I use the regular Purex when I want to wash things that need gentle care. I use the Purex without enzymes, oxy, optical brighteners. I have not seen any fading in my clothing with this. But I will be on the lookout for this happening, and the dryness you talk about. So far no issues for me though.

George, I haven't used an A&H liquid in probably 10 years! I'll have to pick some up soon and give it a whirl!

I'd take an educated guess that the dryness is detergent residue.

Oh mama! The shame! :-0 haha

im pretty sure it's not residue, I rinse a least twice and always ch clnthe rinse water to make sure it's clear and such. I'm thinking it's just the purex mixed with my water. I think I recall someone (larsi maybe?) saying something once about a detergent making clothes feel dry. I'll use it up on quilting fabrics or other clothes I don't care about. Shame... smells so good!

I agree with George, A&H Oxi is terrific. I use the new unscented version and my laundry smells nice, fresh and clean and everything is super soft.

Thing about rinsing and residue is most rinsing is done in cold water.....cold water causes fibers to close up, tighten, trapping things like residue and soils that wernt removed. Hot and warm water relaxes textile fibers, opening them.....cold water rinsing is fine unless someone has sensitivities, or are experiencing textile problems such as dry, stiff, scratchy clothing. Thats when one must explore as to why this is happening...which brings me to the most common cause...PH& residue....I would try a hot to very warm rinse as this will relax and open the fibers making it possiable to remove residue if that's the issue. Not all residue will cause visible suds either that depends on what chemical is trapped.....STPP used alone with warm to hot water will remove it all..

Another thought hard water minerals in water can also get trapped in the fibers causing dryness...only real fix if this is the problem is mechanically or chemically softened water.......if this dryness is only happening with certain detergent it could still be hard water minerals...some detergents have better water softening agents than others...

I do find it odd though that Purex liquid causes dryness and A&H powder apparently doesn't? Considering how much excess sodium carbonate is in the A&H powder...feel how heavy the box of A&H powder is? That's caused from a lot of sodium carbonate.

andi....Sears powder and Miele powders caused horrible fabric dryness, roughness and fibers to look and feel awful!

A&H powders clean very well and smell amazing, but I find them to leave fabrics not very cared for!

I can't use Purex for the reasons above plus poor cleaning power. I can use very little Tide HE Turbo liquid and get good results with no side effects. Use coupons and watch for sales to get a good deal. It is worth it I promise! I will take some OBAs over the harsh faded looking clothing any day!

At the moment, cold tap is coming out at 95F... it's still hot here. I've never used sears or Miele powders so I can't say anything about them but I'm surprised the Miele powders made things seem dry!

I normally use Tide powders and liquids but at the moment I cant deal with the smell (pregnancy nose) it's all gag inducing.

That's a good reason to not use it! Good luck!