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April 14, 2009 in City
Wash. state to smugglers: Stop bootlegging soap
Hoping to stem the smuggling of banned phosphate-laden detergents into Spokane County, the state Department of Ecology is highlighting the benefits of eco-friendly brands.
High-phosphate detergents have been banned in the county for 10 months, and the ban will extend to the rest of the state next year. But people dissatisfied with the performance of the available suds have been driving to Idaho and elsewhere to buy the old stuff.
“We hear you,” Ecology Director Jay Manning said Tuesday.
The agency acknowledged that some people may be getting poor performance from phosphate-free detergents because Spokane water is very hard, thanks to lots of minerals that cause it to be resistant to soap. Residents were urged to make a little extra effort to benefit the environment.
“While manufacturers are working to increase the quality and effectiveness of phosphate-free detergents on the market, we want to thank those Spokane-area residents who are complying with the new law and going the extra mile to protect the Spokane River from algae blooms and fish kills,” Manning said.
Jeffrey Hollender, president of detergent maker Seventh Heaven Inc., said the notion that eco-friendly products don’t work well is wrong.
“We’ve sold million and millions and millions of packages of dish detergent,” Hollender said. “You could find one person in 100 or a couple in a 1,000 who are not happy, sure. But the success of the product would not exist if most people weren’t very happy.”
Seventh Heaven products work as well as high-phosphate detergents, without any special effort, Hollender said. But not all phosphate-free brands work as well, he said.
The Ecology Department said the reduction in phosphate use is already paying off.
“The city of Spokane is already seeing signs of improvement in the amount of phosphorus that comes into the city’s wastewater treatment plant,” said Jim Bellatty who manages Ecology’s water quality office in Spokane.
The agency suggested that local residents check consumer publications to find the best phosphate-free soap to use.
It also suggests choosing a brand that contains some form of salt to help soften the water and allow the soap to grab grease and food particles.
Some manufacturers recommend using a rinse aid to help soften the water and reduce spotting. Distilled white vinegar also can do that, the agency said.
The department says one pound of phosphorus in the river can grow 700 pounds of algae. When those plants decompose, they use up the oxygen in the water, which kills fish.
“The easiest way to remove phosphorus from the wastewater is to not put it in to begin with,” Bellatty said. “Getting phosphorus out of the Spokane River and Lake Spokane is a major community issue, and it’s up to us all to help.”
© Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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cathykitcat33 on April 14 at 2:05 p.m.
I was one of those who smuggled the soap from Idaho a couple times until it got to be inconvenient and so I tried something on a hunch and it worked! Use less eco-friendly soap. Instead of fillng both of the soap spots in the dishwasher try only filling the one with the closure. My dishes now come out looking great! I will no longer head to Idaho as there is no need.
polistra on April 14 at 2:46 p.m.
Seems like a good time for a little Consumer-Reports-style
investigative reporting, eh? Try the various brands, try the
suggestion above, see which works?
Jacks_Mama on April 14 at 6:08 p.m.
I still don’t like this stuff - Within a 30 mile radius of my home there are currently only 3 brands of detergent available. I’ve tried them all. I’ve tried using less in each wash. I’ve tried using more. I’ve turned my water heater temp down, and up again. I’ve tried using Jet-Dry with my loads. I’ve RUINED $150 worth of glassware, utensils, and glass pots using this crap. I’ve literally taken steel wool to my glassware and the film won’t come off. What now?
mj on April 14 at 7:06 p.m.
I agree with Jacks Mama this soap Is worthless crap and I think we should put it to a vote. One day we had cascade and overnight we were spending more for a filmy mess! I never asked for it and can`t afford baying crap…. That don`t work ……. it clogs my dishwasher. we did not buy it so we`d have to hand wash…….stop making plastic and use glass if you wont to be Eco friendly products save money by spending money we all need to stop looking for the easy way out……….Hello.!!!!!!!!!!!
SPOKANITE on April 15 at 12:28 a.m.
I’ve found the soap works just as well as any of the phosphate products, and my family uses it in an 10 year old bottom of the line dishwasher. You’ll either pay for it up front or in your sewer treatment fees. Personally I’d prefer a healthier river. No complaints here.
tbrattebo on April 15 at 8:12 a.m.
Cascade is back! Can Electrasol be far behind? The commissary at Fairchild AFB is carrying that old familar green Cascade bottle. Only the fine print says “phosphate free.” Tried in a couple of different places in Spokane area, it works well. I’ve not seen it in other stores, so maybe you should make a request at your store: Bring back Cascade.
zombiemaven on April 20 at 12:04 p.m.
The soap works just fine as long as you rinse your dishes after eating and use a rinse agent in the dishwasher. My husband was complaining quite a bit in the beginning about the quality of the soap and wanted to bring in regular old Cascade. I told him to quit being lazy, quit crying like a little girl and rinse his dishes. Now, he sees that the phosphate free works great if you just take a little effort. I no longer hear complaining and my dishes are clean!