# What kind of laundry detergent do you use? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 4, 2011, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523 "2011-10-04T04:18:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/61 "2011-10-04T23:50:44Z")
I think I’m using Era right now. Red bottle with a blue lid. I buy detergent so infrequently (like once every 3 months) that I barely pay attention to it. I just open caps of the cheap stuff and get the first one I like the smell of. I think, in general, there is often a significant psychosomatic component to claims of itching caused by various brands of laundry soap. If someone is breaking out in hives or having trouble breathing, that’s a genuine, provable allergy. Vague complaints of general itchiness should be taken with a grain of salt. People who claim allergy without physical evidence thereof might try conducting a double-blind laundry soap study (get someone else to wash your clothes! good deal) to test their theory. This will tell you if your clothes really are itchy because they came into contact with Tide, or if you only itch because you know Tide was used to wash your clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/62 "2011-10-05T01:55:06Z")
I have never liked Tide because it makes me itch as well. I don’t think it’s allergies, it’s just all the finishers (brighteners, softeners, and scents- OH MY!) that are left in the clothes that irritate. Can’t use fabric softener for the same reason although I grew up in a Bounce household. Plus, I cannot stand the scent anymore since I quit smoking. Gain positively makes me want to hurl. Many years ago, I used Era (and Downey) pretty consistently. For several years now, it’s been All Free & Clear. That’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/63 "2011-10-05T02:32:18Z")
I LOVE Tide powder and if I can get it on sale with a coupon I will always buy it. It ends up being the same as generic if I shop right. I try to save it for my good clothes and use the cheap Purex on towels and sheets. They make a good smelling one, lavender I believe. ---
**Author:** ![No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_umlaut_for_U)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/64 "2011-10-05T03:40:03Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > I have never liked Tide because it makes me itch as well. I don’t think it’s allergies, it’s just all the finishers (brighteners, softeners, and scents- OH MY!) that are left in the clothes that irritate. Can’t use fabric softener for the same reason although I grew up in a Bounce household. Plus, I cannot stand the scent anymore since I quit smoking. Gain positively makes me want to hurl. > > Many years ago, I used Era (and Downey) pretty consistently. For several years now, it’s been All Free & Clear. That’s it. Does running the clothes through a second rinse cycle help? And totally agree about Gain. ---
**Author:** ![Jennmonkye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/278dde/32.png) [@Jennmonkye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennmonkye)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/65 "2011-10-05T03:41:33Z")
I’ve been buying my laundry detergent from [The Dollar Tree](http://www.dollartree.com/cleaning-storage-hardware/laundry-supplies/Detergent-Fabric-Softener-Bleach/rain-fresh-laundry-detergent/212c311c385p312121/index.pro). You can’t beat laundry detergent for a buck a bottle, my clothes are clean and shiny and it costs a dollar. Even though their bottle says “rain fresh”, I can’t smell a scent, other than clean! ---
**Author:** ![loshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/66 "2011-10-05T05:16:54Z")
Kirkland or whatever is a little cheaper with a Costco coupon. Right now it is Arm & Hammer with Oxyclean bought a month ago. I read the Consumer reports thing mentioned above about too much detergent a few years ago and have started using a third of what the bottle calls for…no more itching from any brand (and I have always had serious skin allergy issues), and clothes come out looking just as clean and “feeling” cleaner with less. Turns out it wasn’t the brand, it was the concentration/using too much. Plus the added benefit of buying (Costco sized) detergent every three months instead of every month while washing for 3-6 people. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/67 "2011-10-05T05:21:03Z")
My preference is Sun to the extent that that’s usually “whatever’s on sale”. That, and they have an unscented, undyed version (not all brands do), which I prefer: I wash my clothes because I want them to _not_ have an odor or any extra color. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky_the_Wonder_Spirit)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/68 "2011-10-05T05:23:50Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > I think, in general, there is often a significant psychosomatic component to claims of itching caused by various brands of laundry soap. If someone is breaking out in hives or having trouble breathing, that’s a genuine, provable allergy. Vague complaints of general itchiness should be taken with a grain of salt. People who claim allergy without physical evidence thereof might try conducting a double-blind laundry soap study (get someone else to wash your clothes! good deal) to test their theory. This will tell you if your clothes really are itchy because they came into contact with Tide, or if you only itch because you know Tide was used to wash your clothing. You know, it’s very easy to tell if clothes have been washed in scented or unscented laundry detergent, no matter who does the washing, so I don’t think your “double-blind” study would have the intended effect. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/69 "2011-10-05T06:10:36Z")
> [@RedWood](#): > > there was no option for ‘unscented dollar store detergent’… Oh yeah. Every so often I buy this Mexican detergent from my dollar store that smells like “Sprite” - so awesome. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/70 "2011-10-05T10:20:15Z")
Whatever fragrance free detergent is on sale + a little dollop of Dreft for the scent. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/71 "2011-10-05T14:24:32Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > IAnother tip: peroxide for blood. Even if you’ve washed a garment a million times. It does work best though if you get it right away. thanks, **ellen**. i’m going to try that on my pillowcase. got a spot or two on it as a result of dental surgery last friday. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/72 "2011-10-05T14:40:04Z")
I use CitraSolv Lavender Bergamot laundry detergent, because it smells really, really good. I belong to a co-op and get it for cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/73 "2011-10-05T15:16:53Z")
Method. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/74 "2011-10-05T17:29:57Z")
I was hardcore into **Tide Coldwater** b/c it topped Consumer Reports (still does). Then I switched from doing laundry in a top loader at future MIL’s house to my own front-loaders. Consumer Reports tells me that **Wisk HE** is the #1 rated and that **Target brand HE** is the CR Best Buy, being ranked #3 but being the cheapest. I just got some Wisk HE at Costco yesterday b/c it was on sale for the regular price of Target brand HE. So yeah, I’m big into Consumer Reports. Once in college I bought some godforsaken generic/cheap brand and it aged my clothes in one load. I was stunned. Never again. ---
**Author:** ![Foxy40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Foxy40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foxy40)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/75 "2011-10-05T17:40:36Z")
Tide with Downy. Prefer powder but sometimes can only find the Tide with Downy in liquid so I purchase that. 1. It gets our clothing clean without pretreating unlike other brands I have tried. 2. I like the way our clothing smells. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/76 "2011-10-05T20:00:06Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I would buy whatever is on sale, but I’m forced to buy liquid cold water Tide. I don’t think it makes a hoot of a difference which brand you buy unless you’re trying to remove blood, grass, or red wine stains. > > (And that only happens every few weeks!) Dexter? Is that you??? ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/77 "2011-10-05T21:32:01Z")
> [@Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](#): > > You know, it’s very easy to tell if clothes have been washed in scented or unscented laundry detergent, no matter who does the washing, so I don’t think your “double-blind” study would have the intended effect. The “intended effect” is disparaging people’s detergent choices in order to feel better about one’s self. So, in that sense, it works. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/78 "2011-10-06T02:18:46Z")
> [@No\_umlaut\_for\_U](#): > > Does running the clothes through a second rinse cycle help? Honestly, I don’t know as I’ve never tried it. But why would I want to pay more for a detergent that requires more water ($$) to remove the irritants it leaves in my clothes? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/79 "2011-10-06T06:57:32Z")
My allergies give me fits if I use a scented soap. Switched to All liquid free & clear ten years ago. No chemical perfumes at all. I breath much better now. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523/80 "2011-10-06T23:24:47Z")
Whatever is cheapest. I have no brand loyalty at all and I don’t buy fabric softener, either. Allergies aren’t an issue, though I used to buy the scent-free sensitive when my daughter lived at home. So, whatever’s cheapest, and sometimes the Dollar Tree has full-size bottles that work just fine. Our clothes just don’t get that dirty!..When there’s just a little bit of detergent in the bottom of the jug, I add a bit of water, swirl it around, and pour it into another jug put aside just for such leftovers. This comes in mighty handy when someone forgets to buy laundry detergent, the emergency jug is always there and good for a few more wash cycles. Using a full cap, as it’s half water. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-laundry-detergent-do-you-use/598523.md?page=5)