It's an interesting observation. Can't really say I miss it. Mom always used Cheer powder and then moved to Tide liquid. I stayed with Tide liquid and now use an unscented brand. Someone familiar with marketing could probably explain the collapse in brands from the major companies. Sorta like the big three auto companies who had all the different model lines that were supposed to fill a certain niche like Oldsmobile, Plymouth, DeSoto and Edsel.

Agreed, @georgect! Everything is liquid and (expensive) pods, and most all have fragrances that are far too strong and smell like cheap perfume.

Cheap perfume is correct. They all smell nasty.

Agree about the fragrances. Awful. Reason I switched to unscented detergent. And yet, I saw a TV ad for some "fragrance beads" of some sort that are supposed to be added along with clothes (for the wash cycle) to keep clothes "smelling fresh". As if the detergent fragrance isn't enough. And if that is insufficient, clothes can be sprayed down with Febreze fabric spray to make them even fresher. Insane. And what about inhaling all these chemicals?

I wish I had a box of powder FAB w/lemon freshened borax!

elbits, I checked eBay as I was curious. The amount of vintage Fabs available there is staggering. Did not see the exact one you mentioned, but many others are there if you are willing to part with some cash.

Oydol was a great powder, and Dynamo the best original 1/4 cup liquid. Both had good scents too. @elbits I wish I had some lemon FAB too another fav!

@georgect: "There's nothing new but different (annoying) scents. There's no more innovation."

Neither of these statements is true. There are a number of scent-free detergents on the market including Persil Free and Sensitive, Seventh Generation Free & Clear, and Tide Free & Gentle. Henkel introduced All Free Clear in April 2022.

Detergent manufacturers have had to innovate if only to produce detergents that work well in HE washers which use far less water than older washers; see "Can You Use Regular Detergent In High-Efficiency Washers?". CR notes that " Detergent formulas today are highly concentrated. This helps to reduce the amount of plastic or cardboard needed to make the containers."

In addition, research on laundering and detergents is underway; look here.

I guess I should be more specific.

There are no NEW brands coming onto the market.

Detergents lines are dominated by only a few companies. These companies are not making new lines of detergents, just rebranding what's already out there.

I could be wrong but the America version of Persil was the last major brand line introduced by an established company (but Persil isn't even new, it's established in Europe).

I don't have an issue with scented detergents, but I don't like the heavy perfume scent they all seem to be coming out with. The only classic clean scent I like is A&H Oxi Fresh Scent.

@georgect: "These companies are not making new lines of detergents, just rebranding what's already out there."

Nope. If they were "rebranding what's already out there", they'd be taking an existing product and slapping a new label on it. Established manufacturers may not be adding brands but they are certainly developing new products. They're called "brand extensions". I provided a link to a new All-brand product above. P&G offers 34 different liquid detergents under its Tide brand alone.

"I could be wrong but the America version of Persil was the last major brand line introduced by an established company"

What is a "brand line"? It doesn't matter. A new brand isn't needed to offer new products. There are dozens of detergent manufacturers you've never heard of, some of which could become major players. Seventh Generation offered its first laundry detergent in 1994 and its products are now in Target and Walmart.

"I don't like the heavy perfume scent they all seem to be coming out with."

Obviously they aren't all coming out with heavy perfume as Persil, Seventh Generation, Tide and All brands are all available unscented.

"...all have fragrances that are far too strong and smell like cheap perfume."

No, you're wrong --> cheap perfume smells better.