laundry tablets

[boardwalk prof]

Well, only 12 days until we hit BWV. I remember someone talking about taking laundry tablets for the washer. Can anyone tell me a brand name and perhaps a place to purchase them? I tried Wal-Mart and Target with no luck. We will be staying a couple of weeks and will do many loads of laundry(3 kids) so would like to try something new. Any help appreciated.

 

[JudithM]

Don't forget the dryer sheets! I save plastic soda bottles (16 & 20 oz. size) & fill them with my liquid detergent & all purpose bleach. We drive so it isn't a problem to carry them. After I use the bottles, I recyle them at WDW.

 

[WDWLVR]

I use the Tide tablets and they work great. They are pre-measured so you just open up a pack and drop the two tablets in. I've used them both at BWV and also on the cruise. In a sandwich bag I can fit enough tables and dryer sheets for 4 loads of wash!

 

[boardwalk prof]

Thanks for the quick replies. I will look for the Tide tablets. I already have my dryer sheets and stain stick. We are flying, so trying to keep "accidental" spills to a minimum.

 

[robinb]

I use the Surf tablets since I don't like the Tide smell. If you're planning to do a lot of laundry, you just might want to wait until you are there and buy detergent at the store. That way you can get the kind that you like.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, the tablets work well, but they are not mess free in the suitcase!

Most grocery stores around here (MInnesota) have them, and I was sure Target did too.

 

[Pumbaa_]

When we go in September we are doing a grocery store stop and plan on stopping for some basics.

I really prefer fabric softener in the wash to the sheets for the dryer. Do the washing machines have the doohickey for the fabric softener or should I get a downy ball? (I have a front load at home that has these cool spots for everything!)

 

[scootert]

Purex also makes detergent tablets. I always pack tablets in a zip lock bag -- they tend to crumble -- this keeps everything contained. The washing machines don't have a dispenser for softener, so you'll need the downy ball.

 

[mickey7861]

I've used the Purex, Tide, and Wisk tablets...all work fine. I buy mine at Walmart. I through them into a zip loc bag even though they're already wrapped ....just incase.

 

[llp479]

I've used the Wisk tablets. I also throw in a stain stick, and dye magnet sheets, in addition to the dryer sheets.

 

[boardwalk prof]

Well, I found them at ShopKo. Will definately put them in a ziploc for mess control. Now just trying to decide how much laundry we will actually do. We will be there for 14 days with three kids. Would like to take just 8-9 days worth of clothes and wash up for the second week. But also realize that I will probably do towels several times to.

Really, I am just getting excited about going "home." We will be there in 11 days.

 

[robinb]

The Surf tables are mess free! Each set of tablets is pre-packaged in a little plastic bag. Then, I put them into ziplocks with the fabric sheets.

Pumbaa_, I'm not sure if the machines have automatic softener dispenser. I would bring the ball just in case.

 

[Lesley]

We generally go the the supermarket when we get to FL to get things like detergent. The shop at BWV only carries Surf (and maybe Tide) in small, expensive boxes. Strangely, using unfamiliar detergent seems to make our clothes feel and smell weird...so next time I'm making sure to pick up our usual detergent at the Winn Dixie! And Surf fades things really badly....

To save space in our van we only take 3-4 days worth of clothes and wash them every evening ...it works out pretty well because the loads are small and easier to get folded/put away and it doesn't take a large block of time like doing several days worth of laundry at once.

 

[FrozenPiglet]

We went in March (stayed in 1 bdrm OKW) and took way too many clothes. With the washer and dryer my DD just kept re-wearing her favorite outfits. So just like Lesley, we did laundry each day or two, but it wasn't bad because the loads were small. DD and I (DH isn't a big fan of hot weather)are going again in July so we will take a lot less clothes. With that many traveling by plane you may want to think about every possible way to decrease the amount you pack. We made a stop at Publix and Walgreens and got all of the stuff we needed, including laundry detergent. If you are not renting a car you can take one of the car services (like Happy Limo) and they will make a 15-minute shopping stop for you.

Have a great time!

 

[downontheBW]

I'll second the remark of taking 3-4 days worth of clothes and washing often. On vacation, I tend to wash every other day. That way it doesn't pile up. I don't like to pack much either; I hate lugging big suitcases around and it make it easier to find everything.

I just used the Wisk tablets on our trip across Arizona and Utah last week. 8 days and 7 different hotels and the individual plastic wrappers didn't break. Next time I'll put them in another baggy, though, just in case.

The tablets are nice, too, since you don't have to carry a heavy detergent bottle or box to and from the laundry area. I'm giving them to my son to take to college for the same reason.

Wow, two weeks! Have a great trip!

 

[DVCajun]

The Tide tablets are individually packaged too, so they're easy to pack and mess free. We love them! Makes bringing laundry supplies a breeze. Believe me, no one wants to pay the prices they charge for the little boxes at the laundrymat!

 

[Windermere]

I usually just take my regular detergent powder - measure it out for one load and put in whatever other booster (oxyclean, biz, clorox II) then throw each measured 'dose' in a snack size ziploc bag. It has worked out great for us on the cruises cause I also have a baggie full off quarters packed in there. Throw in dryer sheets and a colapsable laundry basket and even DH is willing to help.

 

[sumessefui]

Just wanted to say that I found the tablets in the CVS drug store. They were with all those little bottles of stuff you take when traveling. They were individually boxed for 1 load of laundry and had bleach in them.

 

[vbousk]

I purchased my tablets at CVS pharmacy, they sell the trial size, there were 2 in each pkg. Try any of your local pharmacies or even your local grocery in the trial aisle.