Actually, my laundry isn't smelling as good as it use to. I have always used Tide. Something has changed.

Gayle

I have the same problem and can't figure it out. Everything is fine when I use bleach, but those colored towels stink!

Maybe the Tide users would want to go to their site and contact them. It looks like they have links on their site that don't work. hmmmmmm.....

They do have a message board though. That oughtta be interesting.....

Here is a link that might be useful: Tide.com

Joann, I put so much stuff in my laundry and often wash twice. It's become very expensive. I washed a blouse by hand last night and couldn't stand the smell. This is getting ridiculous.

Thanx, Sue.

DH has been complaining for YEARS about the laundry. I got a new washer & dryer a little over a year ago and its just as bad as ever. My son has one of those new front loaders and they say there is no odor in their clothes, and they come out very clean. Maybe we have to spend the big bucks on a new machine. I've used vinegar, baking soda, color safe bleach, fabric softener & sprays, I even use dryer balls. Nothing has helped so far. I thought it was just me!

I use liquid Purex with bleach alternative. Haven't had any problems.

Yes, it does.

Are you perhaps overloading the washer? Clothes need room to move freely. You may also be using too much detergent and too much fabric softener. These will build up in your laundry, and cause odors.

Try putting a load of clean towels in your washer with no detergent at all. Start the wash cycle, and check it 1/2 way through. If there are any suds, it's an indication of product build-up.

Mine does, too.
Maybe you're adding too much "stuff". I use store generic detergent and generic fabric softener.

I use just a store brand detergent or whatever's on sale but I always add a little cup of Oxy-Wash to every load. That stuff is great on stains & acts like bleach but is easier & safer to use. Mine isn't even the brand name, just a no name brand that I buy at Dollar Tree or Big Lots. It's worth a try. My laundry always seems to smell good because I smell it. LOL (Drives DH crazy when I do that but it makes me feel that I'm getting my clothes clean).

I used Tide for years up until about six months ago. I couldn't stand the smell. I switched to Gain and it seems to clean well and just the regular scented stuff smells good.

I use about half as much Tide as they say to use. Mine smells good. Or I should say it doesn't smell bad - It really doesn't smell at all.

I was my towels in the hottest water - no fabric softener. I only fill it about half full of towels so they have plenty of room.

I also love it when I can hang wash out on the line to dry. Then it smells GOOD! I even hang out towels when I can. They do get a little stiff though, LOL!

Washing just a blouse let me know I need to stop using Tide. I'll give Gain a try. Thanx, Laurie.

Judy, I use OxyClean, too. I love that stuff. I really hate feeling the laundry needs the additives. Once I recognized things don't come clean or come out dingy was when I began adding other things. I'm washing for children after many years of there being no child to wash for. Never had a problem with grass stains and such until recently.

Have any of you tried using Borax? I used to use the Oxy Clean but noticed a marked difference in our laundry when I went back to Borax. I have two teen boys at home and I work outside during the spring, summer and fall so even my clothes were starting to stink- not any more!

Trish

Yes, mine does. I have a front loader and use Tide HE. I have always used less than the recommended amount of detergent.

I use Tide w/bleach, the powder, original scent. No fabric softner at all. I do use bleach on whites and I still use bluing. Borax will sure help if your laundry doesn't smell nice. Also try washing everything a couple of times with out adding anything......just to wash out buildups of detergent and softner.......

I use Method HE detergent (Target). It's concentrated liquid and the laundry smells like heaven. Well, 2 of the scents do anyway. It is supposed to be be environmentally friendly, like their other cleaning products.

The two I have tried are "Fresh Air" and "Sweet Water". Not sure if they sell non-HE versions.

Yes, it does, but I use much less detergent and fabric softener than they call for.

"Yes, it does, but I use much less detergent and fabric softener than they call for."

same here....

We've been using Tide with Bleach for years with no problem.

Linda

I've got a laundry gripe too! I've got a front loader but had noticed that the dark clothes were coming out with white, powdery type patches on them. It was like the powder wasn't dissolving properly regardless of how hot the wash was.
So I've started making my own Laundry detergent and am really happy with the results so far. I occassionally add a small scoop of a stain treatment powder to give it a boost if it's a particularly grubby load.
I got the recipe I use from a NZ message board that I visit on occassion and not only does it bring the clothes up great but it's as cheap as chips to make!!

Kiwi said
"So I've started making my own Laundry detergent and am really happy with the results so far. I occassionally add a small scoop of a stain treatment powder to give it a boost if it's a particularly grubby load."

Kiwi ~ Don't cha know the rules??? never mention having a recipe without posting it!!! ( just kidding, but would love it if you were to share the recipe )

Linda

"Yes, it does, but I use much less detergent and fabric softener than they call for."

me too...

me three
I was thinking the same as Linda. LOL

hmmm Several of you said less. Maybe I'll try that, too.

I don't think they sell borax around here. I'll try using less and see what happens. It sure doesn't look like it will clean if you don't see any soap, am I wrong???? I use about a capfull.

I use Sears "free" formula. My laundry doesn't smell like anything. When Iuse Bounce I buy the lightly scented one.

You don't need to see suds to be sure that your laundry is getting clean. Many detergents are low suds formulas anyway.
With my Tide powder I probably don't even use a 1/4 cup per load and I always use the double rinse.

Very! I never stuff the tub, use less detergent than recommended & add Washing Soda to all whites & anything with stains, soaking stained items an hour or so. After cycle is done I turn machine back to deep rinse; even using less detergent I can see it was needed. Rarely use fabric softner.

(And I do acknowledge how precious water is but use less the way I wash than if I had to wash them twice. I try to conserve water in other ways but laundry just HAS to smell clean.)
Suzi

I've used Amway SA-8 since 1973 when my sis and brother started selling it...the last box I bought was 173.00 and did about 80-90 loads...I noticed about a year ago, it just wasn't cleaning my clothes like it used to and figured out that they've had to take out some of their super cleaners to meet government standards. I had bought the stuff to make the laundry soap posted on KT a few years ago...I'm on my second batch...it does a great job and seems to get out most of the stains we run across...and compared to amway...it's like 2 cents a load compared to amways's almost 2.00 a load...so to answer your question...yes it comes clean...but even amway wasn't cleaning my clothes like it used to...my son is a smell freak and he's pleaed with the way his clothes smell with the homemade stuff...

Okay, Liz...come across with that recipe, wouldya!? LOL

I thought someone might ask for the recipe so here it is - I'm sure you will have the equivalent of our Lux flakes there:

1 level dessertspoon Lux flakes (these are pure soap flakes usually used for hand washing baby clothes/woollens/delicates)
2 tablespoons washing soda

Dissolve soap flakes and washing soda in 1 Litre of VERY hot water, stirring every now and then to mix. Then add another litre of hot water and again, give it a stir every now and then.
When it's cool enough I pour into a plastic 2L bottle (I use an old 2L milk bottle)and add about 10 drops of Lavender essential oil. This just makes the liquid smell nice but it dosn't seem to transfer to the wash load itself. Give the bottle a turn/shake before you use it - the mixture will thicken and be quite 'gloopy' but that's fine.

I have a front loader & use about 1/2 a cup of this per load. For a top loader use 1 cup altho I think in general the washing machines you have over there are quite a bit bigger than ours so you may have to use more.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lux flakes .. scroll down

I can't stand scented laundry - DH and I started getting rashes from a range of laundry products over the years. I'm switching to natural cleaners in my home. Although we use Tide, I'll be making a 50/50 batch of borax/washing soda and will start using 1/2 cup per load. I love the smell of laundry hung outside to dry but that will have to wait for the snowbanks to subside. If I use bounce sheets I just got their unscented ones which don't seem to bother us. I find there's too many scented items these days.

I like Seventh Generation. It's better for the environment and doesn't contain all the dyes and other chemicals. I think it comes in a lavendar essential oil fragrance.
Donna

Here is a link that might be useful: Seventh Generation

Here's the recipe I use...First Time I made it as is...second time I made a triple batch and it almost filled a 5 gallon bucket which sits by my washing machine! This is NOT my recipe, but one I copied from a site by googling it..
It works and that is what I was after!

Laundry Soap

You will need 3 basic ingredients; a soap of some sort, washing soda and borax.

The Soap: The most typical type of soap to use is Fels Naptha. It is an old-fashioned type of soap usually found in the laundry aisle. The other options for soap are Ivory or another brand called, Zote. Any of these will work. I use my own homemade soap and find it works quite well. If you use Ivory or your own homemade soap you will need to use the whole bar.

Washing Soda: This is not to be confused with baking soda. They are not the same thing. Washing soda is sodium carbonate or soda ash (baking soda is sodium bicarbonate). It is a white powder. Its purpose is to help remove dirt and orders. The brand to look for is Arm & Hammer Washing Soda. I find it in the laundry section of my grocery store. Many people have a hard time finding this locally. I know you can purchase it on-line, even through Amazon.com. I would also suggest asking your grocery store manager if it would be possible for the store to get it for you.

Borax: Borax is a naturally occurring mineral: Sodium Borate. It is a white powder. Its purpose is as a laundry whitener and deodorizer. The brand to look for is 20 Mule Team. It comes in a 76 oz. box. You should be able to locate this in the laundry detergent aisle. Again as with the washing soda, if you cannot find it ask you store manager or look online.

The Recipe

Now that you have assembled all the needed ingredients here is the recipe:

Homemade Laundry Soap

1/3 bar Fels Naptha or other type of soap, as listed above
½ cup washing soda
½ cup borax powder

You will also need a small bucket, about 2 gallon size~

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel. You use ½ cup per load.

Optional: If you want your soap to have some sort of scent you can scent this with ½ to 1 oz. of essential oil or fragrance oil of your choice. My favorite scent is orange essential oil.

But is it Really Less Expensive?

Is the laundry detergent a cost saver? How do the numbers on this add up? Well I am a person who likes to know what I am spending and if my efforts save me in one way or another. This is one of the areas that I wanted to know if I was actually saving money. We do a lot of laundry and I make double batches of this soap and knowing that the time spent doing this was a savings for my family was important to me.

Here are my calculations:

The cost of making the above recipe of laundry soap was .71 cents. That was amazing to me! With this 2 gallon size recipe you will have enough to do 64 loads of laundry. That translates to about .01 cent a load.

some also posted this site for a presoaking recipe for extra dirty clothes..here it is.

Thanx for the suggestions and the recipes.
Both recipes sound interesting. I haven't used Borax in years, but I think I'm going to try that one. Maybe both.