Powders vs Liquids

[frigilux]

Venus---Oh, I think the dry wit and Sophia Loren-esque looks were what I missed the most.

Back to topic: The cleaning people in my work building are using something that smells JUST LIKE CLASSIC 1960's TIDE! I think they're using it to wash walls, although there is a laundry room nearby, so it may be the detergent they're using in the machine. I'll have to make an inquiry. I LOVE the smell of classic Tide.

 

[re563]

zipdang:

LOL!!

My partner just called me a detergent whore the other day!!!

I have recently been on a "Detergent Run", using just about everything. I have a Kenmore HE3 and got very dismayed with the selection of HE detergents on the shelves here in Florida. I should also way that I'm probably a "Scent whore" too. I like my clothes to not only feel clean, but have a scent too when they are done.

My best friend (who has a traditional toploader) has been using Tide with Febreze and has been raving about it. So, I decided to break down and buy a bottle, as he said the liquid has a stronger scent. Well, with the reduced amount, my clothes did come clean but still had suds. Not enough to make my machine suds lock, but still made me very nervious about it. So, I went back to Gain Liquid HE. Can't find Gain HE powder here anymore. I have had good results with the liquid, but as a general rule I do feel powders clean better over all. I also still have people telling me that I should use liquid because I am on a septic system. (I know that statement is not true), but that always haunts the back of my mind. I also find powders less expensive to use. For example, a 100oz of liquid tide He (atleast here in my stores)runs $7.99. and you get 26 loads. A 71oz box of powder is the same price but you get 31 loads. So the long and short of it is, I'm still torn on which to use.

 

[maytagbear]

And, that, friends

is why the manufacturers love to sell liquid detergents...to sell water at detergent prices!

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[zipdang]

Robert/RE563: I really am a detergent whore. I just thought slut would make me sound more virtuous. (As much as that's possible.)

Today I was at Costco and read the label on their 300 oz. size Kirkland Free and Clear HE-compatible liquid (it can be used in either HE or conventional machines). Get this: the directions are to fill the cap to line 2 for large loads, but it's specified for large loads in HE machines to fill the cap to line 3 (the maximum amount). Now, doesn't that seem backwards? In an HE machine that uses at most half the water of a toploader, one is supposed to use MORE detergent? Must be that new math.

Our Costcos now also have the 300 oz. size of Liquid Tide HE for $17.99. That didn't strike me as any great bargain.

 

[sudsmaster]

Zipdang,

Yes, the dosing instructions on the Kirkland/Costco "HE Compatible" detergents is back-asswards, and it's a good indication that Kirkland/Costco doesn't know what it's doing when it comes to HE detergents. I have tried both the liquid and powder versions, and they suds too much to be effective cleaners in a front loader, IMHO.

 

[pulsatron]

Liquid wins.

Just a follow up guys I think I shall be sticking with liquid Surf from now on because you do not have to worry about pre-dissolving it and it rinses clean with just a single spin-rinse in the T.T. thus saving me water and time and also I like the pretty blue bottle which the Ocean Fresh fragrance comes in(it has a pretty dolphin on it and I love dolphins),also it has a really fresh almost aromatic aroma which lingers in your clothe for ages.
Sorry Persil powder you are officially dumped.
Cheers folks.
Steve.

 

[toggleswitch]

If you spill a liquid, you've got a slippery, gooey mess

Just keep some paper-toweling on hand when those moments can be anticipated. And for G-d's sake, watch your aim!

HMMM liquid detergents gumming up machine. NEVER heard or thought of it. Are we sure it's not those waxy softeners?

Fascinating to me that low wash-water temps are absolute anathema outside this country.

I believe it has been proven that powders wash better~ in order to *load* liquids up with he same level of cleaning power, they would have to be be as thick as molasses, honey.

 

[toggleswitch]

And, that, friends is why the manufacturers love to sell liq

see, and I heard decades ago that the ingredient labeled as "filler" in detergent powders was sawdust. Makes you use more (remember when it was a full cup to top-loader?) AND you HAVE to buy softener.

Think about it logically. How was AmWay powdered detergent able to allow you to use an 1/8 of a cup (standard coffee scoop measure). No fillers!

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM............

http://www.amway.com/en/Product/home-care-products-10386.aspx

 

[westytoploader]

Only powders here! I try to keep the detergent shelf in the Studio stocked well with many different varieties of powder. Right now I have Tide w/Bleach, Fab, Fresh Start, Gain, Bold Plus, Surf, Chinese Tide, Roma, Viva, Ariel OxiAzul, Persil powder, Persil tabs, and Bold 2-in-1 tabs.

Persil LiquiGels are the exception. Excellent detergent; dissolves quickly, smells nice, rinses well...I need to get online and order more! I don't use it very often, but one of these days I'm going to run out! Same with the other British detergents I picked up in the Cayman Islands last summer.

Robert mentioned in previous threads that liquid detergents and chlorine bleach can deteriorate the neoprene rubber on a vintage Frigidaire's agitator...probably the cause of many cracked diaphragms and dropped rings we've seen. The "hard" diaphragms on the 1-18s (and some solid-tub Rollermatics) are exceptions.

--Austin

 

[mrcleanjeans]

I remember in the 70s when phosphates were banned in powders,and washing soda was now the main water softening ingredient instead.The washer manufacturer's laundry guides VEHEMENTLY insisted that the non-phosphate powders would react with hard water minerals,forming precipitates in the washer and the clothing,greying the whites,and not fully desolving in cold water.Thus,I'm a liquids man,unless I find mexican phosphated powders.

 

[toggleswitch]

Austin:

Cold tap water in TX is probably much warmer that cold tap water up north, esp. in winter. Perhaps liquids are needed to be able to dissolve better in certain parts of the country. [YAY Automatic temperature control feature!]

In Arizona, I had to do (darks)laundry early in the morning or late at night! Mid-day "COLD" water was blazing hot (to me)!

 

[westytoploader]

Steve, I did forget to mention that one of the reasons I can get by (for now, at least) with cold water only in the Studio is that it is much warmer than usual. While it is especially warm right now, I washed a few loads down there last winter and while it was cold outside, I was surprised that the water wasn't at all!

Even during the winter, I don't have any problems as far as dissolving/residue is concerned. Ironically, I had the worst time with Purex Quick Dissolving powder; it would take a good 5 minutes for it to dissolve completely, and it would leave powdery "dust" in the machine afterwards. Threw it away before I used it up and will NEVER buy it again...YUK! Another twist of irony is that the previous Purex formulas (that didn't claim to be quick dissolving) were so much better in this aspect! If I can find non-quick-dissolving Purex again, I will get it.

--Austin

 

[agiflow]

When i switched back to Tide 3 yrs. ago...they touted the quick dissolving formula...which overall lived up to it's claim, Let's face facts...an excellent detergent..but sucks at rinsing out...towels as we all know are notorious.

Does anyone know how modern A&H is as far as cleaner rinsing is concerned? (powder form)

 

[dixieland]

I too am torn on what to use so I just indulge myself and purchase whatever I want. I have too much but I always tend to buy more. I have recently ordered the Oxyclean powdered detergent and found that it worked well for colors but not so great on whites (I am old-school and like to bleach them). I also like both the liquid and the powder all. The powdered all has a nice classid detergent scent and is most closely matched by the liquid all with bleach. all botanical fusion which supposedly has a fabric softening agent is also good. Many times I just revert back to classic powdered tide (the liquids are too smelly for me).

I recently found Ariel available in the local Piggly Wiggly so I am giving that a try too but am not so fond of the smell. Overall it cleans very well though.

Another favorite is a peroxide-based detergent i ordered from our house works (I thnk - that name always confuses me).

I also found some powdered wisk with bleach at a local store but I did not buy it.

Last but not least (and truthfully not last either) I always have some Fresh Start on hand.

 

[vivalalavatrice]

BOTH Powdered and Liquid for me...

Powdered only for whites, wich often need the prewash (so one cup for prewas and one-and-half for main wash), and as they are washed at high temp (70-90°C id depends on soil level), I use powdered detergent as DASH generally... Lately I found on supermarket shelves a powdered det for washers which hasn't got any brand... I think is a sort of "common" detergent, but it needs the highest temp to work.

Liquid is used generally at low temp (30-40°C), even with whites if I do them at 40°C when they are not so dirty, always with colors! My colors load are two: the first is of shirts and blouses, as I do them with "Sintetici" cycle, to avoid ironing... they come out really wrinkless! ; the other one is made of all the rest of colored which is not shirts&blouses, so jeans, track suits, pijamas, sweaters...cotton and systhetics togheter on "Colorati" cycle.
Generally I use DASH (in liquid version), and separately COCCOLINO, or VERNEL, or FABULOSO softner, when I don't use BOLT wich has got 2in1 detergetn and fabric softner with dispenser ball direcly in the drum

BYE! )
Diomede

 

[sudsdudeshane]

Powders for whites/Liquids for darks

I am currently using Wisk liquid for my colored clothers. I love the smell and it works great.Add a cup of borax for additional cleaning power.

for whites I love All and Ajax powder with a cup of borax they smell great and clean better than liquids. I also like to add a 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle with Final Touch fabric softener.Its less expensive than downy and in my opinion much better.

Would love to get my hands on some Cold Power!!! It was the best powder around and a great scent

 

[laundrypure]

Cold Power!

The latest technology just released in the U.S. is LaundryPure
An appliance that injects NASA developed High order oxidizers into the water and cleans better than the best detergent, No hot water, no chemcals, no soap! Clothes dry 35% faster, are up to 70% fluffier, almost no lint in the dryer.

I just set up a website at www.yourbestlaundry.com/kflint check it out and drop me an email. I was looking for a way to get the informaion out to those who care!

Laundrypure

http://www.yourbestlaundry.com/kflint

 

[stone3575]

Shane- you crazy boy! you have me hooked on this site now also. I'd like to have you and Sonny over for some dinner.

Glenn does the laundry and he knows to always use Downy Original Scent.Final Touch is like water. Don't be so cheap Shane!

 

[frigilux]

OK, kids; who's going to pounce on LaundryPure first? All right, I'll start.

I don't care if GOD invented it, I will continue to use detergent, bleach and fabric softener. Send one to Consumer Reports and let them test it.

 

[intuitive]

Rinso is the best smell & cleaning power BUT Unilever has sent it to the great big laundry bin in the sky
I now like Bio Zet powder closely followed by Surf Tropical powder. I have a Fisher & Paykel Intuitive Eco - IW712. I have been using Bio Zet for years with great results. I have tried all sorts of liquids, they just DONT clean as well as a powder. The F&P likes to be fed thru the agitator, using a warm/cold wash (25c-28C). Sydney has a good water supply & usually dont need to fabric soften the loads... Tumble drying is something only needed in the middle of our winters so 9 months of the year, the dryer just hangs about getting in the way in the laundry,looking bored! Oh bliss off for the weekend to do more washing !!!!!