Glad to hear you're having good luck with it too. Curious though where you're at that you can't find Borax. Around here virtually all grocery stores of any size carry it, Target, Walmart and Kmart all carry it so there's no problems finding it here. I always keep a box of Borax around too.

You brought up a good point. Being patient and letting things soak. I get a little antsy and want to get the wash done so I don't soak things anywhere near often enough but fortunately I don't have too many problems that need it.

Just to clarify one thing, when you soaked the whites overnight in Cascade, I take it you didn't have any detergent in there with it? Just the Cascade first, then separate wash with the Tide WBA & bleach, right? Just curious. Guess I've always mixed the dishwashing detergent and laundry detergents. I might be canceling something out. Might actually be more effective to let each have their go at it. Again.... patience! LOL

I just purchased some 20 Mule Team at Wal Mart about 3 weeks ago. Do you think it might be a regional thing since you can't find it in your WM?

You are right about the Cascade, it's fabulous. Before I ordered my Persil detergent I used the Cascade with my detergent and it did a marvelous job of cleaning and deodarizing.

mara:
I am a chemist and as I recall, the dish detergents are not only strong, they contain a solid form of chlorine bleach. This will work and is fine for white clothes that can use bleach anyhow, but be aware that blue dyes are expecially vulnerable to chlorine bleaches. You should sort out blues and greens (blue + Yellow = green) when using Cascade soaks. I use a lot of Oxyclean for bad stains. It is safer for colors. I have a front loading Samsung washer and the only way to give a good soak is to use the sanitize cycle that uses extra-hot water and after most of the long cycle I guess you could just turn off the machine. I have to put the Oxyclean in the detergent dispenser set for solid forms of detergient.

brutuses, I'm guessing it must be a regional thing. I used to see 20 Mule Team borax at virtually every local grocery store, Walmart, Kmart, etc.

nerdyshopper, I appreciate the warning, but that was not my experience. One of DH's shirts was blue and one was green, but there wasn't any change in their color, though I soaked them for 2 whole days. Same was true for his blue pants.

I realized I might have been taking a risk, but it was either that or throw the clothes away. I've tried Oxyclean in such situations and haven't had much success at all.

The link below (same one I cited in the hydrogen peroxide thread) says "Sodium hypochlorite bleach is safe for most (70 to 80%) colored washable fabrics."

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.cleaning101.com/laundry/fact/fact_sheet3.cfm

After reading here about using Calgon for my laundry, I tried it on my whites. I have had problems getting my dishtowels really clean and white. My granddaughters use them for wiping up everything, including the floor. I tried Calgon in the laundry, let them soak overnight in hot water and lq detergent and they were clean and WHITE. Now I won't have to replace them every few months. IT REALLY WORKED!

caavonldy, did you mean Calgon or Cascade?

I'm sorry, Cascade.

So... I took the time to read the packages for % phosphates on the dishwasher detergents the other day... the tablets seem to have the highest concentration and the finish/electrosol tablets (regular not the grey/white/red'ball' ones) have the higest of all brands at the walmart and the grocery I was in...

I guess this begs the question of IF I was going to use the dishwasher soap in the washer... would the 'tablet' style soap disolve properly????

Hi Mara,

that is great that all the grease came out!!! wow!
Got a question for you - what is LCB? (I have some socks that need help!!!)

May

LCB = liquid chlorine bleach

I forgot to say -- I used the powder form of Cascade w/Dawn. I also forgot to say I soaked and washed the white clothes (all cotton) in hot water.

plumbly, I have not wanted to use dishwasher tablets in the washer for the very reason you mention even though I washed the whites in hot water -- though I do use the Finish/Electrosol tablets (the grey/white/red'ball' ones) in the dishwasher. Several local stores, including BJ's, our favorite warehouse store, often sell them BOGO (Buy One, Get One free). Which is a fantastic bargain.

Though my washer's hot water seems to get good and hot, the red ball is not needed in the washer and I'm not willing to risk any problem from it.

suburbanmd, thank you for that link! It has a lot of valuable information.

Thank you, May, for your kind words. I can't tell you how thrilled and relieved I was to see how clean the clothes came, and without any fading or discoloration! I hope your results are as effective if you choose to use Cascade as a detergent booster.

I had been using the baking soda and vinegar, but found Cascade to be much better! Thanks.

I haven't read all of this but, if any of you are soaking or washing in the Cascade gel with chlorine bleach. ..not a good idea. Chlorine takes about 5 minutes to do its job any farther contact time and its eating at the textiles..

Regardless Cascade is not a good choice except as an emergency last hope treatment. Automatic dishwasher detergent is extremely alkaline, way too alkaline for textiles. It has to be alkaline in order to deal with greasy/oily dishes.

Cascade packs/pods are loaded with enzymes. Dishwashing detergents DO contain dishwasher protection agents. I would NOT use the chlorine based detergents in your washer, I agree with Mama, they are too harsh. I do not think occasional use will hurt anything. The pods might be ok from time to time, but honestly, Biz or any decent enzymatic "booster" will work just the same and is designed with laundry in mind.