Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Yeah, I know I'm a bit odd to get so excited about a detergent, but this stuff cleans so well it's kind of magical--I need Spic-and-Span the way some people need chocolate, or cigarettes, or ... (I'm not gonna say sex; I'd give up Spic-and-Span before sex). But I do get happy when I just *think* about that beautiful, orange box. But let me dispel some myths. Myth 1: Spic-and-Span isn't being manufactured. Not so; see below for why it's harder to find now. Myth 2: Spic-and-Span does not contain phosphates. Here, from the Web site, is the ingredient list: Sodium Sulfate: Viscosity Increasing Agent - Aqueous Sodium Carbonate: pH Adjuster Sodium Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate: Wetting Agent Silicate: Thickener Sodium Polyacrylate: Surfactant - Cleaning Agent Green 7: Colorant Fragrance Sodium sulfate is a filler and a thickener. It's more or less inert. Sodium carbonate, also known as "washing soda," becomes basic (or alkaline) when dissolved in water and primarily is used to soften water--in other words, to make water better at dissolving things. (Because soap and detergent's role in cleaning is to act as a connector or "hook" so that water molecules can attach to oil/fat/wax molecules. That's why you need water to wash things--the soap or detergent won't clean on its own.) Sodium Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate is called a "wetting agent" by the manufacturer of Spic-and-Span but that's not very helpful. It's an anionic surfactant, a detergent. They call it a "wetting" agent because of its ability to connect the water molecules and the grease molecules in dirt--it enables the water to "wet" the dirt, and dissolve it. Finally, sodium polyacrylate is a super-absorbent polymer that dissoves readily, softens water, and thickens it. You know that stuff in diapers that forms a gel when it gets wet? That's sodium polyacrylate, also known as "waterlock." There are no phosphates in this detergent. One. And two, this detergent does not contain TSP. That's not to say it's non-toxic; sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate is quite toxic to fish. But it breaks down fairly readily. The reason Spic-and-Span has become so hard to find is that Procter and Gamble, which used to manufacture it, sold the brand off in the eighties/nineties as part of its action to narrow down its product line. P&G stopped making Ivory Snow, and Comet, and Biz, and a whole host of other soaps and detergents as a way of focusing on a smaller number of core brands. Spic-and-Span, therefore, was sold to the Prestige Brands Company, which now owns it as well as Comet, Chore Boy, and Cinch spray cleaner. Since corporations bribe stores for shelf space, Spic-and-Span is not as well "placed" in stores as it used to be because it doesn't have the marketing muscle of P&G. That's partly why you have to hunt it out. It's NOT because of the "phospates" in Spic-and-Span--again, it doesn't contain TSP or any other phosphates. If you visit the Prestige Brands Web site at[...] you will discover that (1) they're definitely still making Spic-and-Span and (2) they all but confess that they're having trouble getting the product into stores: "If you don't have a local store that sells our products, please click Contact Us, and ask your store manager to stock our products. They do listen to these requests." See? One last point: There is a trend towards buying liquid detergents rather than powdered. I even read some business analytics that made an interesting point--that liquid detergents are seen as middle class, while powdered detergents are seen as working class. It seems silly to me, honestly, because powdered detergents are often stronger, more concentrated, lighter, and don't require wasteful plastic packaging. I buy Tide powder in a box. It's lighter and easier to carry than Tide liquid. It cleans better than Tide liquid. And when I'm done with it, there's a biodegradable, cardboard box that can dissolve in a landfill, not remain inert and intact for millions of years. All this is to say: Spic-and-Span Liquid is NOT the same, at all, as Spic-and-Span powder! I hope I've totally infected you with my passion for Spic-and-Span. Maybe that beautiful shade of orange that is on the box will act as an antidepressant for you the same way it does for me.