A tale of two P&G detergents…

[volvoman]

So, now that Mrs. Volvoman and I have this “fancy” HE-front load washer, we decided to find fancy HE detergent to use in it.

In our online search, we came across a pair of imported P&G offerings: Tide Matic for front loaders, and Ariel Matic for front loaders. Purchased both to try.

According to the label, they are from India. And judging by the measuring caps, super concentrated. Far more, in fact, than anything offered by P&G here in the states.

We tried the Tide first. Very little sudsing. Cleaned great. Haven’t tried the Ariel yet…but we noticed that they are both the same shade of sky blue-green (“teal”, as Mrs. V said)…and they smell identical, which makes us wonder what the difference between the two is.

Also, why can’t we get anything this concentrated in the states? These bottles are tiny, but do about 20 loads of laundry. You’d think that if P&G had the technology to make something this concentrated for other markets, they could do it here as well.

Will report back once we try the Ariel.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thanks

Are they the same price?

 

[volvoman]

@tomturbomatic

We found the Ariel on Amazon for just under 16 bucks.

The Tide was found through a seller on Bonanza. Paid just under $40 with shipping. It was one of two bottles that the seller had.

Obviously, if it cleans as good as the Tide, we will stick with the Ariel.

 

[tomturbomatic]

TIde Matic

This product has quite a big rollout. but $40 for 16 loads is highway robbery. Let India keep this crap. If the Houthies don't stop shooting and the ships have to go all the way around the Cape of Good Hope, the costs will rise even higher. I don't understand if Tide is Tide why P&G would not have the same formula for what's made in India as here.

Mr. Volvoman, why with all of the HE detergents available here, including both domestic and European products, was it necessary to carry coals to Newcastle and look for detergents made in India?

Tide Matic - Google Search

 

[volvoman]

@ Reply 4

Well..it's kind of like this.

1: Mrs. V and I did not actively seek these detergents out, per se. It popped up on a related search of other detergents. Naturally, we had to try it.

2: While there may be a plethora of "HE" detergents here in the states, Mrs. V and I miss the days when detergent actually smelled like detergent, and not like a fruit salad or a public restroom/Febreze. Sure, there are unscented products - which we loathe even more, as we actually like scent to our laundry. As such, we seek out detergents from overseas, as they are nowhere near as cloying as what is available here.

 

[tomturbomatic]

But you had no hard evidence, before buying, that the perfume in these two specific detergents was milder than any other detergents, foreign or domestic and $40 for a twenty load bottle of Tide is pretty steep. Enjoy it. You certainly paid enough.

 

[supersuds]

It’s fun to try new things, and the cost is modest compared to dinner in a nice restaurant. Thanks for the report, volvoman.

 

[frigilux]

I enjoy trying detergents from other countries, as well. I’m currently using powdered Persil—made by Unilever from the UK—to great results. As with your detergents from India, I like the unique scent and the excellent cleaning power. As far as the cost goes, so what? Enjoy your detergents from India!

 

[volvoman]

@ Replies 5, 6, and 7...

In order...

Reply 5: You are absolutely correct. We did not have "hard evidence", so to speak. That is what makes trying new things fun and/or exciting. You never know what you're going to get. In our past experience, imported detergents - whether they are from Germany, Poland, India, and - in some cases - Mexico (Mexican Tide - Ace - as an example) tend to have lighter fragrances. With the P&G products, they tend to smell like bar soap or hair shampoo (in the case of Ace - rhyme unintended - that smelled a bit like grapes. A very light, grapey scent. Kind of interesting). With Henkel products (German Persil, as an example), the scent is light and clean...sort of like what laundry detergent used to smell like back in the day. Unilever runs the gamut. We once stumbled across two different varieties of liquid Omo at a local closeout store a few years back. The "Small and Mighty" version smelled a hell of a lot like Solo detergent from the 80's. So much so, that Mrs. Volvoman began to reminsice about being a wee little Volvoette back in 1986, snuggling up with her blanket on a sick day, watching daytime TV with her mom. The regular version (non small and mighty) smelled like a cheap bodywash. Again...it's all trial and error. PS - we tried the Ariel Matic. Performance (cleaning, sudsing) was near identical to the Tide Matic. Once we finish both bottles, we will probably switch back and forth between the Ariel Matic and German Persil. Regarding price? Meh. You should see the cost of the Miele laundry detergents and fabric softeners. And we've used both. Great products, but definitely a luxury purchase that we can't afford to do with great regularity. We can get either the German Persil or the Ariel Matic for $13-$15. We're fine with that.

Reply 6: I agree wholeheartedly. While the Mrs. might not be as detergent-obsessed as I am, we both enjoy our clothing to be fresh, clean, and bright. It's fun to try everything that's out there - and if we can afford it, so be it. A fun purchase a few years back, was Downy Laundry Detergent (yes...this exists) from Singapore. The fragrance reminded me of the old "Fresh Scent Clorox" bleach. Didn't clean terribly well, but it left the towels smelling nice. There's a "puff" version (it looks almost like a marshmallow) of said detergent that we are hoping to find and try at some point.

Reply 7: You ended up getting the Non-Bio Persil by accident, correct? And then you were sent the one that you originally requested? We're trying to shy away from poweder, after seeing the amount of suds that Henkle's "E" detergent kicked out in our new machine (we were afraid that it was going to leak through the glass...). Now that you've been using both, is it worth trying in an LG front-loader? Maybe this will be our next purchase, along with Liquid Daz (I tried the squeeze gel detergents from the UK several years back, pre Mrs. V, and was underwhelmed).

 

[frigilux]

Steve- Correct; I’m the guy who now has three big boxes of UK Persil Bio and three Non-Bio. I use the non-bio version in hot water and the bio enzyme cocktail version in warm. Both do a great job. The reason I’ve chosen powdered detergents lately is that shipping liquids to the frozen Minnesota prairie often leads to trouble. Liquid detergents often go all watery if subjected to cold temps. Now that pods often have a liquid component, those are off my list till the temps warm up. Your purchase of two detergents from India inspired me to do the same, although I ordered the powdered versions. The TideMatic comes from a distributor called NavaFresh, which I’ve never heard of. Hope it’s not a scam. The Ariel, like yours, was found on Amazon.

To answer your question, I’ve not used the liquid versions of UK Persil, but the powdered ones haven’t caused any sudsing problems. The Persil Bio, particularly, rinses out really well even in my softened water.

 

[volvoman]

Eugene - you’ll have to let me know what you think of the Tide powder. I’m most interested in knowing about the suds, as well as if it smells identical to the Ariel (I tried the Ariel Matic powder once; it has a very crisp, old-school detergent scent).

 

[powerfin64]

I too

have been interested in Tide matic powder. I've known about it for a while, but can't justify paying the price for it, maybe in the future. I've got a good-sized stash to work thru first.
A seller on Amazon has it, 1kg for $30.00, has 3 left.

 

[volvoman]

@ Reply 11

Rich, that isn't too awful for a one-time splurge - especially when you consider that Miele charges close to $40 for their powder.

 

[launderess]

"Matic"

As more and more of the population of India gains affluence your starting to see fully automatic washing machine sales increase. OTOH there is still a fair amount of washing done totally by hand or with semi-automatic washing machines.

Thus laundry detergent market in India resembles bit of what many parts of Europe were like post war years. You had detergents (or soaps) for twin tubs and other semi-automatic washers, doing washing by hand and fully automatic washing machines.

P&G markets laundry detergent/soap bars in India. Between that format along with powders, liquids and pods they've got things pretty much cracked.

https://www.ariel.in/en-in/shop

https://www.tide.in/en-in

https://seattleglobalist.com/2011/08/01/life-at-indias-largest-laundry-dhobi/41306

 

[launderess]

Years ago Ariel and other detergents from Mexico began showing up across USA. This largely was due to growing Latino/Hispanic population that wanted a product they were familiar with for wash day.

You're seeing same thing now with things from India, Poland, Germany and so many other countries. Where and how people get their supplies to USA one does not know but they must be moving products because items sell and are restocked.

 

[frigilux]

Thanks for the links, Launderess. Interesting there are differentiated Matic versions for top-loaders and front-loaders. I could go for the lime scented Tide. Many years ago I had a couple of bags of Mexican lime-scented Ace (ah-chay) that was heavenly. I like the uniquely shaped measuring caps on the liquid versions.

 

[powerfin64]

@reply12

Yes Steve, I completely agree. About 2-3 years ago I bought at different times and prices, all 3 of the Miele powder detergents, ranging from $25.00-29.00. They are outstanding in performance. no suds-very low suds. I use them alot on my towels and some whites.

I have a good supply of Tide HE Turbo powder and Tide OXI powder<--which I have been using, with great results on old and recent stains. I have done some research between the 2, with a little surprising discovery.
I may get the Tide Matic in the far future, when the current supply gets down, unless someone wishes to send me a sample, to get rid of what they have or don't like it for what-ever reasons.
Time will tell the outcome.

 

[launderess]

When Ariel and other powdered detergents began showing up in North America "greenies" lost their collective minds. All of those detergents were loaded with phosphates a substance banned or severely restricted in many parts of USA.

Those selling said products claimed ignorance, as did P&G among other makers who claimed "we didn't import the stuff to USA..).

P&G finally got wise to huge market for their Mexican detergents such as Ariel and began importing them to USA, but reformulated to remove phosphates. Roma, Foca, Blanca Nieves and rest soon got in line and removed phosphates (or lowered amounts) on products so things could be sold all over USA.

Purchased a box of Ariel when it first reached North America. Stuff packed quite a whiff, it bowled one over as matter of fact. Finished the box and never bothered again.

 

[launderess]

It's rare that P&G markets two of their top shelf products in same market.

In some Latin American markets (Puerto Rico is one) Tide is sold as "ACE"

Thus it's no surprise you can find ACE detergent all over USA. Aside from name packaging looks exactly like whatever version of Tide

Ace Ultra Oxi HE Liquid Laundry Detergent (89 loads, 138 oz.) - Sam's Club

Buy Ace Ultra Oxi HE Liquid Laundry Detergent (89 loads, 138 oz.) : Laundry Detergent at SamsClub.com

www.samsclub.com