From Todays Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/living/artic...tle-secret-the-more-you-use-the-less-it-works
http://www.thestar.com/living/artic...tle-secret-the-more-you-use-the-less-it-works
Laundry Detergents Dirty Little Secret
- Thread starter petek
- Start date
you know...
Heloise in her 1962 book discusses USE HALF THE AMOUNT OF DETERGENT THAT THE directions called for.
we use ONE TABLESPOON of detergent for our HE front loader, and used two back in the day when we had a top loader.
I would resist the pre-measured packets as I think that for the most part it is too much detergent.
Heloise in her 1962 book discusses USE HALF THE AMOUNT OF DETERGENT THAT THE directions called for.
we use ONE TABLESPOON of detergent for our HE front loader, and used two back in the day when we had a top loader.
I would resist the pre-measured packets as I think that for the most part it is too much detergent.
There is a recommended amount for a reason!
Heloise was high on perc-ethylene fumes ;-)
My grandmother's sister believed that only 1/2 the recommended amount was necessary for washing a full load of clothes and it showed in her washer and on her clothes for all the years I knew her. I'm sure there's a dingy, pink dress in a coffin that still could use a good laundering with properly measured detergent! My grandmother would just shake her head and measure her detergent and additives very carefully before putting them in the washer. The only thing that wasn't "measured" was the bar of lye soap that was tossed into the wash cycle with my grandfathers work cover-alls and removed before the rinse fill.
Heloise was high on perc-ethylene fumes ;-)
My grandmother's sister believed that only 1/2 the recommended amount was necessary for washing a full load of clothes and it showed in her washer and on her clothes for all the years I knew her. I'm sure there's a dingy, pink dress in a coffin that still could use a good laundering with properly measured detergent! My grandmother would just shake her head and measure her detergent and additives very carefully before putting them in the washer. The only thing that wasn't "measured" was the bar of lye soap that was tossed into the wash cycle with my grandfathers work cover-alls and removed before the rinse fill.
Say What?
"Too many suds can carry the soils released from the dirty clothes and deposit them in your washer's interior, where the rinse water can't reach."
What's this tell you about the effectiveness of the machines themselves? You need the suds to carry on top of them what's been released. Lol, They're referring to modern machines that rinse with a jug full of water.
"Too many suds can carry the soils released from the dirty clothes and deposit them in your washer's interior, where the rinse water can't reach."
What's this tell you about the effectiveness of the machines themselves? You need the suds to carry on top of them what's been released. Lol, They're referring to modern machines that rinse with a jug full of water.
Thsi is the same thing that was in the Wall Street Journal earlier.
Actually, detergents hold dirt in suspension and don't depend on the suds holding the crap up top. They might be on to something with too many suds spreading all of the shmutz up to the top of the outer tub where it stinks.
Granted my Mieles are smaller than many other front loaders, but one coffee measure, two level tablespoons, of powder TIDE HE along with STPP is all that is needed except when I wash filthy cleaning rags, I mean cloths. That's way less than the measure that comes in the box recommends. Face it, the detergent companies are selling the stuff. Of course they tell you to use more. They want people to get clean clothes, too, and if you see what some people are wearing or the way kids are all over the floor anyplace they go, it's probably better to err on the generous side, especially when so many people are washing in barely warm water.
Actually, detergents hold dirt in suspension and don't depend on the suds holding the crap up top. They might be on to something with too many suds spreading all of the shmutz up to the top of the outer tub where it stinks.
Granted my Mieles are smaller than many other front loaders, but one coffee measure, two level tablespoons, of powder TIDE HE along with STPP is all that is needed except when I wash filthy cleaning rags, I mean cloths. That's way less than the measure that comes in the box recommends. Face it, the detergent companies are selling the stuff. Of course they tell you to use more. They want people to get clean clothes, too, and if you see what some people are wearing or the way kids are all over the floor anyplace they go, it's probably better to err on the generous side, especially when so many people are washing in barely warm water.
strongenough78
Well-known member
I just got back from the laundromat a bit ago. Finally got to use my new box of Gain, which by the way, still uses enzymes for those who prefer them, and did notice in the machine I did my whites in, there was a ring of soap scum at the top. Luckily my clothes were no where near it. It was only a medium sized load and I used the proper amount for the load. I noticed the Surf I finished up last week did the same thing, actually was a little worse. I've never noticed this in the past with detergents. Is this happening because of the removal of phosphates? The Gain started out with just the right amount of suds and by the end of the wash cycle the suds were just about gone on all 3 of the loads, which I like. The rinse cycles were free of suds and I was happy with the results, but what's with the scum?
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Jeez Louise!
From the article:
"As for the future, industry spokesman Sansoni says more detergents may go to a concentration of eight or even 10 times, perhaps in premeasured doses."
Doesn't an 8 or 10X concentration have some weird technical name, like, you know, powder?
From the article:
"As for the future, industry spokesman Sansoni says more detergents may go to a concentration of eight or even 10 times, perhaps in premeasured doses."
Doesn't an 8 or 10X concentration have some weird technical name, like, you know, powder?
strongenough78
Well-known member
That would probably be like a detergent crystal the size of a grain of salt that can wash an extra large capacity load in a top loading washer. LOL
danemodsandy
Well-known member
I Honestly Believe...
...That powders will be the detergents of the future. They will probably be formulated very differently from some of the current ones, so that they dissolve readily in FL machines, don't oversuds, give HE performance, etc.
But the basic concepts - not paying to ship water and using a biodegradable cardboard box instead of a petrochemical-based plastic jug - are so much sounder ecologically than the concepts behind liquid detergent I think it's only a matter of time before powders win back out.
...That powders will be the detergents of the future. They will probably be formulated very differently from some of the current ones, so that they dissolve readily in FL machines, don't oversuds, give HE performance, etc.
But the basic concepts - not paying to ship water and using a biodegradable cardboard box instead of a petrochemical-based plastic jug - are so much sounder ecologically than the concepts behind liquid detergent I think it's only a matter of time before powders win back out.
I believe that liquids are cheaper to make because you don't need the tall drying towers that you need for powders. I can't believe that manufacturers are actually pushing something that costs them more to make. I do think liquids have a place in laundering. The liquids are often more effective on oil-based soils, but powders are better for clay-based soiling. I remember before Wisk was invented that the pretreating directions included making a paste of detergent and water to brush on stains.
I don't know about the Gain detergent, but generally, if you notice a total suds drop with a regular sudsing product, it means that the soil and water hardness have overwhelmed the dosage of detergent. Fabric softener in the clothes can kill suds during the wash also. You might need to use more or invest in some STPP to add to the brew.
I don't know about the Gain detergent, but generally, if you notice a total suds drop with a regular sudsing product, it means that the soil and water hardness have overwhelmed the dosage of detergent. Fabric softener in the clothes can kill suds during the wash also. You might need to use more or invest in some STPP to add to the brew.
toggleswitch2
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 23, 2008
- Messages
- 5,000
Streaking, a problem of the '70s and 80s
Liquids had their niche with cold water and top-loaders. Better dissolving and no streaks or "dust" on clothing.
But the "new" (to us) front-loaders have lovely little dispensers for powders. No streaking, no dust no problems dissolving them.
I hopped back on powders "right-quick" when I got myself a front-loader.
[Right-quick = speech impediment + mouse. LOL]
Liquids had their niche with cold water and top-loaders. Better dissolving and no streaks or "dust" on clothing.
But the "new" (to us) front-loaders have lovely little dispensers for powders. No streaking, no dust no problems dissolving them.
I hopped back on powders "right-quick" when I got myself a front-loader.
[Right-quick = speech impediment + mouse. LOL]
amyswasher
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 25, 2009
- Messages
- 477
I can't wait to get rid of my stockpile of liquid Tide. Powder detergent work so much better in my front loader and clothes smell better.
mrb627
Well-known member
Guess I'm ...
... going back to powdered Tide HE and 20 Mule Team Borax to get my white clothes white.
Malcolm
... going back to powdered Tide HE and 20 Mule Team Borax to get my white clothes white.
Malcolm
I'm a cheapskate when it comes to laundry detergent and buy whatever I find on sale and preferably scent-free.. Just got a 32 load jug of Old Dutch for $1.99. But then my clothes generally don't get really dirty or stained.
strongenough78
Well-known member
Tomturbomatic
Thanks for the heads up. Our water here is pretty hard, although most of the time it doens't take much detergent to get a good suds build up. I do remember with the Surf I was using, that the ingredients said it had water softeners in it, and the Gain doesn't have that. I am going to get either another box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, or I may try 20 Mule Team Borax this time. I have been curious about the STPP and would like to try it. And please forgive me, for I have seen this next question answered about a thousand times on this site, but I need to ask, where can you get it? lol
Thanks for the heads up. Our water here is pretty hard, although most of the time it doens't take much detergent to get a good suds build up. I do remember with the Surf I was using, that the ingredients said it had water softeners in it, and the Gain doesn't have that. I am going to get either another box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, or I may try 20 Mule Team Borax this time. I have been curious about the STPP and would like to try it. And please forgive me, for I have seen this next question answered about a thousand times on this site, but I need to ask, where can you get it? lol
autowasherfreak
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2008
- Messages
- 3,637
When we got our first automatic top loader in 1973 and I started doing the laundry a friend told me to use half the recommended amount because manufacturers want you to use more and buy more of their product. I did this once, the clothes didn't come out very clean, so I've always used the recommended amounts unless it's a small load or lightly soiled load.
Similar threads
