Hey Matt, in the photo with the fabric softeners, on the left below the blue bottle of Cuddly, there is what appears to be a large block of soap called Velvet. Is it really a large block, or is it divided into cakes? Is it specifically for laundry use? Just curious as it is so large it caught my attention. Also, up on another shelf I spy a large box of Lux. Is that still soap flakes? I sure wish there were some sort of soap flakes still sold here in the U.S. I miss plain old Ivory Snow!
It is kool to see the labels for Cold Power, Drive and Dynamo.
The powdered Cold Power has a label that looks very similar to how it appeared when it was first introduced here in the U.S. The liquid Cold Power bottle reminds me of the old liquid All we used to have. So many flavors of FAB! It is cheap stuff here in the States as well, however I have found it to be a good performer. It is fairly low sudzing, so I can use it in a f/l or 1-18 without a problem and I love some of the fragrances, especially "ocean breeze".
When it comes to phosphates, here in the U.S. you either have to buy detergents imported from Mexico, or buy a drum of Phosphates from a chemical manufacturer and make your own "cocktail".
I loved VIVA, so when they removed the phosphates last year it was a big dissapointment. My next favorite is FOCA which is very reminicent of our old Rinso Blue. I like the bluing in it and it is not as high sudzing as the Viva is. I use FOCA most of the time now and really like it's performance and fresh light scent. I tend to "hoard" it out of fear they will drop the phosphates in it, too!
Old Tide ain't what she used to be. Not only are the phosphates long gone, but the "original" fragrance----isn't----AND I have caught P&G adding "fillers" to it lately (powdered version). My solid-tub machines are left with a white powder in the tub. It really shows-up in the WO-65-2 because the tub is such a dark blue. That pissed me off as it is America's most expensive detergent and I sure as hell resent paying a premium price for fillers!
I called their customer service line and raised hell with them. but you know they couldn't care less. There are so many "sheeple" in America, they will just keep right on paying high prices for the filler, although in all fairness, most of the newer machines have light or white tubs----so the filler doesn't show------VERY sneaky! I won't buy any more.
Thanks for the interesing picture into what it is like going shopping for laundry aids in Australia!