liquid vs. powder laundry det.

[justmama]

What's the difference? I mean, besides the obvious. Was there a difference when you washed your laundry? Can you still use so much less to get the job accomplished? We've been using Gain for laundry and diapers because it's ONE of the cheaper ones and since Purex and Sun changed their formulas I've been having trouble with diaper stink. Powdered Gain is cheaper than the liquid. I was thinking of switching but I've never used a powdered detergent before and was wondering if it really was any different.

Meg

[minimunklemama]

i was wondering the same thing the other day.i was at costco,the powder gave 40 more loads but i didn;t know if it was as good,
:

[JBaxter]

The only powder detergent I have ever used is Charlies Soap. I havent had any streaking problems and my cloths are clean. I bought in bulk ( the second time once I knew I liked it) 119 for the 1280 5 gal bucket. It worked great on my cloth ( when we were still in diapers)

[AprilDaisy]

I think I'm prefering liquid than powder. I'm always wondering and hoping the powder disolves... With the liquid, it's simply dispersing better.

I've started using "dye free/perfume free" of whatever brand I happen to get that week (we're allergic to some brands) and I like that much better.

[Merilin]

I prefer powder, it seems easier to store and easier to dose. However, if I wash cold during winter, the water is sometimes so cold, it won't dessolve. I work around this, by dissolving the powder first in a glass of hot water, works everytime.

I mix my own powder

[Irishmommy]

I use powder. However, I don't use what they say, I use about a 1/4 cup, instead of their measure. It lasts forever, and my clothes do come clean (I wash warm, rinse cold).

[Tiffany_PartyOf5]

Originally Posted by JBaxter

The only powder detergent I have ever used is Charlies Soap. I havent had any streaking problems and my cloths are clean. I bought in bulk ( the second time once I knew I liked it) 119 for the 1280 5 gal bucket. It worked great on my cloth ( when we were still in diapers)

How long does this last you?


Right now, we have been using 7th Generation powdered and All Small and Mighty or whatever its called... I love the 7th Generation and I dunno if its because its powdered or because its natural but my clothes actually smell clean and even diapers (they hadnt really smelled clean in a year!!!! but one wash in 7th generation and they smelled like they were brand new!!) Its just kinda expensive

[Justmee]

I prefer powder. The main issue with powder is you h ave to disolve it first if you are washing in cold. I find it works just as well, it's cheaper, and it's less messy. I think Tide has a new cold water powder but I haven't tried that. Just disove the powder in a bit of warm water first if you are washing on cold.

[AllieFaye]

I remember reading ages ago that powders and liquids are best on different soils. Grass, dirt and "dry" soils are better cleaned with powdered detergent, while oils and "body soils" are better cleaned with liquids. Liquid serves most of our purposes, but when I need a boost, then I add Borax or sodium bicarbonate. I also use the Free and Clear brands, due to dh's allergies. I line dry clothes outside for de-odorizing and further cleaning. I believe that sunlight is the best disinfectant, and consider drying on the line integral to my laundry cleaning process. The fruguality aspect is a great bonus.

[meister31]

I have a question----
What about septic systems? Which is better? just curious. thanks.

[LilMomma83]

We used powdered detergent when I was growing up because it came in HUGE (I think like 3-5 gallon sized) buckets and was less expensive.

DH and I also used it for a bit, but the problem is that if you do not desolve it first than you end up with a white residue on your clothes...and right now that is just too many steps for me to deal with (we have a baby coming almost any day now - so bending and reaching just to get the clothes in and out is more than enough!) so now we are using liquid - but no expesnive brands or anything...

Tiffany_PartyOf5: We just started using All Free and Clear (because it seemed like an inexpensive option that would be ok for baby)...I saw the Small and Mighty and it apeared to be the more expensive option--- do you find that so? What would be advantages/disadvantages?

[lmonter]

Powder is better if you need to wash coats or something with Gore-tex or some similar insulating thing. The liquid detergent gets in there somehow and destroys the insulation. Ask me how I know. : I learned this *after* wearing a Columbia coat my mom washed in liquid Tide for 6+ years. No wonder I was always cold in that darn thing. We just have powdered detergent for everything (A&H detergent, Biz, Calgon), with a bottle of Sportswash as backup. Oh, and bleach, but I don't count that because I *never* use it.

Plus if your kiddo spills the entire box of powedered detergent, it's a little easier to clean up than liquid.

I always just sprinkle the detergent on top of the laundry while the tub's filling with water. I don't have time to sit there and wait for it to fill and such. No problems with residue unless I stuffed the washer too full trying to tempt fate.

[Arduinna]

I only use liquid, I hate the undissolved powder left on the clothes and in the washer.

[1growingsprout]

we use liquid, its just easier... i've been using purex, it works well and its cheap... we use ALOT of detergent
i also hang dry when every possible

[CarrieMF]

We use liquid. The powder never completely dissolved. When I am doing just our laundry the small jug of liquid can last us 6 weeks doing at least 12loads a week.

[shelf]

I use liquid. I used to use all free and clear but switched to sun free and clear because it's cheaper and I haven't noticed a difference in my clothes.

[boobybunny]

consumer reports says that powder cleans better.

[root*children]

I do use liquid, but I HATE it! We have to use All F&C because i've found nothing else that won't irrate DS's excema

But I hate it because of all that plastic!! UGH! I mean, think of all the chemicals and pollution to even make it, then even when you recycle it, all they can really do is make one of those ugly park benches with it. Or you could toss it to the landfill and wait a billion years for it to decompose. ugh. Before we had to use the All, we used powder and never had any problems. Wish I had figured out to dissolve it first (that never occured to me!), but even a little clump here or there was never a big deal... maybe 1 shirt, every other load? Hardly anything to switch detergents over, IMHO

[Leta]

Liquid detergent was developed for exceptionally hard water. Liquid will dissolve even in cold, hard water. Powder is always cheaper than liquid.

If you have good water, save your money and buy powder.

I have a really good powder laundry/dishwasher/toilet cleaner/diaper pail detergent recipe if anyone is interested.

[Tiffany_PartyOf5]

Originally Posted by LilMomma83

We used powdered detergent when I was growing up because it came in HUGE (I think like 3-5 gallon sized) buckets and was less expensive.

DH and I also used it for a bit, but the problem is that if you do not desolve it first than you end up with a white residue on your clothes...and right now that is just too many steps for me to deal with (we have a baby coming almost any day now - so bending and reaching just to get the clothes in and out is more than enough!) so now we are using liquid - but no expesnive brands or anything...

Tiffany_PartyOf5: We just started using All Free and Clear (because it seemed like an inexpensive option that would be ok for baby)...I saw the Small and Mighty and it apeared to be the more expensive option--- do you find that so? What would be advantages/disadvantages?

Well, when we were buying the detergent at Sams (yes I know evil empire but its close to us and with 1 vehicle, I go where I can get) the regular Free & Clear was cheaper.. but, now we buy it at Target and it comes to be about the same price.. But, we are about to start shopping in bulk again to save money (hopefully lol) and Im hoping they have the all small and mightly stuff there.. I just like how I can use hardly any and it works lol.. and its much easier on the arms since our detergent is up high. The small and mighty does come in the free and clear formula so that is good, so you still get the safe stuff but just concentrated.. 1 bottle lasts about 3 weeks here with a family of 8!! Id say thats pretty good.. We are constantly washing clothes and diapers... seriously.. dh and I have probably 10 loads of laundry per week between the 3 kids and ourselves (dh wears 3 shirts everyday to work.. grrr...) and then washing diapers 4 times per week and then my parents wash about 7 loads per week and then my grandmas has like 2 or 3 loads per week.. so Id say its good for the money, unless you buy wholesale.. then the regular is cheaper (but the small and mighty may be about the same that way too if they carry it in wholesale clubs)

ahhhh im rambling.. sorry