What kind of laundry detergent do you use?

@patgalca (18174)
Orangeville, Ontario
April 6, 2007 3:17pm CST
I know this is a silly question but I am doing laundry right now and this question comes to mind as I pour my detergent into the washing machine. I used to use powdered detergent but found my clothes came out with a white dusting on them that I thought was detergent. So I switched over to liquid detergent. I still got the white film and told my mother. She said for me to open up my liquid fabric softener dispenser and clean it. Oh how gross was it in there! Cleaning it helped get rid of the white film. But I am still in a quandry about the liquid detergents? Are there any CLEAR liquid detergents? Why do they have to be blue? Perhaps there are clear ones out there that I do not know about. If there is, please tell me what brands and do they work?
9 people like this
39 responses
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
6 Apr 07
I don't know of any clear detergents myself. I use liquid ones though and have for a long time. I just didn't care for the powdered detergent. I think they work for the most part but I still have trouble with stubborn stains sometimes. For instance mustard. I have a really hard time getting that out. I have spray and wash but it doesn't always work.
4 people like this
@patgalca (18174)
• Orangeville, Ontario
6 Apr 07
Wow! I find that Spray n' Wash works on just about any stains - except for paint of course. You guys having mustard fights over at your house? LOL! Have you tried the new double action Spray 'n Wash?
3 people like this
@linda345 (2661)
• Canada
8 Apr 07
Shout is the best for getting any stain out even oil stains. My Mom swears by it. I use it too.
1 person likes this
@linda345 (2661)
• Canada
6 Apr 07
I was using a no name detergent but I went back to Tide. I was getting the white dusting and if I used liquid sometimes I got spots. I always starts the water and add the detergent first. I feel since I switched back to the tide I haven't been having problems. I am going to stick with it even though it is more expensive.
3 people like this
@patgalca (18174)
• Orangeville, Ontario
6 Apr 07
I use Tide as well. I get it when it is on sale at the pharmacy for $5.99 a bottle, sometimes $4.99, and then I usually have a coupon to add to it.
2 people like this
• United States
7 Apr 07
I use tide for front loading machines. We own a laundry mat so I use this because of the front loading machines. I have also begun to use a spray for stains from the dollar store called "Awesome". I spray it on stains, rub then wash immediately. I also have used on my granddaughters sleepers that have become stained with formula. I use an extra cup in the wash after spraying. I rinse these clothes an extra time just because they are for the baby. I used liquid softener, which is Downy spring time fresh with the cap that resembles a flower. It is expensive but worth it. Do not leave the awesome on colored clothes it will bleach them out. I also use awesome on my husbands greasy clothes, takes the grease right out.
• United States
9 Apr 07
P.S. I have also used baking soda and vinegar in my towels and sheets. It cuts the musky odor you get in the summer when your towels don't get dry after using them. It also cuts the body crud on your sheets. I DON'T use any fabric softener on my towels anymore.
@mrsturner (518)
• Canada
6 Apr 07
I always use a liquid detergent. I always use cold water to wash my clothes and I find that it doesn't leave any residue on the clothes. If the powder stuff doesn't totally dissolve and stays on the clothes it bothers my skin. I'm pretty sure that ABC is clear. I don't remember it having a colour, but it's been a while since I used it. My brand is almost always Purex and I use the Costo brand (Kirkland) for fabric softener.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18174)
• Orangeville, Ontario
7 Apr 07
I used to use the ABC powder. I'll have to try out the liquid. Thanks.
1 person likes this
• Canada
7 Apr 07
I use Liquid. Right now I'm using Ultra Sunlight for sensitive skin. It's a clear liquid and I find it works well for my family's needs. My kids clothes and my partners work clothes tend to get dirty very quickly. I use the Sunlight and it gets them clean first time. I know what you mean about the film though. I get that a lot and really there's nothing I can do about it. We live in an apartment complex with a shared laundry room. The washer are all top loading and so there's no dispenser for the detergent or fabric softener. I did find however that it's only when the clothes are wet. I put them in the drier and they come out without the film on them.
@patgalca (18174)
• Orangeville, Ontario
7 Apr 07
Thank you. I will try the Ultra Sunlight. There are a lot of items I don't want to put in the dryer for fear of shrinkage and a lot of them are black shirts. If they do come out with a film on them I hang them to dry and then after they are dry, or when I have done all the other loads, I will put them in the dryer under delicate for a few minutes. Even if they don't have a film I do that because they dry stiff and the dryer softens them up.
• Mexico
7 Apr 07
because me not you that type of detergent uses my he/she suckles for that I don't make the works of the home but because somewhere around I have seen that it uses a products of cleaning but neither he/she devises:p
1 person likes this
@rubypatson (1841)
• India
7 Apr 07
I use powder detergent, would like to give the liquid detergent a try after this discussion
1 person likes this
@mimatexas (1818)
• United States
7 Apr 07
I use a liquid detergent and the brand is Xtra. It works well for me and of course is blue. I also use a powder detergent called Ariel (from Mexico) and I use it to wash white clothes and work clothes for my husband.
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
7 Apr 07
I use Tide HE liquid..my machine is supposed to have the high efficiency so this is the brand I chose. I used to use an environmentally safe detergent by seventh generation..it was clear..but I kept having a weird reaction to it on my skin...seems strange since it had less "chemicals" in it.. I have heard of some liquid called free and clear but I'm so sorry I can't remember the brand! I will look it up tomorrow and post the brand. I used to get white film on my clothes because I used powders..it was terrible on black clothing..but with the Tide He I never get residue..I really like it even though it is blue!!! I use seventh generation non chlorine bleach with all my whites..it works very well...as chlorine bleach will grey lots of white fabrics...and I just remembered the brand of the detergent Wisk Free and Clear ...no perfumes and no dyes..:)
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Apr 07
I think Tide has just come out with a clear liquid, I'm not sure what it's called though. I used to use powdered...because that's what my former MIL insisted was better. I liked it somewhat but noticed the same crusty powder, especially on jeans. Once I moved into my own place I switched back to liquid. If tide is on sale I'll buy it otherwise I really like Purex.
1 person likes this
@daycarepal (1998)
• United States
7 Apr 07
I use liquid laundry detergent. I never did like the powder stuff. I always found that some of the powder would sometimes be left on the clothing, especially the dark clothing. I thought maybe I was using to much and that's why it was happening. Anyway, I only use liquid now. I buy whatever brand our supermarket has on sale that week. But I do stick to well known brands when I buy. Brands like Purex, Arm & Hammer, Ajax, Cheer. I would love to use Tide but it just cost to darn much.
1 person likes this
@OURDEW (4809)
• United States
6 Apr 07
THANKS FOR THE TIP. I use Cheer. and sometimes Tide. I like the liquid best. Clothes come out nice and clean.
1 person likes this
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
7 Apr 07
My choice of laundry detergents varies depending upon sales, but I don't use powder as I find it doesn't dissolve in the time it takes for all the cycles to finish. I also try to use something with bleach alternative and, if possible, something that is biodegradable as I like to hold myself accountable for the environment on some level.
@jeanjean (11)
• Canada
7 Apr 07
Well quite honestly I have never used a liquid detergents so I don't know. I just use whatever is on sale on the store. I am not very fussy with my clothes as long as they are clean and wasted I am fine with it. I don't even press my clothes. I don't care.
1 person likes this
@lisado (1227)
• United States
7 Jul 07
We use All Free & Clear. I buy the 300 fl oz bottle at Sam's Club. It's clear and is supposed to be allergen free. I am allergic to everything, I think, and my poor sons got my allergy issues. I really like it and it isn't expensive. I think it's $9.50 for 300 fl oz, which is the big bottle that sits on it's side with a spout on it.
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
17 Apr 07
I think the worst thing you can do is use TOO MUCH detergent and that's why you are getting those white marks. Try dissolving your powder in water before adding to the machine and try to use less. Liquids are good too, but again try adding less so you don't get the marks.
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
7 Apr 07
I use Tide HE liquid..my machine is supposed to have the high efficiency so this is the brand I chose. I used to use an environmentally safe detergent by seventh generation..it was clear..but I kept having a weird reaction to it on my skin...seems strange since it had less "chemicals" in it.. I have heard of some liquid called free and clear but I'm so sorry I can't remember the brand! I will look it up tomorrow and post the brand. I used to get white film on my clothes because I used powders..it was terrible on black clothing..but with the Tide He I never get residue..I really like it even though it is blue!!! I use seventh generation non chlorine bleach with all my whites..it works very well...as chlorine bleach will grey lots of white fabrics...and I just remembered the brand of the detergent Wisk Free and Clear ...no perfumes and no dyes..:)
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
7 Apr 07
So sorry...my page is double posting again..I had this trouble 2 days ago..Please excuse this post.
@vokey9472 (1486)
• United States
7 Apr 07
I used to use ALL Free and Clear but now I used Tide Simple Pleasures. The Tide Simple Pleasures are clear too. As for the Tide Simple Pleasures, I don't like the Jasmine and Waterlily scent, but all the others are great. My personal fave is Magnolia and Orange Blossom. I buy a differnt scent every time I buy laundry soap. I like to switch it up. I don't use liquid softner, I use the matching dryer sheets to my soap.
@patgalca (18174)
• Orangeville, Ontario
7 Apr 07
I think the Tide Simple Pleasures bottles look a lot like the new Downy bottles. I think I would probably mix them up and put the wrong one in the wrong place if I'm not paying close attention. Thanks for your input.
• United States
17 Apr 07
I like Tide but if my husband does the shopping he buys whatever is cheapest. I don't really see all that big of a difference between what I get and what he gets. It's just that Tide makes the clothes smell really, really good!
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
7 Jul 07
Tide, I just like ti better than other brands.