deals 4 high efficiency LAUNDRY detergent ??

[allshoppedout]

For those of you who must buy HE laundry detergent for your HE clothes washers, where do you buy?

Who has the best price for the most ounces & best soap?

Liquid or powder better?

Do you really feel you save on water/energy bill when you factor in the more expensive laundry soap cost?

Thanks for any help :)

[biomajor]

I just use a smaller amount of the regular detergent :) I like Liquids better, but that's because I like Gain.

[allshoppedout]

Thanks I have been looking online FOREVER.... seems like people say that powders are better for HE because it keeps mildew smell down....

 

Can you tell me how little you use of regular detergent?

My new machine warns me numerous times not to do that...didn't know if it'd make a gooey build up somewhere in machine--but I am all for saving money if I can. Washer died the other day, it was 17 yr old, had minor repairs 3 x but this time was advised not to repair...

 

Also washer says it "senses" load size/other things...and I didn't know if a certain amount of soap has to be in dispenser thing for it to dispense/clean it right....In other words if I cut down the amount of detergent because it isn't HE, will it be released into load correctly?

[Jen198]

I use Tide Coldwater HE liquid detergent. DH and I rent an apartment, Owner told us never use regular detergent...only the ones that have HE on it. Alos, Tide has a new product out that specifically cleans HE washers..haven't tried it yet. Am curious how well it will work. The cheapest detergent I have found is BJ'S Wholesale. They usually have 2-3 bucks off. Hope that helps.

[biomajor]

I use about half the normal amount. I've had mine for 9 years and the washer is perfect! Dryer is another Story LOL Control Board went out and they've replaced it twice.

[jonboy_nellie]

I dont have a HE machine but I love this from Biokleen. It is 1 oz per load for a regular machine and says use 1/2 for HE, I wait for a free shipping on $25 order email and feel it is a great value. Only problem is you can only get 2 at a time or the order gets too heavy for free shipping.

[ISU ME]

I don't have a HE washer, but I heard somewhere that you should leave the door open when not in use to prevent that mildew smell...

[Stowasser]

we have had ours for at least 7 months and I use regular detergent, I really just put a little in, I read that in reality, we put too much soap in our washers (half would do on regular ones) and then half of that amount for HE machines. The clothes are clean and haven't had too much trouble with smell, I ran some bleach through it once but I leave the door open to let the rubber gasket dry out. I bought from Lowes and the sales man working with me said he has had one for a couple of years now and does the same thing as I do with just alittle amount (experiment with the amounts)

[boredbread]

I had an old, old frontloader and always used regular detergent with no problems. Within the past year I got a new frontloader, and the regular detergent just doesn't work right, even if I use a little (also had a couple of super suds incidents.) There is definately a difference when using HE, at least for my machine.

 

Consumer reports did a report on detergents fairly recently... if you don't subscribe most libraries have it. I think Costco's Kirkland brand was rated "best value" but I can't remember for sure b/c we don't have Costco where I live. Also I think they generally rated the liquid better than powders, but again it has been awhile since I read it. I personally use Tide HE and wait for gift card deals at Target when I can stack Target and mfr coupons and get good deals.

 

As for the mildew smell, you need to leave the door open and let it dry out completely before closing. I just leave mine open all the time.

[boredbread]

Here are consumer report's top 5 or so rated HE detergents:

 

CU Recommended Tide-2X Ultra with Color Clean Bleach Alternative HE-Laundry detergent-image

Tide 2X Ultra with Color Clean Bleach Alternative HE

Price: $0.24

 

 

 

$0.24

74 %

CU Recommended Tide 2X Ultra Original HE see here

 

CU Recommended Tide-2X Ultra Original HE-Laundry detergent-image

Tide 2X Ultra Original HE

Price: $0.23

 

 

 

$0.23

67 %

CU Best Buy All 2X with Oxy Active see here

 

CU Best Buy All-2X with Oxy Active-Laundry detergent-image

All 2X with Oxy Active

Price: $0.15

 

 

$0.15

63 %

CU Best Buy Gain Original Fresh HE see here

 

CU Best Buy Gain-Original Fresh HE-Laundry detergent-image

Gain Original Fresh HE

Price: $0.15

 

 

 

$0.15

63 %

CU Recommended Up & Up Fresh Breeze HE (Target) see here

 

CU Recommended Up & Up-Fresh Breeze HE (Target)-Laundry detergent-image

Up & Up Fresh Breeze HE (Target)

Price: $0.13

 

 

 

$0.13

60 %

CU Recommended Kirkland Signature Environmentally Friendly Ultra 2X HE Item # 295863 see here

 

CU Recommended Kirkland Signature-Environmentally Friendly Ultra 2X HE Item # 295863-Laundry detergent-image

Kirkland Signature Environmentally Friendly Ultra 2X HE Item # 295863

Price: $0.12

 

 

 

$0.12

59 %

CU Recommended Seventh Generation Natural Powdered HE see here

 

CU Recommended Seventh Generation-Natural Powdered HE-Laundry detergent-image

Seventh Generation Natural Powdered HE

Price: $0.36

 

 

$0.36

57 %

CU Recommended Gain 2X Ultra Original Fresh HE see here

 

CU Recommended Gain-2X Ultra Original Fresh HE-Laundry detergent-image

Gain 2X Ultra Original Fresh HE

Price: $0.16

 

 

 

 

$0.16

57

[allshoppedout]

Thank u all so much -- I am using the Gain powder for HE and clothes smell great and I cannot believe the teeny amount I am using! I got it from my local grocery store (4 boxes) plus a coupon I found, plus 5 in cash back on next trip, plus fuelperks. If I run out, it seems they sell it at Amazon (no tax, no shipping) so I will do that if i have to.

I must confess I am afraid of screwing up the machine...so I won't be trying to use the 4 bottles of liquid NON-HE detergent I have, I think I will donate them to a local school for special children, that works on life-skills (teaches kids to do laundry, fold, etc) as no one in my family wanted them.

I haven't noticed any residue from the powder on my clothes, if I do, I may switch to liquid then.

My machine is a TOP loader, but I was told by the salemen that they too can get the mildew smell if you aren't careful.

Thanks everybody