Thread Number: 79729  /  Tag: Detergents and Additives
Looking for a new laundry detergent
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Post# 1036300   6/24/2019 at 19:29 (1,738 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

So I finally have ran out of the Sears Ultra Plus powder I've been using for the last 10 years or so. I had to do laundry today, so bought a small box of Tide Original Scent powder at Target.

I do not like it very well. The scent is about as much like original Tide as a Ford Focus is like a Model T. It has a very candy-like (Sweet-Tarts) smell, which stayed on the items after drying. I also noticed it made way more suds, and there were more suds in the final rinse than the Sears detergent made in the wash cycle. Therefore, I won't buy it again.

I'd like a product in a bucket, one that doesn't leave a scent, and is low-sudsing. I looked online and saw Boardwalk Huracan 40, and it had a lot of positive reviews, as did the other Boardwalk powder. I also thinking about institutional formula All, professional Purex, or perhaps the institutional Tide multi-purpose. Have any of you used any of these detergents? Nearly everything in the stores has too much of a strong fragrance - I want my things to smell clean, not like flowers or candy.





Post# 1036302 , Reply# 1   6/24/2019 at 19:59 (1,738 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA)        

iowabear's profile picture

I use the Tide HE with Bleach powder (harder to find, in my area only at Walmart.)  I also don't like the sweet scent, but I don't really notice it much after drying.  It's *nothing* compared to the scent all of the Tide liquids leave behind which are too much for me.

 

If my Tide HE with Bleach powder disappears, or changes and becomes too strongly scented, I will switch to Tide Ultra Stain Release Free liquid, which I believe is only at Target.

 

Imagine that a lot of people are mixing a highly scented detergent with a non-complimentary highly scented fabric softener...and that explains some of the horrible smells coming out of random dryer vents when I walk around the neighborhood!


Post# 1036307 , Reply# 2   6/24/2019 at 20:43 (1,738 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

lowefficiency's profile picture

>> I'd like a product in a bucket, one that doesn't leave a scent,
...
>> Nearly everything in the stores has too much of a strong fragrance -
>> I want my things to smell clean, not like flowers or candy.


You actually just described two different categories of detergents...

Most of our "It smells clean!" reactions are triggered by scents and fragrances.

Truly unscented detergents leave clothes smelling like... nothing. Just that they come out of the wash and don't smell "bad" anymore. They won't give you that specific "Clean! Fresh!" reaction when you smell them, because they don't have those fragrances we associate with those conditions.


Post# 1036310 , Reply# 3   6/24/2019 at 21:07 (1,738 days old) by luxflairguy (Wilmington NC)        

I have to agree with Jim!  Tide HE with Bleach is what I'm using after the demise of Persil powder.  Everything comes out looking great load after load!  Greg


Post# 1036318 , Reply# 4   6/24/2019 at 21:48 (1,738 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
I’ve been using Tide HE liquid with Bleach Alternative for the last several months and have been very pleased with the consistently clean, stain free laundry, especially the whites. I don’t find that it leaves much of a scent at all and it rinses thoroughly with just one rinse. So far its the best I’ve found.

Eddie


Post# 1036322 , Reply# 5   6/24/2019 at 22:53 (1,738 days old) by Mrsalvo (New Braunfels Texas)        

How about All Free & Clear? I used it for quite a while when I had a horrid experience with a popular brand. It cleaned well.

Barry


Post# 1036327 , Reply# 6   6/25/2019 at 02:26 (1,738 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        

There's a liquid Persil that looks and smells like Elmer's glue.

It's my husband's favorite and I have to admit (Never let him know I said that, LOL) it's a very good detergent.

And there's also Rosalie's Zero Suds, which is far superior than anything else on the market.


Post# 1036329 , Reply# 7   6/25/2019 at 03:28 (1,738 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

toploader55's profile picture
Rosalie's or Persil Universal Powder in the 80 or 100 load box.

Amazon 50 Loads... www.amazon.com/Persil-Pow...


Post# 1036346 , Reply# 8   6/25/2019 at 07:37 (1,737 days old) by polkanut (Wausau, WI )        

polkanut's profile picture

I've seen good things posted on here over the years about Kirkland detergent from Costco.


Post# 1036354 , Reply# 9   6/25/2019 at 10:52 (1,737 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

I'm definitely not interested in a liquid product. I've found that powder seems to be better in removing ground in dirt, as my socks tend to get mud on them when hiking in the woods. My sister uses both powder and liquid detergents. Her husband is a farmer, so liquid for clothes that get greasy when he works on machinery, and powder for muddy items.

I'd also like something less expensive than Tide or Persil, which I tried a few years ago, and wasn't overly impressed. The Rosalie's is something I've wanted to try, but evidently is currently out of stock.
The Ultra Plus was reasonably priced, and I'm looking for something in that range.

The Kirkland that Tim mentions sounds good, but I don't currently have a Costco card. I think one of my friends uses that detergent, so will ask him to loan me a few cups to try.

Thanks for the replies, and I'd like to hear any more suggestions.


Post# 1036388 , Reply# 10   6/25/2019 at 22:13 (1,737 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA)        

iowabear's profile picture

I looked up Costco and Kirkland only has liquid and pods now.

 

Home Depot sells Arm & Hammer with Oxi powder in 215 load bucket for $27.  That's about half the cost of the Tide HE with Bleach powder.  Has excellent user reviews on their site.  CR didn't rate the powder, but rated the liquid version of this in the middle of pack. 

 

Something like this might be the closest thing to the Sears powder.

 

I've resigned myself to the fact that powders are going to disappear.  I just hope I'm not forced to use pods like I am for the dishwasher.  For dishwashers, the pods outperform everything else, hand down.



CLICK HERE TO GO TO IowaBear's LINK

Post# 1036389 , Reply# 11   6/25/2019 at 22:40 (1,737 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

I've been using Tide pods for a few years now, nothing but happy with them.  See no downside.


Post# 1036400 , Reply# 12   6/26/2019 at 02:19 (1,737 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

Same here...Tide botanical rain pods...leaves a nice fragrance that is complimentary with the blue Walmart fabric softener...but I usually like fragrance if it's not too strong.  And I've yet to find any kind of build up residue in my Miele or Asko.  Whites get Mexican Ariel powder or Bold powder with yellow Suavitel.


Post# 1036413 , Reply# 13   6/26/2019 at 07:31 (1,736 days old) by dermacie (my forever home (Glenshaw, PA))        

dermacie's profile picture
I had a love affair with the Persil Pearls powder but unfortunately it has gone from the shelves. I use powder on whites only and I switched back to Tide powder from Sam's the big box for 29 dollars.

Post# 1036422 , Reply# 14   6/26/2019 at 09:32 (1,736 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA)        
My Issue with Pods

iowabear's profile picture

is that you can't dose them for different sized loads or different sized machines.

 

At least in the case of dishwashers, most of them (excepting the 18" and drawers) are the same size.

 

Washers are all different sizes.  Most people use their washers for years and get a feel for how much detergent works for them.


Post# 1036432 , Reply# 15   6/26/2019 at 14:32 (1,736 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

In my FL Duet 1 pod is the norm, if it's a big load 2.  Most people use too much detergent.


Post# 1036442 , Reply# 16   6/26/2019 at 16:39 (1,736 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

lowefficiency's profile picture

>> IowaBear wrote:
>> I've resigned myself to the fact that powders are going to disappear.
>> I just hope I'm not forced to use pods like I am for the dishwasher.

We're not anywhere near that point yet!

For specialty detergents, try checking out local stores that sell baby or cloth diapering supplies. There are still plenty of great options that come in powder form, they just aren't as mainstream as they used to be.


Post# 1036466 , Reply# 17   6/27/2019 at 03:02 (1,736 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

"In my FL Duet 1 pod is the norm, if it's a big load 2.  Most people use too much detergent."

 

Me too...for the Miele anyway.  Very very full gets 2 Tide turbo pods.  The Asko is smaller so only one is ever required.  


Post# 1036590 , Reply# 18   6/28/2019 at 12:59 (1,734 days old) by Stan (Napa CA)        
Hi Tom

stan's profile picture
Since most powdered detergents contain a fair amount of washing soda...which makes for a more alkaline situation in the wash cycle..and thats what your use to, you may have to try a "work around"
Maybe find a non scented liquid detergent and add a small amount (1/4 cup) of washing soda, and or Borax to boost alkalinity. With using a liquid detergent, you could also try just adding OxyClean which would give some washing soda and percarbonate that the Sears product probably contained.
Let us know what you find it come up with that works as a replacement for the Sears product.


Post# 1036595 , Reply# 19   6/28/2019 at 16:09 (1,734 days old) by Charlye37 (Kentucky)        
looking for a new laundry detg. (powder)

Hello Tom,
I to had a terrible time finding a laundry detergent that I liked. I wanted something that did a good job on ground in farm dirt, was a powder, had no sent,
dissolved quickly even in cold water, did not leave a residue, did not require a
second rinse, would not harm delicate sensitive skin, and wouldn't harm my S.Q.
I found it by accident. I was given a gag gift a couple of years ago for
Christmas. One of the items in the box was a small box of laundry detergent. A
few weeks later when I needed to do laundry, I remembered the gag gift. So after
reading the instructions, and going online to read the reviews I gave it a try.
I was hooked after doing just two loads. And I love the fact that I do not have
to use any type of fabric softener in the winter time. It's called "Nellie's All
Natural Laundry Soda". You only need to use one small scoop that comes in the big
plastic container. I use two scoops on my heavy soiled farm clothes. It does
contain borax the rep told me when I contacted the company before I made a
purchase. But I prefer that. I have used borax for years, and my Mother always
added that to her Tide laundry powder in the 50's, 60's & 70's. They now make
it with Oxi-laundry boosters which I like even better. I have also noticed that
my clothes are no longer fading like they used to after twenty or so washings.
You can only buy it on HSN shopping channel. I waited and bought mine when it was
their value of the day. I buy the 16 lb. plastic tub, and have it on auto-ship
indefinitely. They do sell smaller sizes. And if you want extra softening for your
clothes, they sell the Nellie's Dryer Balls made from lambs wool. I bought them
and they work. I just don't like the banging noise they make in the dryer, so I
stopped using them. I could rave on and on about Nellie's. I have even given it
to friends and they all are now using it. I think the cost comes out to about
five cents a load. If you would like to check it out further, go to their
website. It's: www.nelliesallnatural.com... Oh, it's good for HE front loaders to.
Charlye37



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