check.
Right now I'm working down a box of Whole Foods 365 Laundry Powder and it appears to be very similar to Seventh Generation powder. Same manufacturer? At any rate, it works just as well as the S.G., and only costs about $6.99 for a 60-load box. So far I haven't had any suds issues with it either.
As for other brands, Ecover, Bi-O-Kleen, and Country Save all make powders suitable for HE machines. I have a box of Ecover, and it's so-so. Fine for everyday lightly soiled things, but lacks the muscle to attack stains. I haven't tried Bi-O-Kleen powder, but did use Country Save years ago. IIRC, it worked fine. Country Save makes an ecological powdered oxygen bleach that I really like, and used in conjuction with ecological detergents it boosts the cleaning power considerably.
Right now I'm working down a box of Whole Foods 365 Laundry Powder and it appears to be very similar to Seventh Generation powder. Same manufacturer? At any rate, it works just as well as the S.G., and only costs about $6.99 for a 60-load box. So far I haven't had any suds issues with it either.
As for other brands, Ecover, Bi-O-Kleen, and Country Save all make powders suitable for HE machines. I have a box of Ecover, and it's so-so. Fine for everyday lightly soiled things, but lacks the muscle to attack stains. I haven't tried Bi-O-Kleen powder, but did use Country Save years ago. IIRC, it worked fine. Country Save makes an ecological powdered oxygen bleach that I really like, and used in conjuction with ecological detergents it boosts the cleaning power considerably.
~sudsshane
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Zipdang~
I agree with you..I too use powder in my front loader LG/Tromm. I use it primarily for whites and towels. I use about 1/4 cup of Tide w/bleach powder and it does just fine. Yesterday, I did a load of colors and used my Gain HE liquid and there were more suds than with powder...Go figure!
I agree with you..I too use powder in my front loader LG/Tromm. I use it primarily for whites and towels. I use about 1/4 cup of Tide w/bleach powder and it does just fine. Yesterday, I did a load of colors and used my Gain HE liquid and there were more suds than with powder...Go figure!
zipdang
Well-known member
I used Tide with Bleach powder in the teeny tiny Bosch front loader I used to have, and the suds stayed under control as long as I was running a full load. I've never tried it in my Ensemble though.
Sudsing seems really hit and miss with liquids, both regular and HE. Years ago I had a White-Westinghouse front loader (which used a lot of water and was very splashy) and used Liquid All with the bleach alternative and never once had a problem with suds. Then I tried Liquid Tide HE and always had a little bit of suds left after the last rinse. I've currently got a bottle of Cheer HE, and any suds are usually gone after the last rinse except when washing towels.
So far my very favorite controlled suds detergent is Persil powder. Never a trace of suds or residue left over, and everything comes out perfectly clean.
Sudsing seems really hit and miss with liquids, both regular and HE. Years ago I had a White-Westinghouse front loader (which used a lot of water and was very splashy) and used Liquid All with the bleach alternative and never once had a problem with suds. Then I tried Liquid Tide HE and always had a little bit of suds left after the last rinse. I've currently got a bottle of Cheer HE, and any suds are usually gone after the last rinse except when washing towels.
So far my very favorite controlled suds detergent is Persil powder. Never a trace of suds or residue left over, and everything comes out perfectly clean.
