What happened to our Tide over the years. Review on Tide Detergent

(Update 08/20/08)  Since my last posted review, my mother has switched to the powder version of Original scent Tide and has had no further allergic reations.  I have switched to the Tide Free liquid 2X HE(husband bought me an HE washing machine for our 10 year anniversary), and have had no reactions anymore either.  Unfortunately the Tide Free does not clean as well as regular Tide(pretreatment is definitely required, see end of update for my method), but it still works better than any other brand at the store.  The Tide 2X Liquid HE also does not rinse as well as it should, so extra rinses or fabric softener are needed to prevent stiffness.   Thank goodness P&G makes fragrance free softeners as I do not wish to use extra water for further rinses.  When build up eventually does occur, I merely wash clothes with white distilled Vinegar and it is usually gone.

Since P&G has switched to the 2X concentrate, the prices for their detergent has come down at many stores where I am.  A small 32 load bottle is now only$6 to$7 compared to $9 it was before, and the larger 64 load bottle now runs between$10 to$12 compared to the $14 to$18 it was before.  I am assuming the price decrease is due to less water being used, less plastic being used, and the saving in shipment due to smaller, lighter packaging.  I came to this conclusion as the price for the powdered versions have remained unchanged.

If I can summon up enough courage, I may try the Tide powdered HE, since my mom has been fine with the Regular Tide powder.  Until then, however, I will continue to pretreat while using Tide 2X Free HE.  For pretreatment, I purchased some of the Tide 2X liquid with Bleach alternative HE.  I fill the cap to line 2 and put in a large spray bottle, and fill the bottle the rest of the way with water.  I spray this on stains.  It has enough oomph to remove the stains but is not so strong where the Free version can't take out the perfume in it.  I have tried this pretreatment with other brands, but have discovered only Tide is strong enough to remove Tide.

Also, no version of Tide should ever be used on Silk or Wool as it can damage the fabrics severely.  Tide is made for general laundering, it can still be used on your undies, just not the silk ones.

In any event, for what it is worth, I have updated my review and rating for those who may find it useful.

(Original Review Below)

Tide was always the standard in our home.  My mother had used it since she was a new bride at the age of 18 and she is in her 70's now.  Through two marrigaes and six kids the Tide was a constant.  However, after another of Tide's many reformulations she had to give up her old favorite.  She began to itch and break out in rashes.  Needless to say she was very upset.

I personally have used Tide from time to time.  Due to budget purposes I could not use it as constantly as she for it is so expensive.  The high price, that is another draw back.  Anyway, over time she and I both noticed our fabrics, although really clean, kept getting rougher and rougher even with Downy.

Now Tide does give you the best clean out there, but they have reformulated it so much over the years that they are ruining a good thing.  Once again a case of a company fixing what wasn't broken to begin with.

I have used both the powder and the liquid in the original scent only.  They both cleaned really well and left the laundry smelling nice.  I will try the new Tide Ultra 2X when it comes out in my area.  This review is based solely on the Regular Strength Tide currently on the market.

My overall opinion of this is, If price is not a problem and the overall feel of the clothing doesn't matter then I strongly recommend Tide to you.  However, if you are not one of those previously mentioned I would recommend you search else where for your laundering needs.