Tide for cloth?

[BethyM99]

I've never been a big detergent girl, but after smelling a friends laundry I decided to try Tide. I usually use whatever is cheap, sun, era, etc. Man, does this stuff smell good!!!!

So, Can I use it on my cloth? or is it recipe for disaster?? I had a couple dipes sneak in the white load that just ran so I guess I'll get to do a couple as a test but thought I'd get some feedback before I do the whole deal.

:-)

[CraftyMommaOf2]

tide never rinsed well for me. but, we have uber sensitive skin.

[mamaBlue]

I'm not a Tide fan at all (burly chemicals and big biz, ya know) but I have had to use it on a few occasions. Its works great but I still avoid it when I can. BTW, I used 1 ounce Tide Free HE in my front loading soft water home. I use 2 ounces for a full load of clothes (but maybe I could use 1 ounce, too.) I ususally use Dr. Bronners Sal Suds or another one I pick up at Whole Foods (I forget the name but its a natural HE lavender scented detergent).

[mhurst]

We use tide free here. I only use a small amount and haven't had any major problems.

good luck :bigups:

[CheekyMamaof2]

tide is all I use. so many of the diaper companies say "dont use anything free and clear on your diapers" so we stay away from the tide free... I use about a tablespoon of detergent per diaper load (try it on your regular clothes too!) and I add one extra rinse cycle and we have no problems. my boys skin is extremely sensitive so that final rinse is uber important or he breaks out. As long as I do it this way, we havent had a problem. good luck!

[pmcgary]

I know I am done with the diapering...but I am wondering what the deal is that "free and clear" are bad ---I thought the only difference between the two formulas was that free and clear were free of fragrance and color--And how would NOT having those harm your diapers?

I never used anything BUT free and clear products b/c my babies all had sensitive skin....

In fact I got a great deal on Extra not too long ago and picked up two fragranced versions....And 2 of my 3 kids still react! So, now I need to find a friend with tough skin to take them off my hands.(I have 5 bottles of the free and clear Extra ---- was $9 for all of them)

[RufusBeans]

when I do the shopping, Tide is what I buy. I think it works just fine on K's dipe. I love the smell too :hide

Hi Beth! How are you doing?

[mhurst]

I know I am done with the diapering...but I am wondering what the deal is that "free and clear" are bad ---I thought the only difference between the two formulas was that free and clear were free of fragrance and color--And how would NOT having those harm your diapers?

My boss used to work at P&G. He explained that the only difference between regular Tide and Tide Free is that Tide Free doesn't have any fragrances or color. That's it, the detergent action is the same.

He said that is it more expensive because P&G has to do more equipment cleanings between manufacturing runs so there is no carry over from Tide to Tide Free, so there is manufacturing downtime that is factored into the cost.

[mamaBlue]

I know I am done with the diapering...but I am wondering what the deal is that "free and clear" are bad ---I thought the only difference between the two formulas was that free and clear were free of fragrance and color--And how would NOT having those harm your diapers?

My boss used to work at P&G. He explained that the only difference between regular Tide and Tide Free is that Tide Free doesn't have any fragrances or color. That's it, the detergent action is the same.

He said that is it more expensive because P&G has to do more equipment cleanings between manufacturing runs so there is no carry over from Tide to Tide Free, so there is manufacturing downtime that is factored into the cost.

I'm glad you cleared that up, Melissa. I always theought the 'dont use F&C detergent' advice didnt make sense. :)

[pmcgary]

That is what I always thought too.....So I am still wondering why diaper people are saying not to use it.

Did he mention what the difference is between liquid and powder? I have some covers that say to use powder and not liquid. (And believe me they stopped working...Silly me I thought liquid just was powder mixed with water...but there must be something else in there too?)

[mhurst]

That is what I always thought too.....So I am still wondering why diaper people are saying not to use it.

Did he mention what the difference is between liquid and powder? I have some covers that say to use powder and not liquid. (And believe me they stopped working...Silly me I thought liquid just was powder mixed with water...but there must be something else in there too?)

I think the advice to not use the free and clear really means don't use natural detergents which are soap based. I think I've read that you shouldn't use homemade detergents on diapers (ones containing borax and stuff like that) because they cause build up.

I will ask him tomorrow about the difference between liquid and powder...he loves to talk about the technical aspect of this stuff.

[pmcgary]

I just googled "free and clear diapers" And funny thing...

First site said under products to avoid All Free and Clear....

Next site I pulled up...under recommended products "All Free and Clear, Arm and Hammer Free and Clear"

After that I quit searching since I figured I wouldn't get a solid believable answer...

[abigailvr]

I used Tide he on diapers because I had a lot of pocket diapers. It worked well for us.

[pb_and_j]

Tide Free is all I will use. I tried other detergents, but Tide works best on clothes and dipes ime. :)

[geowalkmama]

Tide is all we use, too. We do have sensitive skin but I fine that two extra rinses really gets the suds out.
I asked at several cd sites why not to use the F&C too and I was told that you just shouldn't use All F&C because it contains an oil of some kind that can build up in you dipes and cause them to get dingy and not absorb well.

Thanks for listening to my 2cents. :)

[Moon]

Tide F&C is what I've used on Moose's diapers the vast majority of the time. Both he and his older sister have a food coloring allergy so not using F&C is not an option here. I use half as much as they say, and do an extra rinse if I catch so much as a whiff of detergent smell after a full wash cycle. Never had a problem.

Arm & Hammer F&C on the other hand had Moose's diapers reeking within 2 washes.

[ladydemetreis]

I just started using Tide today(again) I have'nt used it in a long time, I always loved it though. I washed their diaps too, we'll see how that goes.

[Susan_WW]

I've found that Tide seems to get our clothes and dipes cleaner than any other brand. But since it is so much more expensive than I can get Arm & Hammer on sale, I don't buy it very often.

[hunnybumm]

We use Cheer with color safe something or other, I don't know. That is what DH has always used, so that's what we use. However, on cloth I use Sport Wash, I found that I kept getting suds over and over with other detergents, I just couldn't get them out.

I remember reading not to use the F&C on cloth because it can cause fleece to repell. I didn't use a lot of fleece so I have no idea.

ETA I also use liquid, always have. I just like the way it mixes right in with the water compared to the power that I had to let the washer fill in a bit then swish it around.

[radish]

I think the advice to not use the free and clear really means don't use natural detergents which are soap based. I think I've read that you shouldn't use homemade detergents on diapers (ones containing borax and stuff like that) because they cause build up.

I will ask him tomorrow about the difference between liquid and powder...he loves to talk about the technical aspect of this stuff.
IIRC that is correct. Linda of HH (Detergent Diva at MDC) has lots of information/posts about detgerents/soaps.

I used Tide regular FL for dipes (after trying 100 soaps/detergents/no soap/etc) for our dipe wash routine. I use Trader Joes or other HFS natural soap for our clothing though.

[CadenJames062503]

Original tide is all I use on my diapers! I will use cheap laundry detergent on the clothes before I use it on the diapers! LOL

[trishshack]

I used to use Tide before I started working for PB so I could buy Bi-O-Kleen on my discount. The people at Allen's Naturally wanted us to carry thier product so they sent me a big bottle of liquid and a 5 lb box of powder too. Tide worked well for us but I prefer to use something that is better for the environment if I can afford it.

[CadenJames062503]

I used to use Tide before I started working for PB so I could buy Bi-O-Kleen on my discount. The people at Allen's Naturally wanted us to carry thier product so they sent me a big bottle of liquid and a 5 lb box of powder too. Tide worked well for us but I prefer to use something that is better for the environment if I can afford it.

What is PB?