Why do you need washing powder?

Few people have likely given much thought to the purpose of laundry detergent. People are accustomed to the fact that it's indispensable when washing clothes. Housewives understand that it fights stains, whitens clothes, and imparts a pleasant scent, so they buy it regularly and in large quantities.

Is it possible to do without laundry detergent? What are the ingredients? How do you choose high-quality household cleaning products? Which brands are best to focus on? Let's delve into the nuances.

What kind of chemical is this and what is its composition?

Generally speaking, washing powder is designed to remove stains from clothes, eliminate unpleasant odors and maintain the color of items. The composition can be completely different, it depends on the manufacturer and the formula they use. There are eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, bleaching, or, on the contrary, brightening products available for sale.

Powders are usually divided into:

• by type of use (for hand or machine washing);
• by the type of laundry for which they are intended (colored, white, dark).

Powders may contain:

• surfactants;
• enzymes;
• whitening components;
• fragrances;
• enzymes;
• phosphates;
• binding particles, etc.

In addition to washing powders, capsules, gels, and tablets are used for clothing care. The choice of detergent depends on the individual customer's preferences. High-quality formulations are gentle on fabric fibers, allowing items to retain their original appearance and properties for a long time.

Powders for everything

Each product has its own composition. There are several main types of laundry detergents. The most popular remain universal products, which can be used to care for various types of fabrics, both in machine and hand washing.

All-purpose washing powders tackle a variety of stains while preserving the fabric's structure and preventing fading.

Universal powders are relatively inexpensive and require little consumption. The granules work at temperatures ranging from 30 to 95 degrees Celsius. Popular options include:

• Dosia;
• Ariel;
• Myth;
• Persil;
• Tide.

Many housewives also use all-purpose detergents for cleaning floors and furniture, diluting the granules in water. However, despite the obvious advantages—low cost, versatility, and the ability to wash a variety of fabrics—these powders also have drawbacks. Firstly, they can cause allergies due to the presence of fairly aggressive ingredients. Secondly, due to their medium concentration, they don't always remove old, ingrained stains.

Popular tools for vending machines

For washing in automatic machines, it's best to use special powders. They're a bit more expensive than all-purpose detergents, but they're also quite economical. These products have a more concentrated formula, so they help remove different types of stains and preserve the structure of fabric fibers. We'll tell you which brands' products are particularly popular.

• Sarma Activ. An affordable product that tackles stains of any intensity. It has an antibacterial effect and gently cleans fabrics while preserving the fiber structure. Suitable for both white and colored items. This washing powder is available in various sizes and requires a standard amount of detergent. One drawback is the presence of fragrances, which can cause allergies. It is not recommended for washing children's clothing.
• Ariel Automat. A favorite of millions, it's one of the most popular detergents on the market. It handles any type of stain effectively, effortlessly removing stains from makeup, wine, grass, chocolate, and more. The granules dissolve quickly even in cold water, ensuring effective cleaning. It's quite economical to use. It's available in both small 400-gram packages and multi-kilogram bags. Its drawbacks include its higher cost compared to some other automatic laundry detergents.
• Bimax 100 stains. Contains multiple active ingredients that get to work immediately, quickly removing any type of stain. It's gentle on fabrics and leaves no stains or streaks. The granules dissolve completely even in cold water, making it ideal for low-temperature, short-cycle washing cycles. It's best not to use on children's clothing.
• FroschColor. A laundry detergent for everyday use. It's not strong enough to tackle old and stubborn stains, but it removes fresh stains from clothing without a problem. It's ideal for a variety of fabrics, from cotton and synthetics to delicate wool. It leaves no streaks and washes out completely from the fibers. This hypoallergenic detergent contains no harsh ingredients, fragrances, or perfumes. It's also suitable for washing children's clothes.

When using washing powders for automatic washing, it is important to strictly adhere to the dosage recommended by the manufacturer.

If you add too little detergent to your washing machine, you won't achieve the desired washing results. Conversely, if you add too much granules, the washing machine will produce excessive foam, which can lead to equipment failure. Excess detergent will also remain in the fabric fibers, resulting in white streaks and stains on your clothes.

For hand washing of garments only

What's the difference between detergents designed specifically for hand washing? They have a more gentle formula, as the granules are in constant contact with human skin. These products are effective against fresh stains, but for older, more ingrained stains, pre-soaking is recommended. We'll tell you which household chemicals in this category are worth considering.

• Myth 2 in 1. One of the most popular detergents in Russia. It's inexpensive and economical to use. Suitable for washing in cool water. The granules dissolve quickly and immediately penetrate the fibers of the fabric, removing stains. The product is gentle on fabrics, prevents fading, and leaves no streaks on clothing. It contains active ingredients that prevent dry skin. Myth 2 in 1 is suitable for all types of laundry, including bedding and underwear.
• Persil ExpertScanSystem. This laundry detergent is developed with an innovative formula that removes any stain in both hot and cold water. Persil preserves fabric colors and prevents stains. It doesn't cause redness or dryness on your hands. It's suitable for whites, bright colors, and dark colors. After washing, the laundry is left with a light, unobtrusive scent.
• Pemos Avtoritet is another budget-friendly hand washing powder. It effectively removes fresh stains, preserves the structure of fabric fibers, and prevents fading. It doesn't leave streaks on clothes. It's recommended for pre-soaking laundry before loading it into the washing machine. It's fragrance-free. A significant drawback is the slow dissolution of the granules, requiring multiple rinses.
• Tide 2-in-1 LenorTouch. This is probably the best-selling detergent. It contains powerful ingredients with exceptional cleaning power. Its innovative formula removes even the toughest stains. It works equally well in both cold and hot water. Suitable for pre-soaking. It is fragrance-free. One downside is that it is more expensive than similar products.
• Aistenok. Hand washing powder with a hypoallergenic formula. Suitable for both everyday clothing and delicate fabrics. It doesn't damage the structure of fabric fibers and effectively removes fresh stains. The granules dissolve quickly, making them easy to remove from laundry, eliminating the need for an additional rinse. Due to its low concentration, it won't remove old, set-in stains. Therefore, Aistenok is ideal for refreshing lightly soiled items.

Despite the gentler composition of hand washing powders, experts recommend using rubber gloves during the procedure.

If you have sensitive skin on your hands, using protective gloves is a must. The recommended dosage of washing powder is indicated on the packaging.The consumption of the product will depend on the number of items and the degree of their contamination.

Baby powder

If you have small children, it's best to buy a special hypoallergenic detergent. It should be free of phosphates, optical brighteners, and chlorine. Ideally, it should be free of surfactants and fragrances. There's a wide selection of such products available today. Be sure to read the packaging when purchasing.

• Garden Eco Kids. Suitable for both white and colored items, machine and hand wash. This detergent has an antibacterial and antistatic effect and helps eliminate unpleasant odors. Contains active oxygen, soda, and enzymes. It does not contain harmful or aggressive components (phosphates, chlorine, petroleum products, silicates, fragrances, or other toxic substances). This plant-based product gently cleans and refreshes children's clothes of all types. It does not cause allergies or irritation. It is completely biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
• Mepsi is a natural soap-based baby detergent. This powder can be used in both machine and hand washing machines. It's suitable for light-colored and light-colored items. It's specially designed for the care of small children and those with sensitive skin. It quickly and effectively removes even the most stubborn stains, doesn't damage the fiber structure, and prevents limescale buildup in washing machines. This product is eco-certified, making it completely safe.
• Neutrale. Hypoallergenic detergent for sensitive skin, fragrance-free and phosphate-free. Safe for all washing methods. Gently cleans fabric fibers, removing even the most stubborn stains. Suitable for cotton, wool, cashmere, knitwear, microfiber, and other materials. Rinses completely without causing irritation. Contains no phosphates, chlorine, zeolites, or fragrances. The manufacturer claims a pH of 10. The granules are safe for use in stand-alone sewer systems.

These powders are safe and suitable for daily use. They can be used to wash clothes for newborns and older children. The formulas are hypoallergenic and free of fragrances, dyes, and other harsh ingredients.

Tips for choosing a quality powder

To ensure maximum washing efficiency, it is important to choose a high-quality powder. When purchasing, be sure to study the composition of the product - look at what active ingredients are declared by the manufacturer. It's also a good idea to read reviews of each specific product. What else is important when choosing household chemicals?

• It's best to have several types of detergents on hand. For light-colored items, use granules with bleaching particles, while for brightly colored clothes, use a color-blocking detergent. You can also purchase a separate product specifically designed to combat any stains.
• Always read the packaging. It's best to choose hypoallergenic products labeled "ECO." Product certification information should also be included on the packaging—this will help you avoid counterfeits.
• Check the ingredients. It's best if your laundry detergent doesn't contain harsh ingredients like phosphates, chlorine, or fragrances. These can trigger allergic reactions. Manufacturers of eco-friendly, natural products put special labels on the packaging. However, sometimes these labels are just a marketing ploy, so it's best to read the ingredients yourself.
• It's best to choose reputable manufacturers. Buying laundry detergents from unknown manufacturers is not recommended. They can not only cause allergic reactions in your family but also ruin your clothes.

Choose your detergent responsibly, as it will impact not only the washing results and condition of your clothes, but also the health of your family members.

It's best not to skimp on laundry detergent. High-quality, hypoallergenic products aren't cheap. Household chemicals with a good formula are always more expensive than all-purpose ones, but they also perform better.

Particular care should be taken when choosing baby powder. It should not contain phosphates, phosphonates, fragrances, or chlorine-containing substances. It's better to buy a more expensive product that meets all quality standards.

   

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