vintage dash/modern tide with bleach

[cehalstead]

Someone mentioned, in a recent thread, that Tide with Bleach smelled like vintage Dash detergent. I dug my box of Tide w/Bleach out of the cabinet, gave it a sniff, and I agree! I knew that smell was familiar! Here's my question: does Tide with Bleach cause colored clothes to "fade" more than regular Tide? I have never been able to tell, because I switch brands and scents often. However, if Tide w/Bleach doesn't cause more harm to my colored clothing than regular Tide, it will become my everyday choice. (can't promise that i won't backslide some...esp if something "new" hits the market)

 

[toggleswitch]

I'm guessing this is a job for Launderess.........

I always thought that oxygen bleach was perfeclty color-safe and did not cause fading.

Do any of today's detergents still have ingredients to neutralize the exisitng chlorine in water that CAN'T be good for colors?

Also, do phosphates cause fading?

 

[launderess]

In theory all oxygen bleaches are "colour safe" as their primary bleaching action is on organic based type stains (blood,wine, mustard, urine, poo-poos etc), with a weak secondary action on some types of dyes. This is in contrast to LCB which will bleach not only organic stains, but many dyes as well.

If one examines most detergents and bleaches labeled "colour safe", they use sodium perborate as oxygen bleach, usually with an activator. Sodium perboarte requires very high wash temps to really bleach. Even with an activator, temps need to be around 100F, anything lower and the results are not that great. Thus washing coloured items in warm and cold water, even with sodium perborate there is likely to be much damage.

OTHO sodium percarbonate bleaches well all by itself from temps at 100F and above. Thus the reason for sodium perborate.

However sodium perborate along with all borates/borax is being phased out by the European Union because borates can cause environmental damage. Thus one will find only sodium percarbonate.

According to what I've read, phosphates do not cause color loss or damage. Though some quilting and "green" websites clam differently

C.