shelf life of powdered detergents

[emmach]

How long is Tide powdered detergent really good for after date of manufacture both for opened and unopened boxes? I store them in a cool, dry place in zip freezer bags.
The woman on Tide Chat said 6-9 months. I hope that is not true.
Thanks

 

[mrboilwash]

I think if it`s stored cool and dry in a freezer bag it should be good for much longer than just a 6 to 9 months period.
But there`s no doubt that some ingredients like bleaching agents and enzymes will lose potency over time. Other ingredients may be stable for an unlimited time.
When the phosphate ban of dishwasher detergent came in the EU I stocked up on tabs intended for special occasions only. Big mistake. After 3-4 years they were nearly useless for the challenging loads I intended to use them, so I used them up on lightly soiled loads and was glad when they were gone.
The question is what the woman on Tide Chat defines as "really good"
No less than 80% performance of factory fresh on bleachable or enzyme responding stains?
Others may find even very old stock detergent still adequate by making use of extended soaks or by only washing lightly soiled loads or whatever.

 

[emmach]

"really good"

thanks for responding. Sorry I wasnt clear. the rep didnt use that terminology. I used it to mean "actually good" for.

 

[launderess]

P&G likely is referring to time product will be at its peak performance by their methods of testing. That being said P&G rotates out unsold stock of all sorts of detergents both liquid and powders. So called "old" products usually end up in off market or discount places.

Have used and am still using powdered detergents decades old (in one case a box of Tide Ultra), not noticed any depreciable decrease in effectiveness. Scent may not be powerful as it once was, nor long lasting after drying, but other than that things came out clean.

Keep powder dry (ziploc bags are good, Tupperware or other plastic containers with tight fitting lids even better), and am sure you're good to go for at least a year if not longer.

What you want to watch out for are things like clumping, product turning into a solid mass.....