We used Tide F&C just fine in the softer water of Colorado. Now in Nevada with really hard water none of the conventional detergents would cut it. We use Seventh Generation F&C with extra rinses now, no problems at all. With Tide F&C we were stripping monthly.
I know F&Cs are taboo for some reason, we
have to use them due to kiddo sensitivities and/or allergies. According to the manufacturers the only differences are they don't have dye and scents added, they don't put anything extra in them that the regular formulas don't have.