Dixan, I don`t like insolubles like zeolithes as well so I switched to liquids a long time ago. Don`t miss the bleach as I can still add some H2O2 based stain remover when really needed. Whether EDTA is toxic or not is disputable, but as a matter of fact most of it won`t be removed in waste water treatment. However biodergadability in the environment is a very slow process and for the worst part it`ll leach out heavy metals from sediments before it finally breaks down.
I agree that zeolithes are kind of obsolete and have a bunch of disadvantages like being abrasive, they increase the amount of useless sludge in waste water treatment and their remaining dust in clothes is another problem.
The fact that most powders decreased zeolithe content significantly stands only true for traditional big box powders but not for compact powders. According to our consumer testing group the main reason for this trend is the high costs of zeolites. It may also be worth mentioning that in the last test of powders compact Ariel for example did a brilliant job and the big box one failed compleately. All other compacts also did a better job than their traditional counterparts. This is probably not only the result of reduced amounts of zeolithes but still.
Laundress, we`ve been told a lot in the past by our consumer group and the Bundesumweltamt (Environmental Agency) regarding what detergents we should use in terms of pollution and some opinions seem to have changed.
They always preferred compacts over big box ones because traditional powders contain lots of salts like sodium sulfate as filler which may end up in ground water. Salt cannot be removed in waste water treatment and threatens our wells. I wonder why this isn`t a problem in the States where whole house water softeners are so commonplace.
Liquids have been demonized for years mainly because of their very high surfactant content But apparently formulars have changed now and in terms of pollution haven`t heard anything negative about them anymore.
I agree that zeolithes are kind of obsolete and have a bunch of disadvantages like being abrasive, they increase the amount of useless sludge in waste water treatment and their remaining dust in clothes is another problem.
The fact that most powders decreased zeolithe content significantly stands only true for traditional big box powders but not for compact powders. According to our consumer testing group the main reason for this trend is the high costs of zeolites. It may also be worth mentioning that in the last test of powders compact Ariel for example did a brilliant job and the big box one failed compleately. All other compacts also did a better job than their traditional counterparts. This is probably not only the result of reduced amounts of zeolithes but still.
Laundress, we`ve been told a lot in the past by our consumer group and the Bundesumweltamt (Environmental Agency) regarding what detergents we should use in terms of pollution and some opinions seem to have changed.
They always preferred compacts over big box ones because traditional powders contain lots of salts like sodium sulfate as filler which may end up in ground water. Salt cannot be removed in waste water treatment and threatens our wells. I wonder why this isn`t a problem in the States where whole house water softeners are so commonplace.
Liquids have been demonized for years mainly because of their very high surfactant content But apparently formulars have changed now and in terms of pollution haven`t heard anything negative about them anymore.
