Tide Original

[mrboilwash]

So I`ve put this cute little bottle of Tide from Dollar Tree, full to the brim (I topped it up with the rest of another bottle that I used in the US) after sitting around for almost year to an extensive test now.

I did three loads in the US, one in a HE Whirlpool Toploader with a center post and two loads in a Speed Queen.
Wasn`t too thrilled about the performance because the bottoms of socks didn`t come clean despite using more than the dosing directions called for and the water was really warm enough to the touch.
Also on the last load of this trip I followed the instructions of the Speed Queen`s lid to put in the detergent first then add clothes which I usually never do when using a top loader.
The result was what looked like bleach stains on the finished load. I thought i`ve ruined a whole washload of clothes, oh what a shock it was but apparently it was only the OBAs in the flourescent light of the guest laundry.
In daylight on dry clothes nothing strange was to see anymore. But those experiances made me reluctant to use it up at home in Germany, so it sat unused on a shelf for almost a year now.

 

[mrboilwash]

Now I`ve done some loads with it in the Miele in my "natural habitat" and all I can say is I really like this Tide Original.

Some here have repeatedly said you`d need less of a European detergent because of greater average water hardness compared to the US but I can not confirm this observation.
Tide recommends to "fill to the line" for a medium load which is only 6 lb of dry clothes according to P&G (a little more than a half full vintage EU front loader) or a full cap for a full load.
Since my water is on the hard side I opted for a full cap, approximately 45-50 ml which is exactly the same amount as a standard load of an EU detergent would require.
Going from there I would say this version of Tide is about the same strength as German Persil.
Didn`t do any particular stain tests but judging from overall cleaning I`d say there`s not much of a difference between Tide and Persil when it comes to dosing and cleaning performance but I think Persil is still a notch better.

Compared to Ariel the clear winner is Tide because Tide has a much more subtile almost boring scent that won`t overpower a fabric softener.
I also never seem to get away with the recommended dose for a standard load with Ariel. Need to use way more Ariel to get good results which is most annoying and not economical.

 

[ea56]

I really like Tide Hygienic Clean 10X Heavy Duty liquid. I’ve been using it now for several months and it cleans better than just about any other detergent that I’ve used in the recent past. We have very hard water so I use a full capful for a full load in my 3.5 cf Roper TL. I hope that they continue selling this formulation, I’d hate to change to something else.

Eddie.

 

[supersuds]

That’s interesting, Stefan. There’s often a feeling among posters here that European detergents are better than what we have here, so it’s good to get another perspective.

 

[launderess]

"There’s often a feeling among posters here that European detergents are better than what we have here, so it’s good to get another perspective."

Would say it has only been rather recently that offerings from P&G (Tide, Gain, Cheer) and other US detergents have upped their game for "HE" washers.

One used Tide "HE" when it first came out in then Malber and later Miele washer, was not impressed. Switched over to Persil and results were like night and day.

European detergents then were cleaner rinsing (very important for our local soft water), better at stain removal and overall put Tide in shade.

P&G, Unilever/Lever Bros and few others all have (or had) European counterparts so it's not like they didn't know how to formulate detergents for front loading automatic washing machines. What took them so long to sort themselves out far as US market is concerned one does not know.

Initially Persil (US version) knocked Tide out of number one spot it held for > 70 years. P&G got wise to themselves and made some changes, within a year or so Tide was back on top ratings wise, but only by a hair in many instances.

Far as liquid format products Tide and some other American offerings equal or may even best those from Europe. When it comes to powders P&G hasn't anything that's remotely a patch on Persil, Ariel or some other European detergent powders.

Later incarnations of Tide powders were pretty good, but you can't find the stuff for love nor money.

When it comes to whites and colours it's Persil or another top shelf European powder; you can't fail can you?

 

[launderess]

"Some here have repeatedly said you`d need less of a European detergent because of greater average water hardness compared to the US but I can not confirm this observation."

Likely it comes down to water hardness.

Ours here is quite soft indeed. Using anything near suggested dosage of most European detergents causes issues with froth and or rinsing. In fact one ceased using phosphates because it just complicated things. Would have to adjust dosage of say Ariel Alpine gel down to nearly nil when using STPP. Suppose that's a good thing, but OTOH one has a stash which must be used up before it goes off.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Launderess, I think the delay in formulating detergents for HE machines was based on thinking that they would wait to see if the HE machines were really going to take off. The US has had a long history of not accepting tumbler washers so detergent manufacturers might not have wanted to invest heavily in the most effective HE technology. They had just been stung by the introduction of low sudsing, concentrated dosing powders like Tide, Fab and Cheer that were not accepted by Ma Kettle with her wringer on the porch and the coffee cup dispensing device for the "washin' powder."

 

[frigilux]

Launderess- I had excellent results using liquid Persil ProClean + Stain Fighter. I thought it squeaked past Tide Ultimate Stain Release in performance. Used it regularly in the SQ top-loader with no issues. Unfortunately, I found that using only a scant tablespoon created too much suds in the SQ front-loader and weakened its normally awesome cleaning ability. It also didn’t rinse away as well as the aforementioned Tide. Had to stop using Tide Pods for the same reason; just too sudsy. Interestingly, the new “tiles” from Tide & EC30 have caused no such problems.

I have 14 different powdered detergents on hand now, but keep finding that UK (Unilever) Persil Bio is the one to beat. Running neck & neck are the Miele Ultra White & Ultra Color powders. Also very impressive.

A big box of Ariel Original powder arrived from the UK a couple of weeks ago, but I’m going to hang on to it for awhile and use up a couple of the more off-beat detergents like TideMatic and ArielMatic from India, and Ace Naturals Chamomile Scented before I crack open the UK Ariel.

I think detergents overall have stepped up their game in the last 10 years. Even Viva and Mexican Ariel Doble Podor do a fine job.

Have yet to try the vintage boxes of compressed tablets from Salvo, Vim, and Tide. I’d like to try the Salvo & Vim tablets, but also want to keep the boxes unopened. The old dilemma of wanting to eat the cake and have it, too.[this post was last edited: 4/13/2024-21:28]

 

[launderess]

Persil Pro Clean while delivering excellent results requires careful dosing.

Err on too generous side and you'll be rinsing for ages to get it out.

 

[tomturbomatic]

That is the liquid you are referencing, right Launderess?

 

[launderess]

Yes, never tried the powder.

 

[panasonicvac]

I've read online that Tide's Mountain Spring was the actual original liquid Tide until they changed formulas and rebranded the actual original called Mountain Spring. Is this true?