So I bought a box of Tide....

**betharoo0** · 11-06-2006, 03:29 PM

Now Iam addicted! Help! This stuff is expensive, but my clothes smell REALLY good AND they are sooooooo much CLEANER! I compared my whites not washed in it to the ones that were and HOLY COW!!!! My bras are now white and not grey!LOL!
So heres the Question, What else out there can I use to get the same result? Because all the others I have found do not seem to compare!(Arm and hammer,ALL,xtra,store brand,Sun)
What about WISK? anyone try it? Cheer?
Would it be cheaper to buy a box of color safe bleach and just mix it with a cheaper detergent?

**staceyy** · 11-06-2006, 03:33 PM

Try buying the Tide and using half the amount.

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-06-2006, 03:45 PM

I use Tide, but I buy huge quantities when it is on sale. It is normally 8.49 for a 32 use bottle, but about twice a year I can get it on sale for 5.99 (5.67 at Walmart last month). Plus P&G puts out a lot of Tide coupons (in Canada anyway, I assume they do in the States as well) for $1 off. I save up the $1 coupons and combine with a sale and end up paying about 4.99 - which is no more expensive than any other brand.

I don't even know if it gets clothes cleaner, I just use it because it's scent & dye free.

**Missy** · 11-06-2006, 03:50 PM

hmmmm maybe i will boost what i have with some powdered color safe belach... it never occurred to me

**Neeley** · 11-06-2006, 04:45 PM

DH adds a half cup of baking soda to all of the laundry. He swears it gets them cleaner than his detergent alone. He uses 1/2 the amount of detergent (Gain brand) and adds the baking soda (best to get in in 12-15 lb bags from Sam's Club). All of our clothes come out beautifully and smell awesome!!!

**tbs727** · 11-06-2006, 05:12 PM

I know the wal-mart brand has a tide knock-off. You might try it. Its still more expensive than some other brands, but if you don't like it, you can take it back for a refund.

**nwmissourigal** · 11-06-2006, 10:16 PM

I confess...I have always used Tide. I just use less and I don't see a difference from what the bottle suggests you use. Tide is the only soap that doesn't break my husband out...so I will bite the bullet there and keep buying it.

**Cele** · 11-06-2006, 10:34 PM

I'm curious--how does baking soda make the clothes smell good? Baking soda doesn't have much scent by itself.

**autumnlynn** · 11-06-2006, 10:40 PM

I admit I absolutely love Tide but will buy other brands when I have coupons.

**MTS04** · 11-06-2006, 11:38 PM

Baking Soda changes the PH of your water allowing the soap and perfume to do it's stuff.

**Sara Noel** · 11-06-2006, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by Cele

I'm curious--how does baking soda make the clothes smell good? Baking soda doesn't have much scent by itself.

I use Gain sometimes and I think she means the Gain makes it smell good. It's pretty heavily scented.

**Neeley** · 11-07-2006, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by Sara Noel

I use Gain sometimes and I think she means the Gain makes it smell good. It's pretty heavily scented.

Originally Posted by mythreesons2004

Baking Soda changes the PH of your water allowing the soap and perfume to do it's stuff.

Both of you guys are right. DH loves to wash with Gain because of its smell. The baking soda boosts the smell as well as the cleaning power.

This is a little off topic (ok a lot off topic), but in our swimming pool, we add baking soda to increase the PH instead of the expensive stuff the pool store sells. Our pool guy is the one who told us to do this, saves so much money!!! Baking soda also works great in your dishwasher as well. Plus, you can pour it in the tub, add real lemon juice and clean the tub with this mixture. The lemon juice and baking soda cause a chemical reaction that is neat to watch (bubbles up), this is how I get the kids to clean the bathroom. I hand them a lemon or two cut in half and some baking soda and they LOVE to watch it bubble up and then they scrub with the lemon half.

**dmvezina** · 11-07-2006, 07:15 AM

I love Tide as well, but will buy what's on sale combined with a coupon or make my own. We need to use HE detergents and homemade is perfect because it doesn't suds up. It works great too!

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 11-07-2006, 08:42 AM

i always use arm & hammer, but i add a half cup of color safe bleach & ,my clothes are super clean.

**staceyy** · 11-07-2006, 09:12 AM

I forgot to add, I always buy Tide on sale and with a coupon. I then use half the recommended amount. This guarantees I always pay less than half the price. Our clothes always come out clean and good smelling. I also use dryer sheets which I buy on sale and with a coupon. I cut these in half.