Detergent Question for Aussie Members:

[washer111]

I am wondering if the members here know of any good detergents suitable for use with coloured shirts or dark garments - specifically, a detergent *without* Optical Brighteners, but a detergent that has some sort of De-chlorinating action or something that stops inks and dyes from running? Or do you find regular detergents to be adequate for this task?

 

At the Supermarket, I have seen the Omo liquid for dark items, but I am reluctant to buy as the Miele's detergent drawer isn't fitted with the liquid dispenser that many machines have, but I guess I could compromise there. Then there is my "thing" about supporting liquids as they take over our laundry... But I am open to suggestions. 

 

If other members read and see this, are there specific ingredients I should or should-not see in a detergent that offers good protection? 

 

[mielerod69]

Detergent for colours

Hi Washer111,

I use Miele's UltraColor liquid for my colours and darks and find it works great. If you want to use supermarket brands there are a few such as Omo for darks or Radiant colour in liquid, powder and now pods.
You can purchase a liquid insert for your Miele as I've done or if you don't, start the machine and open the dispenser 3/4 of the way and as the water flows through pour the liquid in and close the dispenser.
Cheers

 

[mattywashboy]

The only other dark garment specific detergent i know is Radiant Black Wash but not sure if thats even sold anymore. Failing that , Radiant Colour Care? not 100% sure on the ingredients but I know they claim to protect colours and stop colours running in the wash.

 

[paulc]

Washer111

Why not just put the liquid straight on top of the clothes in the drum? I know Woolite do a detergent that prevents colour run ( Red bottle yellow cap ) but it seems to have disappeared from UK shelves. Is Woolite sold in Australia?

 

[launderess]

Suggestions

If you are concerned about colours running there are also those sheets you chuck into the wash for that sort of thing. They are sold here under the "Shout" brand but assume there are others out there as well.

Liquid detergents can be dispensed easily inside the drum either by waiting for the machine to fill a bit, then after opening the door make a bit of room then pour the stuff into the small amount of water at bottom of tub. Am not a fan of pouring anything directly onto wash, but that is just me for you.

Or, find a dosing cap what like Persil, Ariel and other European detergents come with for their liquid and gel products. If such products/devices are available locally either improvise or perhaps some kind person will send. Using such a cap is the only way we dispense liquid or gel detergents today.

 

[washer111]

Thanks for all the suggestions! 

 

I'll have to have a long and hard look at the detergent aisle today then and see what I can find. I already know about the Omo liquid, and I think I may have seen a Radiant Liquid and possibly the Colour powder, but the last I saw the Colour/Blacks powder was around a year ago when I was buying small boxes of detergent and "Wash-Testing" (Not Road-Testing) them. 

 

[launderess]

For Darks And Some Colours

Actually prefer liquid or gel to powders. Especially if one is going to use warm or even cool water for washing. Outside of the European commercial detergent for colours find most powders can leave darks looking muddy. This probably is in so small part due to the soda and Zeolites used as builders.

 

[washer111]

I Had a Look:

What I found was this:

<ul>
<li>Omo Black Wash Liquid</li>
<li>Radiant Black Wash Liquid</li>
<li>Radiant Colour-Care Liquid</li>
</ul>
The Radiant bottles were more informative than Omo, and it seems they use some sort of action to prevent dyes running. Okay, reasonably enough. But absolutely no mention of OBA's, Oxygen Bleaches and so forth like I might've expected. 

It was slightly disappointing. 

 

So, I guess what I'll do is buy some Colour detergent and the "Black Wash" for loads of dark items, including pants/jeans. That should work nicely, I guess. 

 

Perhaps if I order online, I might find something better. I guess I'll just have to do some Googling!

 

[logixx]

Have you looked at
www.unilever.com.au/brands-in-action/detail/OMO/304209/

 

[launderess]

You won't find liquid detergents with oxygen bleaching a

Unless they are specifically things like Vanish, Napisan, etc... That is bleach.

With that in mind long as you avoid liquids also labeled "Oxi" action (they do not contain bleaches but various enzymes and a cocktail of OBAs to give the illusion of that action), you should be fine.

Have found Persil "FEWA/Black Magic, Perwoll for Darks" pretty good for colours as well. Whatever they use to fix black/darks seems to work as well for colours and the stuff contains a healthy dose of enzymes for stain removal.

You can do an international search for European detergents on eBay from sellers that are willing to ship. However am here to tell you the stuff is often quite dear. To the United States rates start at around $36USD for one bottle or box of detergent. Though if you are lucky seller is using some sort of "flat rate" packaging and maybe can fit another or something else for the same rate. For instance when having linens sent from France always request a few bottles or whatever of laundry products. Long as there is room in the package most countries only charge a flat rate for whatever fits comfortably in the box. There might be weight restrictions but still.

OTOH the flat rate for a Priority Mail USPS box that can hold detergent runs nearly $53USD IIRC.

 

[washer111]

Thanks again Launderess for your insightful and educational response. 

 

Based on this, I can now rule out the Radiant "Colour-Care" liquid, since the bottle boasts of "Opti-Clean," which I assume means the cocktail of OBA's. 

If I wanted fake whites, I'd buy a bottle of blue dye. But I'm using this for colours, I wish they'd understand. 

 

Oh well, the Radiant Black Wash is cheaper, and still rates fairly highly in our Consumer Reports ("CHOICE") magazine/publication. 

 

[logixx]

The next step would be to wikipedia what each ingredient does:

 

PZ Cussons - Enhancing lives with extraordinary brands

We enhance everyday life, creating moments of delight. We’ve created some of the world’s best-loved and most trusted brands.

www.pzcussons.com.au

 

[washer111]

Did Some Testing

First load was a 2.1kg (4.3lbs) load of Dark items (Black shorts, work shirt, dark collared shirts) washed on Minimum Iron with Water Plus (More Water + Extra Rinse) at 40ºC.

I liked the results from this load, but I was disappointed by the suds created. 

 

For a comparison, I did a fairly equivalent load (Same cycle options, but at 50º) of Light coloured collared shirts, t-shirts and some pants. All a light white, almond or cream colour. In the load were two items that are particularly heavy: A White, Collared T-Shirt and some heavy shorts. Following the wash, I noticed some yellowing under the sleeves of the shirt and a similar effect on the pocket-covers on the shorts. 

So this time, not so impressed. I attribute this to a lack of Oxygen-Bleach.

 

I imagine that I could add Oxygen Bleach to the load, but I'm wondering whether that isn't a good idea for colours when being washed between 40ºC (104ºF) and 50ºC (130ºF)... 

 

By the way, the link to PZ Cusson's ingredient list seems to have become outdated over time. Several of the detergents have redesigned boxes, and I imagine newer formulae as well. But they do give a rough idea of the ingredients list. I am surprised not to see any enzymes listed for the product equivalent of what I've chosen. I guess you can't see stains on blacks! http://www.pzcussons.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=96&Itemid=73

 

My other disappoint, as stated above, was the amount of sudsing in the rinses. The recommended dosage for a "Full Load" is about a capful. I used about ½ cap, probably a bit less for both loads and found excess sudsing in the rinses. The sudsing during the washing phase wasn't actually that noticeable, however. 

Although, I must admit that the rinsing seemed to be fairly good, so maybe its a moot point. I'll have to hang around the machine for several more cycles to see what the verdict is on that. 

Will now defer to the iPhone to show the amount of suds in the first rinse from the load of lights. 

 

[washer111]

A Bit of a Worry! Don't usually see this much suds unless I overdose te Bio-Zet detergent.