I've wondered that myself. Somewhere I read it's related to use of shelf space in the stores. But rectangular boxes that fit tightly together seems more efficient use of shelf space than curved bottles. Perhaps because liquids can be made at 2x and 3x concentrations and powders don't lend to that so easily?

I have a more cynical answer. I think people are more likely to measure when using powder detergent (vs. just pouring some liquid in), meaning the manufacturers figure to make more money selling liquid. I also wonder which one is cheaper for them to make.

I think it's because most people think it is easier to pour liquid than to scoop powder which is more apt to 'fly' around and make a mess than liquid, plus most are not aware of the build up that liquid generates inside their machines.

Why does liquid build up and why does dissolved powder does not?

IMO spilled powder is an easier mess to clean up than spilled liquid.

I like dadoes answer. It may have been easier to sell reduced sizes of concentrated liquid detergents than it would have been a concentrated powdered detergent. We have grown accustomed to a "giant size" box of powdered detergent - mostly full of fillers. So it may be a presentation thing.

Although I never had a problem using a tablespoon (or less) of Charlie's Soap for a load of laundry. After trying the 80-load bags, I purchased the 5-gallon bucket of it to save on total packaging (should be a 3.5-year supply of detergent at our house) as well as price per load.

Wouldn't surprise me that there is some environmental impact thing going on as well. Or perhaps a link to chemicals manufactured in China and used in liquid/powder detergents.

Good question. After all this thinking, it's probably no more complicated than being directly related to sales. Why take up valuable shelf space on something that just isn't selling as well...(LOL)

-Grainlady

Sheesh. Why are they moving away from powder? Uh, for the same reasons Ford moved away from Edsel, Chrysler away from Eagle, Plymouth and DeSoto, GM away from Oldsmobile. For the same reason Roseanne doesn't sing the National Anthem at sporting events. For the same reason Burma Shave signs don't line the roads. For the same reason Crystal Pepsi and "New Coke" aren't served with your Arch Deluxe and McLean. They're not going to continue to make what people don't buy!

Did something get in the water? Paint chips for lunch?

I'll keep buying powder until the last box disappears.

I'll buy a bunch if its demise is announced. Ditto for incandescent light bulbs.

While we may not be typical of the overall laundering population, perhaps a poll of forum participants would be illustrative. My guess is 20%-25%. If only 10% of consumers purchasing detergent choose powder, there should be someone willing to sell to them.

By the way, most of those car companies moved away from those lines because the products were downright awful in one way or another or bad business propositions. Many powder users are perfectly happy with what they're pouring into their washing machines. A big difference. And the water is just fine.

100% straight-up profit. Sheeple are easily manipulated.

All modern detergents cause build up. I don't know the whole reason, but making money is one of the obvious reasons. In my opinion, one of the other reasons for going liquid is that the manufacturers probably have focus groups that think that liquid is easier to use...Just my opinion.

I use powders only. I bought some Arm & Hammer liquid because it was cheap. That was a mistake because my washer started to smell and there were scum lines all around the agitator and the basket. I started using Sears with enzymes and that took care of it. I also noticed the inexpensive 'Sun' detegent to have little suds, rinse well, and not leave much scent. Tide leaves white scum on my black pants.

Personally, I love powered detergent much more than liquid. I find it performs better in my washer.

In Canada we have Sunlight....LOVE their powder!

Lulundave, I would love to try the Sunlight powder in 'lemon fresh'. Dash detergent used to have a lemon scented powder in the 80's.

My guess is, liquid detergent has gained favor because of the (ill-advised) trend toward washing in cold water, which may not dissolve powdered detergent completely.

That being said, liquid detergents *also* must dissolve and mix into the wash water.

I've read from somewhere that those scum happy liquid detergent is cheaper to made than those powdered detergent..... :(

For years I used liq detergent because we were told it is better with a septic system from 2 different septic companies. Thus I bought a large liq HE with our FL. Now I think powders are made with less fillers so it probably isn't true today. Since I read on this site liqs can cause more build up I have been following my liq with a glass of hot water. I will probably try Charlies soap in the powder next.

The HE Tide powder detergent was on sale today at the supermarket so I bought the 4 boxes that were left. The only detergents gone from the shelf was the HE powder detergent so it appears that other people are also looking for the HE powder rather than the liquid.

Hmmm. I think I will try going to Tide's site & see if I can send an email to them. I'll let you know if I get a response.

Thanks to you all.

Kathleen

"TORONTO, Feb. 2 /CNW/ - Procter & Gamble Inc. is pleased to announce that beginning in March 2009, it will discontinue its non-concentrated powder laundry detergents and transition its entire portfolio of powder laundry
detergents to a concentrated formula. The move will mean that all Tide, Gain, Cheer and Ivory Snow powder detergents will only be available in a compact format. The company will complete the full conversion by April 2009."

I found no mention of this on the US site.

Here is a link that might be useful: P&G Canada Press Release

Maybe we've already seen this here in the U.S. with Tide moving from 63 uses per box to 80 uses.

When I see the word "concentrated" I can't help but think "fewer fillers". Of course removing fillers probably won't be reflected by a price decrease.

Hi All,

I used to use powder until an appliance repairman had to come to my house to fix a maytag neptune. That's another sad story. Believe me they are never lonely now. Anyhow, the repairman told me that it's better to use liquid because it mixes with the water faster and works on your clothes longer. I have hard water so I can't say that I noticed any difference in cleaning ability. To prevent the build up problem, I just put the soap right in the washer while I'm loading. I must say that I love the more concentrated detergents. They are really much easier on the back and shoulder which is important to me. When I was in high school I had a Chemistry teacher that had retired from Proctor and Gambel in the 1960s. He told our class that at that time customers equated cleanliness with suds, lots of suds. Unfortunately, phosphates were used to make the suds. I'm looking forward to the day I only have to use a tablespoon of soap to do the clothes.

Does anyone know if there is an additive that you can add to the wash water that really softens the wash water?

What repairmen say shouldn't always be taken as gospel. Someone once told me that a repairman told her that her washing machine reuses the wash water for rinsing, which is pure nonsense.

Does anyone know if there is an additive that you can add to the wash water that really softens the wash water?

Sodium Tripolyphosphate

Laundy Room FAQ - What is STPP?

concentrated does not mean liquid. It means that instead of using a cup, you will use 1/2 or 1/4 cup.

I was thinking of going from a tablespoon to a pinch. Oops, that's kitchen talk.

On the advice of this forum I switched from liquid to powder (Tide HE is all I could find at Target) in my HE top loader. Before my machine and laundry room SMELLED when I did laundry. I figured my clothes would smell next. Problem gone!! I also started to use Oxy Clean type product in white loads. I have cleaner clothes and my nose is happy.
Chipshot, it maybe kitchen talk (my favorite forum) but I have found less it more when it comes to laundry detergent.

At our local grocery stores, the He detergents are hard to find in powder. Also, worth mentioning, on another thread there was a report of Dreft coming out in HE this March - I hope it is a powder...

I had difficulty finding Dreft powder back in our TL days when our children were very young. My guess is their HE will be liquid. While the laundry room should smell nice during the wash cycle, a good rinse (or two or three) should remove its characteristic scent from clothes and linens.

Tide and Kirkland are the only HE powders I can find locally (besides price European brands at the store that sells Miele vacuum cleaners). I wish Cheer HE was available in powder form.

Look for GainHE powder, I saw it with my own eyes...I wish I would have bought some but it wasn't on sale!

The Gain HE powder cleans as well as it used to. It's lower sudsing than Tide HE powder.