White King

[mrboilwash]

Usually I don`t use soap, but bodywash which isn`t alkaline at all.
Soap has been OK for centuries but you don`t soak for an hour in "real soap" suds as you might do in a product for the bath tub.

But back on topic.
I thought of using the Calgon Bath Beads as a laundry booster but finally tossed it, because it also had mineral oil and who knows what else in it.

Could imagine the Sodium Polycarboxylate in White King to keep the washing soda from precipitating with hard water minerals.

 

[supersuds]

All Free/Clear powder

I like it pretty well, Stan. Seems like a more economical alternative to Tide. I do notice a bit of a chemical smell to laundry when it comes out of the washer, but it isn't noticeable once the clothes are dry.

 

[mich]

I've looked...

all over, but it's extremely hard to find, ALL powder, in any form in my area... Sad, I hear it's good stuff  

 

 

 

[stan]

Vern

Sorry to have left you out with all this, but how is it working out with the rest of your laundry? What detergent are you using with the White King? Are you still "in love" with this stuff?

 

[whirlcool]

ll over, but it's extremely hard to find, ALL powder, in any form in my area... Sad, I hear it's good stuff

We find it at Walmart here, always stocked. $4.88 for a 40 load box. Not too badly priced, and it cleans very well.

 

[strongenough78]

Hey sorry for the late reply. There is a Mexican supermarket chain here where I can get those detergents. I actually was using Ariel with phosphates a year ago. Results weren't bad but not as good as with the White King and I love the scent of the Ariel. Stan, I've used the White King on a few loads like towels and colored clothes with great results. Everything is much fresher smelling too. Oh and I'm using it with Gain powder. I use a half cup of White King and half the amount of detergent as per the instructions. I get a good amount of suds but not too much and the rinse water is crystal clear.

 

[launderess]

Calgon Bath Beads

Well no, wouldn't recommend them for laundry. Aside from the scent and often colouring agents the stuff does contain skin softening agents.

All Calgon products grew out of the original CAL-cium g-ON-e formula (get it, CALGON), which was mainly a phosphate laden product used at first for softening water in steam boilers/engines (locomotives, ships, heating, etc...), then later dishes and laundry. Indeed the makers of Calgon touted it's ability to soften water and thus rinsing cleanly as hygienic for when doing foodservice ware including the military at the time.

As detergents replaced soaps for laundry and cleaning and diesel replaced steam Calgon had to find other uses. As many laundry and other cleaning products contained phosphates the need for a separate product such as Calgon was eliminated, again this hurt sales.

Enter Calgon bath beads and so forth for all the same reasons you'd soften wash water.

Have had many early packages of Calgon (in silver paper wrapped boxes) and one could use it for many personal care routines. From bathing to washing one's hair, anything that involved using soap with hard water.

 

[stan]

1/2cup !

You must be using a T.L !
It would be interesting to do Laundress's test with the glass of warm water, and compare it with ordinary washing soda, just for the off chance they've got something more going on in there!
If it is mostly washing soda, and your using a powdered detergent...combined, well, that's a lot of washing soda!
On the other hand, if it's working for you...

Keep us posted Vern.

 

[strongenough78]

Yeah I only use top loaders when I wash clothes. I only use front load for big bulky items. I've used actual washing soda before and didn't get results like this. There must be something different between the two. When I get a chance and if I remember, I'll try the water test.

 

[stan]

Decided

to do Laundress's test with White King Water Softener.
What so you think...fairly clear!

 

[strongenough78]

Looks a bit clear to me. I haven't had time to try that myself yet. Thanks for trying it Stan.

 

[stan]

Vern

I'll try It again with using a little more, just incase, and also a separate test with washing soda, and do a side by side.
Pics to follow.

 

[dirtybuck]

The only two water softeners I've used in the past were "Blue" Rain Drops and Calgon. Church and Dwight now manufacture Rain Drops (the word "Blue" was removed), but I've not had any luck in finding it.

As for All, it's one that I use regularly (Surf is the other one I like). I'm using the Free and Clear liquid and Free and Clear Oxy for now. They seems like good enough detergents in getting the job done.

Even when they're on sale, I've shyed away from most of the P&G brands due to their price, but at times will pick up an occasional bottle of Era.

Her4e's a pic of the Rain Drops water softener box and a small blurb about it from the Arm & Hammer website..

http://www.armandhammer.com/fabric-...ops-water-softener-and-detergent-booster.aspx

 

[stan]

Here is

the side by side comparisons, the one on the right is the White King, one on left is Arm & Hammor Washing soda. This may explain why Vern felt the W.K worked better? Either the White Kings extra ingreideants make the difference, or they're sneaking in some phosphate?
(Secrets safe with me)

 

[stan]

Oh

And the P.H was the same for both. Around 10.

 

[rustyspaatz]

basically a box of salt.

 

[strongenough78]

You never know. They could be sneaking in phosphates lol. I doubt it though. The White King is clear though, no doubt.

 

[stan]

Salt

would only have a P.H of 7 (neutral)

Have done a couple of experiments with W.K, results to follow.

One of the reasons for washing soda, is that it boosts alkalinity, binds with hard water, and help shift oil.
Since W.K has the same P.H, and at lest "appears" to be less precipitating, it "may" be a much better option, short of using STPP
(P.H of around 9)

 

[mich]

Last time I checked...

The Salt Packets, at McDonald's, were Zeolite.  I'd be interested to dissolve two or three packets, along side your white kind, and just compare. 

 

[stan]

Really

Didn't think Zeolites were etable? Knew they are used in cat liter!
I also used Laundress's water test for Borax and water was also clear?
Let us know how the Zeolite test goes!