Question about Tide.

[hooverwheelaway]

Not sure if this is a topic that's been brought up on here recently, if at all..

So, I recently bought a box of powdered Tide, the HE stuff-- for use in our 2-year old Neptune. My Grandmother used the powdered Tide, and I just sort-of bought it on a sentimental whim. What I've noticed, however, in switching from a HE liquid (Purex, I think) to this Tide... My brighter-colored T-shirts seem to have lost their brightness, and are sort-of washed out (no pun intended). I really like the smell of this Tide, but am apprehensive to continue buying it.

A thought I had: Am I using too much detergent..?

Any comments/thoughts?

~Fred

 

[peterh770]

Yes, probably. How far up the scoop are you measuring?

 

[launderess]

Certain versions of Tide are very high on the OBA scale (optical brightening agents). When Consumer Reports did their test of detergents a few months ago,they noted which versions were only good to fair for brightening (these contained less OBAs), versus those that were excellent (the reverse).

Many users of Tide report their non-white laundry looks either "faded" or some how changes colour. This probably is the result of the OBAs, but could also be the fact that most versions of Tide also contain oxygen bleach and a bleach activator, to bleach at even warm to cool wash temps. Though oxygen bleach damage normally takes repeated washings to show up, unless the items were laundered with a "boil wash" setting.

Have a box of regular scent Tide, but only use the stuff on whites like towels and such. Much like you mainly for the classic "scent".

Launderess

 

[gadgetgary]

Am I using too much detergent..?

I have been told by an 'Esteemed' member of this community that maximum soap in my Neptune should be 1/4 cup. And that is what I am currently using with Arm & Hammer powder.

I use the powder on whites, and liquid on colors(also just a 1/4 cup liquid in my Neptune).

 

[brettsomers]

one of the things i have learned about here: optical brighteners and black clothes dont mix. i now try to use as little detergent as possible when doing darks. i will have to try to remember to buy the next consumer reports with a detergent story.

 

[mixfinder]

Consumer Guide

In testing it seems Tide, in it's many incarnations, is always at the top.

A couple years ago Arm&Hammer was check rated as a best buy.

Concurrently my dermatologist recommended I use Arm&Hammer.

I switched and at that time, the price differntial was 13 cents for Tide and 7 cents for A&H.

I prefer the powder.

I am sure the detergent experts can explain it but there is a higher concentration of cleaning agents in powder, than liquid.

I am such a two faced advocate of Consumer Guide. When they agree with me they genius and when they rank on something I own and like, they are dummies.

Kelly

 

[hoover1060]

over suds!!!

I never use more than 1/4 capful of liquid detergent, way too much suds if I use more than that!

 

[bajaespuma]

Tarnation!!!!

It's funny that this subject has come up.

Just the other day I was pouring some Tide Coldwater liquid into the dispenser of my LG and I happened to spill a few drops of it on the porcelain top of the machine. I thought nothing of it until a small spot of sunlight came in through the basement window and illuminated the top. The fluorescence was unbelievable. Coruscating, I believe, is the appropriate word. If I ever had any doubts about P&G resorting to optical brighteners before, I don't now!

 

[sudsmaster]

Yes, the Tide HE poweder is loaded with OBA's, as Laundress says.

I find the liquid version is ok for use with my light blue bath sheet towels. Leaves them clean and bright and relatively soft. I have started using Downy free&clear softener, which I gather doesn't have any OBA's and doesn't leave a strong fragrance like most other fabric softeners.

For colors, I use Sears Ultra Plus HE powder, cut in a ratio of 2 parts detergent to 1 part STTP. Of this, I usually add about 2 oz for a light to moderately soiled medium to full load, and up to 4 oz. for a really dirty load (with lots of oil/greasy soiling). It cleans very well, doesn't fade colors, and rinses out well also. It's been my observation that regular Sears Ultra Plus doesn't suds any more than the HE version.

 

[richm]

I use only regular tide powder

in my neptune due to my allergies. It is the only detergent that I can use unless I buy something from a health food store. I absolutely cannot use Tide liquid. For the powder, I use a little less than the recommmended amount and always use extra rinse. I have never had a problem with colors fading. For whites I use regular Tide powder with bleach. I have tried the Tide powder HE but find that it isn't any better and is more expensive. I have never had a problem with oversudsing unless I put too much in.

Rich

 

[gansky1]

Less is more.

I've used Tide HE liquid since I bought my WP Duet washer and tried the sample on a load of jeans. I use it almost exclusively, about 1/2 the recommended amount as I have soft water and have great results with it. I had heard a while back that P&G was changing the formula to be a little more sudsy, which turned out to be true - what are they thinking?? Other than for some wash-in bubble cakes, detergents don't need any sudsing properties at all, IMO.

 

[golittlesport]

I only use powdered Tide HE on whites. For everything else I use a liquid HE detergent - usually Cheer, All, or Tide.

 

[lightedcontrols]

WHY ARE YOU USING TIDE???

It is tested on animals!!! Mark

 

[mixfinder]

Animals

It makes my cat so fluffy. She smells just like a country lane after a spring shower. The liquid is easier to work into her fur.

I used to give her baths all the time, but I had trouble with the hair sticking to my toungue.

Maybe I could get a job as a Tide Tester. I could walk around with a layer of Tide under my clothes and make a little income while I became whiter and brighter.

Kelly

 

[maytagbear]

Sincere question-

Are there any reasonably priced, easy to get detergents that AREN'T tested on animals?

If there are, please tell me, and I will use them.

Right now, I just opened a box of Surf/all.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[aamassther]

Non animal testing products

Lawrence, you raise a very good question, and sometimes a little difficult to answer. Many companies say "finished product not tested on animals". Which means that the company that sells the product doesn't test, but the company that they sourced the raw materials from does. From the research I've done it seems that the Method company and the "health food store" brands are the only ones that say they don't use sources that test, as well. Lever has stated on their website that they don't test their household and personal care products on animals, anymore. Purex had a moritorium on testing when it was owned by Dial, not sure now that Henkel owns them. Detergents made by Huish aren't, they make store brands like Kirkland. One I've been using in my FL and quite like is ecoVantage by the Asko people, works well and isn't tested on animals. Most of the network marketing companies like Shaklee also don't test anymore, though PETA's list says that Melaluca still tests. PandG, Clorox, Arm and Hammer, and Colgate still test, as far as I know. Hope this helps, Todd

 

[maytagbear]

Thank you, Todd

for that very informative reply!

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[tomturbomatic]

Rich, look for Tide coupons in the Sunday ad sections with the paper. Then wait for Target to have a sale on Tide. I buy the powder HE. It can be mixed as much as half and half with regular tide and still control the sudsing, but not if you go for a really hot wash. When I do really hot washes, I just use the HE Tide with STPP and usually borax. I always use borax on shirts and other types of clothing to keep shirts from getting smelly under the arms in the summer.

 

[johnb300m]

Method

You guys should try the Method laundry detergent. It's super concentrated. Just a tiny capfull is good for a TL load. I'm sure slightly less, which is a really tiny amount of soap, would work for the FL. They're FL certified, or so they claim.