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Not your mama's laundry detergent: Method's new squirt bottle. Photo: Method
What's new in the world of laundry detergents? You'll be surprised.
In the past year, the world of laundry detergents (and dryer products, but that's another story) has exploded -- both in choices and in costs. We wanted to give you a rundown on the latest, possibly greatest, products on the shelves.
According to a Wall Street Journal article, one of the biggest concerns consumers have about laundry detergent is how to best read the inside of a detergent bottle cap for accurate measurements for various sized loads. Thankfully, these new products just about eliminate that problem.
Most Innovative: Method Pump Detergent
Method's streamlined packaging means less space is taken up in your laundry room. Consumers can stop worry about measuring with its pump design: Two squirts cleans a small load, three squirts a medium and four a large wash. You'll get 25 loads from a small bottle and 50 loads from a larger bottle. Plus, who can resist the Peony Blossom fragrance?
Most Unique: Purex 3-in-1 Sheets
Definitely a compact product for the wash, one of Purex's new 3-in-1 sheets is infused with detergent, softener, and anti-static cling, all released at the appropriate times in the appropriate appliance. It goes from wash to dryer. One pack of 20 sheets will do 20 loads, no need for measuring.
Most Bang for Your Buck: Arm and Hammer Gels
Arm and Hammer is a staple in many laundry rooms. Not too far off from traditional liquids, these gels, available as Arm and Hammer Plus OxiClean Power Gel and Arm and Hammer Essentials Power Gel Laundry Detergent, are the most affordable of the bunch. Why a gel versus a liquid? According to an article in Brandweek, Arm and Hammer reports that its gels are less expensive than comparable liquid detergents, and they are more concentrated for added strength.
Most Innovative: Method Pump Detergent
Method's streamlined packaging means less space is taken up in your laundry room. Consumers can stop worry about measuring with its pump design: Two squirts cleans a small load, three squirts a medium and four a large wash. You'll get 25 loads from a small bottle and 50 loads from a larger bottle. Plus, who can resist the Peony Blossom fragrance?
Most Unique: Purex 3-in-1 Sheets
Definitely a compact product for the wash, one of Purex's new 3-in-1 sheets is infused with detergent, softener, and anti-static cling, all released at the appropriate times in the appropriate appliance. It goes from wash to dryer. One pack of 20 sheets will do 20 loads, no need for measuring.
Most Bang for Your Buck: Arm and Hammer Gels
Arm and Hammer is a staple in many laundry rooms. Not too far off from traditional liquids, these gels, available as Arm and Hammer Plus OxiClean Power Gel and Arm and Hammer Essentials Power Gel Laundry Detergent, are the most affordable of the bunch. Why a gel versus a liquid? According to an article in Brandweek, Arm and Hammer reports that its gels are less expensive than comparable liquid detergents, and they are more concentrated for added strength.
A most unusual looking laundry detergent, the Robby Wash Ball is filled with detergent pellets. Photo: Orsani
Most Intriguing and Possibly, Most Money-Saving Product: Robby Wash Ball by Oransi
With the Robby Wash Ball the detergent itself is in pellet form and is filled into a curious, but cute round object you pop in your wash. It's popular in European laundry rooms, is usable in high-efficiency and traditional machines, but it's only available through mail order.
We Tried It! ShelterPop tried a ball, and it works, even in cold water. A testament to its effectiveness: A pair of deeply soiled boy's goalie gloves came out of a cold wash gleaming white, not grayed-out like in previous washes with regular old liquid detergent. The ball, which retails for $33, lasts for about 120 washes, which for families could mean less than four months, and for kid-free homes, it could last up to a year. For more info on the ball, click here.
The bottom line: Do the math to compare if it's worth switching to a snazzier, space efficient new laundry detergent, or, if you're like some frugal folks, keep on using what works just fine regardless of how big the bottle.
Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
Arm and Hammer is a great choice here, especially the one with oxi-clean in it. I stay away from laundry aids that are to gimicky (and expensive).
ReplyThis is all well and good. However, what about those of us with allergies and use "Free" products?
ReplyTry Melaleuca products. They are awesome....chemical free...eco-friendly. My children no longer use their inhalers nor do they take prescription allergy meds anymore since getting the harmful toxins and chemicals out of our home. Once you try these healthy products your only regret will be that you didn't try them sooner! Want more info? Feel free to contact me at DebWhite@saferforyourhome.com. :)
I agree. If I use any detergent that isn't perfume or dye free, I (and my husband) break out is a very itchy rash.
Detergents do not clean clothes. Water cleans clothes. The job of the detergent is to lessen the surface tension of water so it can penetrate the fibres of the fabrics and wash away dirt particles. So don't be fooled by high sudsing detergents. They will wreck your machine over time. Get a low-sudsing liquid detergent for optimum results.
ReplyWhy do all the detergents and fabric softeners have to be scented. Especaily the new products. I would love to try them but I have to use Free and Clear (Unscented) as I am allergic. They are hard to find. But, when a new product comes out like the Purex 3 in 1 to make your laundry experience easier I just can't try it, I think it is a great idea as some of the others shown above. But once again at the store all I see is scents. I didn't realize we had so many scents. Spring Scent, Lavender Scent, Linen Scent or just the normal scent which still has perfume in it giving off a nice smell. I don't know why they would even do this when it clashes with aftershaves and perfumes. The best smell anyone can get from laundry is hanging your laundry out on a line in fresh air but I don't think we have the time to do that anymore or want a line in one's backyard. . I am just asking when a new product comes out why can't they make a free and clear (unscented) product. .I am sure I am not the only one who cannot use detergent with scents.
ReplyIt looks like a good idea BUT you'd better be paying attention to washer cycles. You'd better have it out before the machine fills & rinses. I don't time the wash cycle so I guess it's not for me.
ReplyThe New Way To Do Your Laundry? I was thinking of paper clothing. Wear once and throw away. No more wash and dry and fold and put away.
ReplyFor those of you that use fragrance free, you can try the shaklee brand of concentrated detergent. One ounce cleans a regular sized load and we love it. I get it from Karensgonegreen.myshaklee.com
ReplyOR YOU CAN JUST BE LIKE PUFF DADDY.. HE NEVER WEARS THE SAME ARTICLE OF CLOTHING TWICE.
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