What's the best "regular" detergent?

[~Cricket~]

When I started cloth diapering, I read and read and read on all the ins and outs of washing the diapers, and how you should NEVER use regular detergent because it would give your baby a terrible rash, etc. Then I heard about mamas using Tide, because it kept ammonia and stink issues at bay....
Now, I've only used Charlies Soap on my prefolds (with a bit of bleach on occasion) and we've had no issues. But I live in a small town, and the only place I know of where I can get Charlies Soap is about an hour away, and I don't get out that way very often! I ran out a while ago and have been using disposables since. So, are there any laundry soaps that I can get at a normal store that would be OK to use so I can put my prefolds back into good use?

[Erin0183]

I've had no problems with tide free and clear

[Baby2pls]

Can you order Charlies or Rockin green online to Canada? Amazon and ebay both have them! Otherwise regular tide should be fine, esp if you are using prefolds, as they don't require the special detergents anyways...

[The Fancy Pansy]

The answer will depend on your water and what works in it, but pretty much anything can be used on CDs (although some companies will void the warranty if you use mainstream detergent). "CD safe detergent" is the biggest myth there is. It's just fabric. As long as you aren't coating it with something water repellent (like fabric softener), pretty much any detergent that works well in your type of water should be fine.

I use Arm & Hammer free or All F&C, but lots of mamas use Tide, Country Save, you name it.

[AZmommy]

The best is what works for you.
I have the best luck with almost generic plain detergents or tide types with over all cleaning ect
powder genrics work best on my kids skin provided they are not heavy in dyes or perfumes (especially the first)
heavy duty powders like tide clean great for me but sadly react with my DD skin
Liquids as a whole for me work best on my DD sensitive skin and overall rinse best for me but don't always clean the best.
Ive had minor success with some greener detergents but not as much as with more mainstream.

[~Cricket~]

Excellent. I'll pick up some unscented/dye-free soap on Monday and we should be back in business.

Thanks!

[nonipie]

Use whatever works for you. There are a million different answers to this question. I have used Tide Free and Clear powder for several years with great success.

ETA: Also there is no need for dye-free or fragrance free detergent unless that is your preference. Those things will not harm your diapers at all.

[Nerissa]

It all depends on you water.

I have very normal basic water--not to hard, not to soft. I can use pretty much any detergent

I currently use whatever is cheapest at Costco. right now I have a bottle of Arm and Hammer. It works great.

in the past I have used
All free and clear
Arm and Hammmer Free
Purex free
Purex with a scent (I ran out of free and clear and bought the wrong one)

[hilaryisinked]

Best results for us have been liquid Tide (behind original tide powder but that's been long since discontinued). Liquid Gain works well too but their scents make my head hurt. For some reason I love the smell of original Tide so that's just what we use. Love it.

Sent from my iPhone using DS Forum

[srbordenstein]

I have used All F&C (liquid) and switched to Tide F&C (powder) when we were having stink issues. I think it was my wash routine and not the All, but I have been very happy with Tide. Diapers are super clean and it doesn't irritate our skin like the regular stuff.