Detergent thread 2011

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

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For Bernina and PassatDoc

Bernina:

Yes, you are right: Ecover Laundry Bleach is sodium percarbonate (although I don't know how pure it is) but I can buy it in bulk (10 Kg, about 22 lb) for 1/3 the price of Ecover Laundry Bleach.
Not to mention the fact that it is delivered in a simple sealed plastic bag (less package) while Ecover Laundry Bleach is packed in 400 g (about 0.9 lb) cardboard boxes. Yes, Ecover says that the cardboard is recycled, but much less package is much better even than recycled package.

More in general, I don't like the fact that the Ecover products are not ecological at all, but a well organised advertising campaign spreads this mystification that "the environment is happy if you wash with Ecover"

 

PassatDoc

"In Sweden, many liquid detergents come with a dispenser ball"

At least in Italy, the dispenser balls were introduced together with the first liquid detergents. At that time people did use the pre-wash and was used to put powder detergent in the pre-wash compartment of the detergent drawer. The advertising campaigns explained that "this new liquid detergent in its miracle-wonder-technological-advanced ball is so effective that you will not need the pre-wash because the fantastic-ecstatic-orgasmic ball will deliver all its cleaning power at the heart of your laundry"

If you pour liquid detergent in a dispenser drawer designed for powder detergent (as it is often the case) the liquid pours under the open drawer and, when you close the drawer and start the machine, the water does not rinse it (well, this is not that clear, hope it is understandable...)


[this post was last edited: 2/10/2011-15:37]
 
@donprohel

I understood what you meant. My Swedish friends just gave up trying to place liquids in the drawer dispenser, it was always a sticky mess. The ball was a way to put the liquid right into the wash basket, without having to pour it directly on top of the clothes. Personally I think it would be easier just to use power detergent (e.g. Ariel or Via/Persil), but they like the concentrated liquids, just not the sticky mess. Maybe because they are smaller/lighter to bring home from the store. I just figure, why re-invent the wheel? If the drawer was designed for powders, then use powders.

It's more work in USA finding powders suitable for FL washers, but Tide HE powder isn't difficult to find. I have never seen Gain HE in a store, but have ordered it twice from Amazon. It works great, as well as Tide (that is to say, average performance by European standards, but about the best one can buy here, unless one pays $50 for a small box of Henkel Persil). It rinses out well and has a nice light scent, nothing strong or overpowering. We have Big Lots stores here, but I have never seen HE detergent of any kind on their shelves.
 
We've been using a combination of things - mostly some powdered detergent that Roger brought from home when he was here at New Years.  It's very effective, almost no suds even with adding STPP and rinses very clean.  It leaves only a very light, citrus-y scent that is virtually undetectable after the clothes are dry. 
 
Surf liquid and Omo T.L.

At the moment  i am using Surf liquid sunshine fresh and Omo liquid top loader, the local Franklins store has a clearance sale on Duo liquid fresh linen fragrance am considering buying a few bottles, has anyone ever tried this, also do not mind Radiant liquid.

Cheers.

Steve.
 
From Left to Right

Tide Cold Water Free HE Liquid - Really good on it's own or as a pretreater
P&G Professional Tide Powder - Cleans up the mastiff's worst messes and bedding
Quick Dissolving Tide Compact HE Powder - Sheets and Linens Like the Smell
Sunlight Deep Clean Coldwater HE Liquid - Dog Dander and Prewash
Woolite Complete - Delicate/Darks
Ultra Sunlight HE Powder - Towels
Kenmoreclean! Advanced Formula Ultra Plus Dual Enzymes Stain Fighting Formula - Catch all and sometimes as prewash. Sears Ultra Plus packaging was better but washing results are similar.
Persil Color Gel (Henkel) - Coloured Dress Shirts and Pants also as a pretreater
Persil Universal Megaperls - Whites and Towels

The daily drivers for 16-22 loads per week

Would really love to get my hands on a stash of Persil Bio Powder

pingmeep++2-11-2011-11-33-27.jpg
 
2011 Variety!

I'm a big fan of Tide, but after reading the rave reviews of Sears Ultra Plus, I tried it and it works great! I play Soccer and get really muddy so I am able to put any detergent to the ultimate test!

Jeff

jjsunshine++2-11-2011-13-01-13.jpg
 
Generally Persil or Ariel, in biological and colour care variants.  Tend to use powder/tabs on whites/lights/towels, and any format on colours.  Whether I get for example Persil colour powder one week or Ariel colour gel the next all depends on supermarket offers.  Currently have 2 50wash boxes of Ariel biological atm - Asda were selling 50wash boxes for a fiver last week - and a bottle of 28w Ariel Colour gel.  One of my flatmates uses non-bio liquitabs on everything, I just smile and say nothing :)

 

Since moving out and having an undersink cupboard to store all the cleaning stuff including washing powder etc in in this flat, my hoarding has got under control, unlike when I lived at home when I could buy as many as I want due to practically unlimited storage just for washing stuff in the utility room :(

 

Jon
 
CHEER, Cheer,cheer........................

My favorite is powdered Cheer Bright Clean for my towels, sheets, and white loads. I like liquid Cheer Bright Clean for my slacks shirts, etc.
MIKE
I also love the scent of Tide coldwater as well.
 
Pingmeep:

I like the clear bottle of Persil on top of the box of Persil. It lets you know EXACTLY how much you have left..none of this gauge on the side nonsense as seen on most US liquids.
 
Yup I love those clear Persil bottles too. I've always thought that clear line in the handle was just a manufacturing oddity. If it is an intended gauge to show how much is left it seems pretty useless especially with a clear liquid on white. If I had a dime for number of times I have picked up a full 186 load bottle that I thought was empty or the reverse, I'd have enough for a full size laundromat or a small wash and fold.

Anyone want to play how full are each of these two bottles?

pingmeep++2-12-2011-18-36-12.jpg
 
OK...

I caved today and finally bought an orange box of Sears Ultra Plus! With tax, it came out .10 shy of 13.00.

I've been using All (regular/free and clear) powder for my laundry with a little bit of either All Oxy or Era Oxy liquid as somewhat of a "power boost".

A box of All at Big Lots costs me 4.80 (that's with tax). So, if I should go through 3 boxes in the next 8 months (I do laundry every 3 weeks at the laundromat and use 3-4 washers), that's 14.40. Each box does roughly 40 loads (give or take), so times three, that's 120 loads. The Ultra Plus is saving me 1.40 and giving me 60 more loads! WHEEE! :)

Over the past month, I've had a cough from bronchitis or something that will not seem to go away. When my back starts to hurt (from all the coughing I've been doing), I need to sit down and rest a bit. Imagine my "fun" toting this 17 lb. box of detergent from one end of the mall to the other. But, I didn't give up...even with carrying that box, I still continued my walk (like I had any choice if I wanted to make it back to my car). :)

I've read the rantings and ravings about this stuff...so it BETTER be as good as you all say it is, or I'm gonna tell Mama on you! ;)

Any special instructions on how to dispense it in a top loader?
 
I found powdered Cheer at a kMart recently and I love it. I like detergents that smell detergent-y... not like food or rainstorms or flowers. Cheer seems to fit the bill pretty well. That and Final Touch (not on towels or bedclothes, those get hot water and detergent only).

Previously, I was a fan of Sears Ultra Plus but after seeing it turn to stone in cool water, and hearing it grind around in old reliable, I'm less in love. Regular old powdered Tide is a favorite, when I can get it from BJs. Usually on the whites.

After the wash in last year, I had B's parents grab me a pail of the Kirklands powder that smells like candy. Its okay, good when I want to stink up the house... just like Gain. I'd picked up a box of powdered Gain with hopes that it would be less scented in comparison to the liquid I'd been given, alas it isn't. Purex powder just for a giggle, smells just like the liquid Purex my mom likes.

Plus a squad of other options and I've gotten decent at shifting stains. Shame about the bluing. Alcohol for ink, ammonia or clorox on whites (alternated, clorox/detergent only/ammonia/detergent only).

mistereric++2-13-2011-22-16-25.jpg
 
Ariel Actilift Liquid

Well keep it up guys its nice to see all of your stash’s of detergent, I don’t have a stash of detergent at the mo due to lack of storage space so am buying it as I need it.

I am currently using Ariel with Actilift liquid,

NorthernMary

northernmary++2-14-2011-04-30-50.jpg
 
Ultra Plus in a Top Loader

"Any special instructions on how to dispense it in a top loader?"

@dirtybuck
I add a scoop into the washer while it's filling. It seems to do fine with my cool water setting (70F on my Admiralpool), but I use liquid in the gentle cycle for further insurance. It does turn to stone if the water is too cold (but tap cold is too cold for cleaning here), or if you just put a scoop into the bottom and choose a cool wash.
 
Just a quick snap of my relatively small collection.  I also have another 50 wash box of Ariel powder in stock, but that is at the back of the undersink cupboard.

 

Magnum tablets for the dishwasher are SUCH good value, 2 or 3 for a box and they clean better than Fairy!

 

The Persil liquitabs aren't mine I would like to point out :-)

 

Jon

lavamat_jon++2-16-2011-11-42-2.jpg
 
Jon, where did you get the Magnum dishwasher tabs? I have never seen them before and it that a 'Which Best Buy' I see on the box?
 
I stopped at my local Mexican grocer the other day and found a new detergent on the shelf.  The detergent is "Arcoiris All-Purpose Powder detergent", lavender scent, phosphate free, made by Sasil.  It says it is formulated to clean your clothes, windows, bath furniture and dishes, leaving them with a fresh scent.  I used it on our bedding and there was no lingering scent whatsoever.  I've never seen this brand or company mentioned here before.  Does anyone else have any experience with this brand or company?  It did a great job, and I only used 1 1/2 cups for the 1st try.

 

Instructions are taken directly from the bag. 

 

In hand washing laundry:

1. Separate the white clothes of the color.

2. Dissolve 2 cups of Arcoiris in 20 liters of water.

3. Add the clothes and let in wet all the time as possible.

4. At the hard stain to add just a little more of Arcoiris.

5. You get to wash how normally made it.

 

In washing machine laundry:

1. Separate the white clothes of the color.

2. Dissolve 2-3 cups of Arcoiris in the washing machine.

3. Follow the instructionsof use of your washing machine.

 

In the washing of windows, floors, and bathrooms:

1. Dissolve 1 cup of Arcoiris in 2 1/2 gallons water.

2. Apply the solution in the surface to clean and to rub with brush or sackcloth, independs of the difficult of cleansing.

 

In the dish washing:

1. Eliminate the leftovers in your dishes.

2. Wet in hot or warm water the very grease dishes.

3. Dissolve 1/4 cup of Arcoiris in your container with 1/8 gallon of water.

4. Apply the solution and to rub with scourer. 

 

Funny how things get mixed up in translation!

  

[this post was last edited: 2/20/2011-13:43]

http://www.sasil.com.mx
 
@ polkanut

How sudsy is it? I'm interested because with our soft water I tend to get suds lock on my Admiralpool with small loads (I gave up on Tide Coldwater for that reason). It would be nice to have a lavender scented product that costs less than the Seventh Generation.
 
There was a very thin layer of suds on top.  Surely nothing that should cause a sudslock.  Is your water naturally soft, or do you have a softener?

 

P.S., I used this detergent when I did a load of queen sized bedding (fitted bottom sheet, flat top sheet, 3 pillowcases, 1 t-shirt, 1 housecoat, 1 nightgown). The water setting was on large (18 gallons).
 
That sounds good....

....I live in Portland, OR and I'm on the Bull Run water system. Normally, we have less than a third of a grain per gallon, so very VERY soft water. Once a year or so, due to turbidity or some issue, we will switch to the North Portland well field, then there's about 4-5 grains per gallon. You can definitely tell when the switch is made, although even then, it doesn't warrant softening.

I will have to keep my eyes pealed at Save a Lot and Grocery Outlet....sounds like something I would like to try. Thanks for the answer! :)
 
Looks like an interesting find.
Simple ingredients too...

Sodium sulfate
Sodium Alkyl Aryl Sulfonate
Sodium Silicate
Perfume
Pigment

Probably great for a top loader.
 
My new favorite detergent is...

Persil Power Gel and Vernel Day At The Sea Fabric Softener that I've been ordering from ABT.COM in Chicago. I'd read about Persil on this site before and I thought I'd try it out. For me, it's not cheap, but the detergent last as long as the Gain I usually buy and since I use a smaller front loader, it works out.

I love the smell and the way it really cleans my clothes. Phoenix has very hard water but I do see the difference in my clothes. I love the fabric softner because it has a nice scent but isn't overpowering or obnoxious.

Otherwise, I love my Gain.

I did try the .99 cent store version of Ariel, but the Mexican version. It was very strong scent at first but nothing by the time my clothes came out of the dryer. I would buy Ariel again.

http://www.abt.com
 
My stash..

Sears "Ultra Plus" Powder with Oxy Clean, Oxydol Powder, Wisk HE, Fresh Start, Tide with Bleach Powder.

Final Touch, and Original, Non Concentrated, "April Fresh" Downy.. NOT the "Scent Pearls" junk now being produced!
 
well.....

Asda (Wallmart) were selling 25 wash boxes of Ariel for £4.00 so I bought one, not used Ariel for a while and was amazed at how white my whites came out. The Co-op were selling 28 wash of Ariel Gel for £3.97 so bought some of that to, not fussed on the smell but again it cleans really well.
 
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