What is the best laundry detergent hands down?

Question

We use Tide which seems to work the best. Anyone know of anything that works better?

Also, any recommendations for a good fabric softener is welcome! Thank you!

Answer 1

Charlies' Soap (found at Whole Foods or on the internet).  It is super concentrated ( 1 Tbsp is all you need), works really well, is septic safe and doesn't impart fragrances to your wash.  

My favorite fabric softener is a cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle.  It kills bacteria (the cause of odors), acts to remove the soap residue left behind by the wash cycle, and softens fabric.  You can't smell it once the clothes are dry, either.  Oh, and it's a LOT cheaper than commercial fabric softeners.  I do, however, use dryer sheets for a little fragrance.

Answer 2

Era IS the best 'hands down'

Tide just gives lots of bubbles so you THINK it is best.

Tide sells better because people THINK it is the best.

Answer 3

One morning while flipping thru the channels, I came across someone testing different laundry soaps (it was some Morning America type show) and they concluded that Arm and Hammer with color safe bleach powder form was the best buy when they compared price to quality.  I was a Tide girl for years, but I tried it and have used it ever since.  

I have a front loader washer and hate using powder (it always makes a mess in the door where you put the soap, fabric softener and bleach) so I actually premix my powder with water.

Answer 4

I really like Tide. My baby had some smelly and stained clothing and it usually gets everything out. I have to pretreat with a paste of tide and water first to really ensure it's all going to come out. It smells very fresh and works great. I use Bounce fabric softener sheets. They smell good and keep some of the lint and wrinkles out...

Answer 5

You are spot on.  Consumer reports named Tide the best detergent in all categories.

Sorry.  Can't help you with the fabric softener - never use the stuff!  I use a little diluted vinegar in the rinse water and it softens the clothes in the dryer - much cheaper and completely environmentally friendly.  Google it to get the amount that is right for your type of machine (I have a low water machine).  Just don't let straight vinegar hit the clothes as it will probably bleach a spot on them.

....and I was thumbed down because...?  You disagree with what I reported directly from Consumer Reports?

Answer 6

ARM AND HAMMER

Answer 7

I have done my own consumer testing on this very thing and have found Era Detergent to work best overall.  I used to be a Tide user but it never got my towels completely clean and they would come out smelling funky.  Era not only cleans better but rinses out better & leaves a fresher scent.  As for fabric softener, I use Downy vanilla & lavender....I just love the way it smells!  Any Downy softener will do...but I have found Snuggle to work just as well.  Being from western New York we have to use fabric softener a LOT in the winter months!

Answer 8

Arm and Hammer is the best!  It's also more economical than Tide.  I like that it comes fragrance free, as does Bounce, which is my fabric softener of choice.  (I only use fabric softener on fabrics that are prone to static cling.)