Apparently, over time it will hurt your septic system. My sister in law has a septic system and she was told not to use powder for this reason. I do not have septic so I do not know this for myself.

I like the liquid better but there are only certain brands I will buy.... I find that the cheaper ones I have to use more then I do if I buy a brand name kind, There is only one I like but can't think of the name of it.

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I LOVE the savings I get, as well as the quality of wash I get, from using Costco's Kirkland brand super concentrated powdered laundry detergent. It comes in a 28 lb. plastic tub with a handle and claims to be enough for 200 loads (although I don't keep track), for less than $12.00. I only have to use about half a scoop for a large, regular load, and use a full scoop only when the stuff is extra dirty. It has a nice fragrance, and lasts a long time.

I can make a paste of it to pre-treat stubborn stains, and it can be used to clean other things the house (read the tub for a list).

The washer we bought a few years back has two cold settings. One setting uses just cold water, but the other "blends" cold water with as much hot water as it takes to keep it at 70 degrees - for the sole purpose of dissolving powdered detergent. Honestly, this was not a top of the line, name brand machine either, and it was on sale. So, using powdered detergent isn't a problem . . . you could just start to fill your washer with hot water, add soap, and wait just long enough for it to dissolve before switching it to cold water.