I've often wondered why more people don't like the Sears..its a nice detergent. .my guess is the light scent. A lot of people want scent instead of just the fresh scent of clean laundry.

Well, until a year ago I had no idea that Sears even made a laundry detergent. That might be the way it is with a lot of people.

We have a couple blue boxes "free/clear" powder Sears detergent. It is in a dead heat with the Clorox Greenworks "free/clear" in it's awesomeness..

Now that it is no longer available in my area, I wish I had tried all of them.

This is the only detergent my mom used for my entire childhood. My mom was quite the laundress and was able to get anything and everything brilliantly clean using just Ultra Plus, bleach, a bar of Fels-Naptha, Bounce Outdoor Fresh dryer sheets, and her Kenmore 80 Series washer with dual-action agitator.

This is not her washer, but it was very similar. Image courtesy of automaticwasher.org.

Needless to say, I have fond memories of Ultra Plus and am a little sad it's now gone.

Even though I always hated Sears detergent, now I just want some since it is no longer made. It is what my Mom, Grandma and two Aunts primarily used for decades....all my childhood and thru high school.

I sent some to Alex a long time ago and I think he liked it...Alex tune in here please Lol....

I stopped at my Sears and Kmart today since I was in that area neither had any BUT an older man the large appliance manager told me Sears believes they found a new vendor to supply them detergent. As far as he knows nothing has been set in stone yet. I find this interesting since Sears is really suffering that they would even consider detergent.

Anyway this man told me that there has been a huge outcry over the detergent being discontinued.

Time will tell I suppose. But wonder if they do find a new vendor if the formula will be different, I think it would..I also think it would be the old Sun Corp now Henkel that makes it..probably would be similar to powdered ALL.

I did a load of white sheets a few days ago with the Sears with Oxi powder, yes it does have sodium percarbonate, not sure about a bleach activator, but I wash sheets at high enough temp for that...no FS they smelled so fresh and clean. I tend to forget sometimes about having the Sears. LOL. Anyway I used probably 3 heaping Tabelspoons, once the water temp got up there I did have some suds, but nothing alarming and first rinse was pretty clear..second 2 crystal.

I wonder if Sun powder in the bucket would be remotely close to the Sears? Seems heavy/ concentrated compared to the Sun in box at Dollar store that seems fluffy. I have never tried either Sun powder but see the bucket version at Walmart everytime.

Sparky, the Sun bucket lacks enzymes so it's unlikely to have the same cleaning performance as Sears.

I have hesitated to post this because I know there are so many Sears fans out there. However, I do not care for the Sears detergents. While they admittedly do clean well and rinse well, they leave my laundry stiff and fade my darks. I have adjusted amounts, I do have mechanically softened water, so I know I am not over dosing. Additionally, I do not use softeners, and I line dry as much of the year as I can. While I do expect, for example, towels to be stiff off the line without softener, with sears they are literally like sandpaper. Even tumble dried in the dead of winter, they still have that harsh feeling after drying. Socks are the same way, jeans are exceptionally stiff. If I have to resort to using softener, then I am losing the point of buying an inexpensive detergent. Lastly, my Miele is set up for cold fill. I had a hell of a time getting that powder to dissolve in the drawer. I resorted to adding it to the drum, but occasionally it would clump and end up in the door seal. Not for me kids, but hey, each to their own!

Joel, the Sears detergent my mom used was a vastly different formula than what it is now.

Prior to the 1990's, it had phosphates. Then it contained NPE (nonylphenol ethoxylate), which would degrade to form nonylphenol, which was persistent and highly toxic to aquatic life. The EPA worked with detergent manufacturers to eliminate NPE from all laundry detergents several years ago. I'm not sure what Sears uses now but it sounds like it's performance isn't what it used to be.

I had the EXACT results that Joel H. has. E X A C T. I guess I do not want any Sears powder!! LOL

I've already convinced myself to stop buying detergent. I'm trying to do research to see if I can replace buying Cheer Powder for my darks with Persil 2-in-1 liquid that I already have. I want to get down to 3 detergents and 1 softener. Persil Pearls (Until EOL), Persil 2-in-1 Liquid and All F&C Oxi Liquid.

I still have a bucket (the orange one) of Sears Ultra Plus detergent. It's not bad; I've never had any problems with it. I bought two for $9.99 each a few years ago. Because it's powder, I only use it with hot water. I hate to see Sears go belly-up, and this detergent is one reason for that. :-(

Sears Canada filed for bankruptcy today. I am thinking with a list of 20 more US stores closing, the US part of the company will be close behind.

I'm sad to see that, Jody. But it's not unexpected. :-(

Joel H. - while I love my powder Sears detergent, I agree with you on both points and even stopped using it for darks a couple years ago. Might be the OBAs?

I've never used the Ultra Sears powder detergent on darks. I've mainly used it on sheets and whites. Never had a problem with it causing laundry to be stiff or scratchy. As someone said, various types of water cause different issues, so that could be why.

Doing the kids bedding this past week and I figured I'd use some of the Persil Pearls for the two boys flannel sheets for a change that I bought up before our local K-Mart closed.

The next day my 13 year old Son comes up to me and says he has a rash on his back and not sure why.

I think I have a clue...

Going back in the Washer to get rewashed with Sears Ultra Plus.

Jeff

I tried some version or other of Sears detergent several years ago. It seemed harsh, lots of washing soda (sodium carbonate). I didn't like it.

Dadoes,

I have heard quite a few people state that Ultra Plus is harsh but I find that it works great for my needs.

For several years we've use All Free and Clear liquid as my middle Son would break out in a rash if we used anything but. While the Free and Clear worked ok I felt it wasn't getting the clothes their cleanest.

I tried out Sears Ultra Plus on a whim and I was very surprised as it's cleaning ability to deep clean as well as remove odors. The added bonus, if one of the Family members accidentally overdosed there was no worry, it would rinse clear and not upset my Son.

It is also the least sudsing, cleanest rinsing detergents I've used.

Jeff

I dont have any raves about Sears Ultra Plus except that it does the job and it was dirt cheap compared to Persil Powder which I loved. On a budget this was the best option for me. I have about 7 or 8 giant boxes left, and then I will have to find something else to use.

Jeffrey Caban,

If you are willing to part with some of your Sears detergent, I am VERY interested in acquiring some. I have been using Sears detergent since college in 1982. My 2-year supply/stash ran out in July, which is when I discovered it was discontinued.

shieldagt,

I might be heading to that Sears that has/had all the stock of Ultra Plus soon.

We are you located?

I am in Massachusetts so if you are a distance away shipping might be cost prohibitive.

Jeff

I am in Alabama. I seem to have allergic reactions to all laundry detergents except Sears. Shipping is a cost that I will have to bear. If you can give me the info of the Sears store, I will be glad to contact them directly. I need to find some detergent before it is all gone, and, before I have scratched all of my skin off. Please email me at shieldagt@comcast.net and I will give you my telephone#. My name is Patrick. I have used the Sears detergent since 1983 while in college.

Thanks

I live in Georgia and I believe the Milledgeville Georgia hometown Sears has some left. May want to give them a call and see if you could order some there sheildagt.

If your lucky you may find a store with some old stock. It can no longer be ordered thru Sears.

Any luck on your search Patrick?

I sent you an e-mail if your quest becomes futile.

Jeffrey

Jeffrey,

I replied to your email.

Larisa,

Thanks for the assist. I called the Milledgeville, GA store, but they were out. All they had were the Wash&Go Pods. During my initial search, back in August, I would call the Sears Hometown Stores and ask for Sears detergent and they would answer in the affirmative. After driving 70 miles, one way, to a store only to discover that they did not have the Ultra Plus, I learned to be more specific with my inquiries.

Does anyone on this forum have any leads on other stores that might have some of the Sears Ultra Plus Detergent. So far I have found 2 locations with the Sears Ultra Plus liquid. Does anyone have any information on how the liquid performs relative to the powder. I would like to have some input on the liquid before I make a decision to purchase.

Thanks,

Patrick

Try Covington, Athens or Macon GA store. I know I’ve seen it recently at one just not sure which one lol Milledgeville had it last month.

Larisa,

Thanks for the additional suggestions. I am contacting them now.

If you do end up finding some there I’m in those cities a few times a week and could pick up for you. May be cheaper for me to ship them then them. Regional rate boxes can fit quit a bit in them and since your so close will be cheaper than flat rate :)

Larisa,

Macon was out. Could not find info for a Covington location. Athens Sears Dept. Store was out. Did not find a Sears Home Town store for Athens.

Have you tried the store in Conyers? Relatives say they buy it there. HTH

I’m currently in Conyers and will go by that store after I’m done with my rides for today :) crossing fingers we can find sheildagt some.

It would be great if they have it. Hopefully I can purchase by phone then drive over this weekend to pick up. Fingers crossed as well. Thanks Larisa.

Patick,

I was just writing an e-mail about this when I decided to check in her first.

Let me know if Conyers has stock and if not I just send you my address and we'll arrange to get a couple boxes of Ultra Plus to you and your Daughter.

Jeff

I haven’t made it to the store yet but if they do have it I’m still in town and could grab it if need be.

Sears Plus detergent is made by a company called Desoto Chemical Co, in Joliet IL. Maybe someone can contact them to see if the detergent will be offered elsewhere in the future. Maybe its available under a different label already.

With the extremely cold weather we have had in New England the last two weeks I have spent most of my free time inside close to the fireplace trying to keep warm.

One day, I had some business out of State so I stopped by a Hometown Sears store. There was no Ultra Plus on the shelves but I figured I'd ask anyway. After some searching between the owner and myself we found 8 boxes hidden behind some appliances.

Needless to say I purchased all of them. He also has some liquid Ultra Plus so I grabbed a jug of that as well.

Patrick (shieldagt) has first dibs on these.

Jeff

I've never tried the liquid, but the reviews I have seen aren't real favorable.

Thanks Jeff,

I definitely want them.

You Are The Best!!

Jody,

I've never tried the liquid version either. Anyone know if it has optical brighteners in it?

The container states it "protects colors" but who knows what that means.

Jeff

Jeff and Jody,

I tried the Sears Ultra Plus liquid version for one load of laundry. It appeared to get my clothes as clean and bright as the powder detergent. One of my challenges, with most detergents, is that I have an allergic reaction in the form of skin irritation. The Sears liquid was not as bad as most, but it still caused irritation. On a scale of 1-10, if most detergent would be a 9-10, then the Sears liquid would be a 4. The cleaning results were excellent. I hope this helps.

I did some digging and found out the warehouse where Desoto company was located was sold in March 2017. The property records state that Desoto company was no longer a tenant.

If Sears provided the majority of their business, they very well might have gone out of business entirely.

Got to test out the Liquid Ultra Plus the other day, seems to clean pretty well. For the Car guys out there it looks just like Meguiars Gold Class car wash soap, which in it's own right is a fantastic soap. :)

The only thing that I did notice is that it does seem to suds-up more than the Powder version.

Jeff

In reference to my January 18, 2018 post. I have discovered that the Sears liquid detergent does not cause me to have skin irritation. It performs as well as the powder.

Patrick,

Glad to hear the liquid is working out for you although I know you'll be all set on the Powder version for some time :)

Jeff