For dried powder detergent, I follow this recipe: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/ASt3E5n8LDn7QJh28kGaiJUgzvhVY99i_WQvKIrTvNepxrj0kmZQOqA/
I am intrigued. I have tried making my own liquid detergent from similar ingredients in the past and we ended up tossing it because it left a B.O. (body odor) smell behind. I'm interested because this recipe at least has the scent booster in it. I might have to try. I'm just worried that if we don't like it, it seems to make a TON of it.
We made a similar recipe too. And I found it really didn't get my whites very clean. And yep - BO smell!
Well, I hope I like this powdered version because I was at Walmart last night and I bought the stuff and made a batch. It's TON! lol! It smells amazing though, so I'm hoping this is better than my liquid attempt several years ago. I'll let you know.
Yes with 4 sons (only one left at home) I would always add a cup of vinegar (you can get a huge jug at Costco for cheap) to the rinse cycle, gets rid of odor. We had a front loader and sorry but I did not like mine at all so when that machine died I went back to the top load. We had all the issues you all are talking about! Sticking with my top load. I use Powder and find it at Costco or Target. I normally don’t even look at the local grocery store so I don’t know. BUT I do notice Target has only a small section.
I used to use fabric softener, but we had to dismantle the washing machine once and I found it was all gunked up with fabric softener; I switched to vinegar and haven't looked back. I wash whites separately using the white setting and bleach. I have a front load washer and I use two Tide pods in each load (they go directly into the drum, not the dispenser). I tried Kirkland brand liquid soap once, and it worked fine, but not as well as Tide does, so I switched back. I find that an even dozen wool balls in the dryer works the best for me, especially since on busy laundry days, there are usually only 7-9 in there because some come out with the previous load. My washer door is always barely open; that is, I gently close it until it resists, but doesn't latch. No bad smells.
I have a top loader too. I find that the washer s are almost too efficient these days - ie low water use and ssuper intense spin cycles. I was told to always use the extra water and extra rinse cycle and to never spin clothes on the high setting. As for odors, I always leave the lid open after I pull out laundry and I run the tub clean cycle monthly. I also wipe down the inside rim area wear the rubber and meatal meet. There is definitely build up in this area. High maintenace, right!!