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I've been using the Persil pearls for just over two weeks now. About 15 loads later, I've found a new detergent. To me, it's on par with the German Universal powder, but not as good as the MegaPerls. I've had mostly good luck getting kitchen and household stains out. I'm using 45ml for usual loads and 65ml for dirtier loads (lines 1 and 2), as I've always done with the MegaPerls. It rinses very well, in our soft water.

The scent is a little sweeter to me than the German version, so I'm glad it rinses out. Though I like the scent.

I found links to ingredients on Henkel's global site for their German detergents. As suspected, while similar in formulation, they're different. I'm bummed that Henkel NA decided not to offer a Colour version. I've been avoiding OBA's for darks for 8-9 yrs and have noticed a huge difference. But, I realise it's about making money and the majority of the American public want one size fits all.

All in all, I'm very happy that they've brought Persil to the U.S., if they can get it out of Walmart and advertise, we may have a chance of it staying on the market. I think it's an excellent product, better than any of the American offerings. Plus, the U.S. version is way less expensive than the imported stuff.

I also hope Dial/Henkel continues to see a market here and offer the colour versions.
 
One thing Henkel could do very easily is to offer Persil for darks. This used to be named FEWA. This is their product for dark colors so I use it for washing my better dark shirts, pants and my black and blue jeans. The bottle is already in English so no translation or anything necessary - just put it on the shelves.

This is the first roll out of products so perhaps they will issue more types of detergents in the future.
 
Persil proclean

I tried the liquid, on a large load on my lg turbowash front loader, i only used 1/4 of a cap and it made so much suds the lg could not even ramp up to spin! This stuff makes more suds than regular tide! Makes me kind of angry! My german he persil makes NO suds at all!
 
Tried the liquid last night on some kitchen towels stained with olive oil based tomato sauce. Hot water, no presoaking and no chlorine bleach. Surprisingly enough, not a trace of the stain. Pretty good given that oil based tomato sauce is a real pain to remove. I did use the maximum fresh scent - and while it was a bit strong, I don't find it objectionable. However, I do have a head cold so my sense of smell is somewhat impaired. Will have to reevaluate when my head clears up.
 
Persil Gel For Colors

At least the German version we have in our stash is very sudsy. Unless dosed correctly not only creates froth but does not rinse easily in either the Miele or Lavamat.

Gardenweb Laundry Room has chimed in and while some are thrilled with this Dial/Persil others are less enthusiastic. Being as all this may it is becoming clear the formula is *not* exactly the same sold in Germany. Am going to work with for a start things were changed in reaction to water conditions found in most of the USA. Then perhaps to keep the price point where Henkel thinks it needs to be in order to go against P&G/Tide. You'll notice on the Facebook page whenever anyone asks if these are the same formulas as sold in Germany, Persil Proclean responds "..... are made by the same company that makes Persil...." which isn't exactly the same thing.

Borax:

Is found in many liquid laundry detergents in the USA. IIRC most versions of Tide liquids have the stuff for a start. However boron is getting a bad name for itself from environmentalists in Europe. You'll notice most oxygen bleaching systems in Europe have moved from sodium perborate to percarbonate recently.
 
I agree the powder packaging looks like it was designed by an intoxicated person. Since up to now all of my Persil was brought back from Germany in small packets, for years I have simply emptied the contents into an old OxyClean container with a resealable lid to keep out moisture. My FL needs only 1-2 tbsp (15-30 ml) of detergent per load, so I use a coffee measure (30 ml) to dose my detergent. I would simply pour the US Persil into a resealable container (the Glad plastic food containers, in the proper size, would work nicely) and toss the original container. If it didn't all fit, I'd fill the container and place the unused portion of the original container on a shelf until needed, and then not worry about accumulation in the neck of the bottle.
 
Um....

Fantastic!

<span class="col2 customer-review-date" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; width: 99.71875px; min-height: 10px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 27px; text-align: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">3/15/2015</span>

<h3 class="visuallyhidden" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); letter-spacing: -0.02em; font-family: myriad-pro, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: -1px !important; position: absolute !important; overflow: hidden !important; width: 1px !important; height: 1px !important; padding: 0px !important; border: 0px !important; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px) !important;">Customer review by laundress</h3>
<span class="visuallyhidden" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: absolute !important; overflow: hidden !important; display: block !important; width: 1px !important; height: 1px !important; margin: -1px !important; padding: 0px !important; border: 0px !important; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px) !important;">5.0 stars</span> <span class="customer-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 4px; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); vertical-align: middle;">by <span class="customer-name-heavy" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">laundress</span></span>

 

The debate on whether or not this is exactly the same formulation as those uber-expensive imported boxes of the universal powder may still continue, but this detergent is fantastic. Removes all stains and brightens fabrics. It has a pleasant, delicate scent which does not linger on the clothing after drying, even if clothes are dried outside in the sun. Rinses completely clean, so there is no residue (think how great this is for your HE washers, too!). My clothes feel much softer now, and I have not used Downy in almost a week. Once all the residue from other detergents was rinsed out with Persil, I did not need softeners. The dosing is simple, and one needs only a little to achieve great results on laundry. The drum of my washing machine shines too, and the pesky white stains on the door seal are gone!

 

<hr />

 

Is it just me? Or, if I not alone in thinking someone other than Laundress wrote that review?

 

 
Persil

The liquid is not for HE machines! Even though it says "safe for all machines" funny how evryone around here always talks about tide HE oversidsing but they don't complain about persil, at least tide doesn't sudslock my machine causing it to fault out.
 
The liquid sudsed a bit given a medium water level in a top loader so there was lots of splashing. However, it rinsed very well so I don't see a problem there.
 
Persil power caps

Update, i decided to brave walmart and go buy the persil "caps" because the liquid has too much suds, have a large load of work clothes washing now and NO suds at all! Kiss tide pods goodbye? Not sure just yet, have to do more testing ;-)
 
I picked up a 50 load bottle of the "Fresh Scent" power pearls for $12 at my local Walmart. They had the 37 load bottle of the "Original Scent" powder for $10, but my math indicated the larger bottle was a better deal.

 

They also had small and large bags and bins of the pods, but I passed on that.

 

I'll give the powder a try this weekend. In both the Neptune and the Miele.

 
 
The plunge

Earlier this week I also braved the local Wal-Mart in Waterloo to discover they indeed were stocking all Persil varieties. I picked up a 50 load bottle of pearls for 14.99 (the 36 load was 10.99). The first load was tested in the 806. All whites using the soak cycle, hot water. Nice suds level for an "HE" detergent, and it rinsed pretty well. One of the hand towels had some blood stains that came out nicely. Looking forward to using it in the Neptune as well as a Frigidaire.

Ben

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Has anyone tried it in a front loader yet? The PowerPerls bottle has the small HE logo on the front, but I wonder whether this is copyrighted. I think Costco's powder detergent, which it bills as being suitable "for all machines", also has the HE logo, and knowing the difference in sudsing, I would never assume or trust a given detergent to work in both settings.

Using HE powder detergent, be it Tide HE or Gain HE, or Ariel or Persil brought back from Europe, I never use more than 2 tbsp/30 ml, and more like 15-20 ml for typical loads. I'd use 30 ml for a giant load in my 4.3 cu ft Electrolux series 60.

Although normally I never set foot in Walmarts, because of the way they treat employees and local communities, I may break down and either order it or stop by a store so I can buy a test bottle of the Power Perls. Bizarre that they (Henkel) would execute an exclusive deal with Walmart, given that it is not an upscale chain and I would guess that a majority of their customers use top loaders (not vintage TLs but NEW TLs) rather than front loaders. I am aware that over 50% of new machines sold in USA are FL, but my guess is that percentage rises in more affluent areas and stores. Where I live, Walmart is redneck city (bear in mind this is suburban OC, and Walmart is not the only retail game in town. They have not dominated here, they only hold their own, because there is lots of competition and people are willing to pay higher prices to avoid Walmart).
 
In a front loader

is the only thing I have and so yes I have tried the Perls and the liquid and have used the Perls in a 190F wash. I did 3 loads today used the Perls in 1 and the liquid in 1 and Miele for colors powder in the last, just to compare and I did about 6 loads last week using both Persils, but I must say I have never seen as many suds in my washer during the wash as I see in Ben's picture. Ben how much did you use?

For the first use of the Perls I used 45 mls which is about what line 1 is. For the rest of my loads I have been using 2 tablespoons just like I usually did and it has worked OK. Probably going to depend on your washer and water conditions, plus you might need this much for a top loader.

For the liquid I have been using 45mls. it is a bit sudsy, but so is German liquid Persil, but the rinses are fine. I think I will reduce the liquid down to 40 or 30 also.

The instructions say to use more for larger loads, and I am still experimenting with it but I think in the end 30 for light soil to 40ml for heavy soil seems like it might be ok for me. I only have a 6K machine but I fill it until you can't get anymore in it, plus I think you can use less if you are using a higher water temperature.
 
Walmart Is All Over Europe IIRC

Not just the USA as well. Though the Persil "ProClean" is only for the United States maybe Wally World has an arrangement for a larger discount based upon worldwide sales of Henkel products.

We keep coming back to outside of Walmart few other grocery/supermarket chains in the USA can compete. This of course begs the question why not use Dial Corporation's established product distribution system. I mean they can get Purex, Fels Naptha, Right Guard and other products in stores from Maine to California so what was so special about Persil?
 
So far, love both the liquid and pearls! I have noticed old stains disappearing from clothes, whites are coming out whiter, and not much is needed to do the job. I have noticed the liquid is quite sudsy in a top loader, while the pearls have little to no suds at all, and seem to have less scent. I like the scent, but I think it could be a little stronger, especially in the pearls.
 
I think the WSJ article quoted above makes it clear enough: Wal-Mart wanted exclusivity and paid up for it.

Meanwhile Henkel gets guaranteed shelf space at the country's strongest retailer without having to fight tooth and nail. Win-win.
 
Logixx

was kind enough to send me this link about Walmart in Germany. Seems like they hit the shores thinking they would operate just like in the the USA and it didn't work out too well for a variety of reasons not the least of which was to have an USA citizen at the head - talk about clueless when it comes to German culture and consumer habits. This points out the necessity to do the due diligence required to know how to operate in the environment you are in, which is one of the reasons why I think Henkel decided to have Oba's and such in the formulas that are sold here, and to suggest using LCB for stains when using the Liquid detergent, and why the instructions direct people to use line 1 or line 2 instead of giving dosing measurements by load size, soil level and water hardness like they do in Germany. All of these things I mentioned above are common to the USA laundry practice and so that is what you see in the Henkel product sold to us. Doesn't guarantee success but at least they are starting out using the same parameters that the average USA consumer uses.

http://www.atlantic-times.com/archive_detail.php?recordID=615
 
I did a load of white underwear and mostly grey athletic socks today and thought I would post some information about what happened. I used 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of the Persil Perls detergent. I think this is something like 34 mls. I probably didn’t need the extra teaspoon but I am still experimenting. I used a wash temperature of 120F, 1 wash 2 rinses, spins in between each, final spin. I do not use any other additives to my loads. I just used the detergent which is what I do with Persil from Germany or Miele detergents. My machine instructs me not to use LCB so I haven't used that in a washer since 2003.

Pic 1 This is a shot of the wash while it was tumbling. You can see some suds running down the window.

Pic 2 This is the wash after 30 minutes.

Pic 3 this is the wash after 50 minutes.

Pic 4 This is a sample of the wash water after it was pumped out. My washer drains into the laundry sink next to it so I can see and capture the water.

Pic 5 This is the water in the first rinse

Pic 6 this is the last rinse water plus a bit of Suavitel Island Splash FS.

Pic 7 a sample of the finished load. I have more pictures of this but I mean - its just shots of tighty whitey underwear.

So everything finished nice, bright and clean using this dose of detergent. I think folks with larger machines, or machines that use more water in the wash like top loaders might need to use more or start with the recommended amount , but the best thing to do is experiment and find the least amount that works for the machine and load type you have.

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Greys & Whites...

Word of advice, they don't mix well. Overtime, the grey fabric dye will leach onto your whites, causing this, nasty dingy hue. You can prevent/fix this by using Chlorine Bleach, as it'll remove the extra dye.

 

But still, be careful in mixing color clothing with whites. :-)

 

(If I was mixing, I'd do Blue Clothing, or Blue Socks. Those won't have much of a *noticeable* effect ;)

[this post was last edited: 3/22/2015-18:24]
 
Walmart

For what it's worth, 60% of americans, step foot in a Walmart store every single month. It's a necessary evil. 

 

Walmart... despite might not being well liked. Does have the largest distribution system in the country, and just getting one product into every supercenter can make a company. One has to remember that. 

 

If I was going to launch a product, with just one company, I'd choose Walmart anyday over Target. And this is coming from a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Target Team Member</span>. You're just going to have a larger customer base, and... more exposure to your brand. 

 

Maybe. I just live in a nicer area. But... I've never seen anyone panhandling near our Walmart. I kinda think it's a privilege to shop there. Our store is very nice and clean, and well laid out. And, as long as you're not shopping on a Weekend, it's never hectic. 

 

 

<hr />
 

 

And... 

 

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">That's another thing. Guys. Grocery Shop during the week. Saturdays & Fridays, are the WORST time to go grocery shopping. </span>

 

Your walking in on the last day of a sale typically (for one)... so anything good, is typically gone. And second,  I'd say at least 50% of a supermarkets weekly volume sales, are conducted on Saturday. It's the worst time to shop.

 

 
 
Mich

Thanks for mentioning the greys with whites. These are grey socks and the only reason I have them in this load is because I wear them around the house without shoes and so they tend to pick up dirt off of the wood floors. One thing about having my washer drain into the sink is that I get to see the colors in the water as it is pumped out and am able to see what is fading and so forth. I also get to see what the actual rinse water looks like after every rinse. So far I think these socks are pretty color fast and I have not noticed any greying of the whites. Been washing these together for the last 4 years. But I do have other greys that definitely must be done separately and other than these socks nothing get washed with whites. I buy a lot of cotton clothes and some are that are designed to slowly fade so for those I have to be very careful not to mix any different colors together.

Thanks for the suggestion and I will def keep it in mind! Hmm... maybe I will stop washing these socks with the white underwear and see what happens.

Walmart -- I haven't seen panhandlers there, and for the most part my Walmart is very clean. A few years ago it was expanded into a Super Center(I think that's what you call it) and it now has a wide selection of food and everything else. One big reason I check it out is because they have a wider selection of detergents and fabric softeners than other stores I shop and they are selling it at a cheaper price. I find that the cashiers are very friendly too, so over all I don't have any problems with the people that work there.
 
I live in an upscale area, but very near to a military base, where many of the dependents come from rural areas where Walmart is often the only game in town. Consequently, there is very high brand loyalty in this consumer group. On the rare occasion when I set foot in the store (last time about eight years ago; I've placed an online order every 2-3 years), the aisles are so narrow that two people cannot walk side by side while shopping. One wonders how they pass fire inspection.

In particular, I dread check out lines at Walmart. I've never gotten out in under 30 minutes, despite the line not appearing to be inordinately long, because nearly everyone ahead of me has a check-out issue: card declined, argument over a 30 cents off coupon, etc.

Before the K-Mart here closed down, it used to be my favorite place for variety shopping. Everything under one roof, reasonable prices (if not the lowest in town), and best of all, everyone's debit or credit card worked, so that check out was quick and efficient. I used to be kidded for "shopping with all the Mexicans", but the Mexican families I saw there were hard-working, with both parents in work uniforms and two or three very tightly controlled, well-scrubbed kids. Maybe I wouldn't want to wear the clothes they were buying, but K-Mart isn't a 99-cent store and for these families it was a matter of pride to be able to buy new clothes and stay within their budget.

In contrast, what I"d see at Walmart were women with curlers in their hair allowing their kids to run loose through the store, as if it were their own personal playground. Their dialects suggested to me that most likely they lived on base and not in town, and were not long=time residents here. I understand if dad is overseas for a six month tour, mom has all the disciplinary responsibility, but at least at Walmart the system seemed to break down.

Another reason I avoid Walmart was that I knew one of the Walton children (now deceased) personally, and he left me underwhelmed both by his intellect and his concern for others less economically fortunate. He was one of major backers of a 1993 California ballot initiative to create school vouchers for parents of kids in private schools. I could see this if there was means-testing, but why a billionaire would need tuition assistance for his kids' schooling was beyond me (the initiative failed by a wide margin). For several year we attended the same Xmas Eve gathering and I told him that year that I voted "no" as did all of my friends and all of my relatives, because the initiative seemed calculated to destroy the public school system.

I broke down and ordered a package of Persil Power-Pearls last night online, so I can give it a try like some of you have, but I refuse to set foot in the store. The $4.97 shipping/handling charge is more than worth the savings of my time, given that it is a 15-20 minute drive for me and takes 30 minutes to navigate the check-out line. (in the early 2000s there were times when every single credit card of people ahead of me in line was declined).
 
OMG! Can I come out of the closet...........

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">.....about using a Flipfold?</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Yes I saw it there on a counter in one of these photos!!!!  So I'm not the only one that hides them away so folks won't think I'm nuts??!!!  I love mine!  I have two.  One up front by the Washer and Dryer and another back in the bedroom because I'm too lazy to walk all the way up front.  My other half thinks I'm nuts using that thing, but he sure likes the way his clothes get folded (he's banned from the washer when some of his stupid gym socks with black toes and heels ruined a load of whites)!</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">I have been following this thread on Persil because I used to use it exclsively.  I had the two forumulations.  One for whites and one for colors and loved them both.  About five years ago though I developed this strange allergy to Essential Oils and other fragrances.  So I had to quit using all kinds scented products that I really liked. </span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">I have been seening the Persil ads on TV the past few weeks and was as surprised as many of you to see it being sold here.  </span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The closest I've found to the Persil is the Sears brand detergent with OXY clean.  I know we have discussed this product before and not all were that taken with it but I have been happy with it as it doesn't seem to irritate my skin as it is not highly scented.</span>
 
That would be little ol' me with the Flip-n-Fold. I love mine and I use it every laundry day. Granted it takes alittle more time but its worth it in neatness. I remember the episode of The Big Bang Theory where Sheldon was in the laundry room using his Flip-n-Fold...Scott looked at me with this grin and said see...your like Sheldon! LOL
 
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