Laundry Detergent - Greenville,TX

Updated on September 21, 2010
K.D. asks from Greenville, TX
11 answers

I would prefer to use a detergent that is free of dyes and perfumes for my family's laundry. When I use "All Free and Clear" my laundry does not smell clean. I am not wanting a perfumed smell, just for my laundry to smell like its washed. Has anyone tried "Tide Free"? I also noticed that when I wash clothes with Dreft, it doesn't do the job either. Let me know what works for you.
TIA

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A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

Add vinegar to the wash, about a cup per load. It will help get rid of lingering smells. I also really like Charlie's Soap, which has no perfumes or dyes, but everything comes out smelling clean.

Updated

Add vinegar to the wash, about a cup per load. It will help get rid of lingering smells. I also really like Charlie's Soap, which has no perfumes or dyes, but everything comes out smelling clean.

2 moms found this helpful

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M.C.

answers from Detroit on

I'm using the Arm & Hammer Sensitive detergent that doesn't have any dye or fragrance. My clothes smell and look clean, so it does the job for a fraction of the cost of higher priced brands.

1 mom found this helpful

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

I use Costco's Kirkland brand free and clear liquid and put white vinegar is my fabric softener compartment. I have several tennis balls in the dryer. Even spit up and thrown up on stuff smells fine when it's done.

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

Fragrance free means you lose that clean linen smell. Our moms got that smell by hanging outside on the line - wind and sunshine did it. If you just miss the clean linen smell you may need to add a dryer sheet. But, If there are lingering odors and you want to be all natural - you could add baking soda or vinegar to the wash.

Updated

Fragrance free means you lose that clean linen smell. Our moms got that smell by hanging outside on the line - wind and sunshine did it. If you just miss the clean linen smell you may need to add a dryer sheet. But, If there are lingering odors and you want to be all natural - you could add baking soda or vinegar to the wash.

S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

I use All free and clear as well, and I honestly don't think you are going to get that "smell" you are after unless you use the ones with perfumes and dyes. I have tried!

I like to add vinegar to my wash every now and again, and then I add a fabric softener to the dryer and I think the clothes smell pretty good. Maybe you could try a nice fabric softener as well. You could always hang the clothes out to dry, but I am not sure how many hours you have in your day! I sure don't have time for that. Lol.

Good luck!

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M.T.

answers from Dallas on

You know, I think it is the water around here that leaves the clothes smelling not so great, especially at certain times of the year. I make my own laundry detergent but before that I used the store bought "free and clear" type detergent and the smell has always been pretty consistent. I'll use baking soda and vinegar to boost, but I tend to throw that in more often when if I am washing a loads of sports laundry.
Typically if I open the washer and it has that familiar dirt smell, I'll just do a vinegar rinse before drying. They always smell clean when they are dry.

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J.B.

answers from Dallas on

I like my laundry soap because it is bio-degradable so is good for the environment and will not pollute the streams and waterways as many others do. Is someone at your house sensitive and that is why you are wanting to not have the dyes and perfumes? My laundry soap does a great job without eating away at my clothes which is why many do a good job.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

I've used the "alternate" detergents for years, and find that BioKleen and Ecover are the two brands that I like the best. Both usually do a fine job by themselves, but there are a few inexpensive additives that can enhance my results:

Baking soda or washing soda are natural "sweeteners" with no smell of their own. They just help boost cleaning action and get out body oils and sweat. 1/4 to I cup per load, as needed.

Seriously smelly clothes get an additional 1/4 to 1/2 cup of borax, which also kills the kinds of mold and mildew that tend to grow in washing machines between loads, and can add their own musty smells to the wash. Borax actually smells sort of sweet, but a clean sweetness, not a perfume. It is somewhat toxic and a lung irritant, so be careful not to inhale the dust.

Up to one cup of white vinegar in the final rinse further deodorizes and cleans, removes detergent residue, and because it is slightly acidic, also softens the clothes without the toxins of fabric softeners. I also sometimes use vinegar in the wash cycle instead of soda (but not the two together, because they will neutralize each other).

If my light colors need a bit of brightening, there's a non-chlorine bleach made from concentrated hydrogen peroxide. This also kills germs effectively, as it does on wounds (but this concentrated form should never be used on the skin). It turns into water and oxygen as it breaks down, with no long-term hazard to the environment like chlorine.

Experiment with these, and I'll bet you'll find a combination that gives you a non-toxic and good-smelling wash. Over time, you'll get a sense of when an extra boost will be useful for different kinds of loads.

L.M.

answers from Dover on

Mela Power. You can get Unscented or Frest Scent. It doesn't contain all the chemicals and carcinogens that most of the others contain but it cleans even better.

Let me know if you want more info.

C.C.

answers from Fresno on

I've started using Method laundry detergent. They do make an unscented one. It works really well! It just takes 4 squirts from the little pump, and that's all it needs to get a whole big load of laundry clean. I also use Tide laundry booster (less messy than Clorox 2, which I used to use) and that makes the clothes smell clean (not perfumey though).

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M.S.

answers from Appleton on

I just started using Tide Free and I really like it! It doesn't have a perfumey-scent when clothes are washed, but they definitely smell clean. I know what you mean- when I washed my daughter's clothes in Dreft, they never smelled clean either.

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