Whatever Happened?

[givemehotwater]

What happened to laundry detergents that weren't obnoxiously overscented?

Seriously, about 9-10 years ago, everything on the shelf seemed to undergo a scent change overnight, becoming overwhelmingly strong. None of it smells like soap or clean anymore; most of it comes across honestly like cheap ladies' perfume.

For years, I've been purchasing unscented Tide Powder and using Downy Clean Breeze fabric softener. However, it seems unscented Tide is no longer an option, and that obnoxious "original" scent (who are they kidding calling it that?) is the only replacement.

Today, while in Target, I noticed that almost all the liquid lines from brands like Persil, Tide, Gain, etc., are ridiculous in terms of scent. I'm not even sure who they're trying to cater to, but clearly, normal people who like light scents are not the market they want anymore.

However, I did notice that Purex and Arm & Hammer liquids offer some lighter scents that still remind me of what you could have purchased about 7 to 10 years ago. I purchased some Purex Mountain Spring.

Anyway, I was just wondering what everyone else's thoughts were. I find it hard to believe I am the only one who feels this way!

 

[DADoES]

 
Hiding the stench of cold washing.

 

[launderess]

Depending upon which source of research one believes > 70% of Americans prefer some sort of scented laundry products (detergents, fabric softeners et al..).

This may have something to do with changes in American demographics over past several decades including greater influence of Latinos/Hispanics. Latin America laundry product market long as favored stronger scented products. Ditto for some countries in Europe and elsewhere. First time one went to shops in Paris, France and reached laundry product aisle was quite bowled over by scent. Apparently unscented detergents aren't (or weren't) a thing. Since then have fallen in love with Ariel "Alpine Fresh" which is largely only sold in France, to that's me for you.

Tide and other unscented detergents seem to be easily found in my experience. Not all shops carry all variations however. Tide cold water "free and gentle" or whatever it's called is only sold up north in Canada. Tide Ultra Stain Release *FREE* seems only to be found at Target and or maybe Walmart. Tide Free and Gentle is more commonly found but only liquid and pods. IIRC P&G may have discontinued powder version which is quite sad.

Have found Arm & Hammer "free" (nabbed two bottles on special deal some time ago) pretty good, especially if one adds some sort of booster such as oxygen bleach or "stain" product that is oxygen bleach with also enzymes.

For light duty cleaning there is the old standby of All "Free". Kirkland and others also offer "free" and "gentle" detergents.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

strong scents

I can see the strong scents of laundry detergent and fabric softener for clothes that wreak of BO.

 

[combo52]

Strong fragrances in newer, laundry detergents

I personally don’t like the perfume fragrances however, if you are rinse your clothing properly, I found there’s no real amount left afterwards that you can smell, I sure wouldn’t use cheap stuff like Armen Hammer or PX that stuff just garbage it’s a waste of plastic that it’s packaged in.

I think replies, one and two to your question are likely the reason why many consumers prefer a strong scent to cover up poor washing practices. John

 

[yuccadew]

I feel the same way about American scented products. Sometimes I go to Hispanic or Polish markets and buy theirs. For some reason those scents don’t bother me as much. But for the most part I buy unscented (free & clear), including dryer sheets.

I do, however, like the fabric softeners scents from Ecover, which I order online. You have to dilute them anyways, and the scent they end up giving off is light.

I’ve also purchased scented laundry detergents from “natural” brands before (Trader Joes, Whole Foods 365, Ecover). Those scents are different and aren’t as strong and lingering, but they don’t clean as well as traditional laundry detergents, so it’s a trade off.

 

[good-shepherd]

greater influence of Latinos/Hispanics.

Not just laundry products. Gillette changed the scent on their Foamy shave cream from a pleasant soapy fragrance to some kind of stinky cheap cologne stench that doesn't wash off. Totally useable now.

Lots of negative amazon reviews about the change. Probably the same type of morons running Gillette as other corporations hell bent on alienating long time customers.

Had to switch to Barbasol (which isn't that great either, but tolerable) after using Gillette since I was old enough to shave.

 

[Unimatic1140]

I'd say this stench in modern laundry detergent has been going on for about 15 years now. I cannot stand the smell of any modern detergent so I use Tide Free and Clear and Downy Free. The smell of laundry detergent in the 60s and 70s was wonderful and only left a light clean scent if that in your clothes. Having phosphates it also rinsed out completely during the rinse cycle and left no residue at the end of the cycle especially in solid tub washers no matter how much suds were producing during the wash cycle.

I've been using my stash of vintage detergent over the past year and I'm shocked at how well it works even being 50 to 60 years old. Proctor and Gamble products (Tide, Cheer, Dash) seem to work the best followed closely by Lever Brother products (Rinso Blue, Surf, Wisk) and coming in last is Colgate-Palmolive products (Ad, Super Suds).

The scents in these vintage powders are all but faded away unfortunately but they still seem to clean amazingly well if they are still powdery (not caked and hard) and had been kept away in a cool/dry environment away from moisture over the years. The liquids such as Wisk and Cold Water All have their scents still intact and they are just like I remember. They all produce a beautiful suds level, just right for most vintage machines as seen in my profile picture.

 

[jerrod_six]

Gillette

Is owned by P&G so there is the answer to why there is a strong scent. Almost everything they sell is infused with strong scents.

 

[petek]

I agree. Can't stand stinky laundry detergents, fab softeners (both types). Nor can I stand those Glade and Airwick plug in stink makers or sprays. A quick spray of Lysol is ok to get rid of a temporary smell in the kitchen or bathroom but I don't want to be smelling something floral wafting through the house 24/7.

 

[gizmo]

I agree that it is probably there to mask stinks from combinations of cold water washing, overloading and short cycles.

 

Here in Australia it is quite easy to find "low stink" products, I use Abode laundry powder which is made for sensitive skin and allergies, it comes in a couple of flavours including lavender and mint, eucalyptus, and unscented. Even the scented ones are very mild, the scent seems to be in the powder but (after washing in the Miele with extra rinse selected) there is no scent in the finished laundry. Not that my nose can detect.

 

https://www.shopnaturally.com.au/brands/abode-cleaning/

 

 

I use this one when I can't get to the Abode store. The lemon myrtle scent is lovely, I have a lemon myrtle tree at home and the leaves smell gorgeous.

Lemon Myrtle Laundry Powder - 1kg

At SimplyClean, we prioritise quality, and use only the best ingredients to deliver the clean clothes you expect. Formulated without fillers, Lemon Myrtle Laundry Powder is exceptionally pure and delivers twice the number of washes compared to leading brands, making it budget-friendly and...

www.simplyclean.com.au

 

New Zealand has a range of similar products, Earthwise and Ecostore brands, both have mild scents using natural plant oils, not synthetic stinks. On our recent trip to NZ I used Earthwise Ultra laundry powder and it was pretty darn good.

 

Laundry

Tough on stains, but gentle on you and your family. Naturally effective without the use of harsh chemicals.

www.earthwise.co.nz

 

Geranium & Orange Laundry Powder | ecostore AU

Our concentrated plant and mineral-based Laundry Powders powerfully cut through dirt, then rinse away without residue, to leave your laundry looking clean and smelling fresh.

ecostore.com

 

In both AU and NZ there are several brands of Eucalyptus laundry products. I love the smell of eucalyptus, it really is the scent of Australia. When we get home from a trip overseas, as soon as we leave the airport building we can smell eucalyptus on the air. Unfortunately eucalyptus oil in detergents makes me itch.

 

Aldi here sells a Trimat detergent that is often Choice's recommended detergent, just behind Omo in performance but much much cheaper. I tried the sensitive version but it still stank out my washing and made me itch.

 

[launderess]

"I sure wouldn’t use cheap stuff like Armen Hammer or PX that stuff just garbage it’s a waste of plastic that it’s packaged in."

Well that's you sorted then isn't it?

 

[angus]

Have to agree - there is almost nothing on today's market that doesn't overpower with scent. I have found that the latest iteration of Tide with Bleach Powder to be less offensive than others. However this Tide scent is still nowhere as pleasant as the original scent when it was introduced. And the first scent adjustment made to TwB was horrible and I actually stopped using it until it changed again. I noticed also that my other "go to" product, Persil Stain Fighter Liquid has also stepped up the scent. So even with careful dosing, water temp considerations, etc... and good rinsing, it's still a challenge. I can't even imagine what the Persil "Intense Fresh" smells like.

Unfortunately, Tide Free and Gentle Powder has been discontinued (confirmed with P&G), which seemed ridiculous considering the non stop parade of Tide offerings that line the shelves - recently noticed another one at Target - "Seaside Fresh" or something like that. Seems like Target has some kind of deal with P&G - never saw that Seaside Fresh stuff anywhere else. Also, Target is the only store that carried Tide Free and Gentle Ultra Stain Release, and now that is not as plentiful. Last time I bought some for my sister, I had to hunt through the shelves. Also noticed - again only at Target - something identified as Tide Pods with a "lighter fragrance" - came in two scents but can't remember what they were.

On occasion, and only for lightly soiled or things that just needed some "freshening up", I have used Target's Up and Up Baby Detergent. It has a fairly pleasant scent and leaves little behind. It is not as overpoweringly "powdery" as Dreft and I believe it is made by Henkel. It smells exactly like the old formulation of "All Baby" before last year's scent change that makes the "All" version now smell like bad coconut suntan oil. The Up and Up also containers are also shaped exactly like the older "All" liquid containers.

I had also been stashing away some "ultra" powders from the late 80's and early 90's which I carefully wrapped in plastic at the time of purchase. They still have most of their scent, and to Robert's point, work remarkably well and using them, can't imagine why anyone would want to use anything else. Still have three large boxes each of phosphated Fab Ultra, Fresh Start, Ajax, Wisk Power Scoop, Surf, Oxydol, Cheer and the elusive Clorox Detergent powders. All are nicely low sudsing except the Surf but that is a small matter.

 

[yuccadew]

gizmo- those Australian cleaning/ laundry products sound wonderful.

angus- and so do your vintage phosphated ones. I keep looking and experimenting, but I never really found laundry detergent or automatic dishwasher detergent that works as well as those did.

 

[ryner1988]

I find the Tide clean breeze scent to be pleasant enough if dosed carefully. Reminds me of a nice warm load of laundry washed by my granny when I was a kid.

Tide Ultra with Oxi isn't bad either in liquid formation, but the pod version smells different and really terrible in my opinion. Ugh, gag me.

 

[panasonicvac]

I have a question, does Amway's SA8 powder detergent not have too much scent? I've been interested in trying some out to see how it smells and cleans as well.

 

[ryner1988]

Reply #15

The only thing I know about Amway is that they make cat food that my family's childhood cat did nothing but puke up every day, LOL. Didn't even know they made detergent.

 

[ea56]

The only time I ever used Amway detergent was in ‘69 when one of our neighbors was selling Amway and Mom bought a bucket of their laundry detergent.

We’d just gotten our new Maytag EL wringer washer. All I can say is that stuff was so caustic that it like to have peeled the skin right off your hands! It didn’t have much of a scent at all, and whatever it smelled like was’t floral or pleasant at all! Plus it didn’t clean for sh*t! We only used it a couple of times and went back to Tide or Cheer which were the detergents Mom usually bought.

I think Amway is a bunch of crap and basically a pyramid scheme designed to get others to sell that crap and the more suckers you can talk into selling it the more you will eventually make. No Bueno!

Eddie

 

[gelaundry4ever]

dishwasher detergents

The same can be said for dishwasher detergents. The strong scent they give off may be associated with cleanliness. Cascade and Finish are just 2 examples. The Finish Ultimate gives off a clean smell.