Ivory Snow:
Is no longer soap based, but a mild detergent. Primary use for soap flakes was for laundering baby's nappies and infant wear, but soap works against the flame-proof finish required on infant/children's night ware, just like fabric softener (another product made from tallow). Soap for washing other laundry is just not as good as removing stains as modern baby detergents such as Dreft. As for washing woolens and danties, the secondary market for Ivory Snow, there are so many products on the market that were mild detergents, thus did not have the drawbacks of using soap, that the market for pure soap dropped. Hence P&G changed Ivory Snow.
Wisk Tablets:
Still have a few packets left in my stash, and could kill myself for not stocking up before Lever pulled the product without fan fare. Damn good detergent, low sudsing and nice scent. Now that Wisk seems to be into liquids, doubt if the tablets will ever come back. Am using some Wisk ultra "Power Scoop" unscented detergent managed to nab from a discount store.
L'Occtiane (sp?)
Never used there products, but they are similar to the other various "French" soaps and such found on various other lines imorted into the Untied States. Doux is one, but there are others. Refuse to pay their marked up prices, and stock up when in France.
Savon de Marsielle is governed by French law in that the soap must be made and certian way and contain certian amounts of ingredients to be called by that name. Some seem a bit milder than others, and their scents vary, but that pretty much is the difference.
IIRC you can find L'Amande soap at Eli's on East 80th Street, and in many other upscale stores (usually with baby care items). You can also order it online, but may wish to search out a local retailer so you can see if the scent is what you are after.
L.
