Roma Detergent ... opinions?

[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.