Phosphate-Free Cascade Complete Gel: Let The Tests Begin!

[lordkenmore]

I remember trying BioKleen in 2007. From what I can remember, it worked acceptably in my hard water. At least, it was good enough that I finished off my supply in the dishwasher, rather than tossing it.

Cascade and Electrosol were better cleaners with tougher loads, but for day to day use, I found that every "green" detergent I used worked fine. But--and this is probably a big but--the dishwasher was probably old enough to have some cleaning power. I knew someone who tried Trader Joe's dishwasher detergent, and positively hated it. It was rated well by Consumer Reports, but it simply did not work for her. But then, she had a newish, low-end Maytag.

 

[aamassther]

I have a package of the phosphate free Quantum. Did a lasagna dish that was in the oven twice and in the fridge for a couple of days, in my Bosch on Auto Plus. The tabs cleaned very well. I had a glass head pin size spot on the handle of the dish, everything else was spotless. I was shocked, none of the PF detergents I've used would have cleaned as well.

 

[appnut]

The switcheroo is on

I went to HEEB today (I usually shop every two week). They've been sellin the Cascade Complete powder with Oxygen Bleath for about 2 years I think. There was one box left. I didn't get it. (I have an unopened new box in the laundry room). I still have a few loads worth left in the box I"m currently using. Since I only run my dishwasher two or three tiimes a week at the most, a good size box last me for 7-10 months with my Kenmore elite. It's rare I put a dose in for prewash. I want the detergent to have something to work on during the main wash.

 

[favorit]

very impressive ! Also LG DW are rare in EU. I have seen just once in a store a model close to yours but without cutlery rack.

Pity P&G here sells just action packs (here called Fairy caps)
Also Henkel's latest DW liquid (Somat/Pril Perfect Gel) works that great

 

[supersuds]

If you have a whole house water softener, you probably don't need phosphates. That's their role, to soften water.

 

[launderess]

Er, No

Phosphates do much more than deal with water hardness.

They also help break down grease, fats, oils, and keep soils suspended in wash water. Phosphates also will break down and soaps and detergent residue in fabrics and return it to "soap", which helps deal with removing residue from laundry.

And so much more...

Indeed it takes a laundry list of chemicals to replace phosphates in laundry and automatic dishwasher detergents. No single substance to invented to date can do alone what phosphates do by themselves.

 

[supersuds]

Lol

Launderess is always right!

 

[aamassther]

Adding to Launderess' observations. The environmental impact of many of those phosphate replacements is dubious.

 

[launderess]

Well Personally

Am going off Zeolites, just as with the EU.

Cannot prove anything, but am sure my laundry feels softer when laundered in products without the stuff, especially linens, than when they are included.

Zeolites basically are an insoluable clay substance, and while one supposes they are required in a post phosphate world of laundry detergents, there are better methods, IMHO.

Am also dubious of the various polymers used in liquid detergents as well. Agian, cannot prove anything, but when using Tide HE "Free" liquid can swear my laundry feels "springy" or "spongy".

 

[bernina]

no zeolites

Launderess, can you tell us which brands don't have them?

Thanks!

 

[supersuds]

I've wondered that as well. I've seen some foreign boxes of detergent that list zeolites, but our US ingredients lists are vague.

 

[aldspinboy]

Eugene someone E-mailed me a said that the non -phosphate cascade did very well in a tough load of pots and pans came out spotless in his Miele so well see how the do in my whirly.. thanks for posting.

Darren k.

 

[launderess]

So Far, Of The American Domestic

As well as most UK/EU powdered detergents, Zeolites are almost always present. Managed to snag some German detergent for use in commercial laundormats whcih does not contain the stuff, but it is VERY dear in cost and restricted in sales, so not sure if will be able to count on it as a stable.

For my linens and lightly soiled laundry have had good results with Vaska laundry liquids (frequently on sale at local Duane Read discount drug stores), and another product called "Linen Wash". To each liquid detergent will carefully pre-treat stains and or add a liquid enzyme product such as Bac-Out.

When it comes to colours and such, have had good luck with using vintage Biz "bleach" on it's own with a good dose of STPP. Though sold first as a pre-soak, then a colour safe bleach, Biz does contain surfactants and builders, but no Zeolites. If worse comes to the worse will use some of the German colour detergent and Biz.

What gets me is even "green" detergents such as Seventh Generation and the like, contain Zeolites, which is odd since the EU has the substance in it's cross hairs for banning or restricting as a pollutant to waterways.