I used to be a Tide snob

[OlivesMom]

I make my own laundry soap. It doesn't take that long, the only unpleasant part is using the grater with the bar soap. I probably spend $3 max to make 3-4 gallons of laundry soap!!

 

[java]

I have to use tide for at least the next two years. My oldest is allergic to all kinds except Tide Free. We have tried other "free" lines and he breaks out. I think I'll buy the arm and hammer this week though for everyone elses clothing. It's on sale and I have a coupon.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Tide is too harsh for my family. We use All Free and Clear.

 

[lucyem]

We use Biokleen. Works great and better for the environment.

 

[jgreco]

Tide also makes my families bodies smell weird after we've been outside.

It's just an awful rusty smell. It took awhile to figure out what made us "stink". We used to always say "ugh, you smell like outside!"

I use Wisk now. Since we have an "He" machine, so I am interested on anyone's findings on a good, inexpensive "He" formula

 

[reagan75]

I love, love, love Arm & Hammer with Oxyclean! I recently discovered it and so happy I did. And you can't beat the price.

 

[JandJ]

I've tried most of the free & clear products, not Arm & Hammer yet, but none of the ones I tried cleaned the clothes as well as Tide. Next time A&H is on sale or I have a good coupon, I'll give it a try - thanks for the tip, OP! I use Tide Free (powder) because I know it doesn't give me a rash, it cleans the clothes really well, and it doesn't smell - I like to smell like my perfume, not laundry detergent

 

[hercamore]

I switched from tide free powder to watkins powder. I cannot believe how soft our clothes are now. Watkins is available at target. Use one small scoop per load.

 

[kelcoppens]

To each their own I guess. I tried Arm & Hammer w/oxiclean once back in the Fall, and it was awful!! There were still stains in the clothes! I have a 4 year old so they arent difficult stains to get out (usually chocolate, pasta sauce, juice, etc). So I wont ever waste my money on that crap again. I used to use Purex when we had our old regular washer, but I have trouble finding the HE brand for Purex so I have switched to All and love it!

 

[Mickey527]

I have always been a Tide "snob'. My boss used to comment on how great all my uniforms smelled, tide, Downy, and hanging on the clothesline.
But now that I am disabled and getting SSDI I just can't afford the expense of Tide. I get the Tandil brand at Aldi's in the orange bottle and it is about as close to Tide as I can find. I also use the Mountain Fresh softener at Aldi's too. Haven't had the chance to hang clothes on the line with this lousy snowy weather but spring is coming soon and all my clothes go on the line from spring to about October.

 

[platamama]

After using Tide for years, I switched to Kirkland, and now I've switched back to Tide. DH has overproductive oil glands and our closet was stinking - I think the Kirkland brand wasn't getting it all out, or maybe because it wasn't perfumed like Tide, the closet was stinky. Anyway, I'm back to Tide and I think it's helping with the smell. But I might try A&H next.

 

[ceecee]

I think a lot depends on your water and water softener. When we had city water at our old house I could use anything. Now with well water, I do notice a difference and I like Tide the best.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

If you are a Costco member the Kirkland brand is good.

Love this stuff. We use the liquid, and it is just as good as Tide, IMO.

 

[sherry7]

Am I the only person here that DOESN'T like to smell like laundry detergent and fabric softener? Just wondering, because so many of you mention the smell of the products. To each their own, but I prefer clothes that smell neutral. I splurge once a year on a bottle of expensive perfume, and I'd rather smell like that.

I started using Sears powdered HE detergent a few years ago. A huge box (275 loads) is normally $26.99, but it goes on sale a few times a year for $19.99, which makes it around 7 cents per load. It isn't unscented, but I can never smell a scent on my clothes (which I prefer). I use it on everything from baby clothes to DH's filthy, greasy work clothes and it gets everything clean and neutral smelling. It doesn't suds much, but HE detergents aren't supposed to.

They also make it in liquid form, but I prefer powdered detergents. This is the one that I buy: http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/03...n=1&qlt=90,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0

 

[DawnM]

I loved Tide too, but now I am make my own!

I spent about $3-$4 over a year ago and I just now finished it and made a new batch today. It should last another year or more!

Dawn

 

[luvmy3]

Am I the only person here that DOESN'T like to smell like laundry detergent and fabric softener? Just wondering, because so many of you mention the smell of the products. To each their own, but I prefer clothes that smell neutral. I splurge once a year on a bottle of expensive perfume, and I'd rather smell like that.

I started using Sears powdered HE detergent a few years ago. A huge box (275 loads) is normally $26.99, but it goes on sale a few times a year for $19.99, which makes it around 7 cents per load. It isn't unscented, but I can never smell a scent on my clothes (which I prefer). I use it on everything from baby clothes to DH's filthy, greasy work clothes and it gets everything clean and neutral smelling. It doesn't suds much, but HE detergents aren't supposed to.

They also make it in liquid form, but I prefer powdered detergents. This is the one that I buy: http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/03...n=1&qlt=90,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0

You can get for $11.99 a few times a year too, thats when I usually stock up. However since I have had my front loader I have noticed that it tends to fade my clothes faster so I only use it on whites. I have gone back to Tide for everything else. I'm pretty cheap though maybe I'll try it in liquid form to see if doesn't fade my clothes.

 

[Ephany]

We use the Costco (Kirkland) ultra free and clear. We switched from Tide a few years ago and have had no problems with it. There's a coupon in the coupon book this month also.

 

[squirrel]

I use ECOS its all natural magnolia and lily it is from Sams or Costco huge jugs lasts 2 or 3 months depends i do tons of laundry only need half cap full its really good like its all natural good environment nice smell to .

That's what I use! I even got my sister and BIL hooked on it as it's much cheaper than Tide and they have a new HE washer so they save even more. My BIL could only use Tide as he got rashes from other laundry soaps, until I found ECOS.

It does 210 HE washes and 105 standard loads.

It's also at Canadian Tire, up here in Canada.

 

[Leader of the Club]

I use ECOS its all natural magnolia and lily it is from Sams or Costco huge jugs lasts 2 or 3 months depends i do tons of laundry only need half cap full its really good like its all natural good environment nice smell to .

I bought a big bottle at Sam's in August and there is still about a 1/3 left. (5 in my family.) I do a lot of laundry, too!

It really does the job, doesn't irritate anyone's skin (eczema) and was only about $12.

 

[mrsg00fy]

I have always found TIDE to be FAR superior to other brands. That said, we started to use the COSTCO brand because we heard that it was made by the same manufacturer. It is a few dollars cheaper, and we have found it to be a very reliable brand. It works as well as TIDE.

All that said, I have never found another brand to be as good.