What brand have you been using on their clothes? Do they have allergies? You have a top load or front load machine that needs HE detergent?

Also do you have hard or soft water and what water temp do you use.??

I normally use All Free liquid detergent. No known allergies, but sensitive skin. I have front loader LG washer that needs HE.. I have regular (soft?) water.

Maybe add either some Oxi or All makes a Free now but with Oxi or maybe use some Clorox 2. Biz is good but has a tendency to suds--at least for me. Just give an extra rinse after using the additives since skin is sensitive.

I swear by the Tide Boost pods. I pop one in a load with my normal detergent (usually Arm & Hammer 4in1 pods) and do a Hot wash. I do this with my large amount of workout clothes (I teach intense Group Fitness classes 5 days a week....lots of sweaty, gross clothes). Works like a charm, and pretty cheap too!!

If you like All Free and Clear, you may find the Tide formula especially the scented products too strong. We can't use it in my family even with extra rinses--nobody likes a detergent reaction rash. My kids used to bring home "critters" in their dirty laundry from camp so you might want to check for that before you leave anything on the floor waiting to be washed. I like a complete no detergent wash before we get to serious laundry. It catches some of the critters and helps to begin the stain removal process. I would use hot water if you possibly can for best results.

Hope the kids had a good time.

Tide Boost pods come free & clear. Just sayin' ;)

Jane...have you heard?

Consumer Reports rated detergents and something finally beat Tide...Persil ProClean 2in1 (liquid) available only at Wal-Mart (soon to expand to other retailers).

I only need 2 Tablespoons per load otherwise it will make too much suds (even though it's an "HE" detergent).

Tide Ultra Stain Release came in second.

Thanks everyone! Enjoy the rest of your summer

Wow, I'm amazed. I subscribe to Consumer Reports and never saw that. I've been happy with Tide 'forever.' Little suds. I don't want to deal with suds in a front loader. Plus, I'm a bit OCD when it comes to getting the soap off my clothes. I will run loads through multiple rinse cycles until I'm certain there is not one sign of a sud!

Thanks for the info,

Jane

Hi, my daughter came back from camp with smelly, dirty clothes. I combined Persil pearls, with tide mountain spring liquid (former original tide) and stpp and a little oxy clean. Everything came out amazing clean and smelling great! I did an extra rinse to make sure all the soap was out.

Good luck!

For those of you that use Tide, do you only use liquid? We were told with our FL LG (old machines) to only use powder... We have brand new ELUX 70 series FL and I'm wondering whether to stick to powder, or if it would be ok to use liquid..? Your thoughts?????

Also, what do you all use for delicate items? Any special detergents?

What about softeners? Liquid or dryer sheets???

Hi again gabbycannon! For years and years, we had Miele and they used to always say only use powdered detergent!! Also, when I got my first front load washing machine in the USA, 1995 (Frigidaire), the manual said to ONLY use powdered detergent.

I have used liquid detergent in all my Miele units, and in my past Elux 70 Series and now in my current 60 Series. NO issues at all with liquids, but I wash almost primarily with HOT water, and every 30 days I do a Clean Machine Cycle with either bleach or a packet of Tide Washing Machine Cleaner (I love the scent). No issues with any buildup, mold or mildew ever!!

That being said, I always feel safer using powdered detergent. I generally find them less sudsing, especially on Hot and longer cycles. Also, I find powdered detergent rinses easier and quicker than liquid detergent.

Besides from glass cleaning towels and Microfiber towels, I always use a little fabric softener. Downy, Snuggle or Miele Care are my favs. Since I almost always wash with Hot water and do a Clean Machine Cycle each month....I have never had, nor worry about Softener buildup or gunk. My machines have always looked and smelled brand new. Even when having my past Miele units services, the Miele tech said the insides of my machine did not have one speck of buildup, slime, mold or mildew!!! Laundry w/o softener is not my fav!

I keep a box of Bounce or Downy dryer sheets in stock, but only use them once in a while for sheets or linens/blankets. I find with regular use, you will notice a little film building up on the lint screen of the dryer. No big deal...every few months just wash the lint screen with hot soapy water, let dry and it's like brand new! I think the Original Outdoor Fresh Bounce dryer sheets smell fantastic...so clean and nostalgic to me. Bounce also makes Boune Bursts, in wash scent pellets & they smell EXACTLY like bounce sheets!!

I add 20 Mule Team Borax to my laundry detergent. It is an all natural detergent booster and deodorizer. It also adds no suds and rinses clean. Also, cost is cheap.