UK Comfort Formulations - Most /Least Allergenic.

[nickuk]

For interest, I have studied the different formulations of the main Comfort variants in the UK and placed them in order of most to least allergenic, based on added dyes, fragrances and preservatives according to the ingredient list. Some of the results surpised me. The figure given after each variant is the combined number of artifical fragrances, dyes and preservatives which have been added in a concentrated enough amount (more than 1%) to be added to the ingredient list.

LEAST ALLERGENIC

Comfort Pure + 0
Comfort Sunfresh + 4
Comfort Passion Flower and Ylang Ylang +5
Comfort Lily and Rice Flower + 7
Comfort Easy Iron + 8
Comfort Blue + 9

MOST ALLERGENIC

Comfort is my favourite fabric conditioner. I like how it can be used on towels without affecting the absorbency as much as other brands in the UK, since to my knowledge it is the only one which contains nonionic surfactants.

However, no product is perfect and the addition of these surfactants is not entirely positive. For a start, I feel that this is a frothy fabric conditioner which can leave (easily removed) froth marks on dark items after spinning and can leave the door glass in a bit of a mess.

The other issue with adding nonionic surfactants to the final rinse is that you are adding a detergent substance which is an allergen.....and yet strangely enough Comfort is the only fabric conditioner which my son's skin can tolerate.

Would love to hear any feedback you may have,

Nick

 

[lavamat_jon]

Nick - thanks for the test. It's surprising to see that Comfort Blue has the most additives... I thought that the Easy Iron and Purple conditioners would for some reason.

Been using pink Comfort this weekend, though no doubt it's gonna bring me out in a rash :-(. Been rather liking the blue diluted Lenor believe it or not!

Jon

 

[mrboilwash]

I find your thread very interesting Nick, because you mentioned the presence of nonionic sufactants !
Unilever conditioners are called Kuschelweich in Germany and most of the formulations are identical to the UK ones.
To me it is kind of unsuitable to add one of the most effective degreaser to the last rinse. It feels like adding another detergent to the rinse water, doesn`t it ?

Whenever I use powders along with a "normal" (just cationic) conditioner like Lenor, I end up with greasy residues at the water line of the door. That is disgusting and never happens when I wash with liquids. But liquids usually don`t clean as well as powders and I suspect them to be less effective in water softening properties.
We have pretty hard water in Munich and in particular my 95° wash has a strong tendency to limescale buildup.

Guess the greasy residues would not occur with a conditioner like Comfort but I also like to match manufacturers of detergents and conditioners. But current German Unilever dertergents are rated the worst for cleaning ability so this is not an option.
What a dilemma.

 

[MrX]

I'm not a major fan of Ecover's products, but their conditioner is amazingly good on towels. I find they line dry fluffy and it's got a very pleasant smell without being overpowering.

 

[MrX]

Their ingredient list

Water
N-methyl-triethanolammonium-dialkylester, methosulfate
Dipropyleneglycol Methylether
Perfume
Sorbic Acid
Magnesium Chloride
Linalool
Citronellol