Detergent test in progress

[launderess]

The sweet spot for Persil is wash temps of 100F and above, though temps of 120F+ give better results. Yes, it tis the oxygen bleaching system. Best results of all are "profile" washes starting from 80F to 90F and working up to the hotter water temps. Oxygen bleaches will also work to set certian stains if the water temp is too hot starting out.

FWIW washed a load today in Tide with Bleach at 140F and all came out CLEAN, I tell you, clean. So bright had to put on my sunglasses. Didn't even add extra oxygen bleach per my usual routine.

Have also solved the mystery as to why Tide w Bleach was not causing so much suds. As I've stated previously here and elsewhere, it is due to soap.

Have been using up to 1/4 cup of Tide w Bleach for a 11lb load of whites (mixed bath items, T-shirts, undies, etc)and each time there has been little or no suds. However when tried washing some linens, using only 1 tablespoon, there was lots of froth. Taking a shower one day, it dawned on me, the residual soap on our wash cloths must help control suds. We use a French soap made of olive oil (Savon de Marseille), and there are always several wash cloths in my "whites" load. As a test added about 1/2 tablespoon of grated Fels to a load of linens being washed in Tide, and lord and behold, sudsing was decreased. Same effect when added some grated vintage Armour's Floating Soap.

Did some more research and it appears long chain soaps are very good at suds suppression. So there you have it.

Am very impressed with Tide w Bleach, and would put it up against Persil any day of the week. My box of Tide CW is still in my laundry product stash, hardly used and nearly full. Just find the scent a bit strong, more so because I line dry most of my laundry. Items put into the dryer tend to loose much of the scent.

Another great detergent is Ecolab's Soild Super Star. Mainly STPP, washing soda, and surfactant (NPE), this stuff cleans greasy/oily soils very well. Makes no suds and takes very little (we're talking 2-5 grams here), to get the job done.

L.

 

[gyrafoam]

I wonder if the "new generation" of cold water type detergents do a better job of getting rid of grease and body oil residue.

The mechanics out there will agree, you can always tell a "cold water" machine, because when you open it up the inside of the outer tub has a thick layer of the most disgusting black slime-----old body oil and grease and Lawd knows what other types of slippery thangs.
VERY NASTY!

I'll stick to Viva/Fab and as warm a water as the fabric can stand.
I'll also stick to good old chlorine bleach----still the only thing that really kills cooties.

 

[launderess]

Think the difference between today's cold water detergents, and those of years past are enzymes and surfactants that work well in cold water. Tide CW was highly rated by CR when washing in cold water, but results were less satisfactory when the same product was used in hot water. So it stands to reason whatever is in Tide CW has been designed or only works well in cold water.

Also older washing machines did not have automatic temp controls, by and large. This meant whatever temp cold tap water was, is what went into the washer. We all know detergents, especially powders will not work well at temps below 80F.

Still, for all but the most delicate items, or those really prone to colour running, I stick to 100F (warm water) washes to be on the safe side.

 

[toggleswitch]

I went back to warm water with this simple statement learned from the site.

Warm water is needed to melt and dissolve body oils.
Short, sweet and to the point!

I am guessing that you can always tell a machine that is used by a heavy fabric-softener user, as well! I certainly can see it a mile off!

 

[DADoES]

Wash of the 2nd sock in Tide Coldwater powder is happening now. Pic coming soon.

 

[westtexman]

Can't wait to see the final results . . .

I will be up all night doing taxes (alas, my extension has run out - LOL), so I will be checking back to see. That will determine if I want to use Foca or Tide Coldwater on my next load of whites!

Did you use Oxiclean on this load, or did you choose to use it without?

Bryan

 

[DADoES]

No oxy-booster. Same cycle selection as the first load ("Regular" @ Heavy Soil, with 2-hr Soak option), except of course Cold+ temperature, which is tap-cold anyway this time of year. About the same size load as last time, but more smaller items and fewer bath towels. IWL12 selected "Firm" wash this time, likely attributed to fewer towels. (The 1st test load was "Maximum" wash IIRC. Probably would have been "Strong" or "Active" at normal soil level.) 5 oz. Tide for EcoActive, then added 2 oz. more, which ends up being the recommended 7/8 cup for large/heavy soil loads. I had intended to add the additional 2 oz. right away during deep wash fill, but I made a phone call and missed it until deep wash was already going. Still, the load got the "full charge" of detergent for most of the wash period, plus the soak time and the post-soak agitation.

In both cases I placed the test sock on top so it got full exposure to the EcoActive spray.

Keep in mind also this 2nd sock had another two weeks of "stand-time."

I'm still at the night job so the results pic may not get posted tonight. Load will need tossing to the dryer when I get home ... unless I take a "wet" pic.

 

[westtexman]

When you say oxy-booster . . .

What brand are you using? I'm curious.

 

[DADoES]

Whatever was at Wal-Mart, LOL! I think it's Sun? I dump the cannister into a jar. Don't recall if it all fit, if so then I no longer have the cannister to check the brand. I may swing by WM tonight, will take a look if I do (unless I forget).

 

[Cybrvanr]

When doing those comparason tests like commercials do, in order to get accurate shots, make sure the before and after shots were done in EXACTLY the same lighting conditions, and using the same exact settings on the camera (can be a challenge with an automatic camera!) This is one of the devious tricks that degergent manufacturers use when posting pictures on TV or in print...they adjust the exposure or lighting to make the "after" on the favored brand appear that much brighter and cleaner.

Of course, you disposed of that issue by placing both a washed and unwashed sock in the same picture!

 

[DADoES]

Wal-Mart was out of the oxybooster when I checked last night. The shelf label simply says "Oxy Wash $1.88." Obviously it's the cheap stuff.

Pic is taken, hopefully posted (much) later tonight. Foca + oxybooster @ 140°Ftap-cold bested Tide Coldwater powder @ tap-cold by a margin.

 

[frigilux]

I love detergent tests! Looking forward to seeing the pics, Glenn.

My new TL Frigidaire gets installed tomorrow. The first load will be uber-stained whites with Tide CW. I want to see if things turn out as well as they do in the FL'er. In fact, it would be fun to do two loads of whites, one in each machine, to see which gets better results.

Also, I always use chlorine bleach in my white loads, Glenn, so I'm guessing that has slightly skewed my Tide CW results for the better. Did you try a load with Tide CW + some oxybooster? Oh, wait. The oxi is meant for warm-to-hot water, isn't it? Never mind!

I've never been able to use OxiClean in my FL'er----it just causes too much sudsing. Will be fun to try some of that with other detergents in the TL'er.

 

[Acerone]

Has anyone done a side by side test with Persil UK formula and the German brand?

 

[oxydolfan]

I was advised to use the Rite-Aid (drugstore) knockoff of Oxi-Clean, when Oxi-Clean used to generate too much sudsing in my Whirlpool TL (and they were STRANGE suds as well, clear, and plastic-looking, like you'd imagine nuclear waste water).

The Rite-Aid product works better for me....less sudsing, better rinsing (and just as effective at the other thing I use it for, scouring my bathtub....)

 

[DADoES]

Second sock washed. To be fair, it was a bit more heavily stained than the other, and sat for two weeks longer before washing.

 

[DADoES]

Alternate angle.

Yes, I wear my socks until they're well-worn.

 

[frigilux]

Foca+Oxi wins!