We have been using (Surf, Purex, Xtra and Fab) because they are cheaper compare to Tide. The problems I have with these soap is that some stain doesn't come out and if I use the powder laundry detergent it doesn't dissolve completly so it stays on our clothes for a while and I have to do a second rinse just to get rid of it. But I've been told too many times to use the more expensive brand because they work better. I went to the store the other day and 40 loads (Tide) was $8.00 compare to Surf (120 loads) for $11.00. As often as we do laundry around our house 40 loads will last us for about a week. I don't have the fortune to spend a lot on laundry detergent so I stick of what's cheaper. Can anybody tell me the difference between the cheaper ones compare to the "more expensive ones?" I've only tried Tide once and it was on sale. Works the same for me.

I always use liquid Tide or Gain. But I always buy them when they are on sale, and I'll get 2 or 3 of them so it will last until they they are on sale again.

We have a high effeciency (HE) washer so my laundry detergents are limited. We use tide and All. I only buy on sale and with a coupon. So I stock up when they are on sale. A lot of things I buy are generic but not detergent I do not think it does as good of a job.

Also, you may want to check you water. We have a well ..... so we checked the water and had safe drinking water but some sediments and hardness. Yes the initial cost of the filter and water softening system was expensive but now because of the water softner we can use half of the laundry detergent (so I use a small load amount instead of the large for a large load). If your water is hard you need more detergent to do the job ..... this is what I learned from our water treatment installer guys.

HTH

I usually switch between the cheapo brand and the expensive brand. I will use one jug of ABC soap and then the next time I'll use Tide. I have never had any problems with our laundry coming clean or have residue left on them. Do you guys have ABC soap there? Maybe you could try that?

Do you put the soap in while running the water before adding the clothes. That way it will dissolve. I use Surf. But I can only find it at walmart. I love the smell of it and it gets the clothes clean.

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

I have to be Tide's biggest pusher! I use both the powder and liquid tides! I use the powder for regular washing and use the liquid as a stain treatment- it works great! Personally I have used the cheap brands and they don't seem to work for me and I usually have to double up the measurements to get the same result as Tide would. Although I must state that I don't use Tide as directed- I can half the 1st line and still have my clothes come out really clean- I really can't do this with other detergents. I also agree that different detergents work better with different water types- my mom can't use Tide at her place and uses Extra laundry powder and her clothes look great- Extra won't even suds up at my house.

In a pinch I admit that I would use All- but that is on the rare occasion when I don't have any back up Tide (which I stock up on) and don't have enough money for Tide.

Edited to add: I agree with the other poster about letting the water fill up to help the powder dissolve- one thing that I will do when using the powder is have it start off on warm until there is about 2" of water then switch to cold (hey I want to get my laundry clean- but cheaply!).

Yes sometimes I do but the results are the same. I can still find some that didn't dissolve.

I use the kirkland brand (Costco) and really like it.

Charlie's Soap (online...free shipping if bought from their website) is inexpensive. I've only used their powder for cloth diapers, but I think they have liquid too.

ETA: I also have a front loader, but I still use regular detergent, just less of it.

I use eco-friendly laundry detergent (Seventh Generation) but when I used regular laundry detergent, I used liquid Arm and Hammer. It was cheap and did a great job and the clothes smelled so fresh!

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I use Gain because I love the smell, they all seem to clean about the same for me. I use Dawn to pretreat stains.