N.B.
MelaPower - costs ~ 1/3 of Tide, works GREAT, no chemicals, so safe for my family & the environment. Shipped right to my door too.
Hi Moms
I have been using liquid Tide for many years and it seems as if its not doing a very good job anymore. I have an older top load machine. Please let me know if there is a particular detergent you really like.
MelaPower - costs ~ 1/3 of Tide, works GREAT, no chemicals, so safe for my family & the environment. Shipped right to my door too.
I like Purex (with OxyClean), Xtra & Wisk. I used to use Tide but it got so expensive so I tried others & found they work well - Purex was a consumer digest top rated one. Tide also makes a laundry booster you can add to wash. I use OxyClean with my whites as a booster. For stains, I spray with Zout except for baseball pants - I use Fels Naptha laundry bar soap & scrub with a toothbrush - requires "elbow" grease but is the only thing I found that really has a shot at working out the mud & grass stains the first time around.
You might want to try smaller loads - may be too big for your machine - may be your machine needs a cleaning / vinegar rinse.
Also - I don't use liquid fabric softener as it causes waxy build up - if you use - dilute with water first. Vinegar makes a good cheap rinse - try with your whites first - no smell once done - I promise.
If your clothes have a stain after wash do NOT put in dryer - if you do on accident - ZOUT may get it out. Spray, scrub & let sit - you don't need to wash same day.
I've always used Tide with Bleach alternative and it still seems the same to me. Could it be your washer?
We have begun using Engage from JD Premium and we love it. All organic and concentrated so it lasts twice as long as our old stuff, plus it smells even better.
Melapower is great, and it doesn't have all the toxic chemicals like most other detergents. It is also cheaper than most other detergents. You can only buy it online, but if you would like more info on getting it at a discounted rate feel free to pm me.
When I use store bought detergent I use Gain. I prefer the powder over the liquid, but the liquid does a fine job too. Otherwise I use my homemade detergent, which works wonderfully.
I used Tide for years also, and it does not work well anymore. All detergent companies had to make formula changes due to the environment hazards of phosphates. I now use Arm & Hammer, and Gain/Cheer with baking soda/borax and vinegar.
I love Gain. Smells great, and is about a third of the price of Tide. :)
I use either Biokleen laundry powder, or Charlies Soap. If I need extra cleaning powder, I'll add washing soda or borax (or both), and occasionally Lestoil.
Hi Jessica,
I use Melapower that I purchase online. It's non toxic and works better than anything else I have ever used in my 53 years. It's also cheaper at 16 cents per load. Tide has been watered down and there is a different formula for different vendors as well. If you purchase it at Walmart it is at it's lowest strength. Look for the "especially made for Walmart" label. That means it is less potent. It's still as toxic but doesn't clean as well as the Tide you would pick up at your grocery store.
Hope this helps.