Looking for a new laundry detergent

[circlew]

So I finally have ran out of the Sears Ultra Plus powder I've been using for the last 10 years or so. I had to do laundry today, so bought a small box of Tide Original Scent powder at Target.

I do not like it very well. The scent is about as much like original Tide as a Ford Focus is like a Model T. It has a very candy-like (Sweet-Tarts) smell, which stayed on the items after drying. I also noticed it made way more suds, and there were more suds in the final rinse than the Sears detergent made in the wash cycle. Therefore, I won't buy it again.

I'd like a product in a bucket, one that doesn't leave a scent, and is low-sudsing. I looked online and saw Boardwalk Huracan 40, and it had a lot of positive reviews, as did the other Boardwalk powder. I also thinking about institutional formula All, professional Purex, or perhaps the institutional Tide multi-purpose. Have any of you used any of these detergents? Nearly everything in the stores has too much of a strong fragrance - I want my things to smell clean, not like flowers or candy.

 

[iowabear]

I use the Tide HE with Bleach powder (harder to find, in my area only at Walmart.)  I also don't like the sweet scent, but I don't really notice it much after drying.  It's *nothing* compared to the scent all of the Tide liquids leave behind which are too much for me.

 

If my Tide HE with Bleach powder disappears, or changes and becomes too strongly scented, I will switch to Tide Ultra Stain Release Free liquid, which I believe is only at Target.

 

Imagine that a lot of people are mixing a highly scented detergent with a non-complimentary highly scented fabric softener...and that explains some of the horrible smells coming out of random dryer vents when I walk around the neighborhood!

 

[lowefficiency]

>> I'd like a product in a bucket, one that doesn't leave a scent,
...
>> Nearly everything in the stores has too much of a strong fragrance -
>> I want my things to smell clean, not like flowers or candy.

You actually just described two different categories of detergents...

Most of our "It smells clean!" reactions are triggered by scents and fragrances.

Truly unscented detergents leave clothes smelling like... nothing. Just that they come out of the wash and don't smell "bad" anymore. They won't give you that specific "Clean! Fresh!" reaction when you smell them, because they don't have those fragrances we associate with those conditions.

 

[luxflairguy]

I have to agree with Jim!  Tide HE with Bleach is what I'm using after the demise of Persil powder.  Everything comes out looking great load after load!  Greg

 

[ea56]

I’ve been using Tide HE liquid with Bleach Alternative for the last several months and have been very pleased with the consistently clean, stain free laundry, especially the whites. I don’t find that it leaves much of a scent at all and it rinses thoroughly with just one rinse. So far its the best I’ve found.

Eddie

 

[mrsalvo]

How about All Free & Clear? I used it for quite a while when I had a horrid experience with a popular brand. It cleaned well.

Barry

 

[thomasortega]

There's a liquid Persil that looks and smells like Elmer's glue.

It's my husband's favorite and I have to admit (Never let him know I said that, LOL) it's a very good detergent.

And there's also Rosalie's Zero Suds, which is far superior than anything else on the market.

 

[toploader55]

Rosalie's or Persil Universal Powder in the 80 or 100 load box.

Amazon 50 Loads... https://www.amazon.com/Persil-Powde...&sprefix=persil+universal,aps,567&sr=8-3&th=1

 

[polkanut]

I've seen good things posted on here over the years about Kirkland detergent from Costco.

 

[circlew]

I'm definitely not interested in a liquid product. I've found that powder seems to be better in removing ground in dirt, as my socks tend to get mud on them when hiking in the woods. My sister uses both powder and liquid detergents. Her husband is a farmer, so liquid for clothes that get greasy when he works on machinery, and powder for muddy items.

I'd also like something less expensive than Tide or Persil, which I tried a few years ago, and wasn't overly impressed. The Rosalie's is something I've wanted to try, but evidently is currently out of stock.
The Ultra Plus was reasonably priced, and I'm looking for something in that range.

The Kirkland that Tim mentions sounds good, but I don't currently have a Costco card. I think one of my friends uses that detergent, so will ask him to loan me a few cups to try.

Thanks for the replies, and I'd like to hear any more suggestions.

 

[iowabear]

I looked up Costco and Kirkland only has liquid and pods now.

 

Home Depot sells Arm & Hammer with Oxi powder in 215 load bucket for $27.  That's about half the cost of the Tide HE with Bleach powder.  Has excellent user reviews on their site.  CR didn't rate the powder, but rated the liquid version of this in the middle of pack. 

 

Something like this might be the closest thing to the Sears powder.

 

I've resigned myself to the fact that powders are going to disappear.  I just hope I'm not forced to use pods like I am for the dishwasher.  For dishwashers, the pods outperform everything else, hand down.

ARM & HAMMER Fresh Scent Powder Laundry Detergent with Oxiclean, 16.59 lbs. 86527 - The Home Depot

Visit the Home Depot to buy ARM & HAMMER 264.48 oz. Fresh Scent Laundry Detergent with OxiClean 86527

www.homedepot.com

 

[mattl]

I've been using Tide pods for a few years now, nothing but happy with them.  See no downside.

 

[askolover]

Same here...Tide botanical rain pods...leaves a nice fragrance that is complimentary with the blue Walmart fabric softener...but I usually like fragrance if it's not too strong.  And I've yet to find any kind of build up residue in my Miele or Asko.  Whites get Mexican Ariel powder or Bold powder with yellow Suavitel.

 

[dermacie]

I had a love affair with the Persil Pearls powder but unfortunately it has gone from the shelves. I use powder on whites only and I switched back to Tide powder from Sam's the big box for 29 dollars.

 

[iowabear]

My Issue with Pods

is that you can't dose them for different sized loads or different sized machines.

 

At least in the case of dishwashers, most of them (excepting the 18" and drawers) are the same size.

 

Washers are all different sizes.  Most people use their washers for years and get a feel for how much detergent works for them.

 

[mattl]

In my FL Duet 1 pod is the norm, if it's a big load 2.  Most people use too much detergent.

 

[lowefficiency]

>> IowaBear wrote:
>> I've resigned myself to the fact that powders are going to disappear.
>> I just hope I'm not forced to use pods like I am for the dishwasher.

We're not anywhere near that point yet!

For specialty detergents, try checking out local stores that sell baby or cloth diapering supplies. There are still plenty of great options that come in powder form, they just aren't as mainstream as they used to be.

 

[askolover]

"In my FL Duet 1 pod is the norm, if it's a big load 2.  Most people use too much detergent."



 



<strong>Me too...for the Miele anyway.  Very very full gets 2 Tide turbo pods.  The Asko is smaller so only one is ever required.   </strong>

 

[stan]

Hi Tom

Since most powdered detergents contain a fair amount of washing soda...which makes for a more alkaline situation in the wash cycle..and thats what your use to, you may have to try a "work around"
Maybe find a non scented liquid detergent and add a small amount (1/4 cup) of washing soda, and or Borax to boost alkalinity. With using a liquid detergent, you could also try just adding OxyClean which would give some washing soda and percarbonate that the Sears product probably contained.
Let us know what you find it come up with that works as a replacement for the Sears product.