Thread Number: 3180
Mexican Detergent
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 81277   9/2/2005 at 07:16 (6,810 days old) by westyslantfront ()        

This is addressed to the Texas contingent: Venus, Austin, Bob Appnut, Glenn Dadoes.
Well, I went to supermarket here in Tucson and purchased a sampling of Mexican detergents:

Ariel, Foca, Roma, and Viva

I will try them out over the weekend. They do have nice aroma as I liked everything scented. Hard for me to ever think of using anything but Tide which I was raised on.

What brands of Mexican detergent do you like?





Post# 81298 , Reply# 1   9/2/2005 at 09:30 (6,810 days old) by westtexman (Lubbock, Texas)        
My Favorite Brands . . .

Howdy Ross!

I really like the Ariel, which is P&G Mexico's "top-of-the-line" product, just as here Tide is the TOL product. I have used each of the detergents you listed above, except for Viva. I believe that is more for delicates, which I don't have any of. I think you will really find that you get great results on your toughest stains with Ariel, but the others are great as well. Ariel, Foca, Roma and Ace (Ace is another P&G brand) have phosphates, as they have not been outlawed in Mexico.

Many people I know here tend to mix Ariel with Roma, or even Foca, in a 1:1 ratio, because Ariel is more expensive than the rest and the Roma makes a good filler. I have not tried that yet, but plan to. I also use Roma sometimees to wash dishes, if I am doing them by hand. I have a glass canister next to my sink filled with Roma, and use one scoop (1 TBSP) for a sink full of dishes. I really like the smell, and it helps cut the grease from pots and pans.

Hope this helps! Good luck with your new products!

Tex


Post# 81393 , Reply# 2   9/3/2005 at 00:50 (6,810 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
The grocery here has Roma, Foca, Viva (I think), and another Mexican variation of Tide (even with the bullseye packaging). I forget the name at the moment, but I mentioned it in another thread recently. Ohh, maybe it's Ace that Tex mentions above.

I've only tried/used Ariel. Picked up a big bag of Ariel OxyAzul a few months ago, still have some left. I really like it, but I have to be careful with dosage in my F&P. Even with my fairly hard water, I have to split the dose -- no more than 1 to 2 oz. (depending on load size and soil level) for the concentrated EcoActive wash phase, then add more for the deep wash. I get an *enormous* suds cake during the EcoActive phase if I use the full dose right away. LOL, and Austin says that Ariel is the lowest sudsing choice of Ariel, Roma, and Foca! I tried a mix of Gain and Ariel once, another BIG suds cake.


Post# 81415 , Reply# 3   9/3/2005 at 07:42 (6,809 days old) by westyslantfront ()        
Suds

Hi Glenn. I have to be careful with '59 Kenmore T/L. The inner and outer tubs have very little space between them and it is easy to get suds lock. Nate used Tide powder in the machine once and it took a good dose of fabric softener to get rid of suds. After wash cycle, machine spun out and when it stopped, there was a wall of suds. I will use very small doses of the Mexican detergent and even less with front loaders.

Post# 81450 , Reply# 4   9/3/2005 at 13:36 (6,809 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Ross, nope haven't tried any of them. Very leery about difficulty of rinsing out suds. Bob

Post# 81481 , Reply# 5   9/3/2005 at 19:23 (6,809 days old) by westyslantfront ()        
Mexican Detergent

Hi Bob. Nothing like a little fabric softener to kill excess suds.

Post# 81511 , Reply# 6   9/4/2005 at 08:30 (6,808 days old) by Mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        

mayken4now's profile picture
The Ariel. Received some from Venus a while back and really liked it. Also the Roma is good.

Have fun trying!

Steve


Post# 81521 , Reply# 7   9/4/2005 at 10:37 (6,808 days old) by Stainfighter (Columbia, SC)        
are any of them unscented?

stainfighter's profile picture
I like the performance of Ariel but not the scent. Do they make an unscented version of it, or of Roma, Foca???

Post# 81624 , Reply# 8   9/5/2005 at 07:31 (6,807 days old) by westyslantfront ()        
Ariel

Well, I opened the package of Ariel. Cleaned very nice without over sudsing my f/l westinghouse. The t/l Kenmore seemed to get oversudsed at first but when I added more clothes, suds went down. Scent ok with me as I like a nice scent on detergent and fabric softener.

Post# 81789 , Reply# 9   9/5/2005 at 21:44 (6,807 days old) by powerfin64 (Yakima, Washington)        
Mexican Detergent

powerfin64's profile picture
I use to work in a landromat in 94-96. We had a good clientel of mexicans. All I can say is that they ALL used Ariel OR Tide. I have never used Ariel, but I do remember it smelled good. I've been hearing about Ariel for sometime,and it cleans very well, but just never have tried it yet.
I've never heard of the other Mexican Detergents that were mentioned. Im a Tide man, & Im willing to try Ariel if everyone says its good. Is there anything about Ariel that isn't good?
Rich


Post# 81801 , Reply# 10   9/5/2005 at 22:23 (6,807 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
Noticed today that Wal-Mart also carries Roma and Foca. A mid-size bag of Foca is just $2.97! I almost bought one, but I don't think I could deal with the suds, if it's more sudsy than Ariel.

Post# 81814 , Reply# 11   9/6/2005 at 04:00 (6,807 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, Thereīs a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Focca is very sudsy according to those over on THS whom have tried it, however that adorable baby seal on the package does have "shelf appeal". One has to understand there are still many woman doing laundry by hand in Mexico, so sudsing is not much of a problem. Focca, Roma, and even Zote laundry soap are quite high sudsing, and thus wouldn't recommed any in a front loading washing machine. Now if you are heading down to your local creek, river or outdoors wash tub....

Launderess


Post# 81826 , Reply# 12   9/6/2005 at 09:28 (6,806 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Hi Ross,

I like Foca, Roma, and Ariel, as they seem to do a good job on clothes. Ariel OxiAzul (OxyBlue), which produces moderate suds, is by far the best and I can use it in my FL with no problems.

Foca and Roma, however, are EXTREMELY high-sudsing and I would recommend them for TL machines only...I know from experience! And even then, if your machine has a tendency to kick up a lot of suds (to the point where they're running out of the machine onto the floor) or has trouble with suds-lock, I would keep the fabric softener bottle handy!

Other than that, they're very good performers and leave the washer fresh-smelling in the end.

--Austin


Post# 81848 , Reply# 13   9/6/2005 at 14:24 (6,806 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
I like Viva the best. It is very strong and can be over-sudsy, but the scent is very mild. If you can still find Viva Total, grab it! Viva "con prelas activas" is just as good, but the Total version has a fantastic scent. 1-2-3 is by the same manufacturer (our good friends at Henkel), but 1-2-3 is way sudsy and doesn't quite clean the same. 1-2-3 is more of an all-purpose cleaner.

Another good one with I almost prefer over Viva is Lirio. Biological, nice fresh floral scent. Not too sudsy in the right dosage.

Ariel is very good, but I don't like the scent at all.

Foca is very good, but use in small doses in the front loader. The scent is kinda funky, but dilutes nicely in the washer.

Roma is all suds. ALL SUDS!!! I don't recommend it at all in a front loader and use it with reservation in a top.


Post# 81849 , Reply# 14   9/6/2005 at 14:26 (6,806 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
I like Viva the best. It is very strong and can be over-sudsy, but the scent is very mild. If you can still find Viva Total, grab it! Viva "con prelas activas" is just as good, but the Total version has a fantastic scent. 1-2-3 is by the same manufacturer (our good friends at Henkel), but 1-2-3 is way sudsy and doesn't quite clean the same. 1-2-3 is more of an all-purpose cleaner.

Another good one with I almost prefer over Viva is Lirio. Biological, nice fresh floral scent. Not too sudsy in the right dosage.

Ariel is very good, but I don't like the scent at all.

Foca is very good, but use in small doses in the front loader. The scent is kinda funky, but dilutes nicely in the washer.

Roma is all suds. ALL SUDS!!! I don't recommend it at all in a front loader and use it with reservation in a top.


Post# 81850 , Reply# 15   9/6/2005 at 14:34 (6,806 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
Sorry... Viva "con perlas activas" is the correct term for the latest version.

I only ever had trouble with sudslock when the load contains towels. Even on my Miele... Thank God for 4 rinses...

While shopping the detergent aisle at the Mexican groceries, be sure to check out all the fabric softeners. I am in awe of all the flavors that Suavitel comes in. Suavitel has a new one in a yellow-green chartreuse square bottle that is really nice -- in small doses. They are now claiming that with Suavitel in the first rinse, you don't need a second rinse because NEW AND IMPROVED SUAVITEL WILL KILL THE SUDS IN THE FIRST RINSE!!! Who'da thunk! It's Suavitel Sin (insert Spanish word for rinse, and it is not enclarado but the one that I just cannot pronounce no matter how many times my Mexican customers tell me. "Sin" means "without" in a Mexican dictionery. In an English dictionary, there is a picture of Toggle next to the entry for "sin").



Post# 82135 , Reply# 16   9/7/2005 at 21:27 (6,805 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)        

toggleswitch's profile picture
Peter, dear, you somehow keep forgetting to "LOL" when you say these things. The LOL takes the sting out.

BTW=> Sin means "missing the mark"...... I never miss my mark.



Post# 82145 , Reply# 17   9/7/2005 at 21:53 (6,805 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)        

toggleswitch's profile picture
LOL


and living well is the BEST revenge

joke them if the cant take a f......


Post# 82294 , Reply# 18   9/8/2005 at 16:42 (6,804 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
There was no "sting" in that post. I was just saying... (bats eyes innocently)

But just for you: LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!


Post# 82332 , Reply# 19   9/8/2005 at 20:43 (6,804 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)        

toggleswitch's profile picture
*SIGH* another satisfied customer.


Isn't it nice when we all just agree to be fabulous, and are light-hearted.

Who is better than you?



Post# 91320 , Reply# 20   10/30/2005 at 03:07 (6,753 days old) by norgeman ()        
oversudsing

something that you can use instead of fabric softner is use a cup of vinegar in the rinse water and this will take care of oversudsing and suds lock and doesn't leave the vinegar smell in the clothes and it costs less.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO norgeman's LINK


Post# 91473 , Reply# 21   10/30/2005 at 23:45 (6,752 days old) by ultramatic52 (Mexico City)        
Since Iīm mexican I guess I can say some things.

Hi everyone.

First of all Iīm really impressed that american people use mexican detergent. Here a lot of people use american detergents like Tide, Purex, Surf, Dreft, Gain, Arm & Hammer, Woolite, and so on. In my opinion, mexican detergents have better performance here than the americans because of the water. I donīt really know what water contains but when you tried using american detergents your whites will get gray or yellow. With Tide, youīll get this results faster. I have used american detergents in USA laundromats and got surprising results.

Here I use Ariel with OxyAzul, this is something like Oxyclean mixed with Ariel which cleans 100% better than Ariel alone.

Second, for those you who have had oversudsing experiences, there is a special type of Ariel which is called Baja Espuma (Low Suds). Itīs made specially for Front loaders. The bag is green but you should be aware, because Ariel has several tones of green so you should pick the one that says Baja Espuma (Low Suds). This one is wonderfull since you donīt need extra rinses to get rid of the suds. I use it in my Crolls (posted in the imperial forum with some pictures) and Whirlpool Washer and get excellent results everytime. You donīt have to worry about dosing. Just put the same amount as you will put of regular soap.

BTW, this kind of soap could be peoplesī headache. I know a lot of persons that says "when a soap doenīt make suds, itīs not good, or is not washing". You should be pshycologically prepared for not having suds at all unless you drop the hole bag on the washer. In front loaders youīll get a little suds in the first turns but after a while they will disappear.

In Mexico the best combination you can use is Ariel with any of the color available of Suavitel. This Fabric Softener has a special substance that eliminates any huge bed or trace of suds, eliminating the need of extra rinses. It works like magic. I think they also have very good smells just try all the colors since each has a different smell. The one used the most is the blue one, but I personally prefer the white one because it never stains the clothes and doesnīt turn blue the automatic fabric softener dispenesers in any of my washers which I hate to see stained.

Ariel also have some other presentations like Ariel con blanqueador (Sky blue bag with non clorine bleach), Ariel con Downy (Blue bag), Regular Ariel (Dark blue bag), Ariel brisa fresca or something like that (Fresh Breeze and its light green) and I think thats all. Everyone has OxyAzul.

The other detergents youīve mentioned are also good but Foca or Roma will make your clothes look old in a short time, here I just use them for white socks, underwear, cloths for cleaning the house. They do clean well but are very corrosive for clothes.

Viva is also an excellent option, it also have a Low Suds and non clorine bleach edition. Ace, I havenīt tryed but people say it cleans really good. It has a non clorine Bleach version as well.

And for delicates I use Woolite which gets excellent results for handwashables everytime.

If anybody has any further questions, I will be glad to research a little and answer it as best as possible.


Post# 91499 , Reply# 22   10/31/2005 at 06:03 (6,751 days old) by westyslantfront ()        

hi ultramatic...my favorite so far is Viva...has the nicest scent but it can oversuds my front loaders and even my kenmore top loader can get suds lock...but a little fabric softener takes care of that...i did not care for ariel....i have unopened bags of roma and foca and will be trying them next....
i am planning a tucson wash in for anyone who would like to come....march 31, 2006 to april 3, 2006....you would be welcome

ross


Post# 91610 , Reply# 23   10/31/2005 at 17:47 (6,751 days old) by angus (Fairfield, CT.)        

Ultramatic-= many members would love to try the low suds version of Ariel, but no one can find it here in the states. Even in many cities with Hispanic markets that carry the bagged detergents, the one thing they don't carry is the low suds Ariel. I believe the reason that Ariel and other Mexican detergents clean so well is that they contain phosphates, while the US Tide, Surf, Gain, etc... use Sodium Carbonate.

Post# 91735 , Reply# 24   11/1/2005 at 06:58 (6,750 days old) by westyslantfront ()        

hi angus....we have mexican detergents in supermarkets here in tucson, az....and if you go to a supermarket in mexican areas, you can also get mexican bleach and fabric softeners....we are doing a tucson wash in....texas style march 31, 2006 to april 3, 2006....i will have all the mexican stuff here.....you would be welcome if you are able to come out this way

Post# 91837 , Reply# 25   11/1/2005 at 19:14 (6,750 days old) by doityrselfguy ()        
Mexican Ariel

Hi ultramatic52:

A convenience store near me just stock-piled Ariel OxyAzul in the blue bag, in two sizes. I bought two of the $3 sizes, but they come in a larger package as well. The clean scent is unlike any I've smelled before! I haven't washed with it yet, and suspect that I'll need to be careful with my front-loader, or even limit it to use in my countertop models. The cashier even commented nostalgically while taking a sniff that it is a very well-liked detergent in Mexico (made me feel like this was an even greater find)!!! There is a picture of a soccer ball underneath the lettering, and the words "orgullosamente impecable". What does this mean?

Pete


Post# 91861 , Reply# 26   11/1/2005 at 21:06 (6,750 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
proudly impeccable

It knows it's outstanding, LOL.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO dadoes's LINK


Post# 91879 , Reply# 27   11/1/2005 at 22:24 (6,750 days old) by aamassther (Hendersonville, NC )        

aamassther's profile picture
What store did you buy the detergent in? I would love to purchase some. Thanks, Todd


Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy