Good "cheaper" laundry detergent?

[RNMOM]

I also use Tide but wanted to cut back. I have started washing my adult son's clothes, towels and linens in Purex and save the Tide for DH and me. I have real problems with skin sensitivities so I don't rock the boat if I don't have to. It has made a difference in the amount of Tide we uses by at least half.

 

[decaff38]

I use Arm and Hammer ( Sun Burst). I have used it for about 6 years. I love the smell of it.l you can get it with no smells too. It works wonderful and I use about 1/2 a cap full per load. Only 3.99 a jug and it goes on sale often. If they are out I go to another store rather than risk a brand that I really don't like. I have used Purex and Sun before but really love the Arm and Hammer.

 

[breammom]

My husband has allergies also and we have to use a free and clear type. Does Purex have one? I am very interested in saving some money on detergent.

 

[Tisha_PA]

I used Purex for awhile thinking I was saving money but it really didn't get stains out very well so I had to use a lot of it per wash load and had to rewash many clothes sometimes as often as 3-4 times to get stains out - especially spaghetti sauce stains (my kids are very messy). I just recently switched back to Tide and it gets the clothes clean the first time I wash them. So although it is more expensive, I don't use as much of it plus it keeps my water bill down.

 

[britfish]

another vote for Purex. Rite Aid and CVS often have them buy one get them free (I think CVS does this week). I started using Purex after a consumer report article a few years ago and have used it ever since!

 

[tpolock]

You can find some good coupon sites on here.

Last week, Target had All Mighty on sale for $3.99. I found a manufacture's coupon online ($2 off), plus target had an online coupon ($1) off. I got it for 99 cents. I bought two for $1.98.

This week Schnucks has Purex for $3.50. I have seen a $1 coupon online.

 

[DisTwix]

I have stupidly sensitive skin, and Tide literally eats the skin off me. (Was later told by a dermitologist that it's the harshest of all the brands - especially in powder format.)

I have been using Arm & Hammer's senstive version for a while now with no problems - and it seems to do a great job (and my washer is ancient). I recently found it somewhere (Target? Meijer? I can't remember!!) 2 bottles for $5 (the smaller bottle). I think they are 64 loads each - so it was a heck of a deal. They are usually one of the cheapest tho!

Good luck!

 

[Chicago526]

Costco's house brand, Kirkland Signature, is very highly rated by Consumer Reports.

That's what I use, and I only use about half the recommended amount, and my clothes come out great. I also "boost" my wash with a cup of baking soda (also bought in bulk at Costco, $5 for a 12 pound bag).

 

[snoopyluvsdis]

I have hard water (from our well). Purex does not make lots of nice bubbles in the washer like Tide does.

 

[disneyvacalover]

Yep Purex for me too. I was an avid Tide user. SAbout 5 years ago we needed to start cutting expensnses. Tide was first to go. On sale I can get about 4 bottles of Purex for every bottle of Tide. Purex smells good and does a good job onb clothes. I've even used the Aldi's liquid brand a few times. It works fine as well.

 

[TaraPA]

Love it! Used to use Tide or Era then got smart. Purex is on sale here often for 2 for $5...and they often have coupons in the Sunday paper for Purex.

Tried Extra, didn't think it worked well for me. Tried Arm & Hammer, DH got s rash from it. So it's Purex in this house!

Our Dollar Tree has the small bottles of Purex - I have to check the ounces, it may be cheaper to get a few bottles there than buy the Purex when it's not on sale (around $4.59 here regular price).

 

[jakoky]

HI there, i use purex he as i have a front loader...i have used purex for years and love it...all my family is sensitive to what i use, tide is one of the worst for bothering them...my bottle lasts for quite awhile as the front loaders hardly use any soap...and i do 2-3 load a day
sharon

 

[maleficentmom]

I use TideHE for lights/really dirty stuff. I use ECOS natural detergent (12.99 at Sam's for 210 He loads, although i use a bit more) or Purex for everything else(towels,linens, darks,etc)

 

[Tickla]

Wow! Thanks for all the great suggestions! I appreciate it!

 

[blanq]

About 6 months ago I switched to Trader Joes liquid laundry detergent (HE). It is around $8 for a huge jug of it. It has a mild, clean smell and works very well.

 

[secretpantssam]

I use Purex and Arm and Hammer...I think they work great! And I can get them both on sale very often.

 

[KelleyD]

I hopped on the sears bandwagon to. For $12 on sale a box - big big box, you cant go wrong. Hubby wasn't so thrilled, I was dropping the pricey tide, but he is fine with it now. Made his comments, we have been using it and no more comments.

I even occasionally use it with the baby clothes and haven't noticed any reactions...so I will be buying again!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I always buy whatever is the cheapest, I have tried them all! My clothes always look and smell nice and clean. I have even been using the homemade one that I found on the DIS!

 

[Soon2B4]

My husband has allergies also and we have to use a free and clear type. Does Purex have one? I am very interested in saving some money on detergent.

Yes, they do. I just bought some of it to use on newborn clothes. I used to buy into the whole Dreft thing with #1, but this time I can't see paying the price. I think I got around 96 loads at Target with no coupons on sale for $8.99.

 

[joha]

Another vote for Era, I buy it at BJ's $10.99 for 96 loads, but I also like Purex. I'm currently trying Costco -Kirkland environmentally friendly detergent. I was also curious to try the Sears HE brand.