“You see, this detergent doesn’t work! It doesn’t sud or soap up at all and there’s no fragrance to it!”

I swear, Pete is a very interesting male specimen. Actually, they all are except I happened to end up with the old-fashioned clean freak.

We’ve recently run out of laundry detergent and we ventured out to find something better on the market. I don’t believe in everything a label states but I read them nevertheless and leave the end product as the deciding factor. As you may know, I have sensitive skin and Pete has severe allergies to just about everything. So, we decide on All’s 3x Concentrated Small & Mighty. It’s the free and clear one and since I’ve used the powdered version before a few years back, I have good faith in All. We got it for $4.25 and the 32 ounce bottle states that it’ll last for up to 32 loads, meaning, a good ounce per load. It’s safe for all types of washing machines and the good thing about it is that it’s a liquid detergent.

Pete, apparently, does not fancy liquid too much. He thinks that powder detergent cleans better. If you think about it, the powders have to actually dissolve into the water with more force than needed for a liquid. It’s a common knowledge and to prove it, I’ve never had “liquid” residue after a wash yet I have had powder residue sticking to my washed clothes … a big no-no because that could potentially irritate your skin leading to rashes and whatnot.

And of all things, it’s the 21st century. Why the hell do things need to foam or suds up in order for us to feel the “cleaning power”? I’m pretty sure it’s purely psychological and very much old-fashioned. A lot of people will say that they prefer that clean feeling or that sudsing is some kind of proof of working chemical agents. I can tell you that this is bullshit. From the toothpastes, to your laundry detergent and your bathroom cleaners … there is nothing that proves sudsing action is better. In reality, it’s a hindrance because toothpastes that foam are actually harmful to your teeth and health. High sudsing cleaners in detergents require more work and action in order for it to be rid of. So instead of your machines focusing on cleaning your clothes, it’s trying to get rid of the suds instead. Comet doesn’t sud as an abrasive cleaner and it’s one of the best products on the market.

Yes, we all like for our laundry to smell damn good and All free and clear won’t give you that. If you ever think about it, most fragrances will irritate your skin in one way or another. For example, a lot of good cosmetic skin products do not include fragrances or perfumes and they are usually the ones that are more expensive. If you want nice smelling clothes, try liquid fabric softener. The smell actually stays and fluffs up your clothes while fragrance in your laundry detergent does nothing but perfume your clothing.

It is a common misconception that more detergent equals cleaner clothes.

According to Good Housekeeping, doing this does quite the opposite and by the rinse cycle, you’ll still have suds in your clothing. Suds damage your clothing and takes away the performance of your laundry detergent. And even if you don’t do it, think about your (future) kids. Wouldn’t it be great to measure exactly to the line and save yourself the heartbreak (and financial hole in your pocket) when you have to take your kids to the doctor who prescribes them an $80 dollar skin irritation cream.

Don’t be a suds fiend because you’re only hurting yourself. I hope this sheds light on such a weird, mundane topic.