What is everyone's favorite laundry detergent?

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norgechef

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Jan 27, 2012
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Location
Saint George New Brunswick
Most of my favorites are store brands. I am content using a no name brand if I find it cleans well, which I find most do just the same job as the expensive stuff. I find Tide and Gain leave too much of a strong smell on the clothes after the cycle which I don't like. Tide Pods don't really seem to work all that well either, and inconvenient for medium or small loads.

Does anyone prefer powder over liquid? I don't find many people are diehard powder detergent users anymore.
 
Favorite detergent

Currently, it is Cheer powder HE compatible. It's perfect. However, Tide plus Bleach HE Turbo is great as well. I did like Tide Coldwater before they changed the scent to the new vomit inducing odor.
 
Detergent is my main thing...

Above washing machines even 😮

I like all the different smells, over here in the UK, I believe our detergents are more heavily scented than the ones stateside. When using USA detergents, I have found this to be true.

So just to put my two cents worth in, Ariel seems to be my favourite, with Persil a close second.

However, I will use them all. Love experimenting with the scents
 
P&G Does Make A "Free" Version Of Tide Coldwater

But for some reason distribution is very limited. You can find it in Canada and some parts of the USA (mostly north west or states that border Canada) but it isn't a nationwide thing. Have asked several local supermarket managers to order and it does not even appear on their P&G product inventory/order list.
 
Tide Simply Clean

 

 

As much as I like the original 1970s Tide, and as much as I detest most of the crap smells they have these days, this one actually works.

delaneymeegan++2-22-2016-16-51-37.jpg
 
I still like my Gain Original - the only thing that smells pretty much the same in liquid or powder form. And then Tide powder, followed by Persil liquid, and Tide liquid.
 
FAvorite detergent

I like Tide Free and All Free & Clear for whites and Cheer for darks for colors, Tide fades black and blue Dockers and some colored socks. I use shout on grease spot but prefer AmyWAY prewash over any other spot cleaner.

Anyone use Biz and/or Borax in their laundry arsenal to get clothes clean? I am pleased with the washing action and the quiet of my 8 year old Whirlpool Duet Sport.
 
I'm an ALL with OXI or Wisk guy myself. I do prefer powders, but I have to go further and further out of the way to find them...
 
Persil

Liquid. My washer has a small dispenser, so liquid is easier.
I like the scent. It remimds me of Oxydol. Just clean. I am allergic to most scented detergents. It does a good job also.
Other wise, I use Arm & Hammer free sensitive skin.
 
Gain has always been my favorite for as long as I can remember. I haven't used it as much lately though, because it seems they're just not putting as much power into it as they do Tide, which honestly makes no sense to me considering Gain is only a dollar or so cheaper. The smell is so beautiful and crisp and brings up so many nice childhood memories. If P&G finally decides to give Gain the same cleaning power as Tide I'll switch back in a heartbeat. I'm just waiting for the day Tide with Gain Original scent to become a new detergent. It wouldn't surprise me with the number of Febreze/Swiffer/Mr.Clean/Cascade variations we have now.

Also, I'm quite a powder power user. I feel it's still the best all around form of detergent regardless of traditional top loader/front loader/HE top loader machines.
 
 

 

Does anyone remember Dreft.  It had a nice smell to it (1980) but I was told 'no thanks for baby clothing.'

 

What is special or unique about it?   Apparently they still make it.

 

I've just never really looked at the new, or current detergents.

delaneymeegan++2-23-2016-02-18-20.jpg
 
Fav Aussie detergent.... Powder all the way.

DRIVE...smells fantastic and cleans like nothing else on the market.

Old school was Rinso... i will never forget that Emerald green box and chemical smell.

Currently going through a big box of Radiant thanks Mum.... it is a nasty stink! Have to double rinse every rucking load
 
As for powder vs. liquid, I still prefer powder. Part of that is just it's what I grew up with. Powder was good enough for my mother's Kenmore, and so it's good enough for the Shredmore here. I also find arguments that it's better environmentally (renewable paper box, no heavy water to ship or protect in freezing weather). I also have been influenced by arguments about powder rinsing better and possibly being better for machines.

But...I've been using liquids more. Mainly because they are easily found.

I also have had a bias the last 10 years or so for "green" detergents. Not as powerful--but probably good enough for most of what I need. I've thought these might be better for sensitive skin. Plus they are about the only easily found choice left if one wishes to avoid optical brighteners. That said, I've also used some conventional detergents off and on (more "on" recently, due to availability and cost), and I don't note much problem with free and clear versions.

This last point brings up another bias: I generally am finding myself liking unscented. I have mixed feelings. Slight scent can be nice when machine drying. But scented detergent is so overwhelming now with many brands. Plus, I hear stories about how the chemicals might not be so good for one. Plus in summer, when I line dry, I like the "air dry scent" from outside.
 
yes delaneymeegan

I got a small bottle at waldo world. It was scarcely better than water.
 
Favorites, but by no means all

Powder Tide HE Turbo for a most stuff. This leaves more suds in the rinses than the original formula Power Tide HE, but they had to go and change that formula.

Persil Universal Powder or Rosalie's Zero Suds for towels because they prevent foam during the spin after wash. I add a measure of Rosalie's to the Tide-STPP mix when I wash undershirts to wash out the underarm deodorant/anti-perspirant film because I can use a great deal of detergent and have very few suds at 190F.

Liquid Cheer with color guard for darks. I also sometimes use Persil MegaPerls for colors.

All are used with some STPP.
 
powders

I stick to powders, I think they dissolve and rinse better than thick liquids. Powders are also lighter per dose and cost less money/energy to ship. That said, my favorite powders are German/Henkel Megaperls, both Universal and Color. I bring it back from trips to Germany. When I'm ready to break into a new plastic package of Persil, I store it in a Glad food container with airtight lid.

I've purchased, but have yet to open, a package of Persil powder from Walmart. I will try it eventually.

Re: domestically sourced detergents other than US/Walmart Persil, I use Gain HE and Tide HE powders, unscented if possible and if not then the original scent. I don't trust detergents that claim to be for both HE and toploader machines, I doubt one formula can do the best job in both types of machines (so much for Costco house brand). Gain HE powder is not easy to find, but Amazon usually carries it. The downside is that either you have to order a large shipment (like six boxes) or else buy it via Prime Pantry, which requires a $6 delivery charge and which strongly encourages you to fill the box with other products (some of which you may need, some of which you may not need).
 
Costco Pods

I have been using Costco's Kirkland Signature pods for over a year, and I've found nothing better. Whiter whites, brighter colors, great stain removal at half the price of Tide. What's not to like? (I do use All Free & Clear as my backup detergent for the dogs' blankets and other items.)
 
I'm going to stir the pot and say.....almost any type from .... METHOD.
HA.

I've had very good luck with it in basically any machine I've used. From the BOL apartment top loaders through the years...to my FL Maytag Maximas.
Works great.
Smells good.
Decently affordable 'green' detergent.
 
When friends visit, Real Persil, otherwise

When friends visit from Germany, real Persil (this stuff in the 'States isn't the real deal). Otherwise, Arm & Hammer with enzymes and four tablespoons of TSP or 1 scant tablespoon of STTP.

In 145F water.

With two real rinses.

Cold water washing is worthless. Whether it's our Thumper in Pank! or the Filter-Flo or one of the Maytags, lots of hot water, phosphate, enzymes and good turnover clean. When I smell what our friends' HE washers are like after a few months, no way I'd ever switch.
 

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