Bio vs. Non-Bio detergent

[iowabear]

Break the Stain Barrier!

Thanks for the link Laundress.

 

That made me curious about when enzymes were added to Tide, and surprisingly P&G's website has a timeline of the Tide product and it was way back in 1968!  Tide XK as it was called, then later just renamed Tide.

 

Another interesting fact from the timeline...Tide liquid wasn't introduced until 1984.

 



 

http://news.tide.com/timeline/1968/tide-xk-introduced-and-first-detergent-specially-formulated-enzymes-thoroughly-break-d

 

[ozzie908]

Non bio and bio powder

I use both as I do a lot of White laundry and as non bio Persil has a higher bleach content it keeps white in lovely condition have noticed that Tea towels used for cooking and mopping up tend to look cleaner when washed in bio powder I wash darks if not whites so use a bio liquid as low temps cause clumping of powder which then leaves white marks. Its often to be found that Persil is on offer somewhere so I buy big boxes and store until needed I stopped using Ariel powder as it was eating cottons and leaving holes I blamed the machine for ages including swapping it for another but that didn't help and the only other constant was powder so after many a year using Ariel it was back to good old Persil.
xx

 

[rolls_rapide]

"eating cottons and leaving holes..."

It's probably a mixture of factors; e.g. powders are a tad more abrasive than liquids.

I've often wondered if the cellulase enzyme was the culprit, but it seems to be not commonly used anymore. Maybe it was too expensive, or perhaps certain detergent companies identified possible fabric damage over time.

I think some modern cottons fabrics are made using 'verging on substandard' thread quality.

That, and the fact modern washing machines pound the laundry in a puddle (increased friction), whereas older machines cushioned and lubricated the load in water more effectively. Current machines wash for a longer time too, and have less effective rinsing.

Furthermore, I dare say the general user probably overdoses on detergent, creating a too strong wash solution.

 

[mrboilwash]

It looks like when a certain limit of protease is exceeded in a detergent in the EU there has to be a safety warning printed on the product.

"Contains Protease. May cause an allergic reaction"
The example is from the latest incarnation of Persil Color Gel.
Very few "Bio" detergents seem to have protease levels that high to require an allergy alert. Even within the Persil range many other flankers are too watered down to require the alert.

 

[iej]

I've been using Miele Ultraphase cartridges for a good while now an they contain cellulase and I've had absolutely no issues with cottons wearing out faster. I'm actually finding my clothes are lasting very well with that detergent, particularly finding jeans are really coming out very well.

It contains: Protease, Amylase, Lipase, Cellulase, Mannanase, Pektinase

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Cellulase

The thing about Cellulase is that it will not do as much damage as washing and drying the garment does. If it caused excessive amounts of damage, the manufacturers would not be using it. Tide Coldwater uses it. I have been using this for a few months and have not noticed any issues either. I certainly would not want to have it in excess but some I am sure is beneficial.
In America we do not have 'color' detergents. Of course we have Cheer, but nothing formulated like Persil or Ariel for colors. Tide Colorguard has fluorescent brighteners in it. The European laundry market is far superior to that of the American one. As mentioned above about the Miele detergent, 6 enzymes is great, and it should leave your clothes clean too! P$G, I hope you are listening!