Saturday, April 12, 2008

More about Tide

Okay gals. I wanted to do a supplemental post to my review of Tide laundry detergent. Many of you may be wondering if you can use Tide if you have a septic system. I care about that!! I do not have a septic system, since we live in the city, but I did some research and came up with some things that I think would be nice for all of you people on septic systems to know.

First of all, let me say that I use Tide 2X Ultra liquid in the original scent. I am able to use less than it recommends on the back of the bottle. I do not use powder because I found that using powder caused strange stains on my clothes and there would be funny (not the ha-ha kind of funny, but the gee, that's interesting kind of funny) powder residue on the clothes and in the washer. It also tended not to rinse out as thoroughly, thereby causing skin irritation. I allow the washer to fill a little bit with hot water, and when it's sudsy (yes, that is a word! Spell check said it was!!) I add my detergent.

I thoroughly read the bottle that is sitting right beside me on the couch just for the purpose of this post, and I could NOT find, anywhere on the bottle, (after I got over being so confused by all the Spanish on there!!) a warning not to use it in your washer if you have a septic system. It is biodegradable and contains no phosphates. My parents also use Tide and live out in the country and have a septic system. My mom has been using Tide for ever.

I researched whether or not Tide was harmful to septic systems this morning before writing this post, and I came up with nothing that said that it could not be used if you have a septic system. I don't know if the powder is safe, but it appears, for all intents and purposes, that Tide is okay for your septic system.

If you are using powder detergent because you think it's cheaper, I encourage you strongly to do your own research. I'm not a big fan of powder, for the reasons listed above. We recently had to take our washer apart because it wasn't working, and when we did, we found all kinds of rotten powder residue, black and rancid, from when we used powder (because we were told it was cheaper) a long time ago. It was totally gross! I read an article this morning about a lady who actually runs her sheets and towels through the washer twice because they weren't rinsing well and that was causing skin irritations and rashes.

So, there it is in a nutshell. I don't know why someone would say that Tide wasn't safe for a septic system. I don't have any explanations for that. But I think that if Tide was not safe for septic systems, then that would mean that millions of people could not use it, making it one of the non selling products out there on the market, and I do believe that Tide is a top seller, so that really didn't make sense to me.

Do your research before you buy things!

6 comments:

MarshaMarshaMarsha said...

Cool. I heart me some Tide.

And I heart a working septic system.

And I heart not having to do research but trusting you to do it for me. Because I'm feeling lazy like that right now.

Anonymous said...

I meant to comment earlier, but have been so busy. I am a Tide person too. I love how it cleans and smells. I also use Downy. But not the combo stuff. I will buy cheaper things, but Tide and Downy is a must. I am picky about clothes too. I send my kids to Sunday school or a class (even at age 2 1/2,the teachers were laughing and couldn't believe it) and they won't touch the markers unless they are washable.lol If I am low on detergent and no one has it on sale I will settle for Aldi's Tandil. I know I love Tide, but it really works good. I couldn't believe it. We were really needed detergent and so I tried it. And finally my favorite smell is clean clothes warm out of the dryer;p I always said I could do a Tide commercial, because it is the best!!
:>Michelle
@hsb SeekingJesusnTeachingKids

Erik said...

Thanks for the laundry advice.

Do your clothes shrink or fade when you use hot water???

I am always apprehensive about hot water.....my kids outgrow their clothes quickly enough as it is!

Thanks!

Gayle @ thewestiecrew said...

Wow..I have been a faithful Gain user for years, but you have just about convinced me to switch (especially since I am dealing with a NASTY grass stain that I cannot get out of my boy's pants). Anyway, I am curious, too...do you sort your clothes and don't they bleed with all hot water? I always feel like my clothes are cleaner when they are washed with hot water, but I am afraid of it with darks or brights. :)

Autismnotaonesizefitsalldiagnosis said...

I found this...
Use non clay based Liquid Laundry/Dishwasher Detergent – Liquid Detergents do not crystalize like powders do and create blockages in the baffles. Clay based detergents tend to create excess sludge in a Septic Tank. We suggest not using Tide or Kirkland brand laundry detergent as it is clay based and causes fast build up in the septic tank..

Autismnotaonesizefitsalldiagnosis said...

Here is the link if your interested in reading the rest..
http://a1environmental.net/septic-tank-system-dos-donts.html