Powders on way out?

[sudsdudeshane]

I find it very sad that many supermarkets have chosen to not sell a variety of powdered detergent. Personally, I think powder cleans so much better on heavily soiled clothes. Alot of the liquids on the market today smell nasty and are watered down. I have no desire for my clothes to smell like Vanilla,Lavender, Citrus or Green Apples!! I wish P&G and Colgate and Redox would bring back the fabulous scents of yesteryear, such as the original Classic Tide,Oxydol and Ajax..Those were great smelling detergents!

 

[kenwashesmonday]

It's very tough to run a supermarket. No matter how large the store, new products come out every day, where do you put them? Gotta stock what people buy.

Ken

 

[tomturbomatic]

There is some hope, if you can use Tide HE. The powder is now being offered in large boxes and the nasty-smelling liquid is available in those huge jugs that have a valve like old ice-water dispensers that sat on the shelf in the refrigerator so that everyone had to hold the door open while the valve somewhat slowly filled each glass. Lots more power consumed and lots more frost buildup in the days when these were popular. I have not seen so much of the Free & Clear HE, or whatever it is called. I wish Wisk would make an HE powder. The tab formula was great, but tablets don't work in most HE machines because of the small amount of water, so they had to be smushed up into a powder before using. I guess this is another thing in which we older laundry enthusiasts are going to have to bend with the wind and accommodate the majority who prefer liquids.

 

[frigilux]

I've been using powders again after using nothing but liquid Tide HE for several years. If you want something approaching the vintage Tide scent, look for plain old Tide--not with bleach---Original Scent. It's fairly close to vintage. Unfortunately, plain, unadulterated Tide is hard to find on store shelves. I see it at Sam's Club.

And there's yet ANOTHER new version of Tide: Tide HP (with extra color-safe bleach). Saw it in powdered form at Sam's. I think that makes 38 versions----but the month isn't over yet, LOL.

 

[oxydolfan]

Powders have almost disappeared from my northern New Jersey supermarkets, and have, except for Tide in the smallest boxes and Ariel, have totally disappeared from stores in Brooklyn.

Many Target and K-Mart stores have some in stock (I bought two boxes of Surf at Target last night, they carry Cheer and Cheer Free, and Walgreens drugstores carry smaller boxes of All and All Free powder).

I believe supermarket sales are skewed by high sales of closeout liquids like Fab, Dynamo and Ajax, that are promoted at such unbelievably low prices compared to the higher-priced P&G and Unilever offerings, and even the Huish- and Manhattan Products-produced store brands, that the economically pressed shoppers with large families don't even consider the powders to be an economically wise choice anymore.

 

[westytoploader]

Liquids deteriorate the neoprene on the vintage Frigidaire pulsator diaphragms (except the 1-18 and some Rollermatics, which is made of a different material). One of the reasons why I will NEVER use them.

 

[oxydolfan]

I've been thinking that, if there was one product they could easily resurrect (besides old Oxydol, Dash, and Solo lol!) it would be Fresh Start!

It smelled fresh and clean, whitened and brightened, got out tough stains, and didn't fade the clothes! It was naturally low-sudsing and came in a bottle with a cap-the best of both worlds....

I would think that it could be considered an environmentally friendly product, since you could recycle the clear bottle like a soda bottle, and I remember getting a lot of loads out of it.

You know, I've been trying to tell people that the world would be a much better place if everyone would just follow my instructions, but they just won't listen....sigh....

lol

 

[launderess]

Fresh Start is still around, but for how much longer and or in the original formula is up in the air as the brand was recently sold.

Those small bottles weigh quite allot, would not be surprised if Fresh Start detergent is also high on washing soda, which not only would explain the density, but inexpensive price as well.

L.

 

[DADoES]

I got the last box of Tide Coldwater powder @ HEB this evening ... which is not to say they won't get more. That makes two unopened 31-load boxes I have, and a bit still left in an open box. Used it on a load of jeans (in warm water) last night. Very controlled sudsing, nice.

 

[DADoES]

http://www.nextag.com/Colgate-Palmolive-Fresh-Start-62681032/prices-html

 

[cycla-fabric]

Missing the Powder Detergents too!

I miss the varitety of powder detergents too, as I am not a liquid fan here. I have found Arm & Hammer still makes a good powder detergent (sold at BJ's) and find it works well and has a nice clean scent which is nice. I hope they keep the producing it in powder form as I do like it. I even wrote them and complimented them on the product and to keep on making it.

Cycla-Fabric

 

[oxydolfan]

I've often wondered if calling up these corporations and commenting on all of these changes would actually change anything.

 

[launderess]

Well in the case of several "vintage" detergent brands, probably not because both P&G, Lever Bros, and Colgate-Palmolive have been on a selling binge as of late, letting go well known brands such as Fresh Start, Oxydol, Biz, and so forth. The new companies,or rather company as Redoux brands seems to be snapping most of them up, seems more intent on "reinventing" the vintage brands by making them "modern" to appeal to a new audience.

Wonder if the patents/rights for various formulas and or scents were sold with the brands, or did they remain with the original owners.

L.

 

[frigilux]

In many of those cases, they just sell the name to the new company. Hard to know for sure without doing some brand-specific research.

 

[sudsdudeshane]

Powder

I found tonight at "The Winn-Dixie" a 263oz box of Gain Powder!! I had forgotten how nice this detergent smells..

 

[peterh770]

There are pallets of Tide CW at the Marietta Close-Outs store here in town.

While at my father's house this last weekend, I used Tide powder for the first time in a long time. Man, that stuff leaves clothes smelling sweet (as opposed to sour). Great stuff, but pee-yew!!!

 

[dixieland]

I still prefer powders. Tide Makes a good one and supposedly the Costco brand is good too. Next on my list is the sears brand.

 

[user 12105]

I like powders myself. Since the purchase of a new washer a few years ago i have switched back to Tide original scent powder. Great cleaner as is Gain and Gain smells better to boot, though the rinsing ability with heavier cottons is less then desirable.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Early Fresh Start in the 70s was very high in phosphates. It had enzymes that were good on protein stains but the enzymes that worked on oily soil came later and they are what made those powder ULTRA detergent formulas (Tide, Cheer, Wisk, etc) such great cleaners. So, it's not that great on oily soils. I still have some FS in a large plastic pail that I bought in the late 80s or early 90s from a Sam's Club in Sarasota.

 

[launderess]

Tried Tide Cold Water powder (Glacial scent) again the other day, and am sad to say that detergent is going to the bottom shelf. While TCW does clean well with the small doses required for a front loader, the scent is just too powerful. Even after line drying overnight the scent is still strong. Maybe if one machine dried items, it would be better, but hardly use a clothes dryer unless weather will not permit line drying.

While we are on the subject of Tide Cold Water, contaced P&G customer service the other day, and inquired if TCW was being discontinued. The reply was "no", according to the representative, far as her information showed, the product was still in product, though the 150oz size of "Glacial" scent is going to be discontinued.

In our area, some shops couldn't move Tide CW if they tried, others seem to have no problem. IMHO if Tide came out with a less fragrant or even unscented version, things might be different.

 

[frigilux]

I've never tried the Glacial Scent version; all my boxes are Fresh Scent. I don't notice the clothes having any lingering scent---well, any more than with other detergents I use.

I've washed a few whites loads in hot water using powdered Tide With Bleach and I'm going back to Tide CW. The hot water tends to set some stains that I have no problem with when using CW.

Remarkably, I'm finding I actually prefer washing whites in temp-contolled cold--when I use my frontloader. Results haven't been as stellar with stained loads and cold water in the toploader.

This week I tried a whites load in a temp-controlled cold water soak/prewash using Tide CW, followed by a hot wash using Tide with Bleach and LCB in the toploader. Not overly impressed with the results. I've never, EVER used a prewash/soak in the frontloader----although I'll sometimes extend the wash portion of the cycle an extra 10-15 minutes----and the load comes cleaner without the extra 20 gallons of water used for the prewash.

As much as I like watching and playing with my TL'er, I've gotta say the FL'er still takes the checkered flag in several areas--cleanability, spin speed, water/energy savings.

 

[launderess]

You want to stop using Tide with Bleach and LCB in the same wash for a start.

Oxygen and chlorine bleaches cancel each other out, which could be the reason for poor laundering results. Many detergents advertising as "colour safe/protecting" use oxygen bleach either alone or with other chemicals to neutralise chlorine found in tap water. To this end, one can use oxygen bleaches to stop the bleaching action of chlorine bleach and assist in removing LCB from fabrics, a "anti-chlor" if one will.

LCB also stops enzyme activity, and today's modern detergents, are heavy on enzymes, especially those designed to work well in warm, cool and cold water.

Have found when using TCB, bleaching results are great in warm to hot water without adding more oxygen bleach or anything else.

Since my Miele heats water internally, for "hot" washes (120F and above)will either allow the machine to fill with warm water, and it will be gradually heated to the set hotter temp. Or after using the automatic pre-wash/extended pre-wash, allow the washer to fill with hot tap water (ususally around 120F-140F) and take things from there.

For the "normal" cycle on my Miele (Cottons and PP)there is a period of washing before the heater kicks in. On "short" said period is skipped and the machine will start heating water (if set to do so), at once.

For flushing out protien based stains, lukewarm water is actually better than cold. Cold water can set some stains, such as blood just as well as hot. Protiens become eaiser to remove at around body temp. Cold water causes them to coagulate, and become more difficult to remove.

 

[oxydolfan1]

I'm impressed with how it works on the whites in cold-but my big issue right now is that most of my clothing is either black or in very dark colors, and I really want to use something that doesn't have optical brighteners, so that lets all the Tide products out-also my Wisk Concentrate!

I have Cheer powder and Surf powder-and the Cheer with softener liquid that I really like. When All powder-which I've only seen at Walgreens-is marked down again, I'll probably pick that up, along with the Persil Color gel.

By the way, I experimented with Launderess's advice regarding grating soap into the washtub with the detergent, and it does work!! I used maybe a third of a teaspoon's worth of "Le Chat" and "L'Occitane" (la-de-da, lol!) bar soap and it does cut down the suds and smells nicer! Skipped the softener-no residue on clothes or machine, and the clothes were indeed soft (but not very....)

 

[sudsmaster]

I have also noticed that there is a better selection of liquid laundry detergents in most supermarkets and discount stores like Walmart than powders.

However as I recall, a consumer mag (CR?) just did a survey of laundry detergents and found that some liquids didn't work much better than just plain water. Of course I've known for some time that powders work much better on ground in dirt than most liquids. And there are usually free and clear versions of liquids on most shelves... so the scent issue shouldn't be too onerous. When in doubt, Sears still sells a relatively good powder and liquid that is also relatively low on fragrance and optical brighteners. Orchard Supply Hardware which is owned by Sears/Kmart, also carries these detergents, and they might even be available at Kmarts if not now but in the future.

I use powders (supplemented with STPP) for most washing, except bath towels which seem to come out softer with most liquids, and rubber-backed or delicate items, which seem to do better with liquids (the powder's higher alkalinity can soften and destroy rubber coatings).

 

[cleanfresh]

Launderess, you were right on the money about...

lukewarm water getting out protein based stains!!! Thanks a lot.

 

[DADoES]

My in-use box of Tide CW is Glacial Scent, the two unopened boxes are Fresh Scent. I used Glacial on a load of shirts last night, with the usual Downy Advanced of whatever-scent-is-it. Maybe I'm accustomed to it, but I didn't notice any significant remaining scent except the Downy. Some items had more lingering scent than others depending on the fabric composition.

I have a sample of Gain Mango Tango liquid, been afraid to try it. Perhaps on the next load of towels or sheets.

 

[frigilux]

Glenn-- Mango Tango; wasn't that a Ted Nugent song, LOL?

Launderess-- Thanks for the info about the canceling effect of oxygen and chlorine bleaches. I had no idea. When I used to use Tide w/ Bleach in the frontloader (before HE became available in my area) the LCB was dispensed after the first spin (during the first rinse), so I would imagine the canceling effect was minimized.

I wait to add my Clorox Ultimate Care bleach until the last four minutes of the wash cycle in the top-loader. But I suppose that doesn't stop the detergent from negating the CUC. I never use the non-timed bleach dispenser in my Frigidaire TL'er.

 

[MrX]

The same trend certainly doesn't seem to be true here in Ireland.

I think in general in Europe, because the front loader is *the* standard, powders remain a lot more practical than liquids. i.e. the machines are specifically designed to dispense and mix them into the wash via the dispensor drawer.

I personally find using liquids in a front loader just a lot messier i.e. you either have to use a ball, or have to pour it in and start the wash immediately, you loose the functionality of having 2 compartments in the drawer if you should want to prewash etc.

Liquids definitely have a market here, but its not as big as in the US/Canada.

LiquiTab detergents however have a growing market. i.e. they're a little disolovable pouch containing a dose of liquid. You just throw one into the drum and start the machine.

The powder tablets are also very popular though. I find ariel tablets great, you just throw them into the drawer and start the machine and they disolve perfectly in the drawer.

I can see the advantage of liquids with Top Loading vertical axis machines though. i.e. you can pour the liquid in on top of the clothes etc rather than having to add powder, start the filling process then add the clothes to avoid any marks etc.

I suspect that more front loading machines will see powders and powder tablets in the US/Canada coming back again. They're just much more practical.

 

[nasadowsk]

Powders are grerat for me because I rent, and have no washer of my own. Instead of lugging the detergent bottle around, I can just dump a scoop of powder into a shirt, and then toss it into the washer, shake the powder out.

What I *really* miss are the TABLETS. I LOVED TABLETS!!!!! They were super useful - just grab a pack with the clothes and toss 'em in.

Liquids suck and are messy anyway.

The HE detergents clean worse? Why am I NOT surprised. my #1 peeve of modern washers is they handle your clothes like a wet wipe. especially given the amount of water doesn't matter if you've got sewer service, and in fact, one issue these days is sewage DOESN'T have enough water in some places...

 

[oxydolfan1]

I tried Persil Sensitive this morning on two white loads. On the advice of my neighbor, I turned the water heater up to 140F and skipped the usual shot of Clorox.

Maybe two white socks came out with barely noticeable residual grayness on the heels, but otherwise, everything looked much brighter than my usual Wisk/Surf/Tide/Ajax and bleach cocktail.

I assumed the powder would be fragrance-free, but it actually smells pretty good (much lighter than plain Persil, though)...