Using STPP

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Laurie

I wish I could answer your first question, but really can't because I've never used any Persil.
Laundress knows this detergent, and is familiar with the differences between the European types as well as the U.S version.
I can say that I've heard good reviews about the one sold at Walmart. So give it a try.
There no way to "forget about the washing soda" because it's in all powdered detergents anyway. And it's there for a reason.
 
"There no way to "forget about the washing soda" because it's in all powdered detergents anyway."

Exactly, hence my suggestion.... If more would make the detergent better, I bet it would come that way
 
Good advice you two, thanks a heap.

What are you guys saying about the washing soda? Forget about it? But we can't because it's in all detergents? I thought that would be a good thing. No?
 
Hi Laurie

I think Phil and I are talking about two different things.
Most powdered detergents contain 30 to 40 % sodium carbonate..AKA washing soda. You haven't been using commercially made laundry detergents. You've been doing the Ivory soap thing!
What I'm proposing is using a full cup of washing soda by itself (full strength) in a attempt to clean out the machine. Since you have a Front Loading machine.. I'd pre-dissolve this in hot water before adding to the dispenser.
I'm not suggesting that you do this continually, or that you add washing soda to powdered detergent since it's already contained therein.
Phil is making a very good suggestion in that whatever you chose to clean the machine with, that you run it with shop towels, rags ect, so that whatever you clean it with, gets dispersed to all sides of the tub.
When I helped a friend clean her machine (she had been a liquid detergent user with cold wash and rinses) and we where dealing with a Top Loader and had the advantage of filling the machine with hottest water, adding a cup and a half of Washing soda, letting it soak a while, then allowing the machine to go through a full cycle. We were able to see what the soda broke loose, and it started producing suds, with NO detergent added! Since her machine drained into a laundry sink instead of a stand pipe, we were able to really able to see what came out. This is what worked for her.
I'm not recommending that you do this all the time. Or for you to make habit of adding washing soda with every load. If you get the above Persil Pearls you won't need to.
Personally.. Occasionally I only use washing soda is when I'm using a liquid detergent (P.H neutral) and think for whatever reason I want to boost alkalinity. In that case I may add two Tbls only. (Also pre-dissolved)
"Occasionally" being the operative word here.
 
In response to Phil's statement about using just detergent if you have soft water, I would invite him to ask his brother Jeff about the benefits of adding STPP to the detergent. Jeff thought that because he has a water softener, he did not need STPP even though I offered to let him try some several times. Somehow or other, he eventually did try STPP and was a impressed at the improvement. Soft water makes for better washing and rinsing, but STPP adds something more. I think Jeff mentioned something about the soils and the acids into which body oils morph being more than what just soft water can handle. It loosens soils and helps detergents to rinse out of fabrics better. I am not adding more because anybody who bothers to use the searcholator feature can find numerous previous discussions on the topic.
 
One has to be a paid member

in order to use the search locator. I am considering becoming one because this site is a wealth of information and I would love to use it. And not only because it's so interesting and informative..but because of the way it's set-up and the ongoing members are so interesting and enjoyable.
 
Doesn't that homemade stuff use washing soda? Ah well even so with using the few tabelspoons mixed with god only knows what else can't even count that few grains Cheryl
 
Oh for the love of God, Hiandry, just go to Wal-Mart, buy some Persil and be done with it. You are making mountains out of molehills and making it too difficult. This isn't rocket science. You first said you couldn't afford HE detergent and then you went to buying Persil off of Amazon, which is high. I got a headache after reading the Turpentine bit. Go buy some Persil and your machine will finish cleaning itself out over time. Sorry to be short, but the whole thing has gotten ridiculous.
 
The STPP arrived yesterday and i've had my first experie

with it. Since the cleaning out of my FL had begun several days ago, I have used NO detergent, not wanting to aggravate the scum/mold issue i've been fighting. I decided to wait for the Persil I ordered... so i've been washing with Borax and Washing Soda alone..and have done maybe 4 loads like that. I sniffed and looked the laundry over as it came out of the wash then dryer, and only found one wash cloth that smelled questionable.

After the Stpp came I used a little with borax alone and WOW what a difference! Everything was softer than I can ever recall and had a clean smell I can't ever remember experiencing.

And that's with only Borax and Stpp. I realize the soap is still probably in everything that never rinsed well but maybe not all that much because I always used two rinses and put a full cup or more of vinegar in each load.
 
So your washing clothes in borax and washing soda alone? How much of each did you use in a load and what water temp? Than you moved on to borax and stpp....do you have a problem with detergent? I don't get it. Walmart does sell detergent. Cheryl
 
mamapinky,

I SAID.. the last few days, because I don't have HE detergent on hand ..I have been using Borax and Washing Soda (alone) until the Persil comes..not wanting to add the grated ivory "SOAP" too, as I did in the past.

I have never used STPP nor heard of it until reading the forums on this site. My order of it came yesterday and I washed a load with Borax and Stpp (ALONE) without the Washing Soda or anything else..just the two. One tsp of stpp and about a half cup of Borax.

Deducing from what I have read here.. "SOAP" has caused a foul odor in my FL. The homemade laundry detergent recipe found online..that being THREE ingredients, grated ivory soap, borax and washing soda.. THAT'S IT!

BUT.. the last few months.. INSTEAD of soap..I used dawn with borax.. the TWO ONLY.

From what I read on this site, I can assume.. because i've always used white vinegar instead of commercial softeners. And have always used warm or hot water with two rinses, is why my FL is not a total slimy mold mess.

I have never been a cold water fan... The detergent has to dissolve and penetrate in order to do it's job and I can't see that happening in cold water.

Evidently, because I used that turpentine..ya'll think i'm daft. Folks, I cleaned houses for years and I am a clean freak. So..i'm not totally out to lunch concerning cleaning agents.
 
Let me add.

After I did the load with stpp.. I stuck my head inside the washer and my FL now smells sweet.

I have no doubt it was a combination of all the good suggestions here because I did them all.. one at a time..and i'm thrilled with the results.

Thanks everyone!
 
"So your washing clothes in borax and washing soda alone? How much of each did you use in a load and what water temp? Than you moved on to borax and stpp....do you have a problem with detergent? I don't get it. Walmart does sell detergent." Cheryl

Hiandry,

What we don't understand is why you don't just go to the store and buy HE detergent. It is widely available at any store, even Dollar General. It makes no sense.

PS: I know how to use the block function. I just find this thread amusing.
 
Tennblondie78

Don't want to speak for Laurie, but I gather that the thinking is to try to clean out her machine before adding anymore surfactants...(soap or detergents) until she receives her Persil.
Id go about different...but she's working it out her own way.

Laurie, I forgot to ask about the pic you posted of the inside of a machine.. Who's machine was that?
 
Stan

The picture is from google images and I'm sure glad it's not mine! LOL.. And you are correct in that my objective has been to get it clean.

Tennblondie78....Why is it such a big deal for me to wait a few days for the Persil? Is my FL or laundry in danger if I don't use a detergent on a few loads? Stpp is evidently an excellent way to clean front loaders.. and as for Borax..well just google it.

I tried to be concise and not bore everyone with every little detail.. thinking it wasn't necessary. And I don't think it was, because Stan understood. Maybe he disagreed, but he got it.

But if you are really that interested.. this might clear things up for you.

I live pretty far out in the country and quite some distance from a town that has a walmart or dollar store. So I try to shop once a month and not make extra trips. Therefor, I make due with what I have on hand, hence the turpentine.

I wouldn't do it again.. but it did work and it did so beautifully. Turp is not just a paint thinner folks... but has gone by the way-side as most natural cleaners have.

Concerning my lack of using a detergent at the present. "My" walmart, and it's a huge one, has only THREE brands of powdered HE to choose from. But, if you want a TL powder and or liquid or a HE liquid, there is every commercial and generic brand imaginable. And the HE's are more expensive. Why it's not like that for you all..I have no idea. Maybe because I live in a reg-neck area and most people still use Top Loaders and those that don't prefer the liquid..just a guess.

That being said. It makes more sense to me, to order the Persil that Laundress speaks so highly of and from what i've researched because of.. Spend the initial money and bypass most of the crap additives and chemicals that are in walmart's HE's. I take it if one uses commercial brands from wallyworld their getting 10 percent cleaning agents and 90 percent crap (exaggeration? maybe). Therefor, the Persil is no more of a cost and better for your laundry and washing machine. A win win.

Anywho.. I wrote far more than I wanted to..but I like to help folks out every chance I get. I'd hate to keep anyone up nights, scratching their heads in bewilderment at that strange lady who doesn't like chemicals and uses turpentine....
 
 
I think you're exaggerating the flaws that you perceive/fear to be in detergent products.  Regards to availability of HE powders vs. liquids, liquids used properly would been better than the home-brew compounds you've been using, IMO.
 
You may be

right about the Liquid HE's being better for Front-Load Washers than my DIY detergent recipe found online... I have no idea. But that is not the issue.

And my belief about commercial detergents is an opinion based on an awful lot of information anyone can easily research for himself if so inclined.

I don't care to argue or to try to sway anyone because I really could care less who believes what.

I just came here looking for answers concerning my dishwasher and ran across this section about washing machine issues ..and I have one..an issue that is. And I believe from the information I've gotten here, it's now resolved.

Time will tell.
 
Laurie

Yes..your right I did understand. And I suspected your where out in the boonies, know what thats like!
I was in Walmart today (which I hate) and decided to try the Persil this is the one I got. I washed a med load of colors with it in warm water (Standard top loader) Because it's new to me I think I may have over dosed slightly because I had suds in my rinse water, and had to do a second rinse. Something that never usually happens. Don't know which one you ordered, but thought I'd give you a heads up to be carful with your dosing in case this is the one you did order. Pay close attention to the lines on the cap. (I didn't)
I'm not sure if I'm going to like this stuff or not! LOL. Time will tell.
Let us know how you make out with the Persil
HTH

stan-2015093021402401085_1.jpg
 
Might have been said before, but older Ivory bar soap didn't contain glycerin. It was rinsed away during the manufacturing process and consequently I often heard complaints about Ivory being "too drying".

 

I haven't bought any for some years now, but the stash I have seems to be glycerin free. I can't speak for what's now on the shelves, but it may be the company decided it needed to add back in glycerin and/or other moisturizers in order to compete with the likes of Lever 2000 and other popular bar soaps.

 

The older Ivory bar soap, when grated, worked fairly well on whites, esp when boosted with STPP.

 
 
Hi Sudsmaster

The Ivory is still a bit drying, however glycerin is on the ingredients list. How much they leave... who knows.
Besides the glycerin, the lye/fat ratio, and choice of fats can influence how a soaps performs, as well as how it rinses away.
Personally... I feel the Ivory is too drying for skin, but not quite drying enough for laundry use.
One way to tell how a soap will perform is to try to hand wash dishes with it. If the suds easily go flat, or leave a residue, won't cut through grease, then it won't work well for laundry either.

Just did a second load of whites with the Persil (payed attention to the cap) filled to line two, and still had to do a second rinse! What's with the sudsing with this stuff? I don't have to do this when I use pure Soap!
And the little return drain hole on the cap is in the wrong spot. (Drilled my own)
Laundress! Help!
LOL
 
Persil

I've been reading the Persil reviews on amazon and some (too many) aren't good. Some long timers are saying it's not cleaning like it use to. And wallyworld claims their Persil has the original scent but nothing about original formula. Sounds fishy to me.

I'm going to back out and send it back if they won't cancel.. and do more research before committing to spending that much money.

I ordered the six boxes of cascade and if it had worked, would have been well worth the $$.. But so far I can't tell that it's any better than the crap with citric acid.

I'd have a cow if I got took on the detergent too. LOL

The good news is.. I have found a new love and that takes the sting out of it.
STPP!!

Dawn always cleaned my stainless steel cookware very well..but lately that's not the case. I googled it and read their formula has changed.

Anywho.. I just now I sprinkled a little stpp on, then squirt a little dawn on top.. and used my trusty green scrubby and it cleaned my big skillet like a charm (cooked on scramble eggs).. it has never been so shiny and rinsed so easily.

Do I sound like a commercial??
 
Cannot assist with this new Persil Sold At Walmart

As haven't touched the stuff and have no plans to do so.

Stan if you are having rinsing issues can only suspect Henkel/Dial cranked up the surfactant level and or your water is really soft thus requiring a very small dose.
 
Thank You Dear

For stoping by.
My water is about 6 grains (med hardness)
The instructions on the bottle say to fill to line 1 or line 2 for ANY machine. There's no possible way (I can see) that this will work with a front loading machine. It's sudsing is worse that phosphated Roma was. If I cut the dosing down for clear rinsing, I'm afraid I'd loose cleaning?
What makes matters worse is the scent! It has that smell.. you know! Not as strong, but that same scent, and it really sticks to the fabric.
It did clean well, but I think I hate it! Who's using this? LOL
 
I recently picked up an order of Miele detergent at the vac dealer, the owner of the shop told me his sales for Euro Persil has dropped significantly, people are complaining somethings wrong with it , its not cleaning well and after the clothes are dried its leaving a musty odor, his sales for Miele has gone up because of this. Said his wife is also unhappy with Persil now and has started using Miele. I've read a lot about the Euro Persil changing lately so wonder what is up. Cheryl
 
 
I've been using WM-sourced Persil for most loads in my Calypso.  Little to no sudsing.  Typical dosage for an average+ to large load is 3 to 3.5 tablespoons (which corresponds to the cap lines) + 2 tablespoons STPP.  I have not tried it in my "traditional" F&P toploader but presumably a larger dose would needed for the larger volume of water.  I have a load of sheets to do tomorrow, maybe will use the F&P and Persil, be interesting to see how it does for sudsing during the Eco Active phase.  My well water is not much soft.
 
Stan, I have been using both the Persil Pearls and standard liquid, both from Walmart for a few weeks now. I've been quite pleased with both. I have never measured either in the cap, I use a Tablespoon and just keep adding till it looks/feels right. In my standard capacity Whirlpool BD the using the Pearls a dose usually comes up at ~3 Tablespoons full depending on soils. Overall I get very little sudsing and personally I like the fragrance.

I have used the liquid a bit less, generally only on more color sensitive loads. Dosing with the liquid is tougher and I have had more sudsing in my softened water.

I do sometimes add about a Tablespoon of STPP, but I try to keep that to a minimum. The Pearls work quite well without the STPP.
 
If you guys

Were close, by I'd be over quick to hand this over to you LOL
I guess adding one Tbls at a time til things looked and felt right would work.. But if it leaves this scent I still couldn't handle it.
Don't mind seeing suds while washing.. But if I see them in my rinse water, it bugs me.
I can't.. in good conscience use a second rinse in my water hog during this drought.
So it back to my usual tried and true.
Wouldn't you know I bought the largest size.. So someone will be happy to find this on their doorstep!
 

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