What laundry detergent do you use?

[Aryanna&BiancasMommy]

I typically use All Free and Clear. However, I also have bought regular All and Tide... Didn't care too much for Purex as I didn't feel that it cleaned well. I use way less than the recommended amount... Now if I could only get dh to learn to use less... He tries to help, but he does not understand you don't have to use the max load in the HE detergent to get our clothes clean LOL

 

[DawnM]

I use the same with a front loader.

Dawn

I make my own for our front loading washer. Fels Naptha, washing soda and borax. Works terrific! I also use white vinegar for softener. Had to switch from TIDE and Downy when dd was diagnosed with eczema. She grew up, moved out and but STILL use that!

 

[The Running Ann]

For a long time, I've used Tide (HE) and just use very little of it, even as little as a fourth or a third of the recommended amount. This is usually fine unless something is very dirty. I also think that the lesser amount of detergent is better for the clothes since there is less soap build up.

In the past, I have found that if I switched to a less expensive detergent, I ended up using more and there was really no savings.

 

[100AcreWood]

I wait for a sale at Sears and buy a huge box of their HE detergent. It's awesome and it normally lasts 6 months or more. We run a load at day at least.

Also, I use less than recommended.

 

[KDIPIAZZ]

I wait for a sale at Sears and buy a huge box of their HE detergent. It's awesome and it normally lasts 6 months or more. We run a load at day at least.

Also, I use less than recommended.

I like Sears brand detergent. I prefer the powdered variety (HE), but it also comes in liquid. The powdered is less expensive per load. The normal price is $24 for 180 loads, but it goes on sale for around $15 or $16 a couple of times a year.

Another vote for Sears detergent from another who does at least one load per day. I buy 2 boxes a year. Can't recommend it enough and I switched from Persil, which is a high-end, very effective detergent.

 

[eatatmidnight]

I normally buy All Free and Clear because it is the only "Free" detergent that does not serioulsy aggrivate my dd eczema. I had no idea that the homemade, with borax, would be ok for people with eczema.
Would you mind sharing your recipe?

I make my own for our front loading washer. Fels Naptha, washing soda and borax. Works terrific! I also use white vinegar for softener. Had to switch from TIDE and Downy when dd was diagnosed with eczema. She grew up, moved out and but STILL use that!

 

[Missy29]

Always use Tide.

 

[charming23]

I use either All free and clear or Purex Clear. I have sensitivities to many detergents (Tide makes me break out in hives) and have found that these work best.

I use vinegar though as fabric softner

 

[AllyBri]

Arm and Hammer for sensitive skin.

 

[rcraw45425]

Tide for everything but DHs stuff. He seems to have become sensitive to it in the elastic of his underwear and in his shirts. For him I use Cheer Free. Tide for sheets and towels as it cleans better.

 

[ZPT1022]

Rockin Green. I discovered it for my cloth diapers and it worked well and worked well with my HE machine so I started using it for everything. It gets all our clothes super clean, even DH's work clothes which can be gross at times. 1 tablespoon does an entire load so it lasts forever.

 

[Evi]

Nellies laundry detergent. I've been using nellies for the last 5 years and wouldn't use another laundry detergent. I use method dryer sheets.

 

[staceyhzoo]

Charlies.

I started using it for cloth diapers and love it! Kiddos and DH have sensitive skin and it is one of few that doesn't make them itch.

 

[Sandy321]

Oxyclean helps a lot too. You could try throwing in a scoop of that with whatever detergent you use. During lacrosse, I have to use Oxyclean and Tide.

its harder and harder to find detergent with out that annoying "HE" designation and imho - it does not get clothes clean!

oxyclean, and borax do a great job boosting - but if I have to add booster, I go for cheap!

 

[stargazer2892]

I use only use Tide for my clothes and DH's non work clothes simply because out of all the detergents I find it works the best, however i use WAY less then recommended and it will last the two of us about 7 months. For an extra large load I use less then the small load and I let all clothes soak at least 20 min. On Dh's work pants I find Arm and Hammer works well on the "food gunk" and helps them not smell as bad. I also use Oxyclean as a booster and on his pants vinegar as a softener. I also only use Downy but again way less then suggested. Now when DS comes I may switch over to a free and clear just for convenience of it.

 

[phred52]

I normally buy All Free and Clear because it is the only "Free" detergent that does not serioulsy aggrivate my dd eczema. I had no idea that the homemade, with borax, would be ok for people with eczema.
Would you mind sharing your recipe?

It's easy. I make a batch with 2 cups borax, 2 cups washing soda (found in the laundry aisle) and 2 bars fels naptha. I unwrap the fels naptha and let it sit and harden on a shelf ahead of time. ( I buy 2 bars and open them but use the 2 bars that have been sitting there while the prior batch gets used up)

Cut 1 bar of soap into smallish chunks and put that and 1 cup each of borax and washing soda into a food processor. Whirl it around till its all mixed up and fels naptha is teeny tiny pieces. Repeat. That's it. Use 1 tablespoon per load. If its a really big and dirty load of my DH's work clothes, I'll throw in 2 tablespoons.

 

[ceemys]

I make my own. Love it!! and super cheap. Borax, Washing soda, naptha and hot water. I also make my own dishwashing detergent.

 

[A&Bmama]

I unwrap the fels naptha and let it sit and harden on a shelf ahead of time.

I use the same recipe and also let the bars harden!! I find drying the bars out in the open air causes them to grate into finer pieces that are more easily disolved in the wash water.

I much prefer the powdered version over the homemade liquid but the liquid is more economical.

For any Canadians reading, you can substitute sunlight laundry bar soap for the fels naptha since fels naptha is not available here. I have used both bars and both are very good. I prefer the fels naptha since the bar is a little larger and the soap is a little harder but if you preharden the sunlight soap it works very well in the powdered version. If you prefer to try the liquid recipe there is really no need to harden the soap.

 

[girli565]

I don't have a front load washer but I use Wisk Deep Clean. It is the best detergent I've used in a long time. It is always on sale at Walmart and Target (the big bottle) and 4-5 times a year there's $1 off coupon in the sunday paper. i use it to spot treat and I even mix it with a bit of water in a spray bottle and use it like spray & wash. It's amazing!

 

[billwendy]

I also make my own powdered- borax, washing soda, baking soda and a bar of dove grated and some generic oxyclean. I think I got the recipe on here 2 years ago! I use 2 Tbsp /load.

I have a top loader, but was wondering - how would you know if it was goot for a HE Machine and also for a septic system?