Roma Detergent ... opinions?

[kenmoreguy89]

Phosphates and pollution

Truth be told farming was and is the biggest responsible for phosphorus pollution in water.
Detergents of course also played a role, but main responsibility is farming.
Also it appears that organic old fashioned farming poses a major risk versus farming using synthetic fertilizers and modern tecniques.
I read some articles in the past that said how Amish farming practices had a major impact regarding phosphate pollution.
Droppings both animal and human contain a good amount of the stuff.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Launderess that is a bag of the first export ones being written in English, about 2005,back then it still had phosphates and there was not a double formula, same for Ariel it was still the oxyanillos one and had phosphates, the war on phosphates was not as strong as it became later when they started phasing out phosphates from dishwasher products as well and in many areas even from institutional formulations.
And imports were not so large as they became later.
Today YouTube is full of reviews from people buying the stuff and being pleased.
Lots of non Latino people have these Mexican products in their stash.

Regarding being too sudsy to be used in a front loader I guess they are, sure Roma and Blanca Nieves are, though if I remember right Foca have directions for front loaders dosification.
I never tried myself to use it in one of my front loaders though.
I have seen videos of people using it in a Miele, and washing a dog pillow, which is a kind of wash that tends to be quite sudsy itself and surprisingly it appeared not to produce and excessive amount of suds.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

 

[kenmoreguy89]

 

[jamiel]

Looks like the Foca powder and the Foca and Roma liquids have enzymes (biologico).

 

[sudsmaster]

Yes, farming and lawn fertilizers are responsible for a large share of phosphate/water pollution.

That said, it does depend on the local climate. Here in California, most sewage systems empty into the ocean, after thorough treatment, which is already packed with phosphates so it doesn't make much of a difference. And AFAIK, nobody here dumps sewage into the few rivers in the state. We also have a basically dry climate for most of the year, which limits runoff from fields and golf courses into fresh water bodies.

Farming phosphates are probably another matter.

 

[bradfordwhite]

The Salton sea comes to mind. Increasingly starved for water it's drying up. As the river bottom is exposed, the sediment is susceptible to the wind picking up decades of field run-off sediments and poisoning the air in the Southland.
It's a problem bigger than all of us here....

https://thefern.org/2020/01/as-the-...eminder-of-the-cost-of-making-a-desert-bloom/

 

[thespiritof76]

if I may offer a less techincal opnion.....

Ironically. I am as of now, working through a bag of Roma, and have a bag of Foca up next. I have used Roma before. Now let me paint a little bit of backround for contexts. I am a singe person, 1 or two loads a week, and some extras depending, in a top loading, automatic Maytag. I also don't have alot of money, and for me Family Dollar is 3 blocks away from me.

So with all that being said, I don't seem to visibly have problem with Roma, I personally don't see any buildup, or issues with getting clothes clean. I also notice a light pleasant sent too! I know that is a very simplistic way to look at it, but all things considered is that not what is most important, the end result? No disrespect meant to the science and good points made to the chemical aspects.

Also, I am on a fixed income so budget is also a factor for someone like my self. I will admit, if I can swing it, I will occasionally treat my self to a box of tide or Cheer (I am a strong powder guy here!), if I can swing it, but here locally to me, a box of Tide is almost $15, and a box of Cheer is almost $10, and even Surf, which I also like is between $7 and $8 roughly. So with that being said, and with the fact that laundry detergent is a basic need for personal hygiene, Some times a small bag of Roma is what is needed.

So just another thought from an Average HouseBear!=)

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Jamie, Foca does, got one, Roma does not.
Although I still have to find out which one of the many enzymes, maybe lipase? Foca did a good job on grease. TOL modern detergents can count up to 7-8 kinds...
Not good for baby clothing or sensible skins

 

[kenmoreguy89]

The spirit of 76...
Today's Henkel's Surf after the very recent acquisition of Sun Corp from Henkel is garbage compared to SunCorp one, and both simply incomparable to the good old one from Unilever.
I mean for how much they cost...
Henkel's surf of today does not have oxygen when one from Suncorp and the Lever one did, that was the "secret" behind the odor removing power it was once known for that in today's formula simply is no longer a thing.
Now is builders lotta fillers basic surfactants with a couple enzymes, and lotta brighteners.
Not good value IMO. You also need a generous amount.
Before Roma I would choose Foca or Blanca Nieves that despite the name is good for darks too and considering that when there is one there is also the other one and the cost pretty much the same then I have no doubts of what I'd pick.
Pinol is another good Mexico one I don't hear being mentioned often, and IIRC is enzymatic, and at least it does have some pine oil which is good for very bland disinfecting and deodorizing properties.
Considering that in most places powders are vanishing ( and I am a only powder person also) much of the choice falls on the Mexican foreign offers...
But there are some others cheap good powders available if you know where to look.
Arcoiris is another Mexican powder I tried and even though it doesn't have any enzyme and oxygen outperformed Sun powder, both the ones in the big boxes and 1cup formula from Dollar Tree which were nothing but basic multi-purpose powders,scentless, carbonate laden powders. Horrible.
I still need to try out How Sun does after Henkel's acquisition.
And I know that in dollar tree shops they replaced the Sun with another brand, Ultra clean IIRC, that got very good reviews online and that by how the power looks like it seems to be good stuff. Much more than Sun was.
In dollar tree is Eastern United States you fine la's totally awesome powder detergent, and that one is good stuff, not the oxy additive, but the powder detergent that is on even mentioned in the la's TA website but it does exist.
Didn't have the opportunity to try the new ultra clean from Dollar tree yet.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Pardon in dollar tree shops in western USA not East.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Not ultra clean but fresh n clean.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

L'as TA.

 

[sudsmaster]

My usual detergent in the Neptune 7500 these days is a tbs of STPP and then enough Kirkland Ultra HE Liquid to produce just visible suds. However I don't usually use STPP on things like bath towels. The liquid is more than enough. Sometimes it's best to let the load wash for a few minutes before adding any liquid.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

I like to try everything, and I do try everything.
Now am trying out some german powder I got on eBay, listing is for a big pack of 7.5kg plus 4 bags of 5kg each.
I purchased four lots as it had a good price shipping wise.
But... I think I will sell the 100kg more I got as I'm not that impressed, and it's the first detergent that smells better when it's dry but when in water scent disappears.
It also appears to be cut with salt.

 

[givemehotwater]

Speaking of Detergent's across the border

P&G has not completely eliminated Phosphates from their Ariel Production. They have begun to phase it out from some markets (like Columbia) but for Peru & Mexico -- they are still making the Ariel Powder with Sodium TripolyPhosphate.

What is, however, interesting, is they have completely removed Phosphates from "Ace"... their Tide brand, in Latin America. And they proudly boost "No Sin FosFatos" . On many of the new bags of Ariel you'll even a "Biodegradable" seal, but with an assterisk noting that only the surfactants & enzymes are truly "Biodegradable".

Foca & Roma can still be found in many stores in Mexico containing Phosphates. The company Lacorona still produces two versions for sale in North & Latin America. Many of you have probably seen the US Verison formulated with Zeolite, but the Latin version generally has 30 - 35 % STPP by Weight, and the FOCA can be a strong performer. Same with the Ariel Doble Poder (translates as Double Power) in sold in Mexico, still containing Phosphate.

Lastly. I've personally found that the Latin American (Mexico) version of Ariel + Downy Powder (Polvo) is much lower sudsing than before, and they appear to have added suds suppressors into the formula. I can now, safely use a dose of 1/3 a cup, or 1/2 a cup with minimal suds and clear rinses. Versus the two tablespoons, I originally dosed years ago.

 

[sfh074]

I'll vouch .....

for Foca. I have used it off and on to switch things up now and then. It seems to do a good job on linens and towels and has a mild pleasant scent after coming out of the dryer.

 

[panasonicvac]

I noticed recently that my local Costco has Roma in stock. I wonder if it's going to replace the Kirkland powder that I keep hearing rumors that it's being discontinued?