I have REALLY hard water here & am looking for a good detergent for family use (no babies). I did do a search for laundry detergents & the only name brand that came up was "SUN" laundry detergent, but I'm wondering how well this works? If you've used it and liked it, I would love to know.



I've also heard of Ecos, Bio-Kleene, and Country Save but haven't used any of these brands.

Any other brands are fine too, if I need too, I will make a trip over to my HFS to buy it, it it's something I can't find out in town.



Thanks for any help!

Michelle

I'm using Ecover now, and it works pretty well. When I was in the US, I liked Seventh Generation's unscented liquid the best. Got things clean and no residue.

Thanks for the recommendation on the 5th Generation, I've seen that one at the HFS.

I'm slowly replacing all of my cleaning supplies with more environmentally safe items and I knew this would be the place to ask for some opinions!



Thanks again!

Michelle

Anyone else?

Surely someone else has a good recommendation for laundry deteregent?



At this point I guess I'll try to find some "Sun" detergent & then when I make my monthly trip over to the HFS try some of the 5th Generation.



If you've used anything else with good success I would love to hear about it.



Thanks,

Michelle

Ecos, free and clear. It has no scents, dyes or whiteners, so it does not bother the skin of my SO. It's pretty neat looking cuz it's clear

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it!!



Michelle

I just bought Method "fresh air scent" detergent and it works great!! I was so excited to find a name brand that was vegan and can easily be found, and it smells really good. There is also one with no scent but I love the fresh air smell!!

method.

Duh! I didn't even think about the Method products at Target, & that's where I do all of my non-grocery shopping!! I'm sure it would be a bit cheaper too.



Thanks so much for the recommendation!!!



Michelle

Thanks so much for posting! I've not looked into the Method products that much, but I'm assuming that they are cruelty-free?



I appreciate the recommendation!!



Michelle

I use Trader Joe's Next To Godliness detergent. It's the least expensive of all the natural detergents I've used.

You're welcome! Yes, their products (with the exception of their fabric softener sheets) are vegan and not tested on animals. You should check out their website at methodhome.com!

I've been using SUN.

We don't have a Trader Joe's here! But thanks for taking the time to post anyway! Someone else might be needing a good recommendation!!



Michelle

How do you like it? I'm kinda bummed about my commisary, they used to carry it & I looked yesterday & they've stopped!! I'm not sure why?

Does it get your clothes good & clean? My hubby comes home filthy some days & I need something that will defiantely get the dirt out!



Thanks for posting!

Michelle

Again, thanks for the info. on the dryer sheets! That's good to know!



I'm gonna go check out their website now!



Michelle

I've never had any problems with it. It seems to clean very well. I had problems with other brands (not mentioned so far in this thread) causing rashes for my daughter. But no problem with the SUN variety.

Thank-you so much for posting again! Then I will defiantely consider it!

I appreciate it!



Michelle

Yes, most of the method products are cruelty free (no animal ingred. and are not tested on animals). But I heard that the dryer sheets and one other product from them does contain an animal ingrediate, but the rest are safe. It was a link on this site about method products that I read that from. I'll try to find the link.

Opps...I missed the reply from VeggieJanie. Sorry!

Seventh Generation: 2 guys once stopped me on the street to tell me how great I smelled- it was the citrus laundry powder!! lol

Using Method right now. Also nice, but I'll be going back to 7th Gen I think.

I use Sun because it's the cheapest brand out there, and is vegan and cruelty-free.



I wouldn't say it's the best though, it definetely doesn't compare to Tide. But if money is no object, then Seventh Generation is probably the best vegan brand you'll find, assuming you're rich. It's 6 times as expensive as other brands, so I've never tried it, but have always heard good things about it.

Thanks everyone! I picked up some of the "Method" today & I'm going to give it a try, it smelled REALLY good!



I did find the "Sun" brand, but noticed on the back it said that the "finished product is not tested on animals", so does that mean during the process of making it they test on animals? I'm really not trying to start a debate or anything, but I found it odd that they worded it that way?



As far as the 7th Generation (I was calling it 5th Generation!!!), I will also check that out when I get over to the HFS. I just know that most of the cleaners they sell ARE more expensive, with the exception of the Dr. Bronner's (I LOVE those Sal Suds for doing dishes & for general cleaning throughout the house!!!).



I guess too the price could be figured in as a tad cheaper if your only doing laundry for 1-2 people, but I have a family of four. With a son who plays football & a hubby who sometimes gets into all kinds of things at work, I'll probably come out alot better budget wise if I can stick to something that I can pick up while I'm out in town doing shopping, kwim?



I just want to say a HUGE Thank-you to everyone for taking the time to post your favs. AND your experiences with them.



Michelle

It means the ingredients they use may have been tested on animals.

It doesn't mean that they did any animal testing. But the same is true of Method and 7th Generation and all the other companies also, all they can assure anyone of is that their final product wasn't tested on animals.

I've used Country Save; it's quite good for regular laundry. Great price.



I usually buy President's choice (a store brand) it is phosphate free, biodegradable, etc. I'm really happy with it.



I'd love to try 7th Gen., but it's really expensive here and with 6+ loads a week...

Ah, I see. I just found the wording odd I suppose. I know that when I read on the Method bottle it said that it "is never tested on animals", as opposed to "this finished product is not tested on animals".



Anywho, thanks for the insight.



Michelle

Thanks for the recommendation on the Country Save, I have seen this brand at my HFS & it seemed a bit more doable as far as prices go.



I appreciate you posting!



Michelle

Laundry - Ughhhhhhh, one of those jobs that needs to be done, but for me it is not an easy process. First I have to haul about 100 ft. of fire hose to my laundry shed, stick one end in the tub, run back to my waterpump, start it up, run back to tub, wait till it is full, run back to pump, turn it off, run or by this time walk back to tub, start generator, turn washing machine on, wait for wash and spin, then repeat above for rinse. Ahhh, the life of living off the grid, and people have the gall to ask me what I do all day LOL.

Anywho, I make my own laundry detergent, which is another story on its own, but instead of bleach I use 1/4 cup of vinegar per load, it removes odors along with dirt. And I have read that if you pour 1 can of cola in your washer it will get the grease out of your clothes, don't know haven't tried that yet.

I use Amilya's Soapworks detergent. It's cheap and works great. It even got out a cherry juice stain that I was sure I'd be living with forever!

I think method's caps are messy. every time i used method it would drip everywhere.

7th generation or Sun. Dr. Bronners in a pinch.