Sears Ultra Plus Stain-Fighting Formula Detergent

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frigilux

frigilux

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Picked up a box of this today while in Mankato, and tried it with a smallish load of casual short-sleeve shirts, summer shorts, and socks. Very little sudsing during the wash, just a few bubbles in the first rinse, and (as shown here) no suds at all in the 2nd (final) rinse.

The version in the orange box (fewer enzymes) was tested by Consumer Reports and found to be around the middle of the pack for HE detergents. It scored a 61, compared to powdered Tide Ultra Plus Bleach Vivid Bright + White HE which was the top-scoring detergent with an 82.

I figured the Stain-Fighting formula (with more enzymes) would do at least as well or maybe a little better than the version CR tested, so that's what I purchased. I'll give it the ultimate test with medium-sized load of very stained kitchen whites later this evening.

This Sears detergent is cleaner rinsing than even Amway's SA8 or UK Persil Bio powder. I can't recall the last time I saw absolutely no suds at all in the 2nd rinse due to having mechanically-softened water. Excuse me for a moment while I go dance on the rooftop! [this post was last edited: 5/5/2013-19:45]

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Just pulled a medium-sized load (about 2/3 maximum capacity) load of whites from the Frigidaire front-loading washer. I purposely stained a flour sack dish towel with chocolate syrup, raspberry syrup, mustard, barbecue sauce, and ketchup. The bar mop (on the left) has a pizza sauce stain. It should be noted that these stains were all relatively fresh, having been applied only a couple of hours prior to washing. There were some cloths and towels and a chef's apron with dried-in stains in the load (which has been accumulating since Friday morning) but this wasn't what I'd call a severe test.

I used two scoops of Sears Ultra Plus Stain-Fighting Formula detergent. No liquid chlorine bleach was used. Cycle: Sanitize, heaviest soil option; extra rinse option. Cycle time: 1 hour and 47 minutes.[this post was last edited: 5/5/2013-22:04]

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Here's the "after" photo. The pizza sauce stain on the bar mop was the only thing left behind. All other items (each inspected individually, of course) were completely cleaned. So, a somewhat reserved thumbs-up for the Sears detergent. Again, absolutely no suds in 3rd (extra) rinse, despite having doubled the normal dosage. I'll be sure to stain some bar mops, wash cloths, and flour sack towels tomorrow and let them dry for the next load of whites, which is usually washed on Wednesday or Thursday night. That will be a tougher test. I'm pleasantly surprised by the outcome, especially considering no LCB was used.

I'll have to wash a few loads using the Sears detergent in the Immersion Care, where there is a far greater quantity of water to dilute the washing solution. The water will be substantially cooler, as well.

Others at AW who have used Sears detergent and noted the clean, clear rinses weren't exaggerating!

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And I thought about trying this formula after I finished the orange box formula. I opted for the formula with OxyClean instead. It's been a good performer too so far. Next time I'm going to try the green box. I'm glad to know it too works good. Thanks for sharing this!
 
If you look out in the sears ad, maybe twice a month, this stuff goes on sale for $10 for 180 loads.

It's a really awesome deal, imo, for very good detergent. :)
 
 

 

I have only used the Sears detergent in the orange box so far and have been pleased with the results.   I have a water softener as well and have good results with rinsing also.   I'll have to keep an eye out for this one in the green box when ever I figure out they're having another sale.    Thanks for the heads up!

 

Eugene: Do you think this was a fair test since you doubled up on the recommended dosage of detergent?   Sure it's a great test of rinsing, but what about cleaning ability with a "normal" dose?   I don't think your load was "that dirty" to justify increasing the amount of detergent.    If you were to repeat the test, what about letting the "stains" set / dry for a day or more instead of a couple hours before washing?

 

Kevin
 
Sears Green Box Detergent

I originally tried the orange box formula, and it was good. However the last 2 batches, have been the green box, and it is clearly my favorite. I love the stain fighting ability, and it's ability to brighten colors. I think it is a "best buy" for Sears detergent. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Great for soaking in before laundering.
Hugs,
David
 
I may have to try it. I've used Amway SA8 because it has such a light scent and its low sudsing . Didn't know there was anything out there better. I use a traditional top loader, but still like detergent that rinses well. Amway has become pretty expensive- $42 plus shipping and tax for 10 lbs, but it lasts almost a year for me.
 
Clear rinses . . .

The only detergent that rinses even more clear than Sears, is Charlies Soap.
On the negative, Charlies lacks enzymes.
On the positive, Charlies lacks OBAs.
 
Kevin--- You are so right; I did put my thumb on the scale with that stained white load. Quite a number of the items in the load had dried stains on them, but not to the degree those loads usually have. The dosage instructions on the box instruct one to use 1/2 of a scoop for small loads, 1 scoop for regular loads, and 1-1/2 scoops for large loads. My expectations were low, so I followed the common practice of "use more for heavily-soiled loads" (advice you see on boxes of Tide) and used two scoops.

I never use more than the prescribed dose of Tide on stained loads washed in the front-loader (usually Line 2 on the provided scoop; occasionally Line 3 for really huge stained loads) or I'd have to run an extra cycle just to get rid of the tenacious suds. My issue with Tide has never been the amount of suds in the wash; it just doesn't go away in the rinses (with softened water, at least).

Normally, I always add liquid chlorine bleach to white loads, and the first "test" convinced me that a more judicious dose of Sears detergent + LCB + long profile wash will probably equal a clean wash. It should do very well on its own for the rest of my wash loads. I'll probably continue to use Tide Vivid for kitchen and personal whites---I have about 500 loads' worth of the stuff, LOL!---and the Sears for everything else but blacks.

I've been on a quest for very clean-rinsing--but also solid-performing-- detergent for years, and it was right under my nose at Sears the whole time! It's delightful to see nothing but perfectly clear water in the final rinse.[this post was last edited: 5/7/2013-09:48]
 
All are good, but I think the blue box with Oxyclean is the best of the lot. It seems to me it sudses less than the others at high temps, and cleans somewhat better as well.
 
liquid chlorine bleach . . .

. . . will eat up the fabrics, and hasten their deterioration. An oxygen-based non-chlorine bleach is kinder to fabrics and will still help prevent the dreaded mold in HE washers.
 
If your leaving your Washer Door open after Cycles, and using a Good Quality Detergent that rinses out well, you'll probably never encounter the dreaded mold problem..

Google Bio Flim or Mold in HE Washer/Machines. A LOT of interesting posts show up.

I think LIQUID Detergent is the BIGGEST culprit in Smelly bioflim/mold buildup in Washers, along with "COLD WATER" cycles..
 
Stubborn Stains

My elderly mother is in a nursing home at present for rehab. I opted to do her laundry. A sweater came home with a beet juice stain that was about two days old. I applied Shout and threw it in the wash with Sears Ultra. Sweater came out with no trace of the stain. I was impressed.
 
the one little scoop per load is neat, mentally coming to terms that one little scoop is enough for a load, that part is a little hard, and this same scoop is for a 20 gallon TLer as well as a 3 gallon FLer.....aside from that, this stuff works really well....I prefer this green box with the double enzymes....

I mis the 5 gallon bucket....you could find it on sale for around 19.99....and somewhere around the useage of 320 loads.....I know it was close to the idea, you could do one load a day for almost a year on one bucket, for 20.00!....you could not beat it....

we have been over the mold issues back and forth, you either have it, and you WILL know that you do, or you don't.....and it has come down to your individual laundry practices....I don't go by the idea of leaving the door and drawers open, I never have, and never had an issue....

contributors to mold in machines comes from COLD washing, liquid detergents and softners, and non use of bleach in any given load...

oddly enough, you can tell some people wash only in cold, you can smell it on their clothes and linens, sometimes the home will smell from this as well....and they don't know it....

I get a little confused on ones thinking, wash clothes with body oils and residue in cold water.....yet they will wash greasy dishes in a dishwasher with hot water....IMHO...cold is OK for some things, others require warm/hot to remove certain stains and odors......otherwise, why have a water heater?...

detergents are supposed to have gotten better over the years...but I think COLD POWER and CHEER of the 70's worked best in cold water..
 
We really should keep quiet about Sears Ultra . . .

. . . because as soon as anything becomes popular, the formula gets changed to "new and improved" which generally trnaslates to "worse than the original."
 
I used to buy Sears Ultra Plus in the bucket at Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) back when Sears owned them. Now Sears/Kmart has sold them off, OSH is now private again. It appears to be an improvement. But anyway, those buckets appear to be history. I still use the ones I have to mix in about 1/3 by weight STPP.

I do vary the dosage based on load size and amount of soiling. Really dirty work clothes require significantly more detergent. Two to three scoops for a really filthy large load. 1/2 scoop just for a small load of mostly clean things. I monitor this via the sudsing - looking for just a hint of suds.

I think the Blue box version is Oxyclean also dissolves better in cold water, but I couldn't swear on it.

What's the difference between the green box and the orange box? I *think* the orange box doesn't say "HE" on it, but it appears to be the same product as the HE labeled version.
 
Ive been using Sears Ultra Plus detergent for about 12 years. I like the powder versions. I use the Perfume/Dye free and recently bought the green box when a local Sears hardware was closing its doors. There isnt a stain I havent been able to remove. It dissolves well and rinses very clean. It also does not fade colors. I am not impressed with the liquid version though. For the times where I need a liquid, Ive been using All Free Clear with good results.

One complaint about the Sears Ultra Plus is that I am having issues with it removing body odor from DH's work clothes. I use the All on his clothes.
 
Lisa,

I have a suggestion: Set a longer wash time on the laundry and select an extra rinse. Also, although one scoop should do of the Sears detergent, try using a little more detergent than you normally do. See if that remedies the problem.
 
Andy

I have a SQ AFN50R, so I cant really change the cycle time unless I let it go for about 10 minutes or catch before it drains, stop the machine and restart the cycle. I can try adding more detergent. I may have tried that with my old Kenmore, I dont remember. I tried spraying the shirts with vinegar, rubbing in fels-naptha, added 20 Mule Team Borax, and soaking them. It was only after I used the All that I got the odor out. I always choose extra rinse for his work clothes since he's got sensitive skin.

I'll try it again. Thanks for the suggestion!
 
Todd is right!

I forgot about the ammonia trick for deodorizing. I have a cotton thermal blanket I got from a relative. It had a stored smell. A musty smell. Regular washing did not take of it. Hanging on the line helped tremendously, but there was still a faint smell. A cup of clear ammonia in place of laundry detergent took care of it. I got that advice from a fellow employee. They had used that method to deodorize a wool blanket. I have never washed a wool blanket in the washing machine. My wool blankets (when I used them) either went to the cleaners or I hung them out to sun. I have some beautiful old wool blankets. I replaced the satin bindings with some vintage blanket trim I found on Ebay, but y'all don't care about that. Anyway, our climate has changed here in the south and I rarely use a wool blanket. There is one on the guest room bed now just because, but I an seriously thinking about gathering all of them up and dropping them off at Habitat. I need to do some spring cleaning anyway....
 
Best Detergent For The Money

Thanks to my fellow AW viewers, I tried Sears Ultra Plus (orange box). Best detergent for the money I ever used. My toughest test was white clothes (especially undies and socks). A couple of scoops in our Whirlpool DD top loader (along with some LA's Awesome Oxygen Booster), and everything comes out sparkling--without LCB! I'm getting some more next time Sears has a sale. My current box should last through at least the summer.
 

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