Tide from China

[petebldg9]

I found a small plastic bag of Tide (about 10 oz.) in one of the several dollar stores around here. Other than the Tide sunshine emblem and wording, the rest of the package is printed in Chinese. Has anyone used this before? How does it differ from the formula regularly sold in the U.S.?

Pete

 

[peterh770]

That version is found pretty frequently in my area. The formula is EXTREMELY HIGH SUDSING, but it does have a pleasant, yet strong floral scent. Seems to me that the English import sticker on the bag says it does have phosphates (TSPP) in the formula.

 

[tolivac]

Phospahtes in imported detergent

Wasn't it illegal under federal and sate laws for them to import detergent products with phospates?thought those could no longer be used.Might go to the dollar shop here and try it if they have it just for fun.Do they have it in larger containers?Or--could it be a foreign Tide "knock-off"?

 

[peterh770]

It's not a knock-off -- it is pure P&G product. I've only seen it in a one size bag. If phosphated detergent is illegal to import, then blame the open boarders with Mexico for the plethera of phosphate loaded detergents that are available at any tienda or supermercado.

 

[launderess]

I've only seen "Asian" Tide in Dollar Stores and bodega's. Tried to research it on the web but all I got was that P&G fought long and hard to get Tide products into Asian countries like China and Japan.

Don't think there is a federal ban on phosphates in laundry detergents, just state/local ones. Could be wrong tough.

Detergent makers stopped using phosphates because with 50 different states, all with various laws on phosphate use created a distribution nightmare. Various MSDS's for Tide state it contains either phosphates or sodium carbonate depending upon where sold.

FWIW many commercial laundry detergents still contain phosphates, as do dishwasher detergents, but the latter is another story.

If it were illegal to import/sell phosphated detergents stores like Walmart and K-mart would be shut down, since last time I was there, each had a good healthy section of Mexican detergents/soaps for laundry aden with phosphates. Focca I think is something like 50% or more phosphates.

Launderess

 

[tolivac]

Thats very interesting-Will have to try some.There is a large Spanish clientel here.If anyone liked the Phospate detergents-here is a way to get it!

 

[partscounterman]

Did some one say PHOSPHATES!!!!!!!

Nothing washes clothes clean like phosphates! I remember in the late '80 Litten paper in Minneapolis was selling huge boxes of commercial Tide with phosphates. When I went back to replace it, the formula was changed to the silly phosphate free kine.
Also, when we lived in SW Colorado, I helped a little old lady clean out her basement before she moved. She had hoarded way too much food (yukky!) and she gave me a super giant box of old phosphate Tide- da kine you could use to wash dishes or your floor or anything. My partner says he had family members down on the farm that used add phosphate Tide to their bath water, since southern minnesota water is as hard as a rock......

 

[tolivac]

Phospate regulation

I am not real clear of Fed regs-but did know some states banned it or restricted the content of phospates in the cleaning product.Forgot to look in the dollar store next to the Food Lion where I shop-was going to get several bags of the Chinese Tide.Will also try the Wally World.Oh well mine doesn't drain into the lakes or streams-just into my septic tank!Wonder if the phospates will help the grass grow??

 

[kenmore1978]

Mexican products

A roommate of mine, now deceased, used to love to go to Tijuana and stock up on Mexican bottled Coca-Cola because they still use cane sugar there whereas here Coke is made with corn syrup, though the label says it might contain sugar to give them leeway in what they can use. He claimed he could tell the difference in taste.

 

[gansky1]

a bit of irony

I read once that the amount of phosphates in detergents and cleaners is less than 5% of the total phosphates used. There are more phosphates in human waste going into the sanitary sewer systems than were ever contained in washing or cleaning waste water. Supposedly, the environmental whackos pointed their fingers at detergents and that's what got the brunt of the lawmaking frenzy in the early-mid 70's.

 

[gyrafoam]

I wonder if any one has used any of the different imported detergents enough to have an opinion on the performance of each one.(PeterH maybe?) Also Mexican vs Chinese, etc. Georgedon recently introduced me to the Fab powder-- very low sudsing--(they certainly have changed the formulae from the old days!) he uses with much success in his Westy Spacemate. I really like it as I can use as much as I need in the 1-18 without it getting "suds-lock"--which it loves to do! I remember when most all US detergents were HIGH sudsing. Tide and Cheer certainly were,(my neighbors Mom regularly "suds-locked" her GE with Cheer, and my oldest friends Mom nearly killed her "Highlander" with Fab!) but they got the clothes clean! My Mom used the "Fluffy All" (I never did know the difference, if any, from regular All), and it did not make much suds in the old "Multi-Matic". Someone mentioned Coca-Cola. I live in the birthplace of it and when they changed from sugar cane to corn syrup they ruined it in my opinion. It has never tasted right since and most "native" Atlantans will agree. We laughed when they came out with "Classic Coke"---it most certainly was not! (Of course it did not contain the Coca either---but that was before my time.) I digress. Would like to try some of the old phosphate formulae Tide but will wait to hear what PeterH says about its performance other than I can already tell it can't go in the 1-18! -Steve

 

[launderess]

Well people who have tried it, rave over the Mexican version of Ariel, which contains phosphates. The "American" version does not contain phosphates. Only problem is that like most Mexican detergents with phosphates, Ariel makes lots of suds, but depending upon your local water quality it may not be a problem. Most people have only found/tried the Ariel for top loading washing machines, or if one was living in Mexico, wash tub/bricks down by the lake use. There is a version made for front loaders, but is very hard to find.

FWIW, Tree Huggers have gotten wind of phosphate Ariel being sold in local stores and at once started proceedings, legal and otherwise to get the product off the shelves. Still Mexican Grocer.com sells Mexican Ariel, as do many stores in areas with large Hispanic populations, even better if they are close to the southern border.

Personally cannot STAND the scent of Ariel, and make no mistake, the stuff is very laden with scent. So much so people bringing back large amounts in their car have had to stop and open the windows for air!

To date not one chemical has been invented which and do in laundry what phosphates do. Not washing soda, Zeolites,sodium citrates, or any combination of them. If you really want "whiter than white" whites, get yourself some STPP. You'll notice the difference usually in the first wash load.

Launderess

 

[gyrafoam]

Reply to Laundress--

I examined a box of Ariel in the local "Big Lots" a few months ago. I did not check for phosphates, but I really noticed the scent! I wonder how much of that scent rinses out? Any way, Atlanta water is somewhat on the soft side and my 1-18 (the electric version of pounding clothes on a rock) loves to suds lock so I guess Ariel is OUT! I agree with you that the old phosphate detergents did do a better job. I always thought people who liked a lot of suds used wringer-washers---at least that is how it was in the old days. Do you remember "Duz" and "Super-Suds"? "Super-Suds" was just that---overwhelming suds and almost NO cleaning capability. Smelled great though. Funny how folks talk about the old "solid-tubs" ability to throw out the water without "suds-lock". I remember quite well plenty of them choking on too much suds--the Frigidaires would pop their overload buttons! I just think it has been easy to forget just how high sudsing the detergents used to be back in the '50s and '60s! And oh my gosh---the soap powders!!! Fels and Ivory would put out MOUNTAINS of suds!!!!! I am convinced that is why the early automatics had more than one rinse! -Steve

 

[MikeS]

Ariel's A Fine Detergent

I don't know about the phosphate version of Ariel, but I recently picked up several boxes of no-phosphate Ariel at a clearance store called Grocery Outlet here in Las Vegas. Yes the smell is strong, but it diminishes after I run a load through the dryer. It also does a great job of cleaning; I intend to go back and buy some more boxes.
I agree with you about the old phosphate formulas; when I was a young boy, I had to do the laundry. I couldn't use Tide or Cheer in our Lady Kenmore 800 because it would suds up too high, so my mother had to buy detergents such as "safe suds" Ajax or "regulated sudsing" Bold for good cleaning without a mountain of suds. (I loved the smell of both of those detergents, along with the original phosphate Gain with enzymes from the late 1960's...just sniffing today's Gain brings back memories.)
Yes, I need to get a life.

 

[launderess]

Gyrafoam:

Bought one box of Ariel when P&G first introduced their "American" version. It was cheap and just had to find out what all the hub-bub was about. It made waaaaaaaay to much suds in my Miele, especially when using high temps and not rinse out easily. Scent tends to calm down after several rinses, but still lingered on dried (I line dry most every thing) laundry. What got me was the scent coming from the open box. Just passing my laundry room give me a migraine! Packed the box in a bin liner and after a few days the scent was back. Wouldn't you know the box of Ariel not only seeped through the heavy bin liner,but saturated it with scent.

MikeS,

I'm not old enough to remember many of the detergents you mentioned. We lived near the old P&G plant in NYC so Big Daddy used to come home with those HUGE crate sized boxes of detergents. We had a box of Cold Power detergent that must have lasted the duration. My mother's brand was Cheer so that is what was usually in our laundry room.

Tide detergents are well known for being high sudsing. Even their HE detergent will cause suds lock if you are not careful.

The one vintage detergent I do remember is "Oxydol". Whenever I was allowed to pic a detergent, that was my choice! Wish I stashed some away, as the new version is a pale comparison to the vintage stuff.

As for phosphates/STPP, have to say although I doubted it made much of a difference, people on THS made me itch to try it, and now I am "saved". Wouldn't be without it on laundry day, my whites just gleam, and can use much less detergent/oxygen bleach.

Launderess

 

[partscounterman]

What is stpp?

What is Stpp? A hardware store thing?

 

[launderess]

STPP ='s Sodium TriPhosphate commonly known as just phosphate.

This is the laundry detergent builder when speaking of "phosphates". You can buy it from chemical suppliers such as "The Chemistry Store", (online) or many other places. I bought 5lbs over a year ago and still have about 3lbs or more left. May start giving away samples to friends! *LOL*

You really only need about 1-4 tablespoons (less for front loaders, more in top loaders or if you have rock hard water),when doing laundry. If you wish you can also add some to your dishwaser along with the detergent, but making the water too soft can lead to etching.

Launderess

 

[gyrafoam]

Thank you for the tip!!! I will get on line and buy some. I need all the help I can get in the warm months---working out in the yard and garden in this RED Georgia clay!!! -Steve

 

[partscounterman]

Of course....!

I had only heard of TSP before.