It's Official - Tide Free & Gentle Powder is Gone for Good

[launderess]

"I don’t see any advantage of free and clear if your washing machine does a proper job rinsing there’s really no fragrance left."

Not always correct. P&G among other detergent makers have perfected technology that promises to give "lasting scent" of garments. They promise scent will remain for a few or several days if not longer. And am here to tell you in many instances that is spot on.

My vintage Miele uses heaps of water for rinsing and still with some detergents there is scent on dried wash, this either done by machine or line.

OTOH all versions of Tide in one's stash that are scent free leave nothing remaining on wash.

One also prefers scent free products for occasions when using fabric softener (usually Vernel Rose). Don't want anything else competing or mixing with so that's that.

On average however find P&G scented laundry detergents pack quite a whiff that lasts. Gain is one of the more dramatic offenders in that area.

 

[launderess]

Another thing;

Using an extra rinse or rinses just ensure washing is free of detergent scent seems wasteful. Why not just start with scent free product and be done with things.

Also for those who suffer from certain allergies or conditions such as migraines strong scents period can trigger reactions. This as scent wafts out of washer while laundry is being done, or things transferred to dryer and so on.

On rare occasions one uses local laundromat often have to step outside to avoid gagging on air indoors heavily laden with detergent scent. It's like being hugged by your auntie who is drenched in Shalimar.

 

[combo52]

Normally scented tide detergents

I sure don’t smell the slightest trace sent machines. I never use an extra rinse on the top load washers I do use a third rinse on the Speed Queen front load washers.

On outer wear I use a fabric softener, but not a super scented one.

John

 

[launderess]

Well that's you sorted then isn't it?

 

[angus]

I don't find Tide with Bleach (at least in this latest formulation) to leave a noticeably heavy scent behind, but my need for some "scent free" products is based on doing laundry for someone who claims to be extremely sensitive to any scent - so even my cologne is a problem when I am in their presence. That said, there is also an anxiety issue there and there is always something "wrong". So, quite frankly, regardless of the actual facts or what anyone else says or thinks, I have better things to do with my time than fight that pointless and exhausting battle. And I do agree that certain products leave more pronounced scent behind (Gain as a prime offender - promising weeks or months of "freshness"). As far as fabric softener, I will only use it on synthetic fleece tops or outerwear jackets and the only one I will use is NuSoft - very light scent and what is left behind is very subtle. Started using that when my sister began bringing her fleece garments to my house to launder and they were loaded with cat hair. So to avoid having to clean out the cat hair clinging to the inside of the dryer after finishing her stuff, I began using the NuSoft. A lot less clean up for me and the residual scent is so light it gets no complaints from the sister.

 

[gansky1]

 

 

It's been a while since I've bought the Tide powder from Costco, certainly a good deal and it's about the only place we can find powdered detergent now.  I'll have to look next time I'm there but I've not seen the Kirkland powder for a while.  Perhaps it's selling out quickly or just not popular in this market. 

 

The Target, WalMart and grocery stores around here either carry no powdered options or the Ariel and Foca which I cannot stand.  I don't like the strong scents of most detergents and have now changed over to nearly exclusively  using commercial products from Wausau Chemical Co.  Enzyme version powder is really a good cleaner but their phosphate "lemon" detergent gives stunning results for whites, grimy work/yard clothes, car washing rags, etc.  They also have a liquid detergent that I've only tried a couple of times at a friend's and a fabric softener that I really like.  Very light scents in all of their products, easy and clean rinsing. 

 

[48bencix]

Powder prefered for front load machines

A couple of years ago Consumer Reports addressed mold in front load machines. They stated that powder detergent was preferred. I think that Miele also recommends powder detergent for their front load machines. I use Original Tide Powder in my 2017 SQ TL. We also use Liquid Tide with Bleach. One very good thing about spin drain as the SQ has is that it keeps the outer tub clean.

 

[bradfordwhite]

Sears detergent

As big a fan as I once was of Sears, I never bought their detergent.

I was sold on original flavor Tide powder back in the early 80s and haven't strayed too far from it.

I also didn't realize there is so much variety out there in detergents.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Excuse me, but someone with cats is concerned about detergent odors? That is too rich for words. I am sorry for you.

 

[angus]

Tom, I am guessing that someone living with cats and dogs becomes desensitized to certain odors. But I don't own or live with pets so can't speak definitively to the issue. Also, she is smart enough to keep her clean clothes secure in drawers or in the closet where cats won't lay on them - apparently the cat hair comes about when she leaves used clothing that is going to be washed on the floor - not the best habit to be sure.
And let's not forget that I did mention there are other anxiety issues there and often no rational explanation for certain beliefs and attitudes...

 

[launderess]

One knew this was going to happen.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[bradfordwhite]

That's hilarious. You'd think they were selling a life time supply.

What's a person to do when they run out? lol

The other thing is detergents lose their effectiveness with time. Fresh is best.

 

[fisherpaykel]

80 load box was still available

here in Vancouver
Canada a few days ago when I went to my local supermarket which carried this, I bought one of the 3 or 4 boxes on the shelf. Now before I go to see if still on shelf am I correct in recalling a few months ago discussion that Tide Free & Clear Powder has enzymes but no optical brightener? If it has optical brighteners I will check if Canadian Resolve powder for colours or Mexican Vanish Powder for colours does not-the Mexican Vanish oxi action Crystal White powder does,ingredientes percarbonato de sodio al 85%,(ingrediente, active-CAS N*15630-89-4):45% (CAS ingrediente active), carbonato de sodio 31-41)%,sulfato de sodio, tensoactivo anionico, tensoactivo no ionico, hidrotropo, abrillantador optico y enzImas (proteasa, amilasa) Less than 5% - I will check Reckitt Benckiser's Canadian website-powerofresolve.ca for Canadian ingredients,- and just use that in future along with hot water rather than warm when needed. I don't want optical brightener for my colour clothing nor for my whites, I just want clean whites. Wow $99.95 for a 68 load box, my 80 load box was $29.95. Canadian which is just a little over $20 odd dollars US

 

[angus]

Re: Reply #24: Greg - I was at my local Costco this week and they still have Kirkland powder, in addition to Tide and Gain powders. So maybe the Costco stores in your area are selling the Kirkland branded powder more quickly?

Checked Big Lots and Ocean State Job Lot for any Tide F&G powder but nothing there. Not surprising, though..

Also noticed in Target that Tide Ultra Stain Release Free & Gentle liquid seems to have disappeared. that was the only store that carried that particular version. But they do carry Tide Coldwater Clean Free & Gentle Pods. I don't recall if those were difficult for people to find. And in a strange coincidence, I noticed a few large jugs of Cheer Free & Gentle Liquid. I haven't seen that anywhere in years.

Another odd coincidence - for years, I occasionally used All Baby liquid for lightly soiled golf shirts and like items since it had a rather pleasant fragrance - not like the heavy baby powder scent of Dreft for example (and I didn't need the cleaning muscle of Tide or Persil for those things). However, this year, Henkel "improved" the scent and, well you can guess the rest. Smells like cheap body spray based on some odd artificial coconut suntan oil. The comments on the All website are particularly scathing. Can't imagine anyone willingly doing laundry in that. How does this relate to Target you may ask? Well, while in Target a few weeks ago, I spied some bottles of their "Up and Up" baby detergent so I sniff tested - and voila - smelled identical to the old version of All Baby liquid. So I stocked up. And yesterday while in Target, sniff tested again and unfortunately it now smells just like the "improved" version of the All stuff. So I guess it's fair to conclude that Henkel is making at least some of the detergents for Target. Hmmm....

 

[launderess]

Tide Ultra Stain Release Free & Gentle liquid seems to be one of those products where P&G cut special deal with one or a few vendors. Have not seen it advertised or on shelves other than Target.

Amazon claims to sell it but bottle shown is of scented version. Reading reviews is of now help since we all know good amount of those on Amazon are fake.

https://www.amazon.com/Tide-Release-Laundry-Detergent-Original/dp/B00JC60KTY#customerReviews

 

[launderess]

Apparently Walmart had Tide Ultra Stain Release Free... but they've sold out.

Robot or human?

 

[supersuds]

I made one of my rare visits to Walmart a couple of weeks ago, and was pleased to see they had Tide Ultra Oxi powder. It may have TAED now, but it works as well for me as previous formulations, and the scent is not too bad on clothes. I did put the powder I’m Mason jars to keep the entire downstairs from smelling like the detergent, though.

This variety of Tide works better for me in stain removal than anything else…clearly better than Biz powder (still available in these parts) or Euro Persil powder, for instance. That’s just my experience.