Which washing powder is better: liquid or dry?
The choice of washing machine detergents is growing every day, making it extremely difficult for consumers to choose. Manufacturers strive to outdo each other with various innovations and inventions. To stay informed and avoid confusion among the variety of detergents, let's figure out: is it better to use liquid or powdered laundry detergent?
Advantages of liquid product
One of the practical advantages of liquid detergents is their economical use. Typically, these powders are sold in capsules that dissolve during washing. This means that all the detergent is used, while regular detergents leave some in the dispenser. Alternatively, you can purchase a bottle or other container and add it to the dispenser tray/drum at your discretion.
Furthermore, when using liquid laundry detergent, there's no need to condition your laundry. Its ingredients are already included. This eliminates the need to purchase additional products and leaves your laundry with a pleasant, light scent. For For young parents, the main advantage is the absence of allergic reactions, which children can be prone to and which are very often caused by dry powders. The product not only does not contain allergens, but is also sometimes produced without phosphates in the composition (your choice).
Important! In addition to the above-mentioned advantages, liquid detergents also don't leave a whitish residue on your clothes, unlike dry detergents. Liquid-based detergents are gentler, meaning less chemical damage to the fabric.
The nuances of using a liquid product
Liquid detergents are suitable for both machine and hand washing, as they contain ingredients that are hypoallergenic and non-irritating. Furthermore, they dissolve easily in water between 30 and 60 degrees Celsius, so you won't have to burn your hands with hot water when hand washing: the gel will dissolve even in lukewarm water.
Thanks to its gentle formula, liquid detergent doesn't leave white marks on colored fabrics or streaks on dark ones. Plus, if you get a stain, you can simply blot it out with the gel. However, as mentioned above, liquid detergent doesn't contain any harsh detergents, so it's best to blot stains with a stain remover.
Keep A bottle of the product or a box of capsules can be stored anywhere. The capsules are airtight and the containers are well sealed, so it is completely safe, even if there are children in the house.
However, along with the advantages, there are a few disadvantages. For example, the price. Liquid powders are expensive, and spending a lot of money without knowing whether the product will work is risky. But the market is full of powders from various manufacturers and in various sizes, which affects the price range. If you want to try it, find a smaller container and test the product to make your decision.
Prepare a home remedy
Some housewives prefer to use liquid detergent, but... homemade. Yes, this is entirely possible, and it will cost you several times less than buying imported products from the store. So, to make your own liquid detergent, prepare:
- any soap, preferably a larger bar;
- 20 liter bucket;
- pot;
- kitchen grater;
- baking soda;
- sodium tetraborate;
- any essential oil.
Let's get started. First, take a bar of soap and grate it completely. Then, place the resulting mass in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until the soap is completely dissolved in the water. Then, remove from the heat and set aside.
Now take a bucket and add baking soda (one cup), tetraborate (half a cup), add boiling water halfway, and then pour in the liquid with the dissolved soap. Stir the resulting solution and fill it with boiling water until it's completely full. Then cover with a lid and let it steep and cool for a day or overnight.
Once the soap has cooled, don't forget to add essential oil for scent, then pour the mixture into individual airtight containers with lids. This makes storing the powder easier. Half a cup of the mixture is enough for each wash.
Advantages and disadvantages of washing gel
So, let's systematize the pros and cons of gel-powder to finally figure out whether it's worth the purchase. It's worth noting that some people prefer to stick to tried-and-true products, while for others, habit is crucial. However, if you've decided to go with a liquid gel, here are the characteristics and advantages.
- Economical consumption. To wash the same amount of laundry, you need much less gel than regular powder. Therefore, one container of liquid detergent will last much longer than a package of dry detergent.
- Rinsing. Dry powders are difficult to rinse out of clothes and can settle on the fabric and cause skin irritation. This won't happen with gel-powder detergent, as it dissolves instantly and is removed with the water during rinsing.
- Safety. The liquid powder is completely hypoallergenic and does not cause any reactions.
- Storage. Gel-powder packaging is much more airtight and convenient than the cardboard packaging of regular powder. Nothing will accidentally spill, that's for sure.
- Gentle composition. Dry powders are concentrates of aggressive detergents. They damage the fabric's structure and cause fading. Liquid detergents are gentler on clothes in this regard.
- Low temperature. To wash an item with dry powder, the water must be hot. This isn't necessary with gel detergent. You can even hand-wash the item with warm water, and the detergent will do its job perfectly.
Flaws.
- Efficiency. Yes, gel and powder detergents are very gentle on clothes, but they may not always be able to remove heavy stains. Sometimes, a dry detergent or stain remover is essential.
- Price. Liquid household chemicals, due to their wide range of benefits, are significantly more expensive on the market. However, as you can see, they can be made at home. Therefore, this point applies only to store-bought products.
We've introduced you to the basics of using laundry detergents. However, every homemaker has their own priorities and preferences when it comes to detergents. Therefore, choosing a washing machine detergent depends entirely on the person who will be using it.
What to choose?
In fact, it's best to have both a dry and a liquid detergent at home and use them depending on your needs. For example, if you're washing baby clothes or have allergies to chemicals, it's better to use a gel detergent. If the stains are severe, or the fabric is cotton or linen, use a dry detergent; only it can remove these stains and these fabrics.
As for price, it's certainly something to consider, but you can always find something more or less within your budget. Liquid detergents do offer more advantages than dry detergents, from effectiveness to ease of use.
If you still have doubts, test both products alternately. Evaluate the effect and decide which is more comfortable for you.
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Washing machine repair
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Dishwasher
Thank you!
Now I know exactly which one I'll buy!
Everything is described in detail and is clear.
And what is safer for a washing machine, they still haven’t answered...
Dry powder. My mechanic recently changed the bearings and took the entire machine apart, practically to the ground, clearly demonstrating that liquid detergents leave a residue inside the drum.