Best Powder Detergent

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scrubflex

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What is the best powder detergent for top loader washer? I also have a Whirlpool washer and the liquid detergent leaves smelly residue problems.
 
Old brand back.........

Since it's back - I've been using Oxydol powder lately in my modern GE HE FL washer and in my vintage machies too. Had great results so far and will probably continue to use it.
 
Another Vote for Sears Ultra Plus

I tried this on the recommendations of the good people here. I've been very pleased--dirt cheap cost per load, everything is very clean, and no odors or unwanted scents when the wash is done.
 
I've been using Gain He Powder for my whites. Use about what 1/2 the included measuring cup recommends. No unwanted odors. Rinses well. However cannot use it in place of liquids. In my Frigidare Frontloader I get detergent streaks, no matter how little I use.
 
As far as I'm concerned, Tide with Bleach powder is the only new US detergent that's worth the high price. I love the smell(a dead ringer for Vintage Dash) and from what I've read in various posts on this site, the formula has sanitizing properties if you use it with hot-ish water and give it time to do its thing.

I like some Brazilian and Mexican phosphate-blessed detergents that are available in the tri-state area, although some, like Ariel have a fragrance that's a little sickening.
 
There is really NO BEST detergent.

for everyone anyway. What will work good for one may not for another. There are too many factors that effect detergents and they way they clean. Many times I have seen a plant with the same equiptment almost across the street from each other and the detergent that worked will in one did not in the other. Loading, time, water ,temperature,even the way one measures the detergent are all factors in how a detergent works or does not. I too like and use Sears ultra plus in the loads that I can. very cost effective. But do have a good friend with a plant about 25 miles from here and he cannot get it to work at all in his plant.
 
Sears is tops for me . . .

. . . in the orange box. A scoop comes with it. One scoop for top load and a half scoop for a front load.

{Is Oxydol back???? I had not heard that. In the 1950's, that was a fantastic detergent.)

Jerry Gay
 
I have been using the Sears Ultra Plus (Green box)for about a year and a half now in both my Maytag 806 and Frigidaire frontloader, as well as Fresh Start, I like them both equally. I must be using to much bleach on my white polo shirts for work, they are getting holes in them so I'm going to buy new ones in a couple of weeks. The won't be getting bleached, going to use either Clorox 2 with the Sears detergent, Tide with bleach alternative, or possibly Oxydol.
 
Polo shirts

Jim, Kohl's and JC Penney both have them on sale for $9.99. I usually get the Kohl's Croft & Barrow shirts, and have been pretty well satisfied with them. I did buy a JCP St. Johns Bay shirt yesterday, and it looks to be well made. I got a sale ad from there with coupon for 15% off from the 28th to the 31st.
 
Thanks Tom, Macy's had them on sale too, but I don't know if they had them in solid white. A friend of mine has a Kohls card, maybe he will charge a few. Does Kohls charge more for larger sizes?
 
Sears Ultra (Orange box)

for me! Best detergent I have used in a long time. Gets out my stains the first time. Works well in my '97 Maytag Dependable Care.

Extremely inexpensive per use, and the (very) mild citrus-like fragrance does not linger after the clothes are dry.

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
the best powdered detergent I have ever used is tide! my favorite scents are Original scent or Mountain spring! it cleans everything great and smells SO CLEAN.
 
Jim

I use the Sears also....but for color safe bleach I buy either Sun brand from Dollar tree or Purex from Shop Rite, they work great on white and colors you don't want to bleach

DollarTree.com -- if not in your area
also the CuddleSof softner is great, gel like, 50/50 mix with water and leaves a light scent
 
Loved vintage Dash.But now I use Tide HE and Fresh Start if I can find it.Sometimes Gain HE and Sears orange box.Yesterday at dollar general I found Oxydol I bought it but have not used it yet.
 
A vote for TIDE he powder boosted with STPP. I only buy it on sale at the Bull's-eye Botique with coupons so it's not very expensive. Good cleaning, easy rinsing and no fragrance left behind.

I have Cheer liquid for dark colors, but most of the wash is done with TIDE powder.
 
Overhere in the Netherlands the Dutch consumer organisation tested color detergents. Persil powder came out as the best. The Persil liquids performed less. Strangely enough the #2 and #3 were liquids. Aldi's liquid Una turned out to be second best and Albert Heijn's AH home brand (Albert Heijn is a premium supermarket here) ended up third. The powdered versions of both performed less...
 
Not sure what the real difference is between the orange and

but to the best of my knowledge, the orange box Sears detergent is sold in-store only, any more. I may be misinformed.

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
I am still a big fan of Viva, even though the phosphates have been taken out. No big deal as I add my own phosphates.

Ross
 
Orange box Ultra plus IS only sold in store now.

the difference between orange box and green box. is Green is not to be used with bleach.. Orange box says on the box it is fine. Green box has more enzymes but I have found the green box does not perform as well here and cost more. But do have a friend in dallas that likes the green box better. I think the scent is a bit different also. Again there are too many things that effect detergent functions to say one is better than another. One brand may work better in one place than the other brand.
 
But with the enzyme formula, couldn't you just wait to add bleach in the last 4 minutes of the wash after the enzymes have had time to work? Kenmore washers that had a bleach dispenser always waited until after optical brighteners and or enzymes had a chance to work before deactivating them with the bleach.

Does Oxi-Clean deactivate enzymes as thoroughly as chlorine bleach?
 
Enzymes take time to really work

3 or 4 mins would not make use of them very well. Oyx bleaches do not deactivate enzymes as chlorine bleach does.
 
Enzymes take time to really work

So they would need a long wash like in a FL, not a 10 minute wash like in an older machine.

My 1969 LK combo labeled the Super Wash cycle Enzyme Super Wash which gave things an extra 4 minutes of wash at low water level before adding more water for an additional 12 minutes of washing. Enzymes were big in 69 and Sears was on the bandwagon whether the cycle gave them time to work or not and, better question whether the combo could adequately rinse enzymes products out of clothing or leave you with an itchy rash. The last LK combo had Wrinkle-Guard at the end of the dry cycle. WP used that Wrinkle Guard timer to give you the option of either having the regular 4 minute Super Wash or something like a 30 minute Enzyme Soak with the same resting and tumbling periods of the Wrinkle Guard sequence. Sadly, by then, most of the enzyme pre-soak products of the late 60s had been discontinued due to the itching problem and concern over the amount of phosphates they contained.
 

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