Detergents

Which brand of detergent should you use? This is a very common, and important, question.

The detergent you use is your choice, but here’s some important information, and strong recommendations, for you to consider.

DON’T USE PODS

We strongly recommend you not use pods, as they can damage laundry. If you use pods and they cause damage you’ll surely get a bad rating and no tip. In addition, if a customer submits a claim and it’s verified that the damage was caused by the use of pods you’ll be financially responsible for the damage.

If you do some research you’ll also find that pods can damage your washer/dryer over time, shortening their lifespan, and thus increasing your cost of operation.

Again, we recommend you not use pods.

DON’T CHEAP OUT

The difference between top rated brand detergents and low quality cheap detergents is pennies. In the long run, you’ll make more money, rank up faster, and retain more customers if you use a top-rated brand detergent. Remember, the first thing customers do after their laundry is returned is bury their face in your stacks of laundry and take a deep breath. If their laundry smells clean and fresh, you’ll get a nice tip, a good rating, and a repeat customer. If not, they won’t be happy, and then neither will you. Poor quality cheap detergents don’t save you money, they cost you tips, lose you customers, and ruin your business. Investing in good quality detergents is how to make money, rank up, and build a loyal customer following.

RECOMMENDED BRANDS

We recommend and customers appreciate when you use one of the below listed laundry detergents. They don’t cost any more, and according to Consumer Reports about 60 points separate the top picks from the worst performers.

• TidePlus Ultra Stain Release
• Persil ProClean Power-Liquid
• PersilProClean Power-Pearls
• Tide Plus Coldwater Clean
• Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean
• Dropps (Eco-Friendly)

BE CAREFUL WITH GAIN

We do not recommend you use Gain laundry detergent, unless requested or approved by your customer. Gain has a distinct scent, which does not appeal to a large body of customers. Laundry Pros who have used Gain have a higher than normal complaint ratio. Gain is risky. Be careful.

HYPOALLERGENIC

Customers have the option to choose regular or hypoallergenic detergent. If they choose hypoallergenic, you’ll be asked to confirm that you have hypoallergenic detergent before you accept the order. If you don’t have it—cancel!

Warning: unscented or scent-free is not the same as hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic detergents usually specify that they do not contain dyes, perfumes, scents, etc., and they will usually state that they’re for sensitive skin, allergies, or dermatology. Unscented simply states unscented, but will not reference allergies or skin sensitivities.

About 20% of customers require hypoallergenic detergent, so it’s worthwhile to have some in supply. The recommended hypoallergenic detergents are:

• All: Free and Clear
• Persil Proclean: Free and Sensitive
• Purex Free and Clear
• Tide Free and Gentle
• Kirkland and Members Mark both have Hypo options as well