Thanks to this forum, I learned about Charlie's and started using it 2 years ago and have only used about half of the 5-gallon bucket (1280-loads). When we purchased the bucket we thought it would last at least 3.5 years - and at the time only cost 9-cents per load. Never use liquid softener or softener sheets, so we save by not using that product. The only add-in I occasionally use (maybe 6 times a year) is some Cascade Dishwasher Detergent to the whites load.

-Grainlady

#2 Tide he Powder (but it leaves a slight powdery residue in my units). Someone told me Tide uses a lot of fillers in their powdered detergents. I have a love/hate relationship with the smell. Sometimes I cannot get enough of the smell, and sometimes it is heavy and over-perfumated. Tide he powder does not smell clean and "mountain fresh"...its like a perfume.

#3 Tide he Liquid with Color Clean Bleach Alternative. Smells great, cleans well.

2) Sears Ultra Wash powder (not as much scent, but good cleaning power at a GREAT price)

3) not a powder, but my #3 fave detergent is a tie between Tide HE Total Care and Woolite HE

I hate to tell you this, but I found the Laundress the biggest rip off out there. I bought the fabric sheets and the liquid. OMG, what a rip. The liquid is OK for fine clothing, I guess, but not any better or as good as other liquids like Woolite. As for the fabric softener sheets, well, let's just say I'm still waiting for the softness and/or a nice fragrance. It was like putting plain paper in my dryer. They smell good coming out of the box, but did nothing for my clothes.

I think Laundress is making a killing because of their slick advertising. They got me, but only once. LOL I hope your experience is much better than mine. Please let us know.

Persil Color Gel and Universal Gel (liquids) were re-formulated somewhat recently...and they really deep clean. I have a 3 year old boy in Preschool, who has a deep love affair with mud and the sand box & does art classes with lots of different paints and mediums...and the new Persil liquid (gel) really deep clean!!!

Thanks for the heads up on the gel forumla's. I'll have to check that out. The one I had was for dark colors only so I'm sure that's why it was so gentle.

rudin, yes I had foaming also.

I really wanted to like Sears Powder detergent, but I found it faded our clothes too much. It has to be the optical brighteners in it, because I've been careful not to use detergents with brighteners any more and have not had a fading problem since.

I'd like to try the SURF powder detergent someone mentioned in another post. I'll have to be on the lookout for it.
I also wanted to try Ariel, but since the bag is only in Spanish, I don't know one formula from another, and there are three different ones to choose from.

Janet

• Roma or Foca (Mexican brands)
love how inexpensive they are! and they do a great job cleaning. I only wish they made an UNscented version also without the optical brighteners. I mainly use these for presoaking things like really dirty cleaning towels and gardening clothes.

• Biokleen Premium Powder

formerly:
• Tide
I used mostly Tide powder for many years until my husband started having allergic reactions to it.

Janet

1. Whatever is on sale and I have a coupon for it, and I can get it nearly free! (hey, free detergent is my favorite, what can I say)

2. With the above stated I would have to go with in no particular order, Gain, Tide or Costco brand detergents. Those seem to get my clothing the cleanest. I just with Gain and Tide weren't so heavily scented.

2) Tide HE Powder(Helps with mold issues and gets many common soils out quicker making my job a little easier.)

3) Sears Powder right now, but could change with some experimenting. Currently trying Cheer powder as I heard here it was low sudsing to some degree. Someone else recommended Bold Plus and I have also heard a lot about Persil. Gain Powder HE is okay, but I can only use it if I am air drying outside. Otherwise the perfume in it is way to strong and I have problems with my nose plugging up and rashes. Air drying disappates (spelling) a lot of the perfume.

Happy Laundering,
Heidi

I would like to try Persil but can't get over the sticker shock, at least in Canada.