I use regular (He) Woolite for all delicates; dark, light, and in-between. The newer scent for that is on the strong side as well. I much preferred the original fragrance, and wish they'd bring it back. As it is, I use as little Woolite as I can in the wash, and will often add an extra rinse to the wash cycle to dilute the fragrance as much as possible,

I use Persil liquid and cold water. CR recommends it (and, more importantly, Rococogurl). Only problem is one has to go to Walmart (blech) to buy it.

I use the woolite dark but maybe they've changed it since you last tried it. I usually go for unscented and tried this because it doesn't seem to have a strong scent at all. It's kind of pricey and I don't really notice a difference. My favorite detergent was Cheer unscented but more times than not I can't find it.

If you live near Meijers, they are carrying Persil now. Even had $2 off coupons at the display last week. I bought some based on the praises it gets here on GW.

Is persil gentler on fabrics? I'm happy with how my detergent cleans, but if persil preserves color better or is otherwise better for the the clothes, I would switch. Thanks! (Sorry for the hijack).

Persil smells exactly like vomit to me. Also Lush products, a Philosophy perfume called Grace (I think), and the Thierry Mugler perfume Angel. There must be some common ingredient in those products. I have heard complaints about their smells from a few other people over the years but most people seem to love them. Maybe it is the same gene that makes some food taste like soap to me, lol!

sorry for the sidetrack....I have never used any dark wash product and have never noticed any general lightening of colors. We don't put any clothing save pjs, t's and undies in the dryer though, as that is where dark clothes fade, especially along the seams.

Ah, the vomit smell, how nice. I was told that smell is the enzymes, when I complained I'd rather wear a stained item then use a Tide stain pen again. It's nasty.

I was willing to try Persil, if it prevents color fading, but I don't want to buy a whole box and find out the smell is something I can't tolerate. I'd rather go back to the strong smell of Woolite.

Interesting about the dryer being the culprit, never knew that.

Thanks for your input everyone.

I found the scent of Persil to be pretty strong. I can't say I would never use it again but I don't shop at WM and would never make the trip for just one item. DH happened to be there one day and I asked him to pick it up based on recommendations here. I usually buy detergent at Costco. If I ever see Persil at Costco, Target, or the grocery store I might try it again if price is in line with other brands, but I couldn't tell that it cleaned any better than Tide.

ETA....Gain has a strong scent to me as well. I only used it once and have never purchased it again.

I never knew the dryer faded colors either....always thought it was the washer and detergent.

If it has a strong smell, vomit or not, I will skip it. Thank you!

It may not smell like vomit to you, Crl, or hhireno, but there is definitely a subset of people who absolutely hate that stuff. I was looking for a new washing detergent and tried many brands, including expensive eco friendly kinds, Williams Sonoma kinds, I even tried Tide again (which I have never liked). In the end I stuck to Arm and Hammer and we use very little of it. Pretreat stains with oxyclean overnight before the housekeeper comes. She saw no difference in cleaning power between all those brands either, although she thought Persil smelled just fine.

Thinking of how we perceive smells differently, years ago there was a fragrance made by Halston. Oh my word, did that stuff smell off to me. It was a horrible unclean, a smell like something went bad or died. I couldn't be near anyone who was wearing it. It still turns my stomach to think about it.

I also hate the fragrance Eternity for men, named that because the stench lingers for an eternity. It's not as rotten smelling as Halston but it's always overwhelming. It can't be that all men don't know how to subtly use cologne so it must be the cologne that hits me so, so wrong. Others love it, I imagine, but whoa, not me.

I am sensitive to fragrances and many bother me but those two are right up there as the worst colognes. There's another one that takes my breath away, not in a good way, and it's always worn by older women. I don't know what it is because I don't know anyone who wears it.

But enough of my aroma issues, we're hear to discuss laundry.

My Shop Rite just started carrying Persil. Persil's web site says love it or money back - so I think I'll try it.

Web site says it's also available at Kroger, King, Kmart, Price Chopper, CVS, Rite Aid, Sm's Club, Safeway, Albertson's and a few more

Thanks, Maire, food to know. My family likes the Persil scent; personally I don't like any scents at all.

This is actually my personal favorite detergent ( i love the way it is dispensed, for one), but I don't think CR even rated it.

Okay, so I just mentioned to DH that Walmart no longer has the exclusive on Persil and he said "great, why don't you order it from Amazon then" and I said "well that doesn't mean they have it". But then I went there and there are a whole slew of Persil products,.

Looking at the reviews, notice what it says toward the bottom here about colors ...

MIELE PREFERRED
Persil is the preferred/recommended detergent of German appliance manufacturer Miele. My understanding is that this is due to Persils efficacy, as well as its sudsing and rinsing profile, and the descaling agent content, which helps keep heating elements, plumbing and other mechanicals free of scale and mineral buildup that can accumulate with time. Being a renowned high end appliance maker known for building "tanks", I give their recommendation extra weight.

EFFICACY
Using Liquid TIDE HE as a benchmark, Persil Gel cleans colors at least as well and in many cases better than TIDE. Stain and soil removal properties are excellent. Suds level is appropriate for a front loading high efficiency washer, and Persil seems to rinse easily.

MADE FOR COLORS
While most detergents in the US to seem to toss every imaginable additive into their formulations so they can be 'jack of all trades' when it comes to laundry, Persil Color Gel and its partner Persil Universal Gel are specialists. Both feature effective cleaning agents, enzymes, water conditioners and other goodies, but the additive profile is much different.

Persil Color Gel does not contain optical brighteners (UV reactive dyes) which are normally used to help whites appear whiter. This is a welcome omission because on darker colors these optical brighteners tend to make clothes appear faded or washed out. Also not included are oxygen based bleaches, which can permanently fade dark and colored fabrics prematurely with time.

Oh my, and now I find this on Amazon, Perwol for blacks?

Lol! that may be the laundry equivalent of face creams....this one for under the eyes, that one for the dry T-zone, another for fine wrinkles, still another for age spots..... In some cases these products seem to be solutions seeking problems, iykwim. The packaging is a little sinister!

Could it be that Meile recommended Persil because they were the direct importer of Persil to Canada and the US ?? Miele now has their own brand of detergents they recommend.

Perwoll for blacks is what I use but I have Miele laundry appliances. I have dark cords and jeans that stay the same color for over 3years. I really like Perwoll for Blacks. It is made by Henkels and it used to be called Fewa Black Magic. The Miele brand of detergents don't have a comparable product for Perwoll Black. I think in Europe, there are a few more options than Perwoll Black for dark items of clothing.

Good luck!

Thanks, everyone. I've made a note of these product suggestions.

FYI~CVS carries Persil.