Does anything CLEAN as well at Tide?

[*Karen*]

We've tried about a billion detergents. They all left my diapers stinky. About 8 months ago I switched to Tide Free. Oh my goodness they are clean! I hate to change what works, but I am icked out with the optical brighteners. If I could get some of that All F&C military I would be all over it! We don't have an enzyme sensitivity, and it is working really well. Does anything natural gets them as clean? Oh I wish I could find one that works!

ETA: We have very hard water with lots of scale.

[Altair]

i'm loving using regular tide. diapers are so clean and no problems whatsoever!

[hollytheteacher]

I was told, when I bought my cloth diapers, to NEVER use any of the regular grocery store detergents because they create buildup of residue....

This is the one that they recommended to me...
http://www.babycottonbottoms.com/allens_naturally.htm

[*Karen*]

Originally Posted by hollytheteacher

I was told, when I bought my cloth diapers, to NEVER use any of the regular grocery store detergents because they create buildup of residue....

This is the one that they recommended to me...
http://www.babycottonbottoms.com/allens_naturally.htm

Yep, I know. That is why I started with Charlie's. Then I moved on to tons of others after that. I never did try Allen's. But I hear that it is very comparable to Charlie's, which got absolutely nothing clean. I've heard it is a huge no-no too, but it is the only thing that gets my dipes clean. I don't WANT to use Tide, I just can't find anything that works as well. I even tried the Tide essentials, definately a no go.

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by *Karen*

We've tried about a billion detergents. They all left my diapers stinky. About 8 months ago I switched to Tide Free. Oh my goodness they are clean! I hate to change what works, but I am icked out with the optical brighteners. If I could get some of that All F&C military I would be all over it! We don't have an enzyme sensitivity, and it is working really well. Does anything natural gets them as clean? Oh I wish I could find one that works!

ETA: We have very hard water with lots of scale.

How much are you using per-load? I've been through all the detergents too and I'm ready for something that works! Right now, we're using the "Earth-friendly" detergent from Costco and it is just so-so. I'm willing to give Tide a try!

[*Karen*]

Originally Posted by rootzdawta

How much are you using per-load? I've been through all the detergents too and I'm ready for something that works! Right now, we're using the "Earth-friendly" detergent from Costco and it is just so-so. I'm willing to give Tide a try!

I use up to the 1 line. If I use less, things don't get clean. But I also have really hard water. I found this blog post that made me feel much better about my Tide Free! I would still much rather use an earth friendly detergent, but at least I don't have scents, dyes, or optical brighteners! I looked on the back of my Tide bottle, and it says that it has enzymes, but it doesn't say optical brighteners. Does anyone have a regular bottle of Tide handy?

[inquisitia]

I'm looking for a natural detergent that will work well too. I use Allen's for now, but I have heard good things about Planet and I'm thinking about getting it next- is this one of the ones you've tried?

[*Karen*]

Originally Posted by inquisitia

I'm looking for a natural detergent that will work well too. I use Allen's for now, but I have heard good things about Planet and I'm thinking about getting it next- is this one of the ones you've tried?

Yep. It makes everything really really crunchy. I guess because it doesn't have any water softeners in it? Even with Calgon and Planet, my diapers come out really hard. And within three washes the diapers are knock you down stinky. I've heard some people really like it though. It is what I use on my kids' clothing, and it seems to work fine.

[SuzyLee]

I am struggling with this (right after I bought a giant 4 pack of Country Save of course).

I found SportWash to work really well, but it is pretty pricey.

I am so irritated that I am considering switching to all flats with just a few AIO's for DH in order to avoid all the washing issues.

To me CD's aren't eco-friendly at all if you have to run 2 or 3 wash cycles everythime you do laundry. yuck.

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by *Karen*

I use up to the 1 line. If I use less, things don't get clean. But I also have really hard water. I found this blog post that made me feel much better about my Tide Free! I would still much rather use an earth friendly detergent, but at least I don't have scents, dyes, or optical brighteners! I looked on the back of my Tide bottle, and it says that it has enzymes, but it doesn't say optical brighteners. Does anyone have a regular bottle of Tide handy?

Tide Free Liquid for regular washers does not have optical brighteners but the HE version does. Regular Tide does have the optical brighteners. Of course all Tides are made with petroleum detergents rather than plant detergents.

Thanks for linking to my blog!

[*Karen*]

Originally Posted by Galatea

Tide Free Liquid for regular washers does not have optical brighteners but the HE version does. Regular Tide does have the optical brighteners. Of course all Tides are made with petroleum detergents rather than plant detergents.

Thanks for linking to my blog!

Bummer. I use the HE.

I wish I could find a good detergent. I may try the sportwash, but I hear that it can cause a reaction. Ah!

[Altair]

I followed the advice from abbyslane.com and use Tide regular liquid filled to the one on a hot wash (no cold rinse first anymore) and then another hot wash with no detergent. My diapers have been perfect lately. We even survived when my DP did the diapers and filled it up to 2! (in our small washer)

[paintingmom]

I have extremely hard water--like water is orange if we run out of salt in our softener.

We use Trader Joe's All Natural Powder Detergent it works AWESOME!!!! Is only 7.99 and lasts for 64 washes.

But you have to have a Trader Joe's by you.

[*Karen*]

Originally Posted by paintingmom

I have extremely hard water--like water is orange if we run out of salt in our softener.

We use Trader Joe's All Natural Powder Detergent it works AWESOME!!!! Is only 7.99 and lasts for 64 washes.

But you have to have a Trader Joe's by you.

Sounds like you have lots of iron though, and we have lots of scale. I want to get a softener, but with our water set up the plumber said it will cost a ton to get one put in. My SIL has a Trader Joe's right by her house though.

[Sasharna]

Originally Posted by Altair

I followed the advice from abbyslane.com and use Tide regular liquid filled to the one on a hot wash (no cold rinse first anymore) and then another hot wash with no detergent. My diapers have been perfect lately. We even survived when my DP did the diapers and filled it up to 2! (in our small washer)

Hey, I'll have to try this!

OP, I've never found anything to work better than Tide, either. Wish I could. Tide is expensive for us. It has never damaged our dipes though.

[*Karen*]

I always do the hot wash with no detergent after also. Does anyone use the All F&C military?