what american laundry detergent is the best?

[gyrafoam]

The only American brand I will use is FAB powder.

However, I will try the Sears stuff Sudsman likes and see how it does in the Bendix. Who knows, maybe I will like it better than FAB. One thing is for sure, Sudsman certainly has experience in dealing with large volumes of laundry. All I know is the FAB will clean the worst of the dirt from my gardening clothes----- and the only other detergents I can get them clean with---- are manufactured in Mexico. I LOVE FOCA!

 

[whirlcool]

After using Persil for over a year we switched to FOCA, Gain with Baking Powder powder and Cheer liquid for denims. In our area the FOCA rinses very clean on the second rinse.

 

[douglasdc6]

This is a very informative thread,

I have always ben under the imppression that liquid detergent was better then powder - For now on no more liquid detergent .

 

[gadgetgary]

Love the Sears Detergent

But I always thought that liquid did better on colors. The powders seemed to leave streaks on colors.

Guess I will have to try the Sears on colors in one of my many Maytags and see the results.

 

[peterh770]

Wisk 3x HE in my Miele. If I had a standard toploader, then ALL powder or Surf powder.

 

[jt1985]

My Choice:

The best US detergent: Tide with Bleach. It cleans well compared to my All w/Snuggle liquid. But the All cleans well too, not bad for a detergent with no enzymes.

 

[launderess]

Liquid Detergents Are Not All Bad

Simply depends on several factors, including what one is laundering, stain and soil level, and the types thereof.

Like Tide "Free" 2X HE formula for bed linens, and lightly soiled whites and colours (read pastels and brights). Though have used the product on badly stained table linens and it shifted stains and soils quite well,and did so in warm water without bleach or STPP.

Some of the old mantra still holds true, liquid detergents are better for lipid based soils, and powders for clay.

Since they do not contain washing soda, caustics, zeolites and other insoluable materials, most liquids tend to rinse cleaner than your average powdered detergent.

 

[MikeS]

I've Tried Them All, And...

I still like Ariel (the Mexican version, when they have them available at the 99 Cent Only Store); Costco's Kirkland Signature brand and Tide with Bleach. But the brand that does the best overall job for me is--believe it or not--Sun. I like the liquid version (with bleach or with a touch of Cuddle Soft) or the lavender scented powder. Sun washes well, rinses clean and works in both hot and cold water. Sun is my main brand when my clothes need more freshening than cleaning. (And my supermarket offers Sun at $1.50 a bottle when they go on sale; that's when I stock up.) For really dirty whites and bedding--and for tough stains--I make sure to have a stash of Ariel around.

 

[norfolksouthern]

You made a very good point, Kenmoreguy64:

"I prefer powder, especially since this past winter's second rebuild of a machine I first rebuilt in 1995. It had been used for 14 years with liquid detergent in exclusively cold water. The scum was at least 1/3 inch thick, and it stunk like a septic tank. Grossest washer re-do I've ever done. So, no more liquid for me!"

This, of course, concerns me. My mother had a Maytag with the helical drive mechanism. The lint filter on the agitator was gummed up with liquid detergent residue and fabric softener, along with old lint. It was almost impossible to clean and the old Tide Liquid turned into some sort of rock-like form, and I could feel the gunk when running my fingers under the tub ring. That stuff and fabric softener are a bad mix. I rarely use liquids in my machines, and have never used bleach or fabric softener.

In my experience, powders will dissolve completely, even in cold water. You don't need as much for them to become effective. I know I've added just the right amount when the water starts feeling a little slippery. But with a liquid, the water still feels a little hard between my fingers and it's difficult for me to judge when I've added enough. Too diluted, it loses its effectiveness. Too much, and it gets harder to rinse out. Powders are just easier for me to use, so that's what I buy when I can. I will only use a liquid as a last resort. I mostly prefer Cheer brightCLEAN.

NorfolkSouthern

 

[launderess]

Fourteen Years Of Liquid Detergent

For laundry in cold water is the likely cause of "scum", "crud" and god only knows what else one finds growing inside a washing machine.

Washerhelp.uk has devoted a whole section to the horrors of using cold water washes only with liquid detergent, even those marketed just for that purpose.

Enzymes or not, oils and soils aren't going to shift well at temps below 85F, and even then. One probably could get around the problem by adding extra detergent, but still...