August 2009 Detergent Thread

[frigilux]

Ray---I love Tri-Zyme and use it regularly, especially if I'm pre-soaking a load. I also have SA8 All-Fabric powdered bleach, but I don't use it much. I like to use Tide or SA8 and Tri-Zyme with loads of kitchen whites in the front-loader. The Tri-Zyme gets spun out and the liquid chlorine bleach goes to work during the first rinse.

If I have a really huge, terribly stained load, I'll do a pre-wash and soak with detergent and Tri-Zyme, then a regular wash. I don't use SA8's powdered bleach often, because I use LCB. Their bleach seems to work well, though.

Before they changed the formula (or did they just add fillers to it, to cut manufacturing costs?!) the holy grail of cleaning stained whites was SA8, Tri-Zyme and their powdered bleach. Blazing whites!

John---While I've noticed a change in the cleaning ability of SA8, I can't say it's caused any skin reactions. Having said that, I've never really had a problem with any detergent irritations. I wonder what they've done to SA8?

 

[zanussi_lover]

at the moment,

I have Daz powder (both Original and Mandarin and Lime) use this on whites, its pretty good =]

Surf Small and mighty Tropical and Tempting nature (love the tempting nature one, it has a grassy sort of smell) - Use this on dark stuff and lightly soiled stuff.

BOLD 2in1 Gels - Lavender and Camomile and Sparkling Pomegranete and Orange blossom - Love the cleaning power of this, really good on grease and dirt, not that good on some stains that are dried in, like curry, ketchup and pasta sauce.
need to catch the stains when they are fresh, so i can squirt a little bit of gel on the stains to pretreat it.

I use the Lavender one on my bedsheets and towels, always nice to have a nice relaxing scent on bedclothes.

Also have Ariel Excel gel, which i use occasionally.

Softeners I have aldis ancosoft Silk, which is alright, but doesn't smell of anything but softens well.

Using the Comfort Naturals Olive Blossom and Cotton Extract, only put in half a cap, does the job.

 

[northernmary]

daily drivers...

im useing daz powder which i bought walst on offer at morrisons 3 quid a box so it would be rude not to buy two box's got two bottles of lenor softner (spring awakening and gold orchid) and a bottle of comfort (tropical burst) tryed the daz on a 30 and to me it didnt cut-it so back to washing at 40 and above.... i must admit im very impressed with the daz and i love the smell..

NorthernMaryx

 

[rayjay]

SA8

Hi Eugene. I have to agree. SA8 Premium detergent and Tri_Zyme were fantastic. Tri zyme still is. I do not know whey they changed the SA8. It was some detergent. I have to same around 10-12 years ago I bought it from a friend and you could get the SA8 detergent with phosphates. It was another formulation. NOW this was some detergent. So.....have you really seen a big difference in the formula and are you still using? I am refraining from buying more. Need your advice. I also can get Skaklee detergent which is called Fresh. This is really nice too.

 

[gyrafoam]

Mostly FOCA powder
Sometimes VIVA powder,Sears Ultra powder, or FAB.

 

[frigilux]

Ray---I still use SA8, but it takes 3-4 scoops to do the job on tough stains, which makes using the detergent very expensive. However, I like to use it in my front-loader, where Tide products tend to stay sudsy right through the final rinse. SA8 rinses cleaner.

Buy a small box of SA8 and see what you think. I find it's still worth it---it's just not the blockbuster cleaner it once was.

Otherwise, I'd recommend Tide with Color Clean Bleach Alternative.

 

[jeffg]

For whites, try adding 1/3 c. STPP along with your SA8 (or Charlie's, or whatever detergent you use). Fantastic stuff!

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[jetcone]

Tide HE powder and loving it, really smells nice and rinses right out
Wisk 3X not the 2X hate that! Nice smell there too.
Purex powder, very low sudsing to my surprise!
And LOTS of Woolite HE!! GOBS OF IT! Really nice scent!!!

 

[kqkenmore]

i use tide he and gain he and sears ultra plus in the orange box.I have stopped using liquid because it makes the clothes smell sour.

 

[maytagmightyjj]

SA8

Hi guys-- I still use SA8 with bioquest mainly because its low sudsing and smells fresh. They quit making the old formula with phosphates and I think that is what "decreased" its cleaning ability. I rarely ever really have "Dirty" clothes or towels so it works well. I actually also like the Kirkland signature Ultra Detergent liquid sold at Costco. It is a low-sudsing detergent as well. I have about quit using any detergent Proctor and Gable makes because it has too many suds even at reduced quantities. I have a traditional top loader, but I think the clothes get rinsed better using low suds detergent.

 

[jt1985]

My arsenal:

I have:

For work clothes:
Tide Total Care HE (keeps the shirts blue)

For everyday:
Tide Coldwater HE

For white laundry:
Clorox Coldwater

For stains:
Spray N Wash Max Stain Stick, Tide Stain Release pacs

For softening:
Downy Almond Cream Bliss (I love the smell)

 

[aquarius1984]

The same culprits keep appearing under the sink Jon and beside the washer so I guess I must have some loyalty to them.

Wouldnt swap my Ariel for anything else, I took delivery of the full Miele collection a while back and although it seems ok I am very disappointed that the Fabric Conditioner is the same stuff labelled "Tesco Value".

I just hope the powder is not that god awful Dixan rubbish.

The scent of Ariel has been really toned down to what it was when it first came out 4 years ago.
Its definately a firm favourite of mine now.

 

[launderess]

Fabric Softeners - Downy In Particular

Having purchased two bottles (on sale and with coupon) of Downy "pure and gentle/unscented), awhile back, noticed the final bottle had turned into a thick goo. Though only about 3/4 used was not ready to chuck the stuff away and at first thought the stuff had thickened because of cold. However no amount of dilution in hot water would work.

Contacted P&G and after giving them the information on the cap (apparently there is a date code, in the Julian calender), was told P&G fabric softeners have a shelf life of two years, after that all bets are off. Was advised to chuck the current bottle into the bin and they would send a coupon for another.

Don't use FS that often so a bottle last a LONG time. Indeed rather prefer Seventh Generation's lavender version to the petrol derived stuff from P&G, but there you are.

 

[newwave1]

I too spotted the Daz offer in morrisons for £3 and had to buy a box! I'm currently using Ariel Bio & Colour, Daz & i have a bottle of bold gel which is okay. Not as good as the ariel gel.

Darren

 

[westyslantfront]

I am still on my old tried and true recipe of Viva detergent to which I add extra phosphates, Cloralex bleach, and Ensueno Fabric Softener.
For whites I also use Mrs. Stewart's Bluing.
Hot water for whites and warm for everything else.

Ross