Tide Coldwater Laundry Detergent

I first bought a box of Tide Coldwater at Target and was very happy with it. It saves a ton of energy by not requiring hot water (up to 80% of energy use per load), and it works just as well as any other detergent. It does cost a bit more. Target stopped carrying it and I couldn't find Coldwater in any store, so I had to buy it from Amazon, and had to buy 3 boxes of it. So it ended up costing $17 per box for 63-load boxes (146 oz).

So I've got enough Tide Coldwater to last me for ages, but that's fine, because I like the stuff. Can't complain about effective laundry soap that saves 80% on energy.

One thing to watch out for is to make sure you use the cold water cycle. My sister-in-law once used it in the regular warm water cycle, not knowing it was coldwater detergent, and ended up with soap residue on all her clothes.

For those claiming this product deserves 0 stars because it's not 100% green, I think that shows a degree of snobbery, to be blunt.  Many laundry detergents don't work well in cold water.  Saving 80% of the energy per laundry cycle is extremely green.  Could it be greener by being biodegradable and without petrochemicals?  Sure.  But does that mean it's not green at all?  Absolutely not.  Especially since a lot of people trust Tide and don't know about greener detergents.  Would you prefer they continue using warm water to wash their clothes, or at least switch to cold water?

FIVE STARS?? Folks - you have GOT to be kidding me. You actually shell out money for this.

Tide Coldwater is not biodegradeable nor is it petrochemical free. It is just another clever corporate attempt to green wash a product by responding to customer research. People say they want to save money on washing clothes and they are willing to use cold water. So, Tide responds by promoting a product that is supposedly designed for washing in cold water.

Guess what? It's bogus. Just wash your clothes in cold water anyway and buy biodegradable soap that doesn't have petrochemicals in it. It makes your clothes last longer and will save you money.

If you really want to save money -- hang stuff up to dry. It might be difficult if you live in a place with no yard, but you'd be surprised how many things you can put on hangers and leave on the shower bar when you go to work in the morning. In the winter, rain and a lack of light make it difficult for me to put stuff out on the line so I hang up sheets over open doors (I've already cleaned them off), all pants, tshirts, dresses, socks and underwear go on hangers, leaving only things like towels and blankets to go in the dryer.

Finally - don't run a load of clothes in the washer unless you have a full load, but don't over pack it or stuff won't get clean and you'll waste water and energy if you have to run it again to get out undissolved chunks of soap.

Alternatively - you could make your own laundry detergent. Here's a link to some recipes:
http://natural-products.suite101.com/article.cfm/washing_clothes_for_pennies
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/HSBFrontPorch/82791/

For the recipes, if you are looking for “washing soda”, it is also known as “soda ash” and is used quite often in textile dyeing. It can be found at art supply stores, JoAnn Fabrics, and other places that sell textile products. See: http://www.dharmatrading.com/ (1 lb soda ash $1.69, 10 lbs $9.69, 25 lbs $19.95)