Recently, I bought some Clorox GreenWorks *Free/Clear* liquid detergent because it has no optical brighteners. I'm sure the regular perfumed version has no OBAs, too. I'm only using it for dark and medium colors, and so far I am very happy with it. It does not suds up like other liquids I have tried, either. I use a half-dose of what the label says, which is pretty much what I do with every detergent in our FL washer with our water quality.

I have used Woolite for Darks, but it is only for dark colors (I think it has a dye that tints the laundry), and it is
not a heavy-duty detergent. IMO, it works best for lightly soiled
laundry. It has a light perfume that is not as heavy as regular
detergents, but still that bothers me sometimes.

Thank you for mentioning Clorox GreenWorks. Yes, that is a very good one, especially if your water isn't super soft. People with soft water and HE machines have had problems with suds but it is a very good detergent and even the non-Free/Clear version has only a very light, clean fragrance. I haven't had a jug of it in several years now but Larsi recently picked one up again.

Hi Andrew and Welcome.

You were given some great ideas already, I want to second the Powder Cheer.

I've never used the Clorox Green Works but have heard good things about it.

I do think the Persil ProCaps contain OB's, and I think your looking for a detergent without them, expecially since you say its for darks and good clothes. Theres not a lot to choose from in the US without OB's, that actually clean and not just perfume the water.

I wouldn't advise the new Arm and Hammer Pods as they contain oxygen bleach which could fade darks.

Do these good clothes get heavily soiled? I like Tide Free and Gentle Pods on my darks, the OB's in them must be a lower amount as I don't have any issues and I've found them to be much more gentle on good clothing.

As for the Tide Mountain Spring scent, I love it and use it often, I like that it has a crisp, herbal scent and much less sweet smelling compared to most Tide products BUT it wouldn't be my first choice for whites. I find Tide with Bleach powder to be excellent for whites. Let us know if you decide to try any of the recommendations...and again Welcome.

Thanks for the warm welcome! I am always in awe of the regulars on the forum!

Absence of OBAs are a major priority for me. One wash with a detergent containing them and my polos look like they are 10 years old. Thank goodness a wash with something sans them and they are good as new. I really wish Persil had a verson without them because it, at least to me, gives the fabrics a finer finish. Pills and fuzz are greatly reduced using it.

When we moved into our new house the builder must have been reading this forum because the "stock" washer and dryer was a new Speed Queen front load washer and dryer. It took some work to convince my hubs that I didn't advocate for this builder solely based on his knowledge of what would be the best laundry room appliances. Lets be honest though, if he can pick out that good of a washer and dryer his over all quality has to be superb! I really think since I have been using this pair our clothes show a lot less wear and tare than our old WP Duets.

This evening, as per the great advice here, I picked up an 80 load box of Cheer powder. I can't wait to give it a try. I also scored the last six packs of Tide Boost pods on clearance for $2.12 AND they were BOGO! Gotta love Kroger when they have a sale. I *might* have picked up a couple of bottles of Persil Intense scent, but *only* because I had a good coupon that was about to expire.

As far as soil level goes it all depends on who's clothes I am dealing with. The biggest and only real problem with the DH and my clothes are under arm/deodorant build up/stains and the occasional ring around the collar. With our two sons, 4 and 1 year old---WHOLE OTHER BALLGAME! Oldest plays soccer on top of what all a little boy can get into.

Like Mama I have never tried Clorox Green works. I remember when it first came out but now no where can I find it. Neither of our Target's stock it. If it really is that good I may have to order some from Amazon.

Mama, you mentioned using Tide with Bleach on whites. I totally agree except I will normally use Tide professional when I need to kick things up. I don't use this every load as I REALLY love the Mtn. Spring scent Tide (OLD scent was much better but those concerns fall on deaf ears at P&G). I get this at Ollies, dunno where I will procure this when they stop stocking it.

Welcome to our Laundry Family!

If you do not have sudsing issues, your machine is a good rinser and uses a good amount of water..Clorox Green Works is a great choice. Semi-natural, cleans like gang busters and no optical brighteners!!

Alex Chicago does LOVE his Cheer powder (it is safe for he and non-he machines). It is a good cleaner, has enzymes but no OB's that can fade darks. I always had a hard time rinsing with this, but most love it!

Persil Color Gel (German/Euro formula) was recently confirmed by Alex in Germany that it does not contain OB's.

I would have recommended Tide Pro but its very hard to find. I use it and LOVE it. It is formulated to be a more neutral PH, I think regular Tide with Bleach powder is just about a PH of 11 so the Pro is more gentle on clothing. And it has more oxygen bleach in it. The smell in the box is terrific, but doesn't linger on the clothes just leaving a fresh and clean scent, I think this may be why it doesn't appeal to a lot of people, the lack of a perfumed scent. My Ollies no longer has any, but I keep watching for it. when I see it again I will for sure stock up. LOL.

Ahhhh, MamaP's Tide Professional. LOVED it. It cannot be found around here. Y'all are lucky with your Ollie's! We go here from like Target to Neiman Marcus. LOL :)

mama, are you just showing off?? I am very jealous of your Tide Professional.

Andrew, welcome. I am only an occasional poster, but this forum is like Xanax.

I throw in for Cheer Powder. I have navy and burgundy kids uniforms, and I like to keep them dark, so I use Cheer but will occasionally use Woolite dark as it has a small amount of purplish dye in it. I also use Cheer for handwash delicates that I am able to wash in my machine. The Cheer is gentle on the clothes and leaves such a fresh, pleasant scent.

" I really wish Persil had a verson without them..." I've got some old Persil "Color" Perls that don't have OBAs, so they used to make it that way. I don't use it because the perfume makes me itch.

Also MAS for darks is a much cheaper clone of woo lite for darks. It's about $5 at walmart, which I really hate going but that's the only place I've ever seen it. Mas is not a TOL det, but it's just fine for light soils.

Oh to add on- I have mixed another detergent with mas to get more enzymes, namely s gen. I'm really just using it up so I can get some cheer powder lol

Welcome to our laundry "psych ward"! Always glad to have new laundry friends. I'm another who LOVES Cheer powder. I use it for almost everything. I also use Cheer liquid, but, currently, I'm using the powder the most.