Detergent
- Thread starter roscoe62
- Start date
Help Support :
I made an impulse buy at Costco recently (which happens more than I care to admit), and bought a huge jug of All Free & Clear. I have used it on towels and sheets (without softener) and found the washed items to be much softer than they generally are with other detergents.
Bryan
Bryan
Bold powder, found at Big Lots, marketed by P&G. Very little suds but smells good, washes great, and rinses well.
In the case when detergent residue is indeed the culprit for hard towels then it`s usually the detergent`s alkali components like washing soda to blame not the residual suds (surfactants)
So a good enzyme containing liquid is probably a better choice than a powder in this perspective because those are generally less alkaline. Some super cheap liquids however compensate the lack of enzymes with a high pH.
Hard towels could also result from too short inferior cotton fibers. They tangle much more in the washing process than those of high quality towels.
Next if you live in a hard water area like I do the problem could also be mineral deposits on the fibers. In this case it`s not detergent residue to blame, the culprit might be not using enough detergent for a longer time.
If calcium buildup is severe no soaking in vinegar or stripping with phosphates will do, then it`s best to start over with new towels.
So a good enzyme containing liquid is probably a better choice than a powder in this perspective because those are generally less alkaline. Some super cheap liquids however compensate the lack of enzymes with a high pH.
Hard towels could also result from too short inferior cotton fibers. They tangle much more in the washing process than those of high quality towels.
Next if you live in a hard water area like I do the problem could also be mineral deposits on the fibers. In this case it`s not detergent residue to blame, the culprit might be not using enough detergent for a longer time.
If calcium buildup is severe no soaking in vinegar or stripping with phosphates will do, then it`s best to start over with new towels.
arbilab
Well-known member
I find STPP added to Tide powder softens. Could speculate on the chemistry, or someone could explain, just know it works. Fairly hard water here, deposits mineral ring in toilet in a matter of days.
STPP functions as a non-precipitating water softener. Sequesters and holds mineral content (calcium, hard water) out of the water so it can be flushed away.
Good tips, thank you but...
I hate the smell of vinegar; would citric acid work as well?
I hate the smell of vinegar; would citric acid work as well?
lotsosudz
Well-known member
iWhite Vinegar
if you Don't over do it, once dried, you should not smell any vinegar!
Hugs,
David
if you Don't over do it, once dried, you should not smell any vinegar!
Hugs,
David
strongenough78
Well-known member
Zote!!
I've had issues with stiff and scratchy towels for a while. I even tried a vinegar wash followed by a baking soda wash that was shown on here a while back. Just seemed to make them worse. However couple months ago I found a left over bar of Zote that I had for a while. I grated about a half a cup of it and washed a load of towels. Used hot water and a second rinse with liquid softener in the last rinse. They came out much softer. And they still absorb water very well. I highly recommend using Zote for towels. I've used this method twice so far and I am much happier with the results.
I've had issues with stiff and scratchy towels for a while. I even tried a vinegar wash followed by a baking soda wash that was shown on here a while back. Just seemed to make them worse. However couple months ago I found a left over bar of Zote that I had for a while. I grated about a half a cup of it and washed a load of towels. Used hot water and a second rinse with liquid softener in the last rinse. They came out much softer. And they still absorb water very well. I highly recommend using Zote for towels. I've used this method twice so far and I am much happier with the results.
strongenough78
Well-known member
Oh and dry on permanent press setting instead of high heat. It seems to help.
Using Zote
Or any other soap for washing even when "cut" with detergent will give softer results.
Have been saying this for ages now, but don't take my word for it:
The "built in fabric softener" Ivory Snow, Fels and other soap based laundry "detergents" were touting is the residue effects from using just that, soap.
True soaps are made from fats and oils; and regardless of how much rinsing trace amounts of same remain in/on fabrics. Hence the "built in fabric softener" claims.
Remember original fabric softeners were merely emulsions of tallow and or other oils/fats in water. First invented for use in commercial laundries, they spread to domestic use for same reasons; to counter the harsh feeling of fabrics washed in the "new" detergents like Tide. For generations housewives, commercial laundries or anyone else had no need of such a thing because they were using soap for washing laundry. For most part
There are other contributing factors to roughness; pH level, type of surfactants and or builders and so forth; but on whole doing laundry with soap will give you a softer result than most detergents, especially powders built with soda, caustics and Zeolites.
Commercial laundries still do wash certain things in specially built soaps (diapers among one thing ironically), and or have access to soap products marketed as wash additives. There they boost cleaning of oily/greasy fouled laundry and or add softness depending upon dosage.
Or any other soap for washing even when "cut" with detergent will give softer results.
Have been saying this for ages now, but don't take my word for it:
The "built in fabric softener" Ivory Snow, Fels and other soap based laundry "detergents" were touting is the residue effects from using just that, soap.
True soaps are made from fats and oils; and regardless of how much rinsing trace amounts of same remain in/on fabrics. Hence the "built in fabric softener" claims.
Remember original fabric softeners were merely emulsions of tallow and or other oils/fats in water. First invented for use in commercial laundries, they spread to domestic use for same reasons; to counter the harsh feeling of fabrics washed in the "new" detergents like Tide. For generations housewives, commercial laundries or anyone else had no need of such a thing because they were using soap for washing laundry. For most part
There are other contributing factors to roughness; pH level, type of surfactants and or builders and so forth; but on whole doing laundry with soap will give you a softer result than most detergents, especially powders built with soda, caustics and Zeolites.
Commercial laundries still do wash certain things in specially built soaps (diapers among one thing ironically), and or have access to soap products marketed as wash additives. There they boost cleaning of oily/greasy fouled laundry and or add softness depending upon dosage.
Thing is that soap based washing powder or the use of fabric softener only cures the symptoms but not the cause.
Found less than a quarter of the recommended dose of FS does the trick without any ill effects on absorbancy as incrustation can never be completely ruled out in my water quality.
Sometimes it may not be the worst option to team up with the devil if you`re looking for for quick and easy results.
Found less than a quarter of the recommended dose of FS does the trick without any ill effects on absorbancy as incrustation can never be completely ruled out in my water quality.
Sometimes it may not be the worst option to team up with the devil if you`re looking for for quick and easy results.
Yes, but
Point is or was that for various reasons persons choose to go with soap over using fabric softener.
There must be something to this because Dalli, Henkel, Kreussler-Chemie, and a host of others produce various soap based laundry "detergents" if not simply laundry soaps (built or not).
In USA there is the cult of that God awful "Duggar's" homemade laundry soap. In France and other parts of Europe it is Savon de Marseille instead.
Speaking to the time of Ivory Snow, Fels and other products that were soap based and advertised "built in fabric softener", remember in North America top loading washing machines ruled until rather recently.
Also until rather recently fabric softener dispensers were nearly unheard of; so one had to rush and catch the washer at final rinse to add the stuff. That or reset the washer for another cycle.
en.kreussler-chemie.com
Point is or was that for various reasons persons choose to go with soap over using fabric softener.
There must be something to this because Dalli, Henkel, Kreussler-Chemie, and a host of others produce various soap based laundry "detergents" if not simply laundry soaps (built or not).
In USA there is the cult of that God awful "Duggar's" homemade laundry soap. In France and other parts of Europe it is Savon de Marseille instead.
Speaking to the time of Ivory Snow, Fels and other products that were soap based and advertised "built in fabric softener", remember in North America top loading washing machines ruled until rather recently.
Also until rather recently fabric softener dispensers were nearly unheard of; so one had to rush and catch the washer at final rinse to add the stuff. That or reset the washer for another cycle.
OTTALIN SAVON - Kreussler Textilchemie
toploader55
Well-known member
Beulah !!!
Love her. " You have to coax them clean".
Bob and Tommy... I remember watching that commercial.
Love her. " You have to coax them clean".
Bob and Tommy... I remember watching that commercial.
Miss Beulah Hall didn't do washing for anybody.
She was laundress to presidents of the United States, in particular JFK who sent his shirts to her hand laundry.
An order was waiting to be collected when JFK was killed.
She was laundress to presidents of the United States, in particular JFK who sent his shirts to her hand laundry.
An order was waiting to be collected when JFK was killed.
Dreft Detergent For Babies
Is now "Ivory Snow" detergent.
https://www.ivorysnow.ca/en-ca
But wait, there is also "Ivory Snow" Gentle Care liquid detergent.
https://www.pgshop.com/Ivory-Snow-Liquid-Laundry-Detergent-25-ounces-16-loads/00037000128809.html
There once was a powder but it was discontinued, however people sell the odd boxes at insane prices.
https://www.amazon.com/Ivory-Snow-G...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6N86CE5R4402XFBC3R49
These products are all detergents. P&G discontinued Ivory Snow soap powder ages ago. It became the "Gentle Care" detergents shown above. IIRC this was done due to declining sales of pure soap products for wash day. Despite what Mrs. Palmer and other ladies in Ivory Snow commercials stated the new light duty synthetic detergents like Delicare were gaining market share for "nice things" (blankets, slips, nighties, petticoats, etc...)
For baby things Dreft was doing to Ivory Snow what Tide did to Oxydol soap. There is also fact soap interferes with the flame retardancy properties of infant/toddler sleepwear, something mandated by government.
Have a couple of the old Ivory Snow soap powder in my stash. Use it for doing my "nice things" in the Hoover TT or Maytag wringer. Nothing smells all broody like things washed in Ivory Snow soap powder. [this post was last edited: 1/22/2019-02:27]
Is now "Ivory Snow" detergent.
https://www.ivorysnow.ca/en-ca
But wait, there is also "Ivory Snow" Gentle Care liquid detergent.
https://www.pgshop.com/Ivory-Snow-Liquid-Laundry-Detergent-25-ounces-16-loads/00037000128809.html
There once was a powder but it was discontinued, however people sell the odd boxes at insane prices.
https://www.amazon.com/Ivory-Snow-G...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6N86CE5R4402XFBC3R49
These products are all detergents. P&G discontinued Ivory Snow soap powder ages ago. It became the "Gentle Care" detergents shown above. IIRC this was done due to declining sales of pure soap products for wash day. Despite what Mrs. Palmer and other ladies in Ivory Snow commercials stated the new light duty synthetic detergents like Delicare were gaining market share for "nice things" (blankets, slips, nighties, petticoats, etc...)
For baby things Dreft was doing to Ivory Snow what Tide did to Oxydol soap. There is also fact soap interferes with the flame retardancy properties of infant/toddler sleepwear, something mandated by government.
Have a couple of the old Ivory Snow soap powder in my stash. Use it for doing my "nice things" in the Hoover TT or Maytag wringer. Nothing smells all broody like things washed in Ivory Snow soap powder. [this post was last edited: 1/22/2019-02:27]
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
