Powders on way out?

[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)...

 

[launderess]

Persil Sensitive used to be perfume free, then some bright bulb decided sensitive detergents needed scent.

L.

 

[sudsdudeshane]

Powder

I ordered Oxydol with Bleach/Powder off the internet. I was really impressed with the scent and cleaning power. I am told Oxydol is available at Supermarkets in the Northeast- ShopRite, Pathmark,Waldbaums..etc..Would love to find some Final Touch! I just bought Suavitel, (Blue bottle)..Very nice scent and alot thicker than most fabric softeners. My only pet peeve is on the bottle, Spanish is listed first,followed by English..This is America Isn't it????

 

[launderess]

Suavitel

Is a Spanish brand, hence English second.

The version of Ariel made/sold in the United States,IIRC is the same way. P&G like many compaines is seeking to capitalise on brand reconition by customers from Latin America now living in the United States. Hence all those Spanish products/brands one sees in shops these days.

L.

 

[oxydolfan1]

Nix on the powdered versions of Oxydol at Pathmark or ShopRite here or in Brooklyn. They do carry the liquid versions, but I've never been moved to buy them, mainly because I don't like the fragrance.

On the upside, they do carry Final Touch, in Spring Fresh and Lavender, and also Final Touch dryer sheets!

Our Stop and Shop chain carries All liquid fabric softener, as well.

 

[agiflow]

I was in Shop-Rite last week and the only powders left were Arm&Hammer and Tide. What a shame that is. No real competition left.

 

[oxydolfan1]

Pathmark has only Tide, A&H, Purex Classic (which doesn't dissolve), and Pathmark Brand Low Sudsing in a bucket.

I was surprised to see there was no Gain powder...it is very popular among the Spanish.