Anonymous wrote:Re: the references to liquid and mold growth - are you referring to mold in the washing machine?

No, in the detergent. When detergents are mixed with water, they are great places for mold growth. Since they are not pasteurized or chemically treated to kill the mold present in them as mold spores are everywhere, they will spoil just sitting on the shelf.
This is why powdered detergents are preferred.

Front loader washing machines are notorious for black mold and other mold and fungal growths due to their limited water use not properly rinsing the machine and clothes.
Also because most people don't leave the doors open for them to air dry.
And lastly also because the rubber door gasket seals have great areas to harbor mold growth unless you wipe them down after each use.

Anonymous wrote:I buy the huge Ariel bag of powder. Lasts for months.

Same here. Ariel, like Persil, is a well-known detergent in Europe. It does have fragrance but my cute babies are now stinky, gross boys.

Re: the references to liquid and mold growth - are you referring to mold in the washing machine?

I buy the huge Ariel bag of powder. Lasts for months.

Anonymous wrote:Which one wins for being the most environmentally friendly? Why do you like the one you use?

Tide unscented powder.
Called "Tide Free" in a white box.
Bar none the cleanest and also most hypoallergenic one available at the moment.
Also comes in liquid, but liquid detergents are the bane of laundry world as they are petri dishes for mold and fungal growth.

I switched to detergent sheets, at least it minimizes plastic.

I recently switched from sheets to Bluelsnd tablets to try to avoid plastic. Previously I bought tide free refill pouches. Powder was too messy for me and I ended up buying it online.

I've been using Dropps for a couple of years. I use their dishwasher pods also.

nellie's is excellent. I order it from the Costco website.

PP here, or go to the fulfillery in Tacoma Park.

OP, use as little as possible and make sure it comes in a cardboard box.

Anonymous wrote:Which one wins for being the most environmentally friendly? Why do you like the one you use?

That's like asking "what is the least toxic?" They are all the same, only differences are the fragrances really. The base product is made in just a few factories and then sold to other corps to be fragranced and branded.

Powder is better for long term use than liquid detergents, as liquid ones harbor and grow molds and mildews very fast. Just keep powder detergents on hand and in air tight containers so they don't absorb moisture as they are hygroscopic in nature.

If you use a front loader washer (bad bad for mildew and your health) and they only recommend liquid detergents, simply take the 20 seconds to mix the powder with some water first and pour it in.

Anonymous wrote:Which one wins for being the most environmentally friendly? Why do you like the one you use?

What does environmentally friendly mean. What is Tide doing to the environment? Actually what is the "environment" in this context?

Not sure.
Seventh gen was touted as friendly but they got bought I think, so not sure what their products include any more.

Which one wins for being the most environmentally friendly? Why do you like the one you use?