Watch It..Persil Can Burn!

[MrX]

Also, perhaps try contacting Persil's consumer helpline:

+44 800 776644

(From the USA 011 44 800 77 66 44)

Calls to UK 800 numbers usually go through from abroad, but you will be charged at international rates.

Unilever's HQ number in London, as dialled from the USA is : 011 44 20 7822 5252

Remember, it's GMT times. So, 5 hours ahead of the US East coast.

 

[whirlcool]

Thanks for the info..

I've been out on a trip, so that Persil is still sitting in the garage all wrapped up and sealed in the box, and my wife said the garage is now getting that "acid" like smell to it. So now it is sitting in the garden shed where it won't come into contact with anyone.
Lavamat Jon:
This hasn't turned me off from Persil. The powdered Non-Bio is just fine, and we have all flavors of the liquids and love them all. It's just that this one box of regular Persil powder has a problem. With the smell, and the acidity of the smell, it seems that this is a box of pure Lye rather than a box of Laundry Detergent.
MR. X:
Thanks for the phone numbers, I will be calling Unilever UK tomorrow and ask them what to make of this. And you are absolutely correct about checking before shipping. Even sealed up this box stinks!

 

[whirlcool]

I Contacted Unilever UK

and I explained what happened with this box of Persil and they were very concerned. They said that they need the box back, and that they will send a pre-paid mailer to me that I can use to send the box back. They also asked what other kinds of Persil I like, to which I replied the Colour Care, and they said they would be sending me two large bottles of this at no cost to me.
Not too shabby customer service in my opinion. Paying for the box to be returned and then sending out more product than I ordered.
I like seeing companies who stand behind their products.

 

[frigilux]

whirlcool-- I don't want to come off as being paranoid, but I'd demand they let you know exactly which chemicals are being exuded from your evil box of detergent. You've had a fair amount of exposure to it, especially in your vehicle, on the day you picked it up.

 

[whirlcool]

I agree

so I reserved a small ziploc bag containing about a cup of the stuff so if they don't tell me, I can get it analyzed myself.

 

[MrX]

It's more than likely a result of mixing the liquid and powder. There are various additives in the powder (and even more in the tablets) that cause an effervescent fizzing action (much like an alka seltzer) it's quite possible that this stuff reacted with something in the liquigel e.g. the oxydising agents of the bleach creating a lot of gass.

The fizzing action's designed to ensure that the powder doesn't clump together and distributes effectively through the wash.

I doubt it was anything too nasty though, but I wouldn't be supprised that it caused irritation. Keep the box away from kids/pets etc

When you are returning it make sure that it's extremely well packed into a large ziploc bag or two. Seal the bag carefully and then apply strong parcel tape to the seal to make sure it remains shut.

Just make sure it's very air tight.

It's good to see that UniLever responded well, particularly since you're outside the intended market.

 

[sudsmaster]

The Box of Persil That Ate Texas

Coming soon to a theater near you!