Anyone using a specific detergent because..

[mamapinky]

Cheer Powder

What's on the shelves today, does it have OBA's or not, I haven't figured it out..also I have a 120 load box of Cheer powder from 2012 that has lost its scent completely, it didn't get wet as its free flowing with not a lump to be found, I believe it was in a warehouse where temps fluctuated from cold to hot...any way other than scent I'd know if the stuff is any good any more? Short of washing stained clothes and seeing if they come clean lol..really though I'd like to know if powder Cheer has OB's. Thanks Cheryl

 

[sudsmaster]

It's it's labeled specifically for darks, then it most likely won't contain any OBA.

 

I understand that NONE of the Woolite products contain OBA's (or enzymes, for that matter). I use the Woolite Darks HE Liquid when I want to preserve the look of a very dark garment.

 

Most of the time, however, it's more important to me that the fabric be thoroughly cleansed of dirt and oils.

 

I understand that snipers, military men prefer to use Woolite Darks for their uniforms. It helps them remain camouflaged, especially at night. Apparently many animals can see UV and garments washed with OBA's tend to stick out like red flags. The "Midnight Breeze" scent in Woolite Darks, however, might rule it out for hunters.

 

 

[askolover]

What about

Dreft baby detergent?  It's supposed to be hypoallergenic and the powder at least doesn't mention OBA's on the website but that doesn't mean anything.

 

[launderess]

List may be out dated but:

*The Air Force Uniform and Recognition Programs page states the following detergents are optical brightener free and safe for use with the ABU:
- Cheer (liquid and powder)
- Cheer Free
- Exchange Select Cold Water Wash
- All Detergent Free Clear
- Country Save Liquid Detergent
- Allens Laundry detergent (power and liquid)
- Bi-O-Kleen Laundry Detergent (powder and liquid)
- Charlie's Soap (powder and liquid)
- ECOS Free and Clear Laundry Detergent
- Mountain Green Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Nature Clean (liquid and powder)
- Oxy-Prime Powder
- Planet Ultra (liquid and powder)
- Seventh Generation Laundry detergents
- Sportwash
- Sun and Earth Liquid
- Surf Powder (not Surf Liquid)
- Washeze
- Woolite, original and dark

http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123065881

 

[launderess]

Dreft like so many others does contain OBAs

Pipe: http://sondrak.com/index.php/weblog/i_take_it_landry_detergent_brighteners_are_bad_for_camo/

 

[stan]

As mentioned

Above..
the "All" brand free n clear dose contain OBs according to the person that answered the phone. However she said they make version without OBs that sold to military only.
I think that list is outdated.

 

[whirlcool]

As does All Free & Clear

Wasn't it the 80's & early 90's that Cheer used to advertise the lack of OBA's in their products? I think they advertised it as the detergent to go to for fade free washing. I remember that.

 

[toploader55]

This just came today...

I ordered Universal Powder.

 

Never saw "Professional".  I'll have to look later to see the formulas.

 

[stan]

Eddie

That looks familiar to me.. Is it highly scented?

 

[stan]

And

Is the knife, fork and plate pictured on the box mean you can wash dishes with it?

 

[toploader55]

I don't know yet... Wait I'll check...

 

It smells like Regular Universal Powder.  I have some Laundry to do tomorrow.  I'll give a detailed report.

 

[stan]

If it's the

Same as I had a couple of years ago..the scent came through the box and stunk out the whole basement. I sent it to Laundress, and I was so happy she took it!

 

[toploader55]

Just checked the package.

 

It's all in German.  And judging by what's printed on the package, I'm going to say it's a Institutional Formula for Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, Restaurants etc.

 

I can purchase from Sysco 50 lb boxes of Tide.  I'll tell ya... Tide is great on the floors, cleaning Frialators and everything.

 

I think the Miele will like it as now he has  somebody to converse with.  I'll leave the box on the machine and make them a pot of Kaffe.  They can have Cawfee Tawk all night.

 

The scent is no stronger than the Universal Powder I have used in the past.

 

[stan]

Dose it have

Kind if a men's after shave smell?

 

[askolover]

I remember when

Tide had a pic of dishes on the back and said it was good for dishes also. 

 

[launderess]

Just as P&G does with Tide

Both Unilever and Henkel have "professional" or "institutional" versions of Persil. In fact you see the same on both sides of the Pond with other detergents such as Wisk, Ariel and so forth.

In most instances the formulas are pretty much the same but may have slight variations. P&G for instance has some versions of professional Tide (such as their Pro-Line) that smell nothing like the stuff sold in supermarkets.

Other changes might be more direct. For instance you can find versions of Persil from both Unilever and Henkel marked "hygiene". These versions are meant to compete with true professional detergents sold for use by hospital/healthcare laundries and or those who do such linen. Usually the main difference in these formulas is they contain a higher level of oxygen bleaching agents along with TAED (bleach activator). This produces a detergent with strong bleaching action that will also render linen sanitary to meet certain established European guidelines. Laundry routinely contaminated by bodily fluids such as feces would need such a detergent.

Of course the other main difference in these professional laundry products is the packaging size and perhaps concentration. Leaving aside small OPL most places purchase laundry products in vastly larger amounts than domestic. When you are doing hundreds of pounds of washing a week (or day) you aren't going to mess about with small packets.

Concentration may be stronger because again commercial/professional washers are usually larger than domestic. Twenty pounds would be "small" going up to 100 (or more).

To Stan: No, the "forks and knives" pictured on front of box does not mean the product can be used to wash dishes. The use of images for consumer products especially laundry to denote usages and or directions has become quite common on both sides of the Atlantic. There are several reasons for this but the main one is literacy. Instead of having to write things out in several languages you just indicate with an image.

From top to bottom on the Persil box:

Fork and knife along with plate - hospitality/restaurant linen

Patient in bed tended by a nurse (notice the little *cap* on the figure's head) - healthcare linen.

Chef's hat with spoon - Kitchen laundry/linen

Person sleeping in bed - Hotel linen

Brush and shaver (?) - Beauty/barber shop linen

Folded towels - Spa, health club, gym linen (which is mainly towels.

 

[lordkenmore]

gym linen (which is mainly towels.

Gym linen should also include sheets for those of us who'd like a good, brisk nap to recover from that horrible exercise experience. LOL

 

[frigilux]

And it's Lord Kenmore for the win!

 

[stan]

It's a good thing

I'm still driving old cars! (High beam switches on the floor)
Those universal image are in (new to me) cars!
I'd never figure out how to work anything LOL

 

[launderess]

@lordkenmore

I says it again; you is bad! *LOL*