SA8 Detergent - Consumer Reports

17 years ago

Hi, all.

This was just named the top detergent by CR.

Has anyone used this before? Seems like there is scant info about it online, including list of ingredients, but some claim it is all-natural. Is this correct?

Any info would be appreciated.

(Also, can I use an HE detergent in a non-HE washer, and if I do, what would be the potential impact?)

Thanks.

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Comments (9)

sparky823
17 years ago
I use the SA8 w/bioquest powder. I really like it for white loads.
I use it in a f/load machine but have a friend that uses it in her F/Paykel topload with great results.The box says for all washers.
The box says"contains the bioquest cleaning system which incorporates biodegradeable surfactants,biodegradeable enzymes,and a natural water softener produced from renewable resources." Also says"clear wash solution contributes less solid waste to the waste water system"
"keeps colors bright and whites from becoming gray".
There are people here that know MUCH more than me about the chemical make-up of detergents and their function.
I just know that I have good luck with this but people do have different results depending on water etc.
sshrivastava
17 years ago
I don't have any experience with SA8, but if CR rates it highly and it's an environmentally friendly product, sounds like a win win. I've tried Persil, Tide HE, Wisk HE, Cheer HE, Method HE, Tide Coldwater, Country Save, and almost everything else under the sun, and nothing cleans as well for me as Bi-O-Kleen Premium. Just goes to prove that eco "green" products can perform as well, if not better, than the big boys. Also, a truly green product will disclose all of its ingredients and won't hide behind vague terms like "nonionic surfactant".
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uluvbs
Original Author
17 years ago
SS-

Have you tried Ecover at all? I am using the Delicates one on my bed linens, but was looking for something stronger (perhaps Bi-o-Kleen) for my other stuff.
sshrivastava
17 years ago
uluvbs,

Funny you should ask. I have had great luck with Ecover for my dishwasher and Bi-O-Kleen for my laundry. The Bi-O-Kleen Premium powder has been doing a bang up job, but I haven't tried the Ecover product. I read the dosing instructions for the Ecover, and I'm not impressed -- 50ml for a light load in soft water is just over 4 TBS. Bi-O-Kleen, by comparison, cleans a full load in soft water with 1 TBS. Ecover's product also contains zeolytes, which are good if you have hard water, but relatively useless for soft water, and can also cause graying of laundry over time.

I'm so happy with the Bi-O-Kleen I have no need to try anything else. I can say the same for Ecover in my dishwasher! :)
aamassther
17 years ago
I too like the Ecover tabs in my dishwasher. They work at least as well as Cascade or Electrasol, in my moderately hard water, which is 128mg/l CaCO3.
I also have been using the Ecover for my dark colours, with success. The liquid does a good job of getting out stains, if pretreated by rubbing some into the stain. The powder has enzymes, while the liquid does not. I think I like the powder better than the liquid. I've used it on both dark and light coloured wash, with success. Also use Ecover Stain Pretreater, I like it, removes greasy stains well. Though I do prefer to use a product with brighteners on my whites and lights. I'm currently using Shaklee's Get Clean(formerly Basic-L)on my white massage linens, with much success. It seems to shift the oil stains more completely than even Tide. I use either Ecover powder bleach or Shaklee's bleach/enzyme powder, and like them alot. I recently bought a pkg of Bi-O-Kleen and thought it was decent, but not something I'll buy again. It didn't shift the oil stains, even at the higher TL dose level as well as the Shaklee and they started to look dull even after a couple of washes, even with adding some extra percarboate.
I used to use the SA8, in a TL and two FL's. It is the best one, though for political reasons I've decided to stop using it. It would shift stains in the wash that would often need to be pretreated, especially when used with either the Tri-zyme or AFB. I would use both with the SA8 on whites, with excellent results. Hope this helps.
sshrivastava
17 years ago
Did you use the regular Bi-O-Kleen powder or the Premium powder? The Premium powder has enzymes while the standard one does not.

Might I ask why you stopped using SA8? You mentioned political reasons, I'm a bit curious.
aamassther
17 years ago
sshrivastava, It's the Premium one, with enzymes.
Since this is a public forum about laundry, I prefer not to talk about it in this venue. However, If you email me privately I will be happy to discuss my reasons. Thanks, Todd
dross
17 years ago
sshrivastava, for what its worth I agree with Todd...you might search back at another thread on sa8 from last december for a hint as to why. - DR
justjustin
17 years ago
Initially I LOVED SA8 Liquid but after using it for around two weeks my love has more than faded. Its ability to remove stains and heavy soil is far FAR less than that of Liquid Tide or Gain.

That said, I'm using Liquid Gain Island Breeze for about two weeks now and will buy another bottle. It cleans well, doesn't seem to fade as much as Tide and I LOVE the smell!

Perhaps the powder is better but the liquid isn't much.

-JJ

SA8 Detergent - Consumer Reports

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SA8 Detergent - Consumer Reports

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