Need laundry detergent

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I need to buy laundry detergent soon and want to really save per load. In the distant past I bought detergent in bulk at Sears and got good value. I have no problem with buying in bulk again. My favorite brands are Tide and Gain, but I am not strongly brand loyal. Where have you found the absolute best buys? Have you been able to find your best deal on laundry detergent at one place consistently?

(Please no suggestions to grate soap and mix with borax, washing soda, etc. My clothes get dirtier than that can handle. I prefer detergent over soap for that reason.)

[momof1in150]

I use Ajax w/bleach alternative. I can still get it at the commissary for $2.50 for the 126 oz container. For heavily soiled clothing I add 1/2 cup of borax to the washer. I never have any issues with clothes getting clean.

[deadgoon]

I just use whatever is cheapest when I need it. It's probably all made in the same factory anyway.

[Ima saver]

I buy trend detergent. It is about a dollar a box, and I have used it for years.

[scfr]

You may want to try the Kirkland Signature (store brand) at Costco. I used to use it and it worked great. I'm afraid I can't tell you current prices because I switched to Wintree (an environmentally friendly product) from Costco.

[Lilypad08]

Hi, I do the same as deadgoon. I buy what's cheapest, and try to buy a concentrated formula. The larger the bottle the more room it takes up in the landfill. I'm not only trying to save money but trying to be earth friendly also. Lighter to carry too. Also COUPONS COUPONS COUPONS!!! When the store has it on sale and you get to use a mfg. coupon you can really save some $$$ on the products you prefer. Works for me. Good luck!

[PrincessPerky]

All frequently has a rebate at BJS and it has 'free and clear' which is good for sensitive skin of my kids. Plus we use baking soda in a load which makes less do more.

on rebate it is like 10$...around 80 loads?

[mom2manyboyz]

This is one area that I will spend more, because my desire to be green out-weighs my desire to be frugal. I buy bio-degradable detergent from amazon.com because I get it in bulk and they have the cheapest price on the green stuff.

If you are buying common detergent, please by fragrance-free. It is healthier for you and for the earth.

[deadgoon]

If you are buying liquid detergent and want to be even greener, make sure you are recycling the plastic bottle. Most plastics will probably never biodegrade and will sit in the landfill for billions of years until the Earth is burned away by the expanding Sun.

[aevans1206]

We're persnickety about our detergent. My husband has terrible eczema. We use Ecos, an environmentally friendly product. We love the smell and it leaves clothes clean and soft without softener!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I think I've seen Ecos out of the corner of my eye at a couple of stores in the last two weeks. I did not stop to read the label or check prices. How is it environmentally friendly? I already live in a state that for many years has mandated zero phosphates in laundry detergent (but not in dish washer detergent.

[Staceyy]

I buy Tide on sale with a coupon and use half the recommended amount.

[cooliemae]

We use dry detergent from Sam's called "Windfresh". It costs about $13.5 for about 200 loads. We use concentrated Gain for our delicates, but for everything else we use the dry stuff and simply mix in the detergent as the water is going into the washer.

[deadgoon]

I buy Tide on sale with a coupon and use half the recommended amount.

That's another great tip. Don't just assume that you need to use a full scoop or cap. I usually just use a half scoop and my clothes come out clean.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I have started cutting down the measuring scoop for dry detergent and marking a very visible measuring line for liquid detergent, because my husband does a lot of the laundry these days, but he seems to use way too much if given the unaltered devices that come with the detergent.

No doubt the manufacturers count on the fact that some people will fill that scoop or measuring lid pretty much to the top or to which ever line looks prominent on them, regardless of need or written directions. The last detergent we bought is a liquid and the measuring guide marks are a bit difficult to see. Other decorative lines show up quite well and one could mistake them for being the fill lines.