What is the difference between automatic washing powder and hand washing powder?
If you accidentally mixed up the detergent, didn't look carefully at the packaging, and instead of automatic washing powder, you put hand washing detergent in your washing machine, nothing bad will happen in a single use. Most likely, nothing will happen to the machine.
But don't get carried away and repeat the experiment. The large amount of foam that inevitably results from using hand washing powder tricks the automatic washing machine. It incorrectly detects the water level. As a result, the heating element, instead of being submerged in water, ends up in the foam, which may require replacement of the heating element, motor, or electronic control unit.
In short, the most expensive parts of the washing machine will have to be repaired. It's also worth considering that technicians often refuse to replace bearings or the drum at home, so the washing machine often has to be sent to a service center. This inevitably entails additional transportation costs.
Therefore, if you made a mistake and bought a powder for hand washing (it is actually also suitable for activator-type machines), or the nearest store does not have a detergent intended for automatic machines, it is still better to wash dirty laundry by hand (no matter how much you want to avoid this).
The difference between automatic washing powder and hand washing powder
1. Foam
Powder intended for hand washing contains special substances that increase foaming. On the contrary, automatic washing powder contains agents that stabilize the foam and prevent it from exceeding the maximum permissible limit.
Thus, manufacturers have ensured that foam does not leak out of the washing machine door and powder compartments, does not clog the hose, and does not end up in the electric motor.
2. Washing machine/hand care products
Furthermore, almost all automatic washing powders contain special substances that soften water hardness and prevent scale buildup. Hard water negatively impacts the machine because it contains increased levels of salts, especially calcium and magnesium. Scale is a sign of this presence.
It is especially dangerous for the heating element, the metal of which, covered with scale, quickly overheats and softens, as a result of which heat transfer decreases, the need for electricity increases, and powder consumption increases.
In addition, automatic washing powders are also useful because they do not contain various solvents and chlorine, which can damage the rubber parts of the washing machine.
At the same time, hand washing powder contains special ingredients that care for the skin of your hands (sometimes they contain soap).
3. Dissolution rate
Automatic washing powder is more concentrated (meaning it lasts much longer and you need to use less at a time), so it takes much longer to dissolve than the one intended for hand washing.
4. Washing result
You should use exactly the amount of detergent recommended by the manufacturer, as indicated on the packaging, in your washing machine. Otherwise, regardless of whether you've added too much (the detergent may simply not dissolve) or too little, the washing results will be significantly reduced.
Meanwhile, the quality of hand washing depends not so much on the amount of detergent used, but on the work of your hands and thorough rinsing. You'll notice that using more detergent means you'll need to rinse longer.
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I've been washing with regular powders for a long time because they are cheaper and I think these are tricks of the powder manufacturers.
Sell the powders for more, my car is 20 years old, an Electrolux, and there's no real foam, everything's as usual.
It's just a marketing ploy. I also wash my clothes in the washing machine with hand washing powder and it's fine. Knock on wood )))
I didn't notice either, and I filled up the "manual" one. Then I was shocked. Everything was covered in foam... the neighbors are still silent, I don't think it flooded!
I took a chance on using Myth for hand washing. I was too lazy to go to the store. To be on the safe side, I waited until the water had finished filling and then added more, then rinsed with a shower head. Just in case, I used a smaller amount of detergent, about 15-20 grams. It's not like there's foam coming out of my ears—I don't notice any at all!
I made a mistake today, I used Tide Aqua Powder for hand washing and everything worked out perfectly, there was even less foam than for the machine :)
Today I was pouring hand washing powder into the machine 🙁 I thought: the machine is finished, water is pouring out of the powder compartment.