Have washing powder manufacturers been lying all these years?

[UKSBD]

For as long as I can remember washing powder manufacturers have been holding up a shirt with a dirty mark on it and saying old powders don't remove this stain "new latestbrand of same manufacturer" does.

Then a year later they run the same ad with a "new latest brand"

So in theory they are saying "last years new brand" which they said "removed all stains" didn't.

How have they got away with this for the past 30 years?

I might put a box away for a couple of years, then take it back and complain, as by then they will be saying it doesn't work

 

[GreatSEO]

It just so happens that Vanish was on Panorama last night with exactly that argument lol

Dave

 

[crossdaz]

For as long as I can remember washing powder manufacturers have been holding up a shirt with a dirty mark on it and saying old powders don't remove this stain "new latestbrand of same manufacturer" does.

Then a year later they run the same ad with a "new latest brand"

So in theory they are saying "last years new brand" which they said "removed all stains" didn't.

How have they got away with this for the past 30 years?

I might put a box away for a couple of years, then take it back and complain, as by then they will be saying it doesn't work

Well you don't here of detergent manufacturer's going bust do you - a good racket to be in?

 

[UKSBD]

It just so happens that Vanish was on Panorama last night with exactly that argument lol

Dave

On the tv?
have you got a link to that?

 

[Kernowman]

Available on iPlayer

http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/default.stm

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Ah,but it is "new and improved",so it's a "new" product to cope with dirty shirts.

 

[akirk]

lying surely just marketing spin?

one interesting thing about washing powders is that they use OBAs (Optical Brightner Additives) which reflect light - making the item appear whiter - it is in effect not making it whiter, just coating it...

these are the same OBAs you get in white paper to make it white - but OBAs are not archivally stable and chnage to a yellow colour over time and exposure under UV - meaning that your prints get a yellow tinge... - archival paperas will usually exclude them

useless information of the day

Alasdair

 

[Astaroth]

Not sure any have said that they can get ALL stains out (which is the important part).

Each say they are better than the rest but don;t say everything. Ok, we get into the case of ever diminishing returns as each itteration claims to get X% of the stains that the others didn't but at no point do you actually hit 100%

 

[UKSBD]

Not sure any have said that they can get ALL stains out (which is the important part).

The shirts they hang up always look pretty spotless

Mind you, the version they are comparing against got it pretty spotless a couple of years ago too.

And the one they compared that against got it pretty spotless too.

And the one they compared that against got it pretty spotless too.

etc. etc.

I wonder if they are always comparing with a version from the 60's

 

[UKSBD]

Available on iPlayer

http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/default.stm

Which show? the latest was about scientology by the look of it.

 

[Astaroth]

The shirts they hang up always look pretty spotless

Mind you, the version they are comparing against got it pretty spotless a couple of years ago too.

And the one they compared that against got it pretty spotless too.

And the one they compared that against got it pretty spotless too.

etc. etc.

I wonder if they are always comparing with a version from the 60's

Yup, but unsurprisingly the stained shirt never will have stains on it that the new powder is unable to get out.

 

[Beachcomber]

Reminds me of razor adverts.

Apparently shaves have been getting closer for 30 years - if that were tha case they'd strip you to the bone by now!

 

[mit74]

No mention in any advert that skin compaints have risen drastically in 30 years though. As long as your shirt is perfectly white who cares eh?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1984188.stm

 

[Searcher]

I've heard this type of story before but for electrical equipment. Manufacturers develop, say three substantial inprovements but only fit one or two to the equipment. Then 18mths later they'll add the third and some other improvements they've come up with.

 

Does anyone wear white shirts still.?

Earl

 

[Deleted member 59730]

And the washing up liquid is tested against an industry agreed formula for standard dirty water. There is also a standard clean water from high lime water areas for comparison.

 

[VeraJ]

Hi UKSBD

Can I ask you why you are bothered about it?

For as long as I can remember washing powder manufacturers have been holding up a shirt with a dirty mark on it and saying old powders don't remove this stain "new latestbrand of same manufacturer" does.

Then a year later they run the same ad with a "new latest brand"

So in theory they are saying "last years new brand" which they said "removed all stains" didn't.

How have they got away with this for the past 30 years?

I might put a box away for a couple of years, then take it back and complain, as by then they will be saying it doesn't work

 

[UKSBD]

Hi UKSBD

Can I ask you why you are bothered about it?

The Joys of working from home and daytime television
Get to see these ads whilst supposed to be working.

 

[VeraJ]

Thanks for the reply UKSBD.

Is work a bit slow then? I could never concentrate with the TV on. Always have to go in the spare room when I have any work to do. Oh and daytime TV, I don't know how you can stand it. I'd rather look at a blank screen!!

The Joys of working from home and daytime television
Get to see these ads whilst supposed to be working.

 

[PBDPConsulting]

This type of advertising is just puff and snake oil, no one actually believes it. Its aim is to get brand recognition so that when you go into the store you pick the packet on the shelf you are most familiar with. Its another type of washing, brain washing.

Actually, soap powder/liquid is different these days and does get 'better' results. By 'better' I don't mean better in terms of whiteness (I watched the Magnificent Seven a yesterday and the Mexican peasants were getting whiter than white results by bashing their shirts on a rock in the river, so no advance in whiteness from then) but in terms of:

1) Energy used - you can get the same white results at lower temperatures for less electricity.

2) Pollutants - I have no facts here, but I would bet that environmental regulations have tightened up on what goes down the drain. In any case I haven't seen soap suds in our local river since I was a child; shame, they were quite pretty.

3) Irritants - my hands are soft, so my wife says. And we don't use Fairy Snow.

4) Colour fading - my blue jeans stay resolutely blue, unfortunately.

5) We get a better range of adverts - we've moved from 'Would you swap your packet of Daz for my packets of MudO'Clean?' to some sharp ones with real soap stars.

PBDPConsulting