Best detergent choice for vintage machines??

[marty]

I see a lot of debate about front load detergent choices. I want to know what the Best detergent is for vintage machines. I work in construction, so clothes get dirty. I do not want to experiment myself, I just want to know the opinions of those who have done the testing. I have always used Tide, as that is what mom used. I need exceptional cleaning and rinsing. So lets have it!

Marty

 

[rp2813]

Old News

I remember one of the guys in my 7th grade class who had a good sense of humor took his cue from a TV commercial that was running at the time (for Tide, I believe) for his science fair project:  Which Washday Detergent Cleans Best?

 

The result:  Tide came in last.  If I recall correctly, All did the best job.

 

Formulas have changed since then, but I've always remembered that.

 

[frigilux]

Consumer Reports' two highest-scoring conventional (not HE) detergents are Wisk Deep Clean with a score of 63 (out of 100), and Tide Plus Bleach Alternative Vivid White + Bright, with a score of 61. Both are liquids.

For the curious: The two top-rated HE detergents are Tide Ultra Plus Bleach Vivid White + Bright (powder) with a score of 82, and Wisk Deep Clean Free & Pure (liquid) with a score of 80.

It would appear Wisk Deep Clean Free & Pure is the go-to detergent for those with skin sensitivities.

 

[mickeyd]

Mike's Report from Monday May First

Had a hideously stained white T:

1~ Lilac Tide liquid with baking soda, a long-gone favorite now returned to the shelves here : Failure

2~ Tide HE powder, normally really good on any dirt and most stains and smells wonderful: Failure

3~ Tide Frigilux 82% (see above): Passed with flying colors.

Marty, you know that HE is okay in a conventional topload, right? Just use a full-to-heaping scoop or more. Try a pre-wash and dump the water if nasty.

Used to use #3 in the earlier version all the time, till I tried Tide HE Regular Powder or Lilac Liquid whose smells are a better match for this schnazz. So now # 3, when needed.

 

[bendixmark]

detergent

I do alot of laundry including my filthy work clothes and I have found sears ultra plus powder is by far the best.Cleans amazingly well and is very low sudsing in front and top loaders.Tide liquid works well but is VERY sudsy.The only liquid I really like is Extra,low sudsing and a clear rinse.Mark,the laundry god...has spoken.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

I use Era.  It cleans up a storm, doesn't make too many suds, doesn't cost too much, and has a mild pleasant scent.

 

Ken D.

 

[yogitunes]

Arm and Hammer, ERA, or SearsUltraPlus.....adding some 20 MuleTeam Borax for a little extra kick....

guaranteed results everytime......of course as with anything, water conditions and temps help too....but its the simple stuff that always seems to work....

add some ammonia to the bleach dispenser as well.....I prefer Parsons Lemon Ammonia....great smelling....

ERA is some powerful stuff as mentioned, inexpensive and great scented....

I have also been using from ALDI......Ultra Tandil liquid....orange bottle/blue lid....non HE version...smells and cleans like TIDE...for 1/3rd the price...

 

[rjmagicman]

I use Cheer in my GE filter flo units! Suds good, smells good, cleans well and won't fade ur colors. Cost about 18cents per large wash!

 

[chaskelljr2]

@ Yogitunes...

I happen to shop at Aldi's, and all the long, I been looking at these Large Red Detergent bottles that has always graced their shopping asiles.

To learn from you that Ultra Tandil Liquid Detergent cleans and smells just like Tide for a third of the cost is encouraging to hear.

And that's considering that a 128 oz of Liquid Tide is $11.00 and up (or at least, it is in my market). That's what I have been using in the Coin-Op Speed Queens in my current Apartment Building. That (meaning Tide), and Woollite for my expensive Ralph Lauren Polos (with the Delicate Cycle on one of the Speed Queen Coin-Ops).

Otherwise, I have been using either Purex, Arm & Hammer, and occasionally, Tide Powder in our Kenmore Home Machines when I was in my old Apartment (first, a 1966-67 Kenmore Model 600, and then later on, a 1990 Direct-Drive Kenmore Model 80), right along with Arm & Hammer Washing Soda or Clorox 2 to boost cleaning power when washing Colors, otherwise, it's plain old Clorox Bleach and Hot Water when I am washing Whites.

I have also tried Oxy Clean to use with my Tide Detergent recently. And each time I have used it, it made my skin itch. So I stopped using it. Is there something I should know about Oxy Clean?? I am tempted to give the tub away.

However, the next time I am at Aldi's, I think I am going to pick up a bottle of Tandil and try it out.

--Charles--

 

[Bob331]

I have been using All powder in my Maytag 142 and it has done a great job, especially with whites.

 

[yogitunes]

@chaskelljr2.....

its worth a try, and see what you think......compared to any other laundry detergent or store.....ALDI will give you a full refund and the bottle(don't quite understand that part of it) with no questions asked....

My partner picked this up by accident, the smell alone told me it was Tide, but also the color, and I was doing test stains to see what would happen.....everything came out.....so I can't complain.....what really got me, like you with the alergic reaction, I can't use anything but Tide on my partners clothes, otherwise he will break out in a rash all over....and he doesn't with this stuff....

so there's really no loss out of your pocket for trying this......

any laundry product out there has the potential to cause an allergic reaction.....if it causes you to itch, I would stay away from it...

from DollarTree, I also like the SunColorSafe powder bleach for colors....works really well on stains......my kids get into a lot of stuff, what better test samples to have than this....

 

[mich]

Before you start recoomanding Aldi...

I've noticed here, that they seem to enjoy, selling expired, dead active ingredient bottles of 96oz Bleach. I saw a good bit of them still had manufacturer dates of 2011, and considering Bleach loses it's active ingredient (Sodium Hypochlroite) after six months, that should give you a perspective.

My advice, if one Want's something similar to Ultra Tide, Buy Target's in house Version (Up & Up) actually available in Clean Breeze & Original Tide Scent or Members Mark, or even All Oxi-Active.

 

[danemodsandy]

I'm Using....

Oxydol Classic One-Cup Formula ($5 for a ginormous box at Family Dollar), with smashing results. I dose in my second-generation Maytag A806 as follows:

SMALL: 1/3 cup
MEDIUM: 2/3 cup
NORMAL: 1 cup
LARGE: 1-1/3 cup

I also use Sun's (Huish) oxygen powder, and their Cuddle Soft Mountain Fresh softener. Resolve for stains, of course.

I'm happy with the results, and the machine seems to be happy with the ingredients, particularly the Cuddle Soft softener; some more upscale brands are too thick and gloppy nowadays to dispense cleanly from a centrifugal dispenser.

My only exception is really dark clothes, like black pants, and cold-water brights like reds - those get Oxydol liquid and no oxy powder.

 

[mich]

Is the..

Oxydol High Sudsing at all? I've never tried it, but, I'd be curious to hear your opinion.

 

[danemodsandy]

Nope!

The Oxydol Classic One-Cup formula is not high-sudsing. I learned a long time ago not to equate suds with cleaning power.

 

[maytaga806]

Tide powder HE

 

[mich]

I understand..

That Suds don't equal Cleaning Power, however, sometimes it's just fun to see them

 

[MikeS]

Costco Pods

I decided to buy some Kirkland Signature pods when I made my most recent Costco run. (A very favorable rating from "Consumer Reports" persuaded me to try them.) They worked very well in our Whirlpool top loader (circa 2005), passing the tough underwear/sock test with flying colors. (Sears Ultra Plus also works well, and I still use it as go-to detergent for sheets, blankets and other items whenever Sears has a sale--usually $12 for the 180 load box.)
As for bleach, I occasionally use LCB from the 99 Cent Only Store for whites--but I find a couple of scoops of generic oxygen booster (also from the 99 Cent Only Store) really does the job.
I'm still wedded to Downy April Fresh Original, but I bought some Suavitel in the yellow bottle (Morning Sun) when my Food 4 Less had a great sale. Hope it leaves everything soft and May fresh, if not April Fresh.

 

[whirlaway]

Powder!

I have always used Tide,never had a problem.The drain hose is clear as a bell.Ive been satisfied with it for 40 years.No build up in the drain hose or any problems.I dont use fabric softeners,and I worked as a telephone linemen and got plenty dirty and my clothes were always clean then as they are now. We have good water here in Hampton,thats what you have to really look for,some places have hard water etc!I dont over load the machine,its a 1955 Cycla fabric Kenmore with matching dryer,at least every other day I do a load.I do use a small scoop of Oxyclean per load and always wash with hot water,rinse cold.Thanks Bobby