Comments on: In Search of the Perfect Laundry Detergent/Softener Combination

By: Sarah W.

Sarah W. — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:53:59 +0000

I have the best combination. I, too, used to go for cost effective. Until my friend gave me a boatload of clothes that smelled glorious.

It turns out she uses Tide with Downy (there are different scents) for the wash. And Downy fabric softener sheets in the dryer.

By: Charity

Charity — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:01:17 +0000

I would say I am one of those shoppers which purchase product on sale as well. The ONE thing I do that I haven’t seen mentioned here is to use 1/2 cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle. It removes any and all odors from the wash. This means no sour clothing and no funky odors creeping back once you wear them in the heat of the summer. It doesn’t cover up the smell like Gain or any of the highly scented products, but it simply just removes them completely. I used to have a cat that wasn’t so nice and would at times urinate on items in the house. If you have nevr experienced this, it is the worst odor in the world with super stink strength that NO detergent will cover up. But… I got out the vinegar bottle and viola! No more stinky odors ever again. So, if you want to use a dryer sheet to scent your clothing, that works but if you actually want to REMOVE the odors from your clothing try 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle of your wash. Once your clothing is dry you will not smell any vinegar, I promise! No longer will you have the funky monkey under arm smell lingering and returning on synthetics, etc. You will just have really clean odor free laundry. ;)

By: Connie

Connie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:50:20 +0000

HI… As far as perfect combo for laundry det and softener… I have discovered that it doesn’t really matter about the laundry det.. as far as smell goes.. but i have discovered a WONDERFUL way to soften/anti static clothes… It’s a product by BOUNCE.. not sheets, but a dryer bar… the bracket thingy goes into dryer using and adhesive backing… be sure dryer is clean and DRY where u put it… It lasts 2 to 4 months depending on the product you get.. very economical and NOTHING Beats the smell and softness/anti cling. I will NEVER go back to dryer sheets!!

Happy laundry day!
Connie
AKA MommaConnie
AKA a pastor’s wife also

By: Lori

Lori — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:43:54 +0000

I have to use the HE detergent, due to the – how did you phrase it red washers that make you drool when you pass them in Lowes? Well, I got mine at Home Depot and they are boring white, but the are really terrible at cleaning dirt out of clothes! Maybe it is because they don’t look like Dorothy’s slippers, or maybe because they don’t hold much water, but my advise would be to stick to the standard washer and dryer! And btw, with these fancy front loaders you aren’t supposed to use all the smelly fabric softners only dryer sheets – and we all know how long those last!

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:23:28 +0000

My mom always uses Tide detergent and Downy fabric softener (it has a touch of something, but I can’t remember what!). I LOVE doing laundry at her house. Our clothes smell good for days…

By: Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:09:22 +0000

Sweet Ruby,

This made me cry. I love you..

Lisa

By: Alyson

Alyson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:49:58 +0000

Oh how I love laundry. I just go to laundry aisle and take in the smell. It’s my favorite aisle in the grocery store. :) I think Era is the best with Bounce ‘fresh linen’. Keeps clothes smelling fresh for days on end!

By: jenah

jenah — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:43:32 +0000

i know this sounds super crunchy and totally hippie granola-gross, but i make my own laundry detergent. i can make 10 gallons for about $2 and it smells really nice. i splurge and use downy simple pleasures for fabric softener… i used to use the blue box but they don’t have that one anymore so i switched to the black one with pink writing. hope that helps! -jenah

By: Tinika

Tinika — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:26:41 +0000

I use Tide with lavender scent (it’s in the purple bottle) and downy. Honey my whole house smells great while the washer is going! It’s awesome! It’s a tad bit more exspensive than regular tide, but so worth it!

By: Ruby

Ruby — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:10:24 +0000

Lisa, Kaci had a favorite that she always liked. Gain apple-mango-tango in the red bottle and of course fabric softener in the same fragrance. Of course, I buy that now and breathe in the fragrance as I fold towels and remember. It’s funny how much the little things can mean. Love you. Ruby