I'm on my second box of Miele Ultra Color powder and really like it. It cleans very well and does not have any optical brighteners. It has a scent coming out of the box but it doesn't linger on clothes. I am sensitive to scent, and this one does not bother me.

Thank you. I have a Miele vacuum and didnt know they make laundry detergent! I typically use powdered detergent on towels and whites. Do you used the ultra color on that type of laundry too, or one of Miele's other detergents? Also, is this a low sudsing detergent?

Thanks so much porkchop_mxk3 z5b_MI ! Sorry for my ignorance, but what is the downside of optical brighteners?

My vacuum is about 13 years old. It has lasted a lot longer than the 2 hoovers and 1 panasonic I owned beforehand!

Optical brighteners can make blacks and dark colors appear "dusty."

^^ What dadoes said. It makes colors look faded. It's not just darks, though -- its any color, even light ones.

The effect is caused by the OBs attaching themselves to fabrics, making a coating of sorts that reflects UV light. OBs don't wash off -- once they're glommed on there, they're on there for good.

interesting information!