Thread Number: 40957
Aldi's Almat `Which?' no 1 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# 605900   6/24/2012 at 01:53 (4,316 days old) by nickuk (chelmsford UK)        

In the latest Which? detergent test (June 2012) Aldi's Almat bio powder was rated best laundry product. It beat Ariel and Persil which followed closely behind.

This follows their dishwasher tabs and manual washing up liquid scooping the same title. Aldi has also just been voted best supermarket.

I have used the dishwasher tabs and the washing up liquid against the major brands and I agree with Which - the Aldi products are better. When I first saw the detergent result I was surprised, but could it be that this powder is now superior? I have not tried it. Ariel `don't impress me that much', so perhaps it is possible?

Has anyone used this product, if so I would really appreciate their thoughts on it.

Thanks

Nick





Post# 605902 , Reply# 1   6/24/2012 at 02:34 (4,316 days old) by SeamusUK (Dover Kent UK)        
Wouldnt touch it...

seamusuk's profile picture
Hey Nick

I brought a box of the Colour version, used it on some dark T shirts and it left unremovable white marks on them . That was on the Denim and dark garments programme on the Miele which has higher than normal water levels as well.

Got a refund on the powder and could have put a claim in for the T shirts but as they were only cheap work ones didnt bother.....

Seamus


Post# 605904 , Reply# 2   6/24/2012 at 03:12 (4,316 days old) by nickuk (chelmsford UK)        

Hey Seamus

I guess that highlights one issue with Which? testing - they don't test all aspects of a powder and obviously didn't pick up on that. Having said that, the formula is said to have changed recently to include some sort of `actilift' equiv. Maybe the colour formulation is somehow different to the green bio one they tested.

Tha Magnum dishsoap, as another example, is indeed a more concentrated product than Fairy therefore is `better', lasts longer etc. However, the thickness of the product can actually be a pain in use, and the bottle is far more flimsy than Fairy. Minor points, but I just think the Which testing sometimes needs to have more of a `real life' context.

I might get a box of the bio powder just out of interest, and to feed back to the group. I want to go to Aldi anyway to get some other stuff. If it's hopeless I'll donate it to my school for tea towel washing. They are regular recipients of my detergent rejects!!



Post# 605906 , Reply# 3   6/24/2012 at 03:20 (4,316 days old) by hoovermatic (UK)        

Am on my second box of dishwasher tabs and have absolutely no complaints whatsoever - as far as my experience goes, it is as good as any of the premium brands and much better VFM. I have used the washing up liquid and was equally impressed with it. I rarely use premium brand washing up liquids nearly always choosing supermarket ones.

Post# 605923 , Reply# 4   6/24/2012 at 08:07 (4,315 days old) by spoodles (Cheshire, UK)        

It's on a par with Surf, or other supermarket brands but definitely not better than Ariel or Persil. I couldn't get through a whole box of it due to the lumps of powder left in the drawer every time. Which? tests seem harder to take seriously with each new set of results they publish, I mean Aldi - "best supermarket", really?!

Post# 605927 , Reply# 5   6/24/2012 at 08:19 (4,315 days old) by liberatordeluxe (UK)        

I don't like any washing powders as they are full of insoluble ingredients hence why they sometimes leave white marks. Fill a glass jar of water and take a teaspoon of powder detergent and just see how well it dissolves! All the insoluables fall to the bottom of the jar. I don't rate Which reports anymore as i don't believe they test products in real life situations.

Post# 605952 , Reply# 6   6/24/2012 at 10:34 (4,315 days old) by paulc (Edinburgh, Scotland)        

paulc's profile picture
Almat Bio with stain lifter has been around for a few months now. I got some but wasn't overly keen. It washed ok, didn't remove all stains and I felt it was a bit harsh on fabrics. Maybe it's just me and the fact that in the back of my mind cheap washing powder = poor product. I do wonder how Which? came to the conclusion that this powder is a best buy, I presume it's based on value for money as well as cleaning ability.

Having said that I have been using Magnum washing up liquid for ages and really like it, certainly better than other supermarkets own brand.

I do think Aldi is a great supermarket, I do the bulk of my shopping there. They have great deals on fresh fruit and veg but it does take a bit of time to suss what are the good products and which ones are rubbish.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO paulc's LINK


Post# 605959 , Reply# 7   6/24/2012 at 11:31 (4,315 days old) by dirtybuck (Springfield, MO)        

I wish Aldi's here in the US was a bit more advanced as what you guys have over there. Although I buy mainly food items, I have been down their soap aisle before and I think there's only one or two liquid detergents to "choose" from. They got rid of the powders ages ago.

I'm interested in trying the Reva (I think that's what the name is) dishwashing liquid and see if it's comparable or better than Dawn or Palmolive.


Post# 605960 , Reply# 8   6/24/2012 at 11:35 (4,315 days old) by optima (Cumbria England)        
Which?

optima's profile picture
Good on Aldi they deserve yet again another Which best product. Magnum dishwasher tabs & original washing up liquid are great especially the thickness of the liquid it reminds me of just like what Fairy liquid was like in the 80s & it last forever. The Almat colour & bio powders i find clean just fine on the correct temperatures, but just one annoying thing is that they don't flush that well out of the soap dispenser on cold fill only machines but on my hot & cold washer that is not a problem.

Post# 605962 , Reply# 9   6/24/2012 at 11:48 (4,315 days old) by hotpoint9506 ()        

Who actually makes Aldi's washing powder? I know Mcbride make some and Mcbride make good products generally don't they?

Post# 606234 , Reply# 10   6/25/2012 at 16:07 (4,314 days old) by northernmary (Huddersfield - West Yorkshire)        
aldi detergent info

northernmary's profile picture
Aldi washing powder is made by Thurn-Produkte GmbH & Co.KG (Germany) they also produce a list of products they manufacture, www.thurn-info.de/products/index....

Almat Washing Powder 2,85 kg

Anco soft Fabric Conditioner 1L

Magnum Allin1 Dishwasher Tablets 40x20g

Magnum Classic Dishwasher Tablets 50x18g

Magnum Dishwasher Tablets 7in1 40x20g

Magnum Rinse Aid 1L

Magnum Washing Up Liquid 1L

Powerforce Bathroom Cleaner 750 ml

Powerforce BBQ and UPVC Cleaner 750 ml

Powerforce Mould and Mildew Remover 1L

The aldi bio tablets are manufactured by dalli – Group (Germany)
www.dalli-group.com/dalligroupe/i...

Northernmary



Post# 606253 , Reply# 11   6/25/2012 at 18:18 (4,314 days old) by zanussi_lover (Nottingham, UK)        
Aldis Products

zanussi_lover's profile picture
Ive been very Impressed with their products, I love Aldis Original Washing Up liquid, and Magnum dishwasher tablets are excellent, everything comes out lovely and shiny, and £3.99 for 40 tablets is good, I shall have to buy some Almat Powder to try when I need to buy detergent again, as im currently using up the last of my Ariel and Daz tablets, I hope the scent of almat has changed, as I wasnt keen on the scent of the powder the last time I tried it.

Post# 606272 , Reply# 12   6/25/2012 at 19:40 (4,314 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Cannot Speak To Aldi's Products Per Se

launderess's profile picture
But Consumer Reports here and other sources have been touting supermarket brands as excellent in both quality and value for money for a few years now.

Time was when some store brands were most always bottom shelf in terms of performance and quality. That seems to have changed as major store chains have stepped up their game. Many have taken a page from Walmart and use their buying power to create products from the same makers as TOL brands but at less cost.

In these tough economic times this has not gone un-noticed by consumers and many are switching, much to the dismay of the market leaders such as P&G. That company has seen sales of it's TOL detergent, Tide fall as consumers seeking to stretch their budgets go for lower priced brands. Much to their surprise they are finding out the store/lower priced brands perform just as well as the TOL versions (yes, that includes Tide) and never switch back even when good times arrive. For the past year or more Tide liquid has been on sale at one shop or another in my area. Indeed if one shops carefully one need never pay full price.


Post# 606315 , Reply# 13   6/26/2012 at 00:19 (4,314 days old) by nickuk (chelmsford UK)        

Thank you NorthernMary.

I had a nose at the website. Interestingly, the bio powder has three enzymes (amylase, lipase and another I forgot) but no protease, which is unusual. Protease is the one enzyme all of them usually have - deals with blood and other nasties.

Perhaps there is an error in the ingredients list, but I would rather like to have protease in a bio product!

Nick


Post# 606335 , Reply# 14   6/26/2012 at 03:20 (4,314 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)        

mrboilwash's profile picture
Subtilisin equals Protease so the Bio version has 4 enzymes.

Post# 606338 , Reply# 15   6/26/2012 at 04:37 (4,314 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Quite Right.

launderess's profile picture
On many detergents MSDS listings you'll see "Subtilisin" listed even when the packet just says "enzymes".

Protease in basic lay terms is merely any enzyme that digests/breaks down protein.

My packets of vintage Biz laundry bleach/pre-soak contain subtilisin.


Post# 606346 , Reply# 16   6/26/2012 at 06:20 (4,314 days old) by lavamat_jon (UK)        

Hi Nick, hope all is well.

 

I bought some Almat, both bio and colour as they are on offer for £2.99 for 30 washes at the moment, and I have to say that results are excellent.  I was pleasantly surprised, especially as I had a bad experience with Formil a few years ago which put me off discounter's detergents.  I have to say I've noticed that unlike Formil, Almat does have more of an old fashioned powdery texture as well as a lighter, soapier fragrance - not as heavy as Ariel or even Persil.  Only complaint I do have is that during the wash instead of foaming it seems to leave a powdery residue on the door seal, but this is all rinsed away by the rinse cycles so not too much of an issue.

 

I don't like their dishwasher tablets, and have never tried their washing up liquid, but their toiletries are very good I have to say as well as their kitchen cleaner and other non-food items.  It's one of those cases where you have to try it for yourself, and at the prices they sell it isn't too much of a gamble.

 

Your mileage may vary, but so far it seems to have come up to my (admittedly high) standards!

 

Jon


Post# 606473 , Reply# 17   6/26/2012 at 15:45 (4,313 days old) by nickuk (chelmsford UK)        
Subtilisin is Protease

I did not know that! Thank you very much for clarifying, Launderess and Mr Boilwash (though obviously on a boilwash all these enzymes are `dead in the water' anyway lol).

Well, if it has 4 enzymes this instantly places it above most `mid market' powders (Surf, Bold etc) in the UK. Of course I understand this is not the only factor on which to judge a detergent.

Hi Jon - yeah I'm fine thanks. Hope you are keeping well. So the Almat has won you over! I know what a discerning client you are......TBH if you say this is better than Formil I'll take your word for it. If Formil is good enough for me, I guess this will be. .......(Changes topic)....Oi, Jon, what's wrong with the dishwasher tablets - bloody marvellous! Low sudsing, good bleaching of tea stains, dissolve well, great value, shifts the sh** from the shovel, what more does one get with a higher priced product?

I have never bought Aldi personal products but can imagine they would be good. We have a lot of `Cien' stuff from LIDL. Fooled my mother that it was the latest thing, like Molton Brown, when she said she liked our handwash ;-)

Ref the laundry powder - it certainly still seems true that in terms of detergent one person's trash is another person's gold - different situations, water conditions etc.......



Nick





Post# 606606 , Reply# 18   6/27/2012 at 06:22 (4,313 days old) by lavamat_jon (UK)        

Hi Nick (and others),

 

In terms of bleaching of tea stains - this is the issue I had with the box of Magnum tablets I bought.  Asides from that, it's not a bad product - certainly better than how I find Fairy dishwasher pouches, but I just prefer Finish - everything is always clean (tea stains included), and seems to "sparkle" a lot more - perhaps I've succumbed to their advertising.  However I do bulk buy Finish tablets to the extent where they end up costing not even 5p a wash (from what I gather), and pound shops sell boxes of 15 Finish tabs for £1, so often Finish to me seems to end up better value.

 

Then again I remember us discussing having foaming issues with Finish tablets.  I have to say I haven't noticed this problem lately, but then my dishwasher is pretty much silent, and I tend to put it on before I go to bed - so often not around to be able to monitor it through the cycle to make a reliable judgment.

 

I haven't used the W5 tablets in donkeys years, so wouldn't possibly be able to comment on them.

 

On a different subject, Abbots & Blossom I believe is the Aldi's name for personal products, I swear by their handwash, better than most of the brand names!  They also do their own version of Original Source shower gels for around 70p (which to me is actually kinder to skin, and smells better) as well as their own version of Dove soap/shower gels, their mouthwash is superb, their kitchen roll is also the only one I've used that can live up to Plenty's strongness - haven't tried any discounter's washing up liquid for years though as I tend to buy Fairy by default, although I do remember using the blue W5 (I believe it was anti bacterial) when I lived in London and it certainly wasn't a bad product.

 

Just to throw a spanner into the works, I've just got to the end of a 150 wash supply of Surf (I stocked up while Tesco and Sainsbury's were selling 50 wash boxes for a fiver), and have to say I haven't had one thing it hasn't been able to clean yet!  The disclaimer being that I do not wash for a household containing children or pets, but definitely has proved itself to me and taught me to never judge a book by it's cover!  Of course I am looking forward to changing to a different daily driver, but only out of sheer boredom with using the same product as most of us would understand lol!

 

Sorry if I've gone off on a tangent, but it is safe to say I'm having a longstanding love affair with discounters lol - whatever would Hyacinth say!!!

 

Take care,

 

Jon

 

P.S. Nick - tried sending you an email but it bounced; email me with your new address, I still have the same one :-)


Post# 606661 , Reply# 19   6/27/2012 at 11:27 (4,312 days old) by AquaCycle (West Yorkshire, UK)        

aquacycle's profile picture
I love love love Aldi! I do the majority of my shopping there. There fruit and veg is always fresh and there own-brand products are just as good, if not better, than a lot of well known brands.

I've had nothing but positive experience with Magnum dishwasher tablets and washing up liquid. Both do a great job and are excellent value for money.

I have only ever tried the Almat Colour tablets and I was fairly impressed, especially for the price. I'd say they were on a par with Bold and Surf, and certainly a darn sight better than any supermarket own brand I've tried. I may have to try a box of the colour and bio powder. Does anyone have any experience with their fabric softeners?


Post# 606677 , Reply# 20   6/27/2012 at 12:46 (4,312 days old) by rayjay (Carteret, New Jersey)        
ALDI - USA

We have Aldi's in New Jersey. I always wanted to visit.

I am wondering if they have the same detergents there?



Post# 606682 , Reply# 21   6/27/2012 at 13:31 (4,312 days old) by paulc (Edinburgh, Scotland)        
Chris,

paulc's profile picture
Nice to find another fan of Aldi! I like most of their fabric softners. A couple smell a bit "chemically" but on the whole the range smells nice and not too over powering. Not waxy like comfort and doesn't gunk up the dispenser. I haven't tried any since I got my dryer so I don't know how well the softners stand up in that department. I think I may give the powder another go, in hindsight I was probably over critical. I was speaking to my sister last night and she commented on how clean the Almat bio powder I had given her had got everything. Her partner is a tree surgeon and comes home filthy and she said Almat did a great job on his work clothes as well as the kids stuff.

Post# 606742 , Reply# 22   6/27/2012 at 18:28 (4,312 days old) by Westie2 ()        

Rayjay all we have at our Aldi is the Tandil and we are so so on it.  They don't have tabs or powder just liquid.  Their bleach is good and also everything else.  Canned goods are greaqt and so is their frozen foods.  My company does nearly all of Aldi USAs chicken products from the frozen to the redy to heat and eat fully cooked. 


Post# 606751 , Reply# 23   6/27/2012 at 19:18 (4,312 days old) by Logixx (Germany)        

logixx's profile picture
Same story here. Our consumer magazine said that Aldi's Alio powder outcleaned even the best tablets previously tested (referring to Somat 10). I bought it and am impressed: tea and coffee stains gone even on a 40C wash - something Somat powder couldn't do.

Alex


Post# 606876 , Reply# 24   6/28/2012 at 14:03 (4,311 days old) by zanussi_lover (Nottingham, UK)        
Aldi Fabric Softeners - Anco so soft

zanussi_lover's profile picture
I like the Naturals range, the Jojoba oil and the Macadamia oil ones smell amazing :) and bargain for 99p for 40 washes

I remember years ago when they used to do dilute conditioner, and I used to remember how silky and thick it was (like comfort)


Post# 606903 , Reply# 25   6/28/2012 at 16:10 (4,311 days old) by jmurray01 ()        

Wow, a store brand beating the big brands, I would never have thought it.

I agree that Aldi sells good quality products, but I hate going in there because the cashiers put your groceries through at such a speed it makes me dizzy then they rush you for a payment and practically throw the things into your trolly so you'll get out and they can serve another customer. I did try and exchange pleasantries with a cashier once, as it was a sunny day, but all I could say was "Lovely d-" before she butted in with "£28.63 please". Absolutely hate it.


Post# 606916 , Reply# 26   6/28/2012 at 17:16 (4,311 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        
Jamie

ronhic's profile picture
I never had an issue with either Aldi or Lidl in London. Certainly they were fast, but simply asking them to go 'a little slower' always seemed to work....and if you load their conveyor the same way you wish to pack your trolley, then all the better.

On another note, we do the vast majority of our shopping here in Aldi. However, their locally made detergents are rather foamy....they still clean brilliantly, but rinsing can be an issue.


Post# 606919 , Reply# 27   6/28/2012 at 17:25 (4,311 days old) by optima (Cumbria England)        
Aldi

optima's profile picture
That's why it's not like your Tesco or Asda with loads of staff. Aldi have a lot less staff which means that they have to work a lot harder & faster. Personally i love the speed at which you get through the checkout. That's why they can keep there prices so low without a compromise on quality.

Post# 606925 , Reply# 28   6/28/2012 at 17:39 (4,311 days old) by paulc (Edinburgh, Scotland)        

paulc's profile picture
The staff in my Aldi do work very hard long hours. I also like getting through the checkout quickly but still have time to exchange a few words. Mind you the staff know me quite well as I am in there practically every day.

Post# 606929 , Reply# 29   6/28/2012 at 17:59 (4,311 days old) by Westie2 ()        

Our store here staffing is only 8 people work hard and long hours.  Manager has very long hours.  But Aldi is good place to shop.


Post# 606930 , Reply# 30   6/28/2012 at 18:01 (4,311 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
If it's the same like here in the Netherlands the managers might not even get paid for all those hours. Overtime is mandatory for them, but they only get paid for the hours on their contract.

Post# 606949 , Reply# 31   6/28/2012 at 20:47 (4,311 days old) by Maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)        
Someone asked about U.S. Aldi's Reeva

hand dish liquid? I've used it at church, not at home. I would say that it's close to or equal to Dawn in how well it works.


The thing I dislike about Aldi is that here in the States, at least 1/3 of the products are rotated out every year, for a period of 1-4 years.


I don't shop at Aldi frequently, however I have been generally pleased by the products. Except the peanut butter, which I find inedible.


US Aldi is run by Aldi South (Southern Germany).


Lawrence/Maytagbear


Post# 606950 , Reply# 32   6/28/2012 at 20:49 (4,311 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Ditton In The United States

launderess's profile picture
Once one has moved over the management or even certain salaried positions, overtime is not given. In theory you are paid the same wages regardless if you work 40 hours or 80 hours within a week.

Right now you are hearing allot about workplace "balance". Employees are getting fed up with spending nearly 9-12 hours per day every day at the office, and or having to come in on weekends/not taking vacation or other off time.

When this economy improves you are going to see one huge mass wave of persons telling their employers to stuff it and seek greener pastures elsewhere. It has only been the bad economic climate that has made many keep their heads down or otherwise deal with the situation on the ground. When those threats die down, all bets are off.


Post# 607191 , Reply# 33   6/29/2012 at 20:29 (4,310 days old) by spookiness (Alexandria VA)        
Aldi US

I have used the Reeva hand dish detergent, and it seems to work fine.
The Reeva machine gel is not that good and left things too filmy.
I have not seen Reeva powder in quite a long time.
Have never tried their laundry detergent (Tandil) it is not that great of a deal price-wise, and they only have liquid.
I usually buy powder detergents at Family Dollar.
I used to have an Aldi on my way to and from a job, but its not on my path anymore.
I would say most of their things are good value, but I would not waste gas to go too far out of my way.


Post# 607417 , Reply# 34   7/1/2012 at 08:56 (4,308 days old) by electradeluxe (Blackpool, Lancs)        

i went shopping at Aldi this morning,Is it me or have the boxes got smaller?

I don't know whether to try the Almat Colour or just go back to Ariel,It seems to be taking forever to get rid of the Formil colour,and i really hate the fragrance!
What's the fragrance like with Almat Colour?


Post# 607455 , Reply# 35   7/1/2012 at 13:45 (4,308 days old) by zanussi_lover (Nottingham, UK)        
ALMAT Colour

zanussi_lover's profile picture
I've only used almat colour tablets and they smell a bit like persil colour powder =]

I like my Ariel Colour and Style Powder so I doubt I will change from that =]



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