Foca? Anyone ever use it?

[historyman]

I see in my local Save-a-Lot store that they sell "Foca" brand powdered laundry detergent, among the other ethnically Mexican non-food items. Since it's from Mexico, it contains phosphates (sodium phosphate). I know others have talked about Mexican detergents, but I can't remember anyone specifically discussing Foca. Just curious before I consider possibly purchasing it once my Trend runs outs. Thanks!

 

[mrcleanjeans]

Tiny bubbles ...NOT!

It works,but creates BILLOWS of SUDS,and is heavily perfumed

 

[frigilux]

Someone (maybe Glenn) mentioned that Foca and Roma were 'economy' Mexican detergent. If you go to a Mexican grocery store, you'll find A-list detergents like Ariel, Ace, and Viva, which compare well with our upper-tier Proctor & Gamble products, but have the distinct scent and appearance of south-of-the-border detergents. And they have phosphates.

 

[launderess]

Fine for a top loader,twin tub or wash tub laundry, but way too much suds for a front loader. Mind you some report no problems at all, so YMMV. If it is the bag with the cute baby seal on the front, the scent is mighty powerful as well.

L.

 

[westyslantfront]

Hi Chris. I have used Foca, Roma, and Viva. They work great but too much suds....sometimes, I have to add carpet de-foamer.
After using Mexican detergents for a year with plenty of suds cake, I am going back to liquid Tide HE for front loaders and Rollermatic 1-18 and for other machines, Gain powder.

Ross

 

[sudsman]

Foca ROma ANd Viva

I have tried all 3 and are fair product s but make mountains of suds and hampered wash action a lot. As always if you oversuds add a small amount of fabric softner this "kills the suds" fast, We also have a new one here in some of the Mexican stores Called "Zam " it is very cheap and does nothing .. No suds no cleaning at all. Does not even have a oder when opened,,, I think it is mostly soda ash. Dont Waste you money .. Sudsman

 

[retromom]

Foca and Roma

I've used both Foca and Roma. I don't really have a preference between the two. They both make lots of suds, but then again, you have to use a lot.

I don't have a problem using either one of these in the Maytag top loader with a full load. However, I have had major sudslock and spewing suds when I've used them with a "mini" load. YIKES!!

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble -

Venus

 

[ironrite]

Ariel

Both Foca and Roma work just fine in my Frigidaire FL. Very little suds, but we have very hard water here.

HOWEVER, tried some Ariel today, I think the stuff with OxyPlus in it. Was washing 5 yards of muslin that I'm planning to use for pants pattern. Suds galore! I just kept advancing the time to rinse and spin to finally get rid of the suds. As as of late, have been using softener sheets, so no liquid softener around.

 

[frigilux]

I love Ariel (with Oxi) and it doesn't oversuds during the wash cycle, even with my very soft water. BUT, getting it to rinse out is proving to be interesting. I'll have to experiment with using less, I guess. Cleans very well and I love the admittedly strong scent.

 

[launderess]

Pre-Washing Yardage

Ironrite: One does not need lots of detergent when laundering yardage prior to running up a project. Unless the goods have been dragged through muck, a quick laundering with the smallest amount of detergent will do. Without any serious muck or oils, much of the detergent has nothing to do but create mounds of forth, ask me how I know! *LOL*

Speaking of muslin, have a 70 yard (give or take) of Pequot sheeting fabric that has been sitting around waiting for Moi to do something. Rather fancy running up some sheets, but just cannot find the time right now. Am having loads of fun playing with my "new" vintage Elna Supermatic,with all those wonderful stitches.

L.

 

[ironrite]

Little was used

Maybe about a teaspoon or so of the Ariel was used. The sewing bug has bit as I've taken a P/T job selling Husqvarna Viking sewing machines. I looked up your Elna, very neat machine!

 

[dixieland]

I have used Roma and liked it - especially when I add bleach to the wash. It has a scent that reminds me of lemon pledge but washes out in the cycle.

Ariel was too perfumy for my tastes.

I have not tried Foca yet.

 

[bandmom]

I use Roma and Blanca Nieves in my LG fl. My water is soft here in east Tennessee. I like to add a bit of grated Fels Naptha to it. I use 2T. detergent to 1t. soap. It works better than any HE detergent that I can find in my markets.

 

[peterh770]

Roma sudses much more than Foca, as Roma is billed as an all-purpose cleaner and not just for clothes. Foca has enzymes that Roma seems to be missing. Foca is actually quite good, even when used in moderation in a FL washer. The stong scent of Foca is also quite nice in a TL washer and not nearly as overpowering as you might think.

 

[jasonmarc52]

Foca's suds-n-scents

I, too, had tried Foca years ago, and that was when I had my Frigidaire 1-18. BIG MISTAKE! Not only did the Foca make clouds of suds billow from my washer in our naturally very-soft water here, the scent was downright sickening! I cannot tolerate using such strong-scented products, for I end-up smelling like a "walking Airwick"! Nevertheless, the scent is far too much to bear. As far as the phosphates, they-AND NTA(found in most powders today in Canada AND I believe here)RULE! They are the best grease and oily-soil releasers available today, and are very safe for clothes and our washers. Besides that, they don't burn our skin off like Arm and Hammer products do, or detergents with sodium carbonates. Jason

 

[DADoES]

I've not found Foca's scent to be overpowering. Maybe I've gotten accustomed to it. Roma's scent is more chemical than perfumed.

 

[toggleswitch]

FOCA means *Seal* (the animal) in Spanish

I find it works well, if a bit sudsy and aromatic. It has my seal of approval.

 

[agiflow]

Arm & Hammer sucks. It clogged the washbasket perferations of our last washer over a short period of time.

We do have hard water, though i have never seen anything like that in all the washers i have used over the years. Probably because i have always been used to Tide. Just wish it was a better rinser.