Below are several FOCA detergent reviews from a readers, as well as some more general information about this laundry soap.
Anonymous 66 says:
My left hip started itching and few days later my right breast is full of red itchy spots on it and under it, then my left arm from the inside.
I feel so bad that I took antihistamines until I can go to see a doctor.
She is close, for bad things happen during weekends usually for me.
Taylor says:
Sorry to hear that this detergent caused you such a bad reaction.
For those who are not familiar with it FOCA laundry detergent is a powdered soap made in Mexico which can be found in plastic bags. (This may cause it to be hard to pour without spilling.)
It is relatively inexpensive, especially compared with many other brands.
On the other hand, depending on where you live it may be difficult to find in stores. You are most likely to find it either online or in Latin grocery stores unless you live in or near Mexico.
It is made by the same company that also makes Zote soap.
The product does contain perfumes so that means it is possible to cause rashes or hives to those with sensitive skin.
The most common form of this product is the laundry powder (which is not designed for HE machines), but there is also a liquid version available.
I have not personally used this product, but would love to hear from more people who've used it sharing how it has worked for them in cleaning their clothes.
There are affiliate links on this page, and if you purchase a product through them I receive a small commission. Purchasing through my links costs you nothing extra, but helps support the free information provided on this site and my family. To learn more please see my product review disclosure statement.
Comments for I Love FOCA Laundry Soap & Use It Instead Of My Homemade Version Now
I know that everything may not be for everybody, but I must say that I love this stuff!!! I was told about it, and so I found it at a nearby dollar store. I used this on my clothes, and I will say, FOCA has cleaned my clothes very well! This is the only detergent that I will use now.
much cheaper than Tide so hope it works! by: Anonymous
I usually buy Tide powder, which in my area costs about $18 for a big box. I was in Walmart to get detergent and found Foca 4.4 lb bag for $3.97! Woot!
I also bought Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda for about $3, and when I mixed both, it was slightly more detergent than the box of Tide.
I have not washed clothes with it yet, but I did mix the two powders by hand, and then rinsed my hands and have no allergic reaction so far. This was four hours ago. My skin is sometimes sensitive.
I have used Zote for hand washing and on whites for years (I also bought two bars of that for .97/each) and found out from this site that Foca is from the same company as Zote. Zote is an amazing cleaner/whitener. The only downside to it is it is in a soap bar, but I run it across a stainless steel cheese grater and then dissolve what I want. A little more labor intensive, so I'm hoping Foca compares. I will let you know!
pleasant surprise by: TLP
No allergy issues and have found it cleans very well- the price makes it an awesome buy. I am impressed (on my 3rd bag).
Great!! by: Anonymous
Never had an issue with this detergent. Cleans clothes well and it's cheaper them most detergents on the market.
Love it! by: Alaskan
I have tried to make my own and use other name brands, because I use cloth diapers. This brand is the most used. It works great! I also use things such as washing soda and borax here and there along with the Foca and the combo really takes tough spots out! Smells good too and isn't too strong smelling like other brands. So glad I tried it. Will use it forever now!
Works wonderfully by: Anonymous
I really like this product. The price lured me in. I am glad I decided to try it. It's cute too! I refer to it as my cheap form of Tide. Works very well. Whites are white and colors are bright. Can't go wrong with this one.
Love this stuff! by: Val
There's really nothing negative I can say about this detergent. I have very sensitive skin and have not had any issues using this detergent. We even use it for out cloth diapers and in 5 months have not had any problems getting them good and clean. Of course, you can't beat the price at less than $10 for a giant bag ($3 for the smaller one). It also has a very mild fragrance, which is pleasant.
Switched from Tide by: Virginia Conn
I used Tide for years. I tried Foca and have not gone back. Foca removes stains and cleans all laundry well even tough athletic equipment!
Happy by: Jeanne B
Used Foca for the first time and love it! Has a fresh scent, no phosphates and great price. I pour mine into a plastic bucket to void spills with the bag. Also if using with cold water mix powder with warm water in smaller container then add to laundry. Very happy!!
Best Yet by: Karen
I purchased it and there is 5 of us in my home, it did a great job. No problems with hives washed my two year old grandson's clothes with it and he has had no problems. I will purchase this from now on.
Tremendous value by: Tony K
I find this low cost detergent to work better than the high price detergent I was using. It smells wonderful and cleans my laundry spotlessly. I also use a mixture of it as the cleaning solution in my carpet machine. I take 1/2 cup of the Foca detergent and grind it into an ultra fine powder in a miniature food processor that I have. Then I take that 1/2 cup of fine powder and slowly mix it into 2 gallons of hot water (in a 2 gallon plastic urn that I have) making sure to stir well until the powder is completely dissolved. I then have 2 gallons of (a light blue/clear) ready to pour solution that I can fill the tank on my carpet machine any time with.
Mix 50% Foca with 50% Tide by: Deborah in Montana
Haven't yet weaned myself from TIDE.
I mix 50/50 in a large glass container I always poured my TIDE in. Then I roll it around to blend.
So far, I've cut my cost in half (math anyone?). LOL!
Love the "No Phosphate" which is what motivated me to try the product.
Unless clothes are REALLY GROSS, how much detergent does one need?
I always DOUBLE RINSE and don't subscribe to the washing machines that use limited water. DISGUSTING! My guess is that is the reason so many people have reactions (allergies) to laundry detergent.
DIAPERS? Seriously! YUCK! Not going in my machine, period.
Liquid by: Rebekah
It does come in liquid both scented and non scented. My grandson has eczema and the non scented doesn't bother him.
My whites turned blue by: Jackson
I love foca but I always use the powder. I used the liquid and my whites turned a light shade of blue. Has this ever happened to someone else and if so what should I do to get the blue out besides bleach. I don't keep bleach in the house. Thank you so much!
itchy skin by: Anonymous
I am having itchy skin too I used this foca soap and my whole family members are itchy no more foca detergent for me is a very bad sensation
Love Foca by: Hannah
We started using powdered foca about a year ago. I have a top loader. We love foca, it's strong and cleans great. I have noticed that if you over dose your laundry it can be a bit abrasive, but what I've done is mix oxyclean and washing soda with it. Half foca, half oxyclean/washing soda. We use less than the bag recommends, at a quart cup a load of regular laundry. We have only white linens. So I wash my towels, blankets and sheets in full concentrate foca, a quart cup. It's the best laundry detergent out there as far as we are concerned.
Ah and my husband is an extremely sweaty Polish man who works outside half the day in Florida heat. Washing soda works great as a booster if you have a sweaty man at home (I learned that through trial and error), but foca is a mile better.
I am allergic to tide and a few other soaps/detergents. So our original go to was purex and arm & hammer before this.
I recommended foca to my mom, so you know I'd recommend it to a stranger. They sell out in my walmart within a day of it hitting the shelves- I'm thinking it's popular now.
Pretty good stuff by: Rod
I was a Tide user for years but it just got to be so expensive. I started looking around for a cheaper alternative and spotted FOCA in the laundry section of my local WalMart. It was about 1/3rd the price of Tide so I figured I'd give it a shot. It works great! Whites come out white and colors come out vibrant. And the laundry has a nice fresh smell to it when it comes out of the wash. I've used 2 big bags of it now and am very pleased. Don't think I'll be going back to the high priced stuff.
happy with it by: Penelope
I just tried Foca powdered laundry soap. My first wash was hand washing a stained white t-shirt. I am very pleased to say, Foca did a good job. Having a farm I tend to get very dirty with all of the gardening and my clothes are much brighter & cleaner than with using Persil or Tide. I highly recommend Foca and am very happy with its performance. Use half of the amount.
buy it every time we see it by: Anonymous
My husband and I both love it and he is a washing guru. We get it every time we see. It works on all clothes, darks and whites. I can’t always find it but I’m going to try the Hispanic store.
Fantastic Product by: Anonymous
I love this detergent as I am hyper sensitive. This detergent cleans very well using only an oxy clean little scoop per load. For soiled sheets I use two scoops. Fantastic product, rinses clean too.
I even use it on my delicate clothes by: Anonymous
I absolutely love foca. I have very sensitive skin and this detergent works great. I use the liquid. I use it on my delicate clothes including delicate whites. It doesn’t fade or shrink my clothes. I use a cap full and the fragrance is a mild scent. I used it once with whites along with Oxibooster. I was impressed. I’m not a fan of bleach.
I love this brand by: Kiyana
I love Foca Laundry Detergent. I don't want to buy anything else but this. The price is affordable and I love the way it smells. The very first time I used this brand I will say that my skin felt itchy. I started doing a second rinse when I wash my clothes. Now I don't have any issues with my skin. I also think this definitely leaves your whites brighter. It's so funny, I just replenished my Foca laundry detergent on Sunday and for the first time, I also bought their liquid laundry detergent. I usually buy it at the Dollar General near my house but they only carry the two smaller bags. I now get it from Walmart since they carry the big bags. If I can find it in a bigger big, I will surely buy it. I have no complaints, I love this stuff.
Thank me later!!! by: mzkee
Hey!!!!!!!!I love it!!!!! It is really cheap and it really works. I bought 3 whole big bags from WalMart and it came up to 20 + dollars. That is really cheap compared to the more popular brands and again it works just as well if not better. Another suggestion is Cloralen Bleach. Another great find, it is cheaper than Clorox and just as effective without all of the damage. Oh and you are welcome!!
I love this stuff by: Anonymous
It smells great, it's cheap and everything comes out clean. It's way cheaper than the designer detergents like Tide and Gain and smells better too.
Works Great! by: Anonymous
I've used Foca for about 3 years now. I find it works great. I use the powder detergent for linens, towels, etc. and the liquid version for clothing. It cleans well for us. I'm not sure if hard water versus soft makes a difference but we don't have hard water. For times when extra cleaning power is needed I do have Oxiclean, baking soda, and peroxide on hand. Each is a staple in my laundry room for various uses. I don't need them regularly, and also used them before I began using Foca.
Foca powder big bag by: Anonymous
I been seeing every one on Tik Tok and Youtube make homemade laundry detergent so I thought I'd try. I checked online and checked in stores for everything. Of course the first and only things I found were Oxiclean, Borax and washing soda, and an extra large big bag I found online of Foca at Target. It seems to cost more than Walmart, but I was wanting to try it bad and loved it after I tried it. Really doesn't have a strong scent but sure cleaned good. My clothes came out white. Boy I like this, will buy more and still can't get all other ingredients together. I'm almost there. Shoot, I'd probably use this bag up before I can get Walmart to deliver me some more. I got my laundry beads today but thanks for letting me review so far. Still hasn't broke me out and does give me a slight head ache, but will buy more.
allergic reaction from touching it by: Tania
This detergent is very cheap and clean, which is good. But be aware of bad consequences of this product. I began to see my hand with a serious allergy. My friend used FOCA and she showed me her hand that looks exactly like my hand. Always I had used powder soap and never used this. Maybe I have to use globes, but this product causes itch in the body. Do not use this laundry soap. It is very cheap and it cleans good, but it is bad for your health and the health of your family.
5 star rating! by: Autumn
I absolutely LOVE the Foca laundry detergent. I use the powder as I have never seen the liquid. I am in love with the smell of this detergent and aside from its amazing low cost the smell is what got me hooked! I mix the detergent with some baking soda to give it a little extra boost for cleaning and never had any issues with a skin allergy reaction from Foca either. The detergent lasts me a long time too, which is amazing and works as well as the leading brands! I give Foca a 5 star rating!!!
powdered detergent caused allergies for humans and pets by: KC
We used this laundry detergent for myself and for the animals. Shortly after using it I noticed a terrible burning sensation on myself. Then I noticed my pups were starting to itch and get little scabs on them. I did not know what to contribute it to until I read some of the reviews on this website. Then I noticed a correlation so I stopped using the laundry detergent on myself but kept using it for my fur babies. I stopped burning but my fur babies kept itching. So I stopped using it for them also. And lo and behold, we are all fine! Perhaps we are using too much but either way I wanted to tell you my experience with Foca laundry detergent.
best powder detergent now by: Anonymous
Foca is the best powder detergent now, since Tide added the blue specks. Amazing price, cleaning, and deodorizing. I use 1-2 tbsp in my HE machine without issues of oversudsing or not rinsing. I have skin irritation with some detergents but not with this. I switch between Purex Free, All Free, and this. The scent is ok in the bag and is only barely noticeable in the clean laundry. Everything comes out fresh, soft, and bright. No complaints of fading or unusual wear and tear. An unexpected plus for a detergent this cheap is that it contains enzymes. Amazing stuff. Highly recommended. What do you have to lose?
my new go-to laundry soap by: Jeni
I use Foca powdered detergent for all my washing. My whites are noticeably whiter and even the grimiest clothes come out clean. Here is my method:
1. I start each load on hot, add approximately 1 cup of Foca to the water, then stir it up with a flyswatter I have in the laundry room. If you do not make sure the soap is dissolved first, you may be left with soap granules all over your "clean" clothes.
2. Then I switch the cycle warm or cold water, if necessary.
3. I then add my pre-sorted clothes to the drum.
4. For whites and heavily soiled/smelly loads, I let the washer agitate for a minute or so, then shut it off so the clothes can soak. After about 30 minutes, I turn the machine back on and let it complete its cycle.
So far I am very pleased with this product. It definitely beats out the other "bargain" brands I've tried. You won't get the heavy perfume scent that brands like Tide and Gain are known for. I personally would rather enjoy the significant savings over clothing-perfume any day!
I love it! by: Kathi
I use FOCA detergent and I love it! You use very little and it cleans super well. There is no way I am buying traditional super high priced laundry detergent! FOCA is a favorite even if it were higher priced: it's 1/10th of the price of the detergent we all know. It's bio-degradable, and someone I know who's washer drains outside into the land uses it because it doesn't hurt the trees. I've used it for years. I am considering using a teaspoon in my dishwasher, whereupon I have a long rinse cycle. I've used it to clean more than clothes, such as floors and things to scrub, and it works great there too. Thank you for the opportunity to share this with you.
A Fantastic Detergent by: Aiden Alamo
I am a consumer of Foca. It is my main staple detergent for my clothing, linens and bedding. For the past eight years, this has been my go to detergent for such garments and fabrics.
The reason why I enjoy this powdered version is that it is simply a reliable detergent that carries a fantastic scent. In addition, I enjoy how well it cleans and suds when used in my imported from Japan, my apt sized Panda automatic 5L capacity washing machine. My Panda 3.50 cubic foot dryer also enjoys the freshly washed laundry because it makes my dryer able to dry it easier.
I just want to conclude that Foca is wonderful for cleanup after "couple's time". The bedding is so squeaky clean after a good washing with Foca that you feel like your sheets are hotel quality clean when they are freshly put back onto the bed!
Just a side note, this detergent also salvages the dirtiest of clothing. That means if you have a university or boarding school age child that does their copious laundry at home, then this is the product for your household for activities like that.
Also, I must confess that I equally enjoy a liquid laundry detergent called Persil for which I used on opposite laundry days. This means I wash my clothing and bedding with Persil every other wash to switch out the detergent because I enjoy doing that.
My septic tank loves FOCA by: Tami
I use FOCA powdered detergent. We are farmers and Dan is a large equipment mechanic. I have a septic tank and must use phosphate free soap. FOCA is. When I do heavily soiled laundry I use 1/4 cup soap and 1/4 cup vinegar and my clothes come as clean as any other laundry soap I’ve used. No smell left behind and no residue like other brands. It felt strange to use 1/8 of a cup of soap in the washer. But it works! No goat, chicken, pig or cattle smell left in my clothes.
Another positive is FOCA mixed equal parts with Oxiclean cleans carpet stains and cleans up great. No residue.
Don’t laugh but I use FOCA to wash my barn walls. 1/2 cup to five gallon bucket to wash my barn walls and my electrical heating blankets I use for my new born and birthing critters. Things I can’t put in a clothes washer. A little goes a long way. It doesn’t leave a scent behind yet it removes smells from whatever I’m cleaning.
I love this stuff. Over all it costs me 1/4th of the fancy corporate poisons made. I love the earth and this stuff doesn’t hurt it. ❤️
I'm in love with Foca by: Dorris T. Johnson
This is a great product at an even greater price. I've been buying Foca since I had to retire unexpectedly in 2011.
From the very first time I used it I knew I'd be a life long lover of Foca. I have also introduced 5 nieces and 3 of my best friends to it, and we all use it 2 to 3 times weekly. Thanks for a really great product at a really affordable price.
We who receive fixed and low income really appreciate this, but also moderate to high income as some of my family and friends are, love and appreciate it as well.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. .. Dorris
Absolute horror by: Anonymous
My husband bought Foca detergent two weeks ago, and I have just figured out this cheap laundry detergent is the culprit behind the recent bouts of burning, itchy and irritated patches of skin on various parts of my body. My dog has been scratching a lot, too, lately. His bedding has been laundered with Foca. I’ve never had a reaction to laundry detergent or anything else for that matter in my nearly 50 years of living. Never again. Spare your skin and spend a few extra dollars more for a safer and healthier detergent. Absolutely horrible experience here but glad I finally figured it out so my dog, family and I can have much-needed relief.
my complaints about this detergent by: Anonymous
This detergent gives my white clothes a bluish tint, which is annoying to say to least. It also has fabric softener in it which makes the clothes too soft so that they feel as if they are coated with it. Cleaning is okay, but these things I mentioned I don't like. I like my clean clothes to feel light and crisp, not slick and heavy.
Sensitive skin by: Vanessa
I'm a 17-year-old teenager hoping to warn anyone with sensitive skin! My mom and I were recently flabbergasted when we saw random red rashes popping up on my skin and were trying to think if we'd done anything differently. YES! It was the soap, my mom likes to wash our dog blankets and towels with that detergent since it's inexpensive, and after sleeping one night with the blanket I realized I'm allergic to whatever is in this detergent. So, to any parents or teenagers that are worried about weird puss-filled bumps on their skin, it will go away but may leave a tiny scar depending on how early you catch it. Just make sure you STOP immediately from using that detergent!
Love it by: Andrew
I love it. I pour the bag in a rubber made tote. Use a half cup for medium loads in my non HE washer and full cup in large loads. Put clothes in, let it agitate a little, wait 30 minutes minimum, usually overnight for me, then start washer. It's cheap, better then the $5 liquid. I read it's Mexico's Tide.
Gave me severe itching with red bumps by: Anonymous
I began to itch in my breast area and suddenly the itch got worse, where I ended up with red balls underneath my breast with severe non-stop itching. I am presently scarred from all. In addition to constant itching in my neck area with raised skin bumps as well. I saw two different doctors and was prescribed antibiotics that made me worse. The prescribed creams have slightly worked but not for it to go away or clear up the scarring I presently have. I still have itching throughout my breast area inclusive bumps underneath my skin that can still be felt. This detergent is toxic and am not clear as to why it is in the stores or still being manufactured when it is clear it is a damaging product to people with sensitive skin as I have come to realize after having used this detergent for the first time in my life.
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