One of my best friends uses Xtra and Purex, but I thinks it's because of the price. I used Xtra once when I had my Whirlpool apartment size washer. I must not have been very good, becuase I never bought it again. When I has at the grocery store the other day I noticed that Downey has an HE fabric softener, and also saw Clorox HE bleach. I can't use Downey because my roommate is allergic to it. I just use dryer sheets, and since I've been using the A&H HE detergent, I haven't haven't been using the dryer sheets as much. I really enjoy the sent of the A&H deterget; it's fresh but not to over powering.