SEA SEA, we are a great group even if I do say so myself.

Hugs to all my fellow Laundryfobes or laundryphiles.

About Persil, I like its cleaning but not so much the smell and the suds. I'm currently on an old bottle so now that they recently changed the label I don't know how the "newer" formula works.

I do have Cheer powder but have not used it yet (I have too much of a stash of other detergents to get through).

Glad to have you here, SEA SEA. Though I read and sometimes participate on several GW forums, this one is by far the most universally helpful and it is entirely without the snark seen on a couple of the others. Re detergents, I am one of the few, I think, who like the Persil smell. But I'm finishing up a very old bottle, so may not like the new version.

SEA SEA, you just explained why this is the first GardenWeb forum I open each day. You are valuable to us too now. Welcome.

SEA SEA, your post is beautifully written and made me smile. Welcome to the Laundry Room.

It's funny SEA SEA, I was just opening this forum with the not-quite-formed thought that it would be a nice and peaceful way to wind up the day, seeing what the good folks of laundry are chatting about, and here your thoughts are at the top of the page, eloquently setting out what was in the back of my mind. You're right about it being a good group as well as a grounding subject, plus I hung the laundry out on the clothesline today during a rare sunny afternoon, which I love doing. :). And more on topic, because of the forum I use Cheer on colors, Persil pearls on whites, and LeBlanc Linen Wash on our sheets.

Yours is such a lovely post Sea Sea. I never looked at this forum in the way you describe and, as a long time member, it pleases me that you have found another dimension to our discussions. Please keep posting and I hope that any good feelings from here will be restorative to you and good for your health.

Laundry is so basic, right? Water and soap get things clean and that makes us feel better.

There is wonderful camaraderie here in our laundry family and great tolerance for the most trivial subjects. Some of us here on GW have solved many problems and learned a great deal from complete strangers who become our "laundry family." We also share small joys -- of course there is no other way to describe finding a new detergent to try, right?

Everyone knows something different. I find I never know when the briefest comment will be helpful because it comes from well-meaning, honest people expressing their opinions with respect even when we don't all agree.

Now about the perfumed BO clothing. I'm a Persil person. I have the Euro perls and the liquid for colors. However, I know from trying to remove odor from vintage textiles in the past that hot water does the best job as a deodorizer. though it can depend on whether the clothes are cotton or synthetics.

If you're looking for a new product I want to put in a good word here for Grab Green pods. Not everyone loves them but I get excellent results, great whitening and fragrance I can stand on the clothes in very soft water -- and so do others. Might be worth a try?

Sea Sea, yes this is a wonderful forum! Thank you for the lovely words of kindness. I find the forum a peaceful joy. Great help with laundry too. Laundry is one of those things that we do to nurture ourselves and our family. Its a sphere of influence that is measurable and within our grasp.

ETA, now I have to make a new post on the detergents that I just bought ;)

I can 2nd the good word for Grab Green detergent! I LOVE the vanilla lavender pods to the point of addiction, followed by gardenia (which I use on my clothes only as it's pretty flowery and hub doesn't care for the scent) I also use 1 pod of the delicate as a prewash sometimes!

Which btw- I have to credit our roccocogurl for sending me my "starter pack" of GG and another great non toxic laundry product- cal Ben sea foam laundry soap which is amazing on delicates, I've found!

I agree, this forum is great! I've been reading on here for months and comment occasionally. But I've read so much that I feel like I know all the "regular" posters lol.

Always glad to see another convert to the "green" side. I'm strictly no boosters, no additives, no toxins though I'm not crazy green (sorry larsi, you know I'm not).

Still like my Persil and my Perwoll liquids. Laundry comes out so clean, smells good, the whites and the blacks don't fade and I'm not supporting the $14.4 million salary of P&G CEO David Taylor.

I also recommend the GG Pods, I use them on whites only, though I would love to find something "green" for darks and delicates. I think I will have to try the cal Ben seafoam that miami miami likes.

As for this forum, I find it a very kind and gentle place to visit. Something we all need. I hope you are on the road to recovery and find ways to communicate with others. Your writing is beautiful and what a wonderful way to communicate and make connections. I wish you good health and clean laundry.

Mami..do you know what the ingredients are in the Cal Ben? Maybe it changed but last I checked it was mostly **soap** cocoa butter soap and tallow..has it changed? Otherwise not so good on textiles or washers...or plumbing.

Hey mamap....yes you are right. Cal Ben is soap, not detergent. And ingredients do include coconut oil and white vegetable tallow. I do not use this product exclusively as I am aware of the consequences of what using only soap can do to a washer over time. I only use on delicates and the occasional hand washing of my nice "going out" bras. I also run a weekly white load of towels that I use for bath mats with hot water, tide ultra stain release, and bleach so I'm not too worried about my washer or plumbing. Clothes washed in calben come out clean and residue free in my experience. I've also read reviews of people using this exclusively for years because of severe skin allergies and havnt mentioned any washer problems but they may not be aware of it or they alternate like myself. That said hmorton, I'd recommend for occasional use but not regular or exclusive use unless you suffer from severe skin problems which thankfully, we don't here except for an occasional excema flare up from my youngest which is not detergent related. I use tide pur clean on darks and grab green for almost everything else including colors. And have switched to plant based dryer sheets which work for me pretty well down here in humid SFL. I've heard they don't work so well the farther north or in drier climates.

My DD uses Cal Ben exclusively as her little guy was allergic to everything else. Her washers are fine and she has no complaints.