Drive

[liberator1509]

This is one for UK/Ireland posters...does anyone recall a detergent called Drive. I have a vague memory that my Mum's best friend used it (as well as Tide) in the 1970s - I think it was in a red box. Ma didn't use it though, thinking both it and Tide to be far too harsh (she suffers from sensitive skin) and stuck to her favourite 'Square Deal' white Surf (that is until she converted to Persil Automatic and Dreft for handwashing...).

I seem to recall it having a very strong bleachy smell - though I could be confusing it with Tide - anyone got any ideas? Which company produced it?

 

[aamassther]

Drive was a Lever Faberge product. While it wasn't an auto powder, it was low sudsing enough to to be used in a front load auto. IIRC, we used about 3/4 cup instead of 1. We used it in the late 70's, I believe it came in a white packet. The scent seemed to be quite non-descript. We always used Persil Automatic for whites and lights. Bold Auto for the bio pre-wash. For colours, we would often use cheaper powders like Drive and Surf Auto, depending what was on sale at Sainsbury's or Safeway. Hope this helps, Todd

 

[mattywashboy]

Drive is still a very popular australian product on the market. Its my daily driver liquid or powder, depending on which one i want to buy.
I am currently using Drive top loader liquid and its fantastic, works well in cold water altho its obviously much better in warm or hot. They have a version for front loaders which is also very good.
The bottle in the pic is my current bottle but its the last of this colour bottle, the bottles are turning into an orange colour very similar to the Tide bottles, should be fun.

 

[hoovermatic]

I remember Drive in the UK up to the late 1970's. It came in a white box with a blue design on the front. Had a very sweet smell IIRC. Used Drive in Australia when it came in a clear plastic container and was like a very coarse loose running powder. One tiny cap did a full load iand it lasted for ages.

 

[aquarius1984]

Ooo! Matt im thinking about another detergent swap now I remembered you were going to send me some Drive. I love the Radiant in Mums LG as its the only detergent that rinses out on an cottons when i do a 95 deg wash on whites. Shame it dont give bright ice white persil whites (close but no cigar) but it is the only detergent the lg will rinse clear with on normal levels.

 

[aquarius1984]

When ya get ya computer back matt send me mail, We could discuss another swap. Not sure what to send you myself. Have a think . . Catch ya soon buddy x

 

[rp2813]

As I recall, "Drive" in the U.S. had a PacMan type of "mascot" on the box.

 

[seamusuk]

Yup......

My Mum used Drive in our Hoover single tub (paired with Electra spinner). WHITE Square Deal Surf as well (NEVER the blue version lol).

Seamus

 

[liberator1509]

Ta for all the info guys

So I'm not imagining it...I wonder if anyone out there has a picture of an old box of either UK Drive or UK Tide...trying to work out what came in the red box now....

I wonder if any of these powders will ever return to the market here....

 

[Unimatic1140]

Reporting Live from the AW.org Office this Evening

But we must know, can the UK Drive get your whole wash so clean it's SPOTLESS???

 

[jetcone]

Spotless Unlike

His reputation>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Running for major cover!!

 

[magic clean]

Vintage Drive

Any idea what year powdered Drive debuted in the US. I remember a sample just like Roberts being hung on our front door. Seems like it was in the 60's.

Also, what's the history of this detergent?

L.P.

 

[jetcone]

I prefer new concentrated ....

D@#$%!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Leslie, the box of Drive I'm holding is from right around 1970. I used to love the smell of Dash, I remember my mother's cousin using it in her 1967 Middle-of-the-line Kenmore. Of course like all of our relatives I had to convince them to do a load of wash for me in their washer, without my parents hearing me do it (otherwise I'd be in trouble again LOL).

And as for you Mr. Dashing Jetcone, I think I feel a 2007 Summertime Picture Thread coming on!

 

[aamassther]

IIRC, white UK Tide had red lettering and blue Tide had blue lettering(both in a white packet) and was very sudsy, like US Tide. The only red packet that I remember from that era was Daz/Daz auto.

 

[oxydolfan1]

Dash was my mom's daily driver.

I loved the fragrance of it, in the kitchen. I also remember liking All, as well.

 

[twinniefan]

Drive in Oz.

Hi guys,
Robert,
The box of Drive you have is exactly the same box which used to be here in Australia as well in the late 70's early 80's the only difference being the message in the blue arrow did not say "En-zolve",it said "Drives out stubborn stains".
Drive down here was Lever and Kitchen's (now Unilever's) top of the line detergent, you see at that time only Drive, Persil (also Unilever's),and Ajax (Colgate-Palmolive) were the only detergents which contained Sodium Perborate as told to me by sales reps from, both companies at the time you see in the 80's when I worked at Woolworths the detergent aisle was the section I was responsible for and customers used to ask why these 3 were so expensive so when the reps visited I asked them and this was the reason I was given.
Drive's advertising slogan was "Ordinary powders get clothes ordinary clean, but Drive strives for total clean."
Drive was considered a very harsh detergent and my Mum and many of her friends did not like it, Mum was a Rinso girl you see.
I personally have not used Drive for many years as it is far too expensive and I can find cheaper detrergents that clean just as well, perhaps one day I might give it a go.
Incidentally it was around that time Persil was changed into Omo by L &K but I do not know the reason why they changed it.
Cheers guys,
Steve.

 

[mattywashboy]

heres the Drive variety on our australian shelves,
On offer as well, $10.09 for a 2kg box, its usually about 11 or 12, not bad not bad.
Of course i get mine from IGA where i work, i get it on staff discount
i love the design of the boxes and the variations according to type (blue and yellow for regular, red and yellow for matic, multi colour for Colour)

 

[whirlcool]

I believe the Drive that Robert is holding came out about the same time as the original Gain. Early 70's or so, for some reason 1972 sticks out in my mind. Both Gain and Drive were advertised as using the new "enzyme action" for cleaning.

I loved the original smell of both Gain and Drive, but Drive was my favorite. How long did it last on the market here? Anyone know?