Fading Splotchy Towels & Sheets:Is My Detergent and Borax The Problem?
cupofkindnessgw
7 years ago
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cupofkindnessgw
7 years agoRelated Discussions
What am I doing wrong (a detergent/pre-treatment problem)
Comments (7)Good question. I use Oxyclean with decent, but not great results. The only color issue I had was with some towels from Bloomie's that kept turning from gold to orange--albeit evenly! LOL After I returned two batches I gave up and bought a different brand, no problem again. But I have two other questions---I'm also using Charlies Soap. I'm using the liquid, but they sent me a sample 3 pack of the powdered variety. I've used it one time only, with good result. BUT I'm beginning to wonder why I see NO soap bubbles when I use a couple of tablespoons of the CS liquid in my machine. I have a Bosch FL and am using the suggested amount from Charlies. How much do you put in? Fabric Softener-- In my old TL machine I never used a fabric softener except an occasional Bounce sheet to get rid of static cling and lint, but nothing really on my towels as I heard it cut the absorbency. Anyway, with the new machine I didn't like the hardness of the towels (Charisma) so I began to use some liquid Downey. It's helped quite a bit. It seems like the FL leaves a rougher towel than the TL. Yes?...See MoreIt's official...I HATE Charlie's Soap Powder Detergent
Comments (154)I find this thread discouraging. I started using Charlie's Soap due to recommendations on this forum, but the vehemence of the opinions here is hard to figure?! Does anyone consider why they have such strong opinions about laundry detergent? Or whether they feel these strongly worded comments are actually helpful to the forum? Clearly, some of the difference with results has to have something to do with the difference in water from one community to another. Hard water, soft water, heavily treated water have to make a big difference in how a detergent works. I have seen a few comments here that point out the basic reasoning that many people had in using Charlie's soap, but it bears repeating. Using a detergent that has fewer harsh chemicals and less negative effect on the environment and the water supply. And the second big reason was trying to escape the overabundance of products that cause reactions to the skin from who knows what ingredients. What I want to use as a laundry detergent, is a product that cleans clothes well but is made from natural ingredients that do not affect the water supply or the environment. And definitely, a product that rinses completely out of the clothes so that there is no residue to sit on the skin and either provoke a reaction or be absorbed into the body. It would be more helpful to me, to read comments from someone who actually knows and understands what is in these competing products and what affect they have on not just cleaning the clothes, but do they affect the environment and do they leave a residue that can cause a problem for the skin? And I'm also trying to avoid fragrances. I really dislike them across the board, unless they are natural fragrances, as in coming from essential oils or something. I don't wear perfume and I find it difficult to spend time in a room with someone who does wear it. Bottom line - this thread did not help me figure out which detergent is going to help me have the laundry experience I am looking for....See MoreMy Detergent Diet
Comments (26)As PP mentioned above, the average joe just doesn't care - they load the machine, drop in a dose of detergent (and in a lot of cases, actually overdose above what the manufacture states) comeback to wet clothes to move to the dryer and as long as look and smell clean - they're happy/not bothered. However, for those who do care, it becomes just like chemistry - everybodys laundry is completely different: detergent type, water type/temp/level, machine type, cycle type/temp, load size, fabric type in the load (and what's loaded in together or not), stain types and even down to how long an article has gone between last wash, what its been subjected to, and even what its made of (2 items of 100% cotton could be different due to manufacturing processes and dyes etc) - I'm waffling, but this list won't even be all that's at play. Detergent manufacturers are a business, they need to make money; they have stakeholders, employees, suppliers, contractors and marketers to pay - so they must drive value and revenues. Don't' suppose it'll ever be proven (or ever admitted), but it's in their interest to give customers what they're happy with/what is acceptable, whilst maximising revenue - end of the day, if they dont make money, what are they doing it for? I did read somewhere (and I wish I could remember where) that a certain big manufacturer of a very famous detergent was starting to see revenues drop to a level below what they were aiming for/happy with, and it was centred around the launch of single dose detergents - on the one hand, they carry a premium price tag and it guarantees that a user gets no more than the stated amount of loads - but what they actually found was customers weren't purchasing detergent at the store as often due to the fact that compared to when the same users were using powder/liquid format, the overdoing (just dumping 1 full cap in) was causing people to repeat purchase more often than that of pod users. And what do you know, the dosing recommendations for pods were increased - going from 1 pod for any load, to 1 for medium, 2 for large and 3 for high capacity/extra dirty. The same has now become true of liquids - dose increased - line 1 for medium, 3 for large and line 5 for "full he loads" as "they are a higher capacity than standard top loaders and of course more clothes = more dirt)" --their tag line-- All this in a time when detergents are becoming more "concentrated" and front loaders use as much as a quarter the amount of water than that of a TL. Now how can detergents be being concentrated, Used in machines that use less water (which is what will ultimately determine the strength of the solution that detergents are dissolved within) and the doses are going up? Add this to the fact that washer manufacturers often say use less than recommended. Makes you think....See MoreWho has allergic reactions to laundry detergent...I DO!
Comments (41)A lot of people react to enzymes (and yes, most P&G detergents use enzymes) but I react more to the dyes and stench additives. Decades ago I would react to Tide and some others with the dyes and stench in them so I tried to buy dye/stench free whenever I could. Got some samples of the Tide when they changed the formula and concentrated it probably about 10 years ago and didn't react to it. My sister too, would react to Tide but she tried the "compacted" version and had no problem. Suggested it to my cousin with psoriasis and was very sensitive to detergents and that version was fine for him too. We all prefer the "free" versions and I still prefer the odorless types. I like the smell of Gain's apple/mango but don't really want to walk around smelling like a fruit salad. Don't want to smell anyway. When clothes stink, they need to be washed in my opinion. I don't really seem to react to any detergent I've tried in recent years but don't do a lot of experimenting anymore. And I started using an extra rinse and now with the new machine I can do the extra rinse automatically so it stays on. I also stay with a few proven detergent brands that clean my clothes well without all the extras I used to have to use when I used Arm & Hammer, All, Purex, Sun and other cheap brands. My clothes need enzymes to clean them apparently and rather than adding them I buy one of the few detergents that have a good mix of enzymes. Saves the cost of dishwashing detergent and borax. Jasdip, I'm with ya on the detergent aisles. And add in the stenchcandle areas of a store too. Do people just have no olfactory senses anymore? Most people use way more detergent than they should. If you look in the cap the first line is only about an inch in it. More is not better in detergents. Use what you should and what you need. Dirtier loads need more but it's just a waste to use too much....See MorePat z5/6
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