Actually, I think there IS a legitimate reason! Soap or detergent breaks the surface tension of water, which helps the seeds to absorb the water better and faster. IOW, it "makes the water wetter". A little detergent in your water bucket when you're collecting plant-damaging bugs works the same water, and helps to drown them faster, and is safer for the environment than using oil, gasoline or kerosene, etc. Sue

I agree almost 100% with Sshrivastava!! Many of us (me included) use hair conditioner everyday! I seriously could not get a comb thru my thin, delciate and heavily processed hair, if I did not alternate with cream rinses, conditioners and gooey protein packs!! Some being animal fat based, some being plant based! When I had my last Miele W & D set installed, I spoke a lot with the Miele tech about what products I use. He of course liked that I mainly use Persil, but said my German Ariel Powder was equally as good. He said the machines have been HEAVILY tested with both powder and liquid detergents, and BOTH are 100% fine (although some cycles require liquid detergent...comforters, express, denim...). In regards to liquid fabric softener, he said not only is it fine, Miele actually recommends it!! Liquid Fabric softener, as Sshrivastava said, makes our clothes softer, more manageable and really does help the fibers lay better, and reduces wear and tear on our clothes. The Miele tech said, that as long as you rinse the fabric softener dispenser and siphon valve with HOT water when done with the machine...there is NO worry about buildup in the drum, lines, seals or hoses. He said, that just does NOT happen. Build up, mold, mildew due to fabric softener occurs when people do not keep the soap tray clean and do not leave the main door to the washer open to breathe and dry out!!! In regards to "natural" plant based detergents and softeners...Miele DOES NOT recommended them at all. The tech said the "natural" products, especially being plant based actually do gum up the machines. When using warmer temps, especially Extra White and Sanitize...the plant based detergents and softeners change on the molecular level, and become somewhat sticky! Miele says no to plant based products, and especially NO to dryer sheets (plant based or conventional). Miele recommends Persil Powder or Persil Liquid (gel), Miele Care Collection, Tide he Powder, Tide he Liquid, and many other German detergents.

Do the other varieties ever go on sale (ie w/fabric softener or w/oxy)? Been tracking for a while, but never seem to catch it. TIA

I have used Eucalan for my handknit sweaters, and personally, don't care for the scent of any of their products, although I still do use the lavender on occasion. It also has lanolin in it, and I personally am not sure I'd want to use it for my lingerie. Woolite is not really that great for clothing. My favorite thing to use these days is Ecos Laundry detergent. I like it a little better than Seventh Generation or Method. The scent is light and pleasant. I have a problem with scents and can't use about 95% of the detergents on the market. Same with any Febreeze products, or most household cleaning products. Before Ecos, I was using Seventh Generation Free and Clear for handwashing of my delicates. The Ecos seems to leave the items a bit softer. Ecos is low sudsing, and rinses cleanly. I've been really happy with it. It doesn't have enzymes though (that I know of), so it's not great at removing stains, but for handwashing, it's great! For any of the HE laundry detergents though, only a very small amount is needed- I maybe use a 1/2 tsp of Ecos in my bathroom sink in maybe 1/2-3/4 gallons of water.