What is your favorite laundry detergent?

[jlw1980]

WARNING: Chick Thread Alert!

Recently I was having a discussion with my future mother-in-law and later with a friend about which laundry detergent works best. The MIL says she will only use Tide, unless she's totally broke and has to buy something cheaper. My friend agreed. My mom, being quite frugal (although not as much as she used to be), buys the Costco brand that provides enough detergent for about 500 loads. I said that some of the other big name brands worked just as well or almost as well, and were considerably cheaper.

I won't buy the ultra-cheap ones like Purex and Sun (used to when I was paying to help my sweetie through school and we were beyond broke, but no more!), because they don't get your clothes as clean, don't make them smell as nice, and don't leave them as soft. Also, do you prefer liquid or powdered detergent? I will no longer use powdered, as it doesn't seem to work as well in the aforementioned areas.

I'm curious as to what others think. What's your favorite brand, and why? If I haven't listed yours, choose "Other" and name it in a post. I really love Tide, but I also like Wisk (Morning Breeze scent smells really good), All, and Gain. Pick as many of them as you like.

Correspondingly, what is your favorite fabric softener? A few months ago I discovered Downy's Simple Pleasures, in the scents of Lavender & Vanilla, Rose & Violet, and Water Lily & Jasmine. I now will not use anything else, despite the cost difference. It makes your clothes smell soooo good and feel sooooo soft that I can't bear to use anything else! And now Tide has come out with a detergent to go along with them, though it's still too expensive for me to justify buying it, except when it's on sale. I'm going to try it, though, because I have a coupon. I love coupons!

I think I may've found a topic that hasn't yet been discussed here, and thought I'd make a fun, useless poll about it.

[xenochimera]

beer.

[Sam18]

Its 3:45 AM what are your children posting?

[jlw1980]

Its 3:45 AM what are your children posting?

For me, it was only 12:45am. And I don't have any children.

[jlw1980]

beer.

Seriously?

[Evil Empire]

Its 3:45 AM what are your children posting?

Yeah this is definitley a thread of the morning.

[jlw1980]

Yeah this is definitley a thread of the morning.

I warned you all that this was definitely a chick thread. Go away if you don't like it!

Besides, it's better than re-hashing the "What's your favorite TV show/movie/band/song of all time?" threads. At least it's original!

[Sam18]

For me, it was only 12:45am.

Whatever you say crazy lady.

[jlw1980]

Whatever you say crazy lady.

Your avatar is freaking me out.

[Sam18]

Why not a "what's your favorite method of peeling a potato" thread?

[Sam18]

Your avatar is freaking me out.

Yours is having a slightly different effect on me.

[jlw1980]

Why not a "what's your favorite method of peeling a potato" thread?

Go for it! The only two choices I can think of are with a potato peeler or a knife, though...not many options.

[Sam18]

Go for it! The only two choices I can think of are with a potato peeler or a knife, though...not many options.

What about a Mach III?

[jlw1980]

What about a Mach III?

Interesting...I never would've thought of that one. Very creative. Now, go and start your own thread about it instead of hijacking mine!

[Sam18]

How come you voted 4 times?

[jlw1980]

How come you voted 4 times?

I like all four of the ones I voted for. That's why I made it multiple choice.

[fredgmuggs]

I can't believe I got sucked into this.


We have a front loader and Tide HE is definitely the best way to go. I've used ALL He which is cheaper, but the Tide HE cleans the clothes better. When I have to re-wash my dirty work clothes when using All HE that negates any savings.

[xenochimera]

Seriously?

i hope not.

[RhodyYanksFan]

Where's the "whatever is on sale" choice? It's all the same to me.

[Pepper03]

No you can't use the cheap stuff. Tide is the only one I'll use, and as a veteran of thousands, probably millions of loads, I feel confident that no other detergent can match it. It's worth the $$.

[jlw1980]

I can't believe I got sucked into this.


We have a front loader and Tide HE is definitely the best way to go. I've used ALL He which is cheaper, but the Tide HE cleans the clothes better. When I have to re-wash my dirty work clothes when using All HE that negates any savings.

Hmm, I just bought the ALL HE because I'd heard good things about it. Then again, I don't have tough stains in my clothes, but my man brings home some dirty work shirts. He prefers Tide, as well, but I figured that's because that's what his mom always used. It seems the vast majority here prefer it, as well, though I've found the Wisk Morning Breeze to work quite well, particularly with the Downy Simple Pleasures fabric softener.

You're right about re-washing negating savings, though. Good point. If you have to use twice as much, it's going to cost more, AND it's going to take longer to finish your laundry. That's not good.

And this isn't that bad of a thread to get sucked into.

[Bub]

Tide it is, but most washes get a scoop of Oxyclean as well...that is GOOD stuff.

[jlw1980]

No you can't use the cheap stuff. Tide is the only one I'll use, and as a veteran of thousands, probably millions of loads, I feel confident that no other detergent can match it. It's worth the $$.

I don't use the super-cheap stuff any more, because it really is lousy. Now I usually use the ones that are just marginally cheaper than Tide, such as Wisk, All, Gain, or sometimes Cheer. They're all good, too. I'll get Tide when it's on sale. I usually get whichever of the aforementioned is on sale. BUT, for me, there is no more of the cheap garbage that doesn't clean well, leaves my clothes stiff, and doesn't smell good!

[JDPNYY]

Purex Rules.


Just tell everyone to try not to get real dirty.

[jlw1980]

Tide it is, but most washes get a scoop of Oxyclean as well...that is GOOD stuff.

Ooh, I've wanted to try that for a long time. I'm going to have to get some of it on my next shopping trip.

[Bub]

Ooh, I've wanted to try that for a long time. I'm going to have to get some of it on my next shopping trip.

Make sure you read the instructions...you have to put the Oxyclean and detergent in first and let them mix for a minute after the aggitator starts, THEN put in the clothes. Works better than bleach and does great on colors and heavy fabrics.

[Trish]

I'm a Tide girl. Although sometimes I'll use Surf. Surf smells great.

I went through a phase this summer with cheap detergents, but it's just not worth it.

[Bub]

By the way, you want to save a lot of money on detergent? Get a water softener. We use about 30% less detergent, and for a family of 6 it adds up. You also use less shampoo, soap, dish detergent and cleaning agents. I figure it pays for itself in less than 5 years.

[jlw1980]

Purex Rules.


Just tell everyone to try not to get real dirty.

I can't use that any more. Stiff clothes don't feel nice and that stuff doesn't smell nice, either...and guys who work on airplanes have a tendency to have dirty clothes.

[jlw1980]

Make sure you read the instructions...you have to put the Oxyclean and detergent in first and let them mix for a minute after the aggitator starts, THEN put in the clothes. Works better than bleach and does great on colors and heavy fabrics.

That's no problem, because I always let the detergent mix with the water a bit before putting the clothes in the washer, anyhow.

[Nome]

WARNING: Chick Thread Alert!

Recently I was having a discussion with my future mother-in-law and later with a friend about which laundry detergent works best. The MIL says she will only use Tide, unless she's totally broke and has to buy something cheaper. My friend agreed. My mom, being quite frugal (although not as much as she used to be), buys the Costco brand that provides enough detergent for about 500 loads. I said that some of the other big name brands worked just as well or almost as well, and were considerably cheaper.

I won't buy the ultra-cheap ones like Purex and Sun (used to when I was paying to help my sweetie through school and we were beyond broke, but no more!), because they don't get your clothes as clean, don't make them smell as nice, and don't leave them as soft. Also, do you prefer liquid or powdered detergent? I will no longer use powdered, as it doesn't seem to work as well in the aforementioned areas.

I'm curious as to what others think. What's your favorite brand, and why? If I haven't listed yours, choose "Other" and name it in a post. I really love Tide, but I also like Wisk (Morning Breeze scent smells really good), All, and Gain. Pick as many of them as you like.

Correspondingly, what is your favorite fabric softener? A few months ago I discovered Downy's Simple Pleasures, in the scents of Lavender & Vanilla, Rose & Violet, and Water Lily & Jasmine. I now will not use anything else, despite the cost difference. It makes your clothes smell soooo good and feel sooooo soft that I can't bear to use anything else! And now Tide has come out with a detergent to go along with them, though it's still too expensive for me to justify buying it, except when it's on sale. I'm going to try it, though, because I have a coupon. I love coupons!

I think I may've found a topic that hasn't yet been discussed here, and thought I'd make a fun, useless poll about it.

Whatever my wife uses. I really don't know if she uses a liquid, powder or whatever. As long as I don't have to get near it. She does the laundry and cleans the house. I do the yardwork, take out the garbage, repair and maintain the cars and initiate sex.

Andy

[jlw1980]

I'm a Tide girl. Although sometimes I'll use Surf. Surf smells great.

I went through a phase this summer with cheap detergents, but it's just not worth it.

It's so not worth it.

I've never tried Surf, but I'm a sucker for detergents that smell good. Any time one of the high-end brands of detergent comes out with a new scent, I have to smell it. Sometimes if more than one of the "good" brands is on sale, I'll stand in the detergent aisle and smell each scent of each brand before picking one. I can take 15 minutes to pick a detergent, based on brand, price, and scent. (We Americans really are spoiled with all the choices we have!)

[jlw1980]

Whatever my wife uses. I really don't know if she uses a liquid, powder or whatever. As long as I don't have to get near it. She does the laundry and cleans the house. I do the yardwork, take out the garbage, repair and maintain the cars and initiate sex.

Andy

Too funny...but definitely TMI!

[4bronxbombers]

No you can't use the cheap stuff. Tide is the only one I'll use, and as a veteran of thousands, probably millions of loads, I feel confident that no other detergent can match it. It's worth the $$.

Me too. I use TIDE with Downey. Expensive but who cares - it's worth it.

[Hitman23]

whatever is on sale.

[NYYfan24]

Liquid Tide Free...the stuff with the scents make me sneeze....

[Pepper03]

I never knew laundry could be so much fun!

We have soft water where I live so I can get away using less. When Tide is on sale I load up on it and it's not too expensive. The new Cold water formula really does clean well in cold water so that's additional savings.

[In Mo I Trust]

Whatever is on sale.

[PettittesPrincess]

Baby All.. no I don't have kids... but I like that kind the best.

[CptCrunch]

It's going to be a long offseason.

[whiffleball]

I'm a guy and I'm not gay(not that there's anything wrong with that) but I use Era on our clothes and Dreft on the Baby's clothes.

To expand this discussion just a bit, I only use Snuggle.

[Bub]

It's going to be a long offseason.

I'll bet you can't wait for the favorite fabric softener and dryer sheets threads.

[jlw1980]

I'll bet you can't wait for the favorite fabric softener and dryer sheets threads.

Actually, fabric softener was included if you read my original post. Downy Simple Pleasures can't be beaten.

[yankeebot]

I use Cheer, Dreft or Woolite. I do not like Tide. It seems like it causes the most fading. I really love the Woolite for blacks as it seems like that is the hardest color to keep looking new.

[Trish]

It's going to be a long offseason.

Oh, you hush.

[fredgmuggs]

I'll bet you can't wait for the favorite fabric softener and dryer sheets threads.

What, no spray starch? Or, are you saving that for the bleak mid-winter?

[gdn]

All


of them

[Sam18]

All


of them

[gdn]

[4bronxbombers]

All


of them

Men...............