Ok, Had To Try This Persil
What is the good of having it otherwise? *LOL*
According to packet directions one is supposed to use about 2 tablespoons per litre of water. Or the entire packet for 20 liters. The Miele wash is about 5 gallons which is near 40L if my conversions are correct, but wasn't going to use *that* much soap in a modern front loader.
As a compromise used about 50 grammes (about 2oz) along with Tide "Free and Clear" HE liquid, and 3 grammes of vintage Calgon (phoshpates added as insurance against scum in the wash), and away we went.
Test wash were two sets of cotton bed linens (full) washed at 140F (fill tap warm and heated to desired temp).
Before the wash put the kettle on to boil as per the directions in vintage French Persil leaflet. One places the required amount of Persil into a container, add enough boiling water from the kettle whilst stirring to make a slurry, then pour the slurry into whatever vessel one was using for the washing or soaking (filled before hand with hot water), stir until mixed, then add one's wash. Have not read the directions on the side of the Persil boxes to see if they were updated for anytime of automatic washing machine.
As the washer filled went ahead and added the Tide liquid, then began to mix up the Persil. After the machine had filled and began tumbling a bit (to mix) added the boiling "slurry" down the hatch as it were. Herr Miele within a few moments began to protest LOUDLY!
Froth, can you say FROTH? One could hear it coming up the dispenser drawer and god only knows where else in the machine. Since my unit has a solid door couldn't see that part of the drama.
Quickly added some defoaming agent (always good to keep handy if one is going to play around with vintage detergents in modern front loaders), and for a while that killed the foam But as the temperature of the wash water began to rise from warm to 140F, yet more froth. So every now and then had to add more defoaming agent to keep things under control.
Since my washer fills from a tap allowed the water to remain on "hot" so the first two rinses were high temperature as one normally does when using soap for laundry.
As the unit drained all that hot steamy milky white wash water can only tell you it smelled DIVINE! This Persil soap has the most wonderful scent. Methinks only those members who grew up in Europe or the UK when boil washing was in and Persil was the product of choice know what one is talking about.
Oh well, after the fourth warm rinse set the wash to cold for the final one and added a bit of vinegar. As the final rinse water was draining however it still wasn't clear enough to my tastes so reset the washer to spin and rinse again. This seemed to do the trick.
Results?
Well when one opened the washer was greeted by the most wonderful smell. As the linens were hung up to damp dry more of the same. Whilst ironing on the mangle noticed how smooth and soft whilst crisp my linens were. They've been airing most of today before being put away and the scent in the laundry area is divine.
Verdict?
Cleaning and whitening wise the Persil still has it, even for being >60 years old. Would one use it alone for badly stained items? No, but cut with a modern detergent am sure things would be fine.
Am going to do routine cleaning of the Miele's pump trap next weekend so will see if there is any undissloved gunk down there.
I think this Persil would be great in a twin tub, wringer or even a top loading washer. Long as one has plenty of hot and soft water for washing and rinsing. Oh and a bit of phosphates wouldn't hurt.
