Good Laundry Detergents?

Updated on May 10, 2009
B.R. asks from Grimes, IA
16 answers

Hi Ladies:) I use All Free & Clear, and I've been noticing that our clothes don't seem to be getting as clean lately. I like the lack of dyes and such; and it also doesn't use petroleum, which I've read is bad for elastics. However, it doesn't seem to be getting the job done! I noticed that a couple people have recommended Charley's Soap on other posts, so I was thinking about trying that -- if you have any experience on it, I'd be glad to hear it! Any other brands or tips you have would be great. We have two dogs and two cats, and one 18 month little boy who is already getting grass stains! Thanks for your input!

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Thank you all so much for your help. It's nice to hear about different things that work! I really appreciate your responses!

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C.P.

answers from Eau Claire on

I use MelaPower by Melaleuca. It works very well and is great for people with sensitive skin and even excema. It isn't sold in stores, but if you'd like information about how to order it online, let me know, and I'd be happy to share the details with you.

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E.H.

answers from Madison on

grrr... Grass stains! My daughter is 6, and she has them DAILY! I told more careful and not fall, my husband told me "she's only 6!" :) As for stains I LOVE Shout Spray (not the stick one), that works pretty good.

As for Laundry detergent, I have always been a fan of tide.

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C.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

I've been making my own laundry detergent for over 2 years, and I love it. It's just equal parts of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, grated Fels Naptha Soap, and Borax. You only need 1-2 tablespoons per load. There are no sudsing agents in this detergent, so it doesn't bubble up.

I also wash everything in cold water. IME, cold water actually works better at removing stains and odors.

And I use 1/2 cup of white vinegar in each load. White vinegar is a natural fabric softener, and it is an odor neutralizer. No, your clothes won't smell vinegary, in fact, they will lack any smell at all. I add the vinegar to the washer as it's filling up with water.

I use this detergent on everything from cloth diapers to my husband's work clothes to my frilly unmentionables. I will never use commercial detergent again. Nothing works as good, and this is super cheap to make. Grating the Fels Naptha is a little tedious, but you can pawn the task off onto your kids or husband. ;-) I make 3-4 months worth a time and keep it in a tupperware container.

[Arm & Hammer "Washing Soda" is NOT the same as baking soda. It comes in a bright yellow box and is sold with other "laundry aids" and stain removers. Fels Naptha is a bar laundry soap. I also use it as a stain pre-treater. It's amazing! Fels Naptha can be hard to find. I buy mine at a grocery store. I think Wal-Mart carries it, but Target does not. Borax is available anywhere, and is either going to also be by laundry aids or in the cleaning products aisle.]

3 moms found this helpful
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S.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm?f=ps.categoryPage&a....

I'm not sure if that link will work in here, but that is a link to what I use (MelaPower). The link is to the big container, but they have smaller containers, I never get the big one, I just couldn't find the link.
It works better than what I used before and its completely green. Oh and it lasts longer than most other detergents. Chad's family has a hairy smelly dog and when we go over there we always leave smelling like dog and it takes the smell right out.

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L.M.

answers from Des Moines on

I used to use the free and clear too, but then purex (dont usually like this brand AT ALL) started making a more natural kind with natural scents, too. Apple melon or something, it comes in a translucent green container. I use that with a 2 drops each tea tree and lavender oils and 4 drops lemon oil. Only essential oils and not synthetic fragrences. I wouldn't use the lemon or tea tree for the new baby, but lavender is fine for babies. Also, I don't use bleach, I use peroxide. I don't know if you're really supposed to or not, but I always have with the whites, baking soda, too. Sounds silly, I know, but they come out just as clean and smell MUCH nicer without using a bunch of harmful chemicals.

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B.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

We use TIDE and I have 2 kids with eczema and doesn't effect them at all. Tide is the only soap that does keep up with my family,stains,and get's the dirt out.

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S.W.

answers from Wausau on

B.,

Congratulations on your new baby!

I found a laundry detergent that I absolutely love! It is free of harsh chemicals, and is very concentrated so you only need a little bit in each load, so it lasts a really long time. Message me if you would like more info.

S.

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D.R.

answers from Tampa on

I would recommend switching to an online, catalog store that I've been shopping with for 2 years. Their products are all free of phosphates, chlorine bleach, ammonia, and known carcinogens. They also help to reduce asthma, allergy, and eczema triggers in your home, and are competitively priced with grocery store brands.
Their laundry detergent is 6x concentrated and they also have a product for HE washers. The advanced technology prevents dirt from redepositing on your clothes as they're washing, and is just as effective in cold water vs warm or hot.
I absolutely love this store because I not only save money, but also can testify to the health benefits I've seen for myself and my family. Because of this, I choose to show others how they can also shop at this store. I am not a distributor and I do not sell products, but I can tell you more about this store and show you how to shop there as well.
New customers also receive $100 toward free products. It's a win-win. Hard to beat that with this tough economy!
If you'd like to know more, you may visit my website:
www.HealthyShoppingHealthySavings.com

Have a great day!
D.

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J.V.

answers from Milwaukee on

I use SA8 Sensitive laundry detergent. It is made by Amway. I do know a distributor if you would like to try some.

We are a household of very sensitive skinned people and this laundry detergent is the only "on the market" that does not negatively effect our skin.

J.

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S.H.

answers from Milwaukee on

Get Clean products from Shaklee are Always Green, Always Safe, and Always Works!
www.shaklee.net/healthier_lives
FREE MEMBERSHIP through May 15, 2009
Shaklee Baby ~ new
Shaklee Kids ~ new

I really do love Shaklee products and its a way for me to earn income while staying home.
I would love to chat more...
~S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.K.

answers from Green Bay on

I love Charlie's soap! We originally just used it on the cloth diapers, but we've switched over to using it for our laundry as well. I use drier balls with lavender if i want to add a little scent to the clothes. (Because, personally, I like scented laundry soap - but I know it's not as good). If you buy in bulk, Charley's soap has discounted or free shipping - just in case it's not sold around you. We don't have it in stores here, so I buy online.
A few great things about Charlie's Soap:
it is good for both top loader and HE (front loader) machines
you only need a small amount to do a load
it doesn't leave residue (very clean rinsing)
it's a good bargain, cost-wise
it's a small, family-owned company

Next to making your own, Charlie's Soap would probably be the best for your skin and your laundry!

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L.G.

answers from Milwaukee on

i use the purex free and clear and like it a lot. its cheapest in the big bottle at target. 9.99! good luck

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A.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

I absolutely LOVE Charley's soap. There is an excellent deal online (I think I went through amazon.com) where you can buy a 5 gallon bucket of it for about $135. There are over 1200 loads of detergent in that bucket...SO much cheaper than other detergent I had been buying. Plus, Charley's works great! I highly recommend it!

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J.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My girlfriend uses Charlie's All Purpose soap + a couple tblsps of baking soda and she says it works great and lasts forever (she's washing cloth diapers constantly!).

L.S.

answers from Bismarck on

I have found some great products that are safer and free of all chemicals and toxins. I've been shopping there over 2 1/2 years. We save a lot of money as well because the products are very concentrated. We have eliminated eczema, ear infections, sinus infections, migraines, things like that by switching to these safer products. Check out this website or just message me and I can give you more info.

http://www.switchingstores.com/laurasavelkoul

Good Luck!! L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.L.

answers from Dubuque on

Hi,

Many of the cleaning/laundry products people use have toxins/chemicals in them that are especially bad for children. There is a government watchdog group that you can go to check the dangers in some of your products that you might be using - http://www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/ingredients.htm.

I've also written some articles on my blog that you might find helpful - one of them is - http://toxicfreecleaners.blogspot.com/2008/08/are-you-giv...

There is a recommendation on that page of products I use and they work wonderfully and are SAFE!

If you have any questions, let me know.
L. L

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