Stain Removal Test #2: Results from Ace, Sam's Club, Soap

[frigilux]

Here's your lineup for today's test: Ace Acti-Blu, Sam's Club Powdered Detergent, and Soap Gone Buy's Old-Fashioned Laundry Soap.

 

[frigilux]

This, you may recall, is the gold standard from Test #1, Quixtar's SA8 with Bioquest.

All stains removed quite effectively.

 

[oxydolfan1]

Oh, cool!

But this one, I think I can predict....

 

[frigilux]

Review: All washed in Frigidaire FL'er in hot water (130-degrees inside the machine) on the Whites Cycle with an 18-minute wash. No other laundry products were added to the loads. Very soft water. Same test load used as in Test #1.

No real standouts this time, kids.

Best of the three: Old-Fashioned Laundry Soap (3 tablespoons)

Most stains still visible.

 

[frigilux]

2nd Place: Ace Acti-Blu (sublime lime scent!)

Nearly all stains still visible. (approx. 1/2 scoop used)

 

[frigilux]

3rd Place: Sam's Club Powdered Detergent (approx. 1/2-scoop used)

This was disappointing; I like this detergent because it has very controlled sudsing. Doesn't rinse out as well as Old-Fashioned Laundry Soap, though.

Sorry I didn't test the detergents several of you requested. I have SO much detergent in the house right now I won't buy any more until I use some of current stock. I'll hit the requests on the next round of tests. Promise.

 

[oxydolfan1]

WOW!! Expected Sam's Club to do MUCH better!!

Is Ace Acti-Blu available in the US?? I haven't even seen the plain Ace powder in stores lately....

 

[frigilux]

Unless Venus is smuggling it over the border, it must be available in Texas.

Venus, tell the folks in our amphitheater audience just where you're finding this heavenly stuff.

 

[sudsmaster]

Can't say I'm too surprised. When you have to use reduced amounts of regular soap or detergent in a front loader, washing results will be impaired. That's becuase the reduced amounts, while keeping sudsing under control, may not provide enough builder/break/water softener to launder effectively. Sometimes just boosting the lower levels with washing soda or Borax (or, better yet, STPP) will dramatically improve stain removal results.

One of these days I'll have to do a comparison of wash results with various detergents and soaps with/without STPP. Or maybe somebody else can do it?

 

[launderess]

Bravo! Another Great Stain Test

All things being fair, Fels contains solvent, so it should do a very good job at removing stains. Know my vintage Fels hasn't let me down yet.

L.

 

[retromom]

Ace Detergent...

is available at your local H.E.B. Grocery Store. Eugene: I was disappointed to see how the Ace fared. After all, it is basically Mexican Tide. I don't know if I saw a past test where you may have used the Chinese Tide, but would like to see how that works. When I checked out the Chinese Tide supply, I was disappointed to see that there is now a "Does not contain phosphates" label on the bag. I may run into Chinatown to see if they still carry the phosphate-laden stuff.

BTW for those of you not hailing from the Lone Star State, H.E.B. stands for "Henry E. Butt". Really guys, I can't make this stuff up! You may know his brother, Harry though.

I await your next test!!

 

[frigilux]

sudsmaster-- I used the amount the manufacturer suggested for a medium load---a bit over 1/2-scoop. That's a pretty high concentration of detergent in a frontloader. Certainly more concentrated than it would be in a toploader. This test is a very tough one; most detergents are not going to remove the stains entirely.

I like and use Ace Acti-Blu and Sam's Club detergent on less severe loads with great results. But when it comes to loads of highly stained kitchen whites and tablecloths, I reach for the SA8 or Persil.

Venus, I'll test the Chinese Tide in the next round. Almost did it this time, but only had 3 stained (and dried) towels ready to go.

 

[frigilux]

Launderess-- I really like the Old-Fashioned Laundry Soap because it rinses out well in very soft water, unlike almost every detergent I've ever tried. It's what I've been looking for to wash my bath towel loads. And it leaves fabrics nice and soft without having to use softener. As far as I'm concerned, it's a keeper for normally-soiled loads.

 

[launderess]

Well if one has soft water, soap is just fine. You could just grate up some Fels bars and mix your own "brew". I'd use STPP (you can order it from the Chemistry Store), and use less washing soda.

L.

 

[retromom]

Just a quick question....

To all of you laundry experts: who is your online source of STTP? I'd like to try some out myself to see if there is a noticable difference in laundry cleanliness. What effect does STTP have on washing in hard water?

 

[frigilux]

Venus--- Launderess suggested thechemistrystore.com. Once at the site, choose 'Chemicals A-Z'. Then go to the top of that page and choose S-Z and STPP is listed on the page that comes up.

 

[cvillewasherbo]

clorox

how about a good ole soak in warm water, detergent and clorox followed by a hot wash with detergent only? Clorox has never failed me yet--and I like the smell.

 

[frigilux]

Normally, I always use chlorine bleach in my heavily-stained kitchen whites loads. This gives any detergent a good boost. But some people prefer not to use bleach, and so have other methods to the same end. I like the disinfecting properties of chlorine bleach, as well.

Detergents like Ace and Ariel left some stains behind on their own in the tests, but add some bleach to the first rinse (FL'er) or the last 5 minutes of the wash cycle (TL'er) and they get the job done.

 

[exploder3211]

Great Tests

 

[sudsmaster]

Retromom

I don't have an online source for STPP. I buy it in 50 lb sacks from my local chemical supply outfit. I keep the sack in a plastic bin to help prevent deterioration from exposure to atmospheric moisture (STPP gradually decomposes to a less effective form, TSP, upon prolonged exposure to moisture/heat).

STPP and hard water go together like Bob and big loads.

 

[Maytagmom]

I know I have seen STTP in the stores somewhere....

But WHERE...(this is a problem shop-a-holics like myself have)Maybe the 99 cent only stores, or Wally World had it.

After reading some of these threads about "making your own soap" and other booster issues, I am going to have to check into this. I've used Borax 20 mule team, with good results.

Venus, I will pick up some STTP if I find it when I go out Laundry shopping this Friday. We will do a trade for the "you know what but keep it a secret". LOL

King Dollar (there is one in Brenham) had the Indian Tide and Chinese Tide. The Indian Tide wasn't in stock last time. I'm beginning to think it was a one shot deal.

Eugene, I am also surprised the Ace didn't get stains out. Do you ever use Shout? Ace has worked great for me, and I only wash in cold. (I know...*gasp*)

Anyone here in Texas know where to grab the FELS? Is this anything like Zote?

 

[launderess]

If you can find STPP locally by all means go for it, the Chemistry Store while somewhat decent in price, does charge a handling fee on top of UPS delivery. It might pay for one person to order a 10lb bucket and divy it up.

Maytagmom and Venus, if you all want to try some of the phosphate laden Ecolab detergent from my stash, shoot me an email and will send you a sample.

Finding Fels can be hard, but check your local supermarket's laundry section, however sometimes they put it in with the bar soaps. Also check fleaBay for both the vintage and newer versions.

Personally prefer the old "Purex" version of Fels soap for both having real "Naptha" and that it contains washing soda, whiteners and lots of other "detergent" ingredients. Since my stash of vintage Fels numbers about 40 or so bars, think am set for the duration. *LOL*

L.

 

[frigilux]

Am I not remembering correctly or were bars of Fels Naptha kinda brownish in color back in the '60s? My Mom always had one at the laundry sink for scrubbing stained fabrics. They must be yellowish now, because that's the color of my laundry soap containing Fels.

 

[launderess]

Yes, vintage/Purex Fels was the "brown" laundry soap most housewives were familar with. The new Fels bars are a golden yellow colour, similar to "Dial" soap.

L.

 

[lederstiefel1]

Tests

Great tests!
But it shows that none of the products contains bleaching agents...am I right?
Best for that purpose is oxygene based bleach such as percarbonate or perborate, second best: chlorine bleach as it affects fibres much more and isn't to be used on most coloured items nor on woollens or silks.
And as I've always thought: soap's the best in cleaning! I've ever had very good cleaning results with it but slightly was in doubt whether it was just "washer's luck" or really the soap's washing power.
And as FRIGILUX has already mentioned: It leaves washing somewhat conditioned but not softened, as to say so.
I love it - maybe I go back for it, too! But....is it also working in cold water? I fear, it wouldn't very well....?!?
Nevertheless, this testing convinced me of soap as a washing agent again! And pure soap isn't the washer's last word on the subject, isn't it?
I still keep old recipes from the turn of the century how to improve soap's washing power by adding some agents to mix your own complete washing soap.....smile....

Ralf

 

[sudsman]

Venus

E mail me here I will send you some STTP I have it in the 50 lb bags and will be glad to send you some.