So for years I've solely used Tide. My husband really liked the smell of that so I would always get that kind. In the past few years we've not been able to smell the scent. I am not sure why. I just learned that the detergent varies by stores (meaning the concentration is less at some places). I thought that was crazy, but it's true. Anyhow, maybe I am getting a diluted kind (since I don't get them at grocery stores, where apparently that is where the higher concentrated ones are).
So, my question is... What are your favorite laundry detergents? (I prefer the kind without fabric softener.) We'd like our clothes/towels to smell nice and fresh, but obviously we care about how it works to get our laundry clean too. :)
Thanks in advance!
Hi L.-
I have been making my own laundry detergent for about two years now...
I use fels naptha (grated) and WASHING soda and borax...many recipes on line...and a GREAT $$$ saver...and a fun project for the kids. It smalls great by itself...but you can add essential oil in any scent you like! Lavender is my fav...
Best Luck!
Michele/cat
We like Mrs. Meyer's either Basil or Lavender. We also like Seventh Generation. These are better for the environment, and have less chemicals than the mainstream laundry detergents. We also only use products that are not tested on animals. Tide is tested on animals;as are most mainstream detergents.
Our family uses Trader Joe's laundry detergent because it is better for the environment and contains no fragrance chemicals. Now that we've rid ourselves of the laundry fragrance, I'm actually quite sensitive to the smell and when my MIL washes our daughter's clothing when she's spending the night or whatever, I actually re-wash it because I not only don't want those chemicals on our daughter's skin, but because the smell is overpoweringly strong!
Food for thought:
http://www.wtsp.com/feature/naturalhealth/article/85957/1...
We use Country Save. I buy a big box for $12.00 and it lasts for almost 6 months! It is unscented and free of harsh chemicals.
Gain and Downey, in that order :)
Gain.....by far. I will sacrafice something else to afford it.
I really like Ms. Meyers (lavender scent) and 7th generation (lavender scent) when I can find it, but since they don't carry often at my regular store, I get the tide sport with febreeze - it smells incredible!
I use only Shaklee's laundry products. They have no smell. When you don't use those other brands, you can smell the chemicals on other people and it if very unpleasant.
Clean has no smell.
I use seventh generation laundry soap, fabric softener, and all of my other house hold cleaning supplies are either seventh generation or from trader joes.. I wont buy any soaps (laundry, cleaning, or personal) that are not biodegradable. One contribution I can make towards our planet atleast!
You scent receptors get used to certain fragrances and that is why the scent seems to go away. Use a different scent for a while and then you will smell you detergent again. It is the same way with any fragrance. You have noticed that more and more companies are coming out with duel scented candles and plug in tools. They do this so your nose will not get used to the same scent.
I use Gain and always have, original. I use Bounce free in the dryer but use the Downy with the Green lid in the last rinse cycle.
I like ALL small and mighty (I believe thats what its called) and yes you do get used to your laundry smell. I dont smell it on my clothes anymore but one of my friends here at work asked what kind of detergent I used and she liked it but I had no idea others could smell it.
I love Tide too but refuse to pay the price unless I have a special reason (like hanging laundry down at the shore house!)
So, on a daily basis, I use All Free and Clear and hang stuff on the line to dry. This to me is the best scent with less chemcials and dyes and irriatants for my gangs skin. I also switched over to dye-free Clorox 2 recently.
I love Gain, we have used it for a few years. The last month we have actually been using Wisk. I used it at my Mom's when we went to visit and I loved how clean it got my 3 year old son's dirty muddy clothes, they also smelled great.
My oldest had a skin allergy to lavender and Bounce dryer sheets, so we switched to All Free and Clear and NO fabric softener. We use dryer balls in the dryer and vinegar in the wash. Soft clothes, clean clothes, no dyes, and it smells CLEAN. ---and a lot cheaper
I've noticed that STORED clothes that have had fabric softeners added to them really STINK over time. If someone gives me a bag of clothes and I know they are clean, I still have to wash them to get rid of that smell.
I am so glad we had to change and won't switch back even though she seems to have grown out of her allergy.
Oh- and I love, love, love, SHOUT. Even if I find a stain after I've dried an item, I can almost still get it out with SHOUT. :)
My favorite is MelaPower by Melaleuca. While it does not leave a scent in my clothes, it works great and is safe for the home & environment. No more phosphates for me! I learned that scents are chemicals, and are typically held in by another chemical - yuck! I hope you find what you are looking for.
I love Arm and Hammer with oxyclean and I love it. They also have WET dryer sheets that actually made me smell my clothes while I was driving. Even my kids notice the difference! I won't go back to tide or seventh generation.
Another vote for Gain - but only the Original Scent (sure glad that lady at P&G was wrong about that one being discontinued! had to change for a while - then used Cheer free)
Also Downy - the original April fresh!
Tide with Febreeze and then use Bounce fabric softener with Febreeze of the same scent in the dryer. LOTS of scent!! I love it!
I have always used Tide with Bleach Alternative. I haven't noticed any difference in the "concentration" no matter where I buy it. I buy it regularly at two grocery stores, have bought it at Target, Wal-Mart, drug stores etc.
I also like Tandil from ALDI for things like rags, rugs, and other non-clothing stuff.
