Surf powder+washing soda=great results.

[twinniefan]

A customer came into our store the other day and gave myself and one of my volunteers a tip about doing the laundry, stop wasting money on expensive Napisan adn soaker type products, just use washing soda +your detergent and see the results.
Well I tried it today, 1.25 scoops of Surf powder and added 1.25 scoops of washing soda to the wash and it really works.!
A medium load of mixed underwear, some of which had the dreaded skid marks on them,(not mine I swear!!!),and all washed out perfectly, one of my t-shirts had spots of sauce stains and the odd spot here and there,(yes I admit it I am a slob who eats dinner in my recliner chair with a stable table to balance the plate on.),and all those stains washed totally out.
I am going to stick with this combo for now and washing soda is great value for money, at least half as expensive as Napisan etc.
P.S Just an aside question for my Aussie colleagues, Spree is no longer on the main detergent page at Colgate-Palmolive, has it been deleted does anyone know, and if so I expect there to be some big markdowns on it at the groacery stores soon.

 

[launderess]

Washing Soda Or Soda Crystals

Have been part of wash day for ages, going back through the years when laundry was done with soap and boiling water.

All alkaline substances provide good detergency by breaking up fats and other soils amoung other actions. Washing soda also softens water and performs a few other things in wash water.

Problem is the stuff is rather harsh and hard on textiles especially if used in excess and not properly rinsed away.

Most powdered laundry products already contain various amounts of sodium carbonate (washing soda) ranging from <20% to nearly 50% (tip if the product/packet feels dense then it's probably made up largely of washing soda), so adding more can cause all sorts of wash day problems.

For one textiles will feel hard, rough and scratchy, especially if line dried. Excess washing soda that isn't rinsed away can cause the wash to turn yellow upon contact with heat such as tumble drying or ironing. Finally as noted above the stuff will wear out/cause holes if used in excess.

 

[twinniefan]

Agreed

Yes Laundress, I agree with what you say I forgot to put in my post that the packet of washing soda says to use at least HALF A CUP!!!!, no way was I using that much so 1.25 scoops was plenty.
If one were to start using half a cup, no doubt the above mentioned problems you mentioned would soon start occuring as well as the monetary savings, you would use it so quickly you would be buying it nearly every 2-3 days.

 

[ronhic]

NOTE:

....1.25 scoops is about 75ml or about 1/3 cup.

 

Steve, with the reformulated Surf, you shouldn't really need anything other than the powder anyway - It is THAT much better than it was.

 

[launderess]

Up Late Ironing & Watching "He Died With A Falafel In Hi

Do yourself and favour luv,add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the second or final rinse (more if using a top loader,less for front) when using washing soda. No, your washing won't have a whiff about it and it takes care of tha soda residue.

 

[twinniefan]

Surf powder

Hi Chris, yes I do find Surf is a lot better than it was,but I just think at times I might just add a little something else just to make sure,however like yourself Surf is now my daily driver.
I guess I should just trust it.
Thanks for the advice.
P.S. Hi Laundress, hmm sounds like a good idea too,I like giving my machine a vinegar rinse every 3 months too, half fill with hot water 500ml white vinegar and go through a normal cycle.

 

[zanussi_lover]

Soda Crystals

Soda Crystals are great, I reduce my detergent from 2 tablets to 1 tablet and add some soda Crystals, about a tablespoon, and watch the stains disappear.

Saves money too, as im using half the dose of detergent, meaning I get more washes.