favorite detergents for hard water?

[hibiscus869]

I'd welcome any suggestions for what you think has been the best all around detergent and whether you prefer liquid or powder. Thanks!

[SugarBooger]

Tide original formula -- liquid or powder (but not the new ultra kind)

[lecialefty]

I have hard water and use tide ultra, but it's not working for everybody on here. I have tried:

planet liquid - didn't clean well and had to do too many rinses
rng powder - didn't clean well...
country save - again didn't clean
all free and clear liquid - once again didn't clean and needed an extra rinse

I prefer powder detergents because they rinse so much cleaner to me. Cold rinse + hot wash with line 1 for medium loads, almost line 2 for large + 2 cold rinses = good to go for me. I use mainly aios but this routine works for my prefolds and fitteds too.

[wildsissy]

I do a full wash which is my rinse on cold. I add washing soda to this & sometimes a bit of oxyclean. While this is running I boil 2 huge pots of water because my hot water heater doesn't get the water hot enough. I bought a candy thermometer to check and after a cold rinse then filling with HOT water, the final temp of everything mixed was just above 100 degrees.. I take out all the PUL/elastics when I dump the hot water in the washer then I add in Allens Naturally detergent start the HOT water in my washer and let it run. I used to use a capful of vinegar and TTO oil in the final rinse but I stopped doing it and found that no new issues have arisen and my diapers are still soft enough. (I was using vinegar for softening). In the dryer I use several dryer balls, normally 6-8 and Static elminator reuseable dryer sheets.

[theonenonlymrssmith]

Anyone with hard water tried the purex free and clear??? This is what Softbums reccommends, and I need a free and clear formula since my family has SUPER sensitive skin. Were using all f&c on our clothes but haven't heard good things about it for fluff....

[omgcupcake]

Originally Posted by theonenonlymrssmith Anyone with hard water tried the purex free and clear??? This is what Softbums reccommends, and I need a free and clear formula since my family has SUPER sensitive skin. Were using all f&c on our clothes but haven't heard good things about it for fluff....

I had stink with it. It was the first detergent that I used, so maybe I did something wrong though. I like liquid Tide.

[theonenonlymrssmith]

Originally Posted by omgcupcake I had stink with it. It was the first detergent that I used, so maybe I did something wrong though. I like liquid Tide.

what about the tide free and clear?? Tide is out due to sensitivities....

[jmrw2]

Recently I've been using Tiny Bubbles, and so far so good. It's been leaving my diapers smelling like nothing, which is good I just do a cold rinse, hot wash with cold rinse, and an extra cold rinse. Nothing really complicated here. I switch my detergents up occassionally, but I've been using that wash routine for 4 years.

[newtocloth2]

I have hard water and use original Tide powder. I tried both Country save and Charlie's but neither cleaned the diapers well (and I was using the full amount of detergent).

[thisismiss]

I've been using Purex Free and Clear and you do get a stink if you put too much in and require a couple of extra rinses in that case. I have mid-way water - not too hard or soft and it works fine for me now that I know how much to put in and do that extra rinse. I do want to try a new detergent though which is why I am here (to read what others think!)