What happened to GainHE?

[tolivac]

Fresh Start

Great!-- There is a Big-Lots store opening here in what used to be the Winn-dixie store.I loved that detergent!-was very convenient when I lived in the apartment house-better than the leaky cardboard boxes-the Fresh Start had the handy plastic jar!does it still come in the bottle?

 

[partscounterman]

Fresh Start

Yes! It does still come in a bottle, which makes it really cool for me here as my laundry is out on a covered lanai. Detergent in boxes is subject to moisture and I lost 1/2 a box of clorox II that got all soggy. The Fresh Start stays fresh!

 

[laundromat]

GAIN HE

I checked at Wal-Mart today as well as Albertsons and Wallgreens.All three stores had the Gain HE available.Wal-Mart has the liquid or powder for $4.97,Albertsons has the liquid for $6.99,and Wallgreens has the liquid for $5.99.Wisk HE is always at Target for about $3.99/bottle and Cheer HE is usualy the same as Gain HE($4.97/bottle)at Wal-Mart.unlike the GainHE,the Wisk HE is available in a 100 ounce bottle and has been rated best in CR for liquid detergents.It is a true lo-sudsing detergent and has had the same formula for quite a while.All is the same basic formula and we know they have been around for a while too.However,the aroma that GainHE has as well as the green cap Gain fabric softner which has the same scent,is absolutely Heavenly.Most of the time,I wash my work clothes just before I go to Homo Depot and am always asked what kind of cologne I have on.I tell them Gain and they laugh.I usualy do not dry my shirts in the dryer.I just put them on right out of the washer,get on my bike and go.by the time I get to work,it's completely dry!

 

[tolivac]

Will have to see if the Big-Lots store is open near me-last I looked they were hanging the sign out front and doing work inside-it used to be a very nice Winn-Dixie store-that closed down and it was empty for a few years.Sounds like it is even more humid in Hawaii than in Eastern North Carolina!I too have had boxes of detergent go lumpy as well-why don't they at least put the plastic bags back in the boxes?that would help.Sounds like Big-Lots is a really neat store.

 

[tolivac]

Fresh Start

Oh-another thing-one time I got Fresh Start in a what was a 10Lb bucket.That bucket and the plastic bag inside kept it fresh.If you saved one of the Fresh Start plastic jars-would just fill that and use it when I had to go to the apartment laundy room.That way I could leave the pail of it in a closet-still have the empty bucket-use it as a tool bucket!Very handy.and the Fresh Start sure flouresces very well under one of my UV lights!

 

[kenmore1978]

Big Lots

Big Lots is a name consolidation. The company that owns it had several chains around the country with different names. Here in the Los Angeles area it was called Pic and Save. They decided to use the Big Lots! name nationwide. They do have good prices.

 

[kenmore1978]

liquid vs powder

So I wonder what's driving the popularity of liquid detergents? They've been around for years, it's not like they're a new, big advance in technology so why are they suddenly "in style" Any ideas?

 

[launderess]

Think liquids are coming more into play as average wash water temps are going more to cold and warm water from hot.Powders still tend to disslove better in hot and warm water. Liquids "hit the ground" running so to speak as they do not need to be mixed with water to become active.

Also many of the old problems with liquid detergent formulations such as adding OBA's,bleaches, and other additives have been over come by better chemistry.

Liquids are also easier to use as a laundry pre-treat, no mixing required. This last bit may be just me, but perhaps liquid detergents rinse better than powders. Commercial laundries like liquid detergents because they do not need to add "sours" to the final rinse to remove residue and bring down fabric pH. Liquid detergents are usually near neutral or slightly acidic (many use citrates as a water softener instead of borax, washing soda or phosphates.All of which are alkaline).

What ever the reason, liquids seem to have taken over the laundry sections. A far cry from the days of the little blue jug,called "Dynamo" (Recommened by women that used to use powders). *LOL*

Launderess

 

[tolivac]

Liquid Detergents

At the store I use-the liquid detergent shelves just get BIGGER-and the powder shelves just get smaller!The detergent makers are really trying to push the luiquid detergents in a big way.

 

[GESwivel]

Big Lots

Yes, Big Lots was formerly Pic and Save here in So Cal. I shopped with them for years, but then started noticing their prices going up. They are now competing with the 99cent store and Dollar Tree Stores in our area, plus the other copycats. Big Lots is usually the same or higher for many items. I go into Big Lots occasionally when they have something I want.

IIRC, they said they went with "Big Lots", because it was more recognizable across the country than our "Pic N'Save" name.