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Test Lab: Mrs. Meyer's Laundry Detergent

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I've been a devoted and happy user of Seventh Generation Free & Clear Natural Laundry Detergent for quite some time, but when I couldn't find it on sale, I decided to give another earth-friendly detergent that was on sale a try: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Laundry Detergent liquid...

 
 

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day detergent is Earth-friendly and HE compatible, important since I have a front loading HE washing machine. While I'm no longer a formulations chemist (funny story ...), I've heard of pretty much every ingredient in Clean Day, so feel pretty good using it on my clothes.

What's in the bottle:
• Anionic Surfactants from plant-derived sources
• Cotton Extract
• Borax
• Dirt and stain-fighting enzymes
• Natural essential oils for fragrance

The first test of Mrs. Meyers was right after a Half Ironman race that me and some house guests and I had just completed. I had a bit of Seventh Generations detergent left, but decided to give the new stuff a try on our jerseys, shorts and socks from the race.

The result was excellent. In my experience, synthetic fabrics (fitness apparel) is are notorious for being hard-to-clean. But after washing and line-drying our clothes, there was no noticeable lingering odor and the Lavender scent was delightful but not overwhelming.

Next time, I'll probably do the same — and that means buying whatever earth-friendly detergent is on sale. But this time I'll do so without hesitation, especially if it's my newly found Mrs. Meyers or the trusty Seventh Generation.

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Test Lab, cleaning, laundry, laundry detergent

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Comments (23)

I appreicate the review and will probably try some.

I am really sorry to be a grammar nerd but as you all are posting for public consumption I have to point out that in your sentence above . . "me" had not just completed . . . it should be " some guests and I had just completed."
It is a very grating to the ear mistake.

posted by Gallivant on May 11th 2009 at 2:47pm
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I love Mrs Meyers - If I can afford it I get it. If not I use ECOS but the clean and smell Mrs Meyers leaves is amazing!! Especially the fabric softener. I also love Mrs Meyers toilet cleaner, that is worth every penny, it makes the bathroom smell divine.....

posted by bagelpower on May 11th 2009 at 6:04pm
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I just recently began using the Mrs. Meyer's dish soap and find that it cleans exceptionally well--on par with even Dawn--and that it seems to last a very long time.

posted by 1GH on May 11th 2009 at 6:52pm
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I use Bio Kleen, and have been considering Mrs. Meyers--thanks for the review! On another note, I have to play grammar police as well (sorry); it should be: "synthetic fabrics 'ARE' notorious"....

Thanks for the post, and for letting me put my two cents in!

posted by akimbo on May 11th 2009 at 9:53pm
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i recently saw this in marshalls and didn't pick it up. at least now i know where to find it and that it actually works.

posted by creative*type on May 12th 2009 at 8:33am
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I love Mrs. Meyers. I will never go back to Tide

posted by JulieM on May 12th 2009 at 8:40am
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I use Mrs. Meyers. I don't usually like scented detergent but this smells divine and it cleans very well too.

posted by HeidiS on May 12th 2009 at 9:21am
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I really like Mrs. Meyers as well! I use the baby line and the stain remover works very well. It smells so nice and is non-irritating to my baby's skin.

And don't worry I won't play "grammar police" on you...I am sure I made some mistakes in this post already - oh brother...

posted by debbied4l on May 12th 2009 at 11:14am
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I've had good experiences with that brand as well. Not so much with the Trader Joe's store brand green detergent. My yoga clothes smelled FUNKY after a few washes in it-- basically the sweat just accumulated and never washed out. With Mrs. Myers on the other hand I have not had that problem.

posted by atimetodance on May 12th 2009 at 12:34pm
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I've had positive results with Charlie's Soap (detergent)

posted by gnomette on May 12th 2009 at 12:49pm
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Gallivant,

I am not sure that you should be lecturing others on grammar. Is is 'appreciate' and not 'appreicate. You do not end a sentence with 'some'. 'As you all are' is not correct English. Also, the following sentence is not correctly constructed: "It is a very grating to the ear mistake".

posted by laura9 on May 12th 2009 at 3:12pm
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laura9,

I am not sure that you should be lecturing others on grammar.

"Is is 'appreciate'?"

posted by gruvymojo on May 13th 2009 at 9:12am
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Busted as a terrible speller - perhaps we all need to proof read better and I certainly include myself.

posted by Gallivant on May 13th 2009 at 12:20pm
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life is too short to spend it spell checking. Go smell a rose

posted by OriginalNancy on May 13th 2009 at 1:01pm
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What is this, sentence therapy? Geez, give it a rest.

posted by jooly on May 13th 2009 at 1:44pm
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When I showed this to a friend, who is an aspiring actor (who specalizes training to be a brain surgeon just in case the acting thing doesn't come through (I kid you not), she was surprised at my pessimism. She thought that writing discussion was a healthy turn of events.

"A shared ability to admit the emotions which are let loose by conflicts of syntax and grammar seems to be what the therapy part of Apartment Therapy is about," she emailed me, "creating a safe, nurturing environment where such reflections can safely be let out."

I'm a cellist by trade, and write a little on the side. When I stumble across a group like this, I'm curious to know who people's favorite composers are. Is there some where on this site where I can set up such a topic?

Thanks

amadeuswolf

posted by amadeus wolf on May 14th 2009 at 7:22am
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I haven't seen anyone comment on the green-ness of a plastic container for liquid detergent vs a cardboard container for powdered.

I've tried this and it's great. The only drawbacks are the price and the plastic.

--lin

posted by linbo on May 14th 2009 at 8:13am
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I've been curious about Mrs. Meyer's detergent -- thanks for the review. Scented detergent tickles my nose, so looking forward to a fragrance-free option in the near future.
In addition, thought I'd throw in my 2 cents regarding the comment about powdered detergent: bad for your health, as it can be inhaled, or so I've heard.

posted by s_boston on May 15th 2009 at 10:41pm
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This review has drummed up quite the conversation (including a tangent on one of my favorite subjects: grammar!).

My friends the MLuxe blog included this review in their recent link-love round-up post: http://marvinblog.com/link-love-dining-room-remodel-reviewing-mrs-meyers-detergent-and-kitchen-ideas

posted by Mike Keliher on May 18th 2009 at 4:34pm
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I am generally not a 'hater' but I do hate poor grammar. Fortunately. this is not a grammar centric site - rather a site to share ideas about design and 'us' artists (bad grammar - yes) don't have the need/desire to be boxed into such convention.

posted by tennis7114 on May 19th 2009 at 12:41am
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Perhaps Mrs. Meyer's can clean up our grammar.

posted by tennis7114 on May 19th 2009 at 12:43am
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Hey Everyone! FYI GreenCupboards (online retailer of green, natural products) is having a sale--up to 40% off--on a lot of different Mrs. Meyer's products... Check out the incredible sale (for a limited time) http://www.GreenCupboards.com/Specials

posted by swollnic on June 24th 2009 at 4:50pm
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I like Grab Green - www.grabgreenhome.com

Check out how they package their detergent - in pre-measured packs that dissolve in water and in resealable pouches that use less waste than regular detergent bottles. I think it's a great idea!

posted by kristin114 on July 5th 2009 at 3:11pm
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