Vintage Cascade.

[whirlyfanatic]

Hey Guys,i went to a quaint shop out in the countryside whilst visiting my aunt.
Out there, i happened to stumble upon some vintage Cascade, yep i'm tlking about Stuff made in 1998 and 2004. I bought 2 boxes suprisingly the older one was not clumped the latter was but i loosened it up with a mini hammer to the box. The Phosphate content is 6.4%. There are like 10-12 more boxes remaining. @ like $ 4 US roughly a box. I plan on getting them because no one out there has Dishwashers and its just gonna stay there. It has lost it's scent though .
Will post pics later when my iPhone charges.

 

[launderess]

Old Dishwasher Detergent That Has Clumped

Or turned hard usually means moisture has entered the product. This could also mean that performance will not be as expected.

This is why powdered DW detergent comes in foil covered boxes and or similar moisture resistant containers. It is also why the stuff is not recommended to be stored in damp/moist environments such as under a sink.

 

[mich]

Sheeting Action

Cascade generally will age well, and the phosphates will remain stable for the most part.

If it's the Enzyme version, and is really clumped up, more then likely, it will not preform well at all If this is the case, I'd fill with Half Phosphate Free Powder, Half Phosphate Laden, for best results.

 

[whirlyfanatic]

Pics

Here's the pics guys, i just finished my first load and my my i must say i am impressed,

 

[whirlyfanatic]

Photo 2

here's the front guys

 

[mich]

The one with Dawn

Was manufactured before July 2010, but after 2008 atleast.

The other box was manufactured probably between 1997-1999. I personally like the older (sheeting action) one, has it has fantastic bleaching action that really cleans up dishes, especially coffee mugs.

 

[launderess]

Cofffe and or Tea Stained Mugs

No problem with the *modern* but still phosphate laden versions of Cascade (such as Complete) in our stash. Even white Corelle mugs stained from drinking coffee or tea left sitting for several days come out totally white.

 

[whirlcool]

We still have about 1/2 of our stash of original Cascade with phosphates. We have the Extra Action pack tabs with Dawn. We use these for heavy loads only.

The current Cascade Complete powder does an excellent job of cleaning. No spots, no white residue on anything. The sides of the DW tub are even spotless. So that is our daily driver for now. I think they finally got the phosphate free formulation right.

 

[supersuds]

Unfortunately

I've had problems with tea staining with the modern/phosphate Cascade (and everything else that doesn't have chlorine bleach). It varies partly due to the quality of glazing on the cups. Better glazing=easier stain removal.

I have a fairly old English-made cup advertising the London Underground, with the famous map on the outside, that's a real problem. The inside of the cup just isn't smooth any more (if it ever was) and it retains the tannin, or whatever it is, really sticks. I don't like using chlorine, due to having a septic tank, and also because the enzyme products work better on every other kind of stain. So it often means handwashing a few cups.

 

[whirlyfanatic]

......

Should I bite the bullet and get some more? Which is better to get the older or newer? Even though Its a bit clumped. The one without dawn was less clumped suprisingly it's older.

 

[supersuds]

If you're having good results with it, that's all that matters. Pay no attention to our nitpicking. What's a problem for one person, with a certain dishwasher and water, may be good for someone else.

 

[mich]

Honestly...

I think the older boxes, were better sealed off from moisture. I actually stumpled upon a 17 year old box, a few days ago, and it was completely free flowing, no clumping what so ever.

Those newer boxes, were made well, and do seal out moisture, however , if your not careful, they will start to clump up much faster unfortunately. Don't ask me why, I've just noticed this.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Oh.....

how I miss those boxes!

 

[whirlyfanatic]

The older

Box Is more free flowing, out of the both which would you says the better performer?

 

[mich]

If the older box

Has not clumped up, or harden. More than likely, it is still packed with it's amazing full strength Phosphates (STPP) and it has enough power to dissolve and clean pretty much anything expect for Eggs, and Oatmeal. It will do exactly as it says, and leave your Dishes, Spotless

The Cascade with Dawn, is a Enzyme formulation, and will clean up where it's brother (Chlorine Based) left off. Basically it has enough power to dissolve through eggs & oatmeal, and other starchy foods on dishes.

One thing however, is if the box has clumped up, more then likely the Phosphate Content in the box has somewhat been converted into a different type of Phosphate called MonoPhosphate, or TSP. Now, your Dishes will still come out Clean, but, they won't come out as clean as they once could have, because the Phosphate has lost it's complexing power, and is not as strong. That, and the Enzymes more than likely won't be as stable..