A few years ago, to do laundry, you had to use solid soap and do everything by hand. Now, with the evolution of technology, several types of household appliances have made it easier to do laundry. Various products with different shapes have also appeared. They are designed to fit washing machines. Manufacturers compete to woo consumers through advertisements and promotions. Choosing the detergent then becomes difficult. Here is a little guide that may help more than one person.
Article summary
Washing powder
Liquid laundry detergent
Laundry detergent in capsules
Take a close look at the composition of detergents
Washing powder
This is one of the oldest forms of laundry. It is also one of the most efficient and practical for washing. In addition, it can always be used whether for washing by hand or in the machine. It easily removes stains and dirt.
Powder is also considered the most suitable solution for maintaining the shine of white clothes and preventing them from turning gray. Thanks to their bleaching agents, they are more effective against stains. However, these same agents are not suitable for colored fabrics.
Liquid laundry detergent
Liquid detergent is certainly not effective against stains. However, it is suitable for brightly colored clothing or fabrics that have various patterns. For deep black, bright red, etc. colored linen, it is the most suitable alternative for maintaining color intensity.
Conversely, it is unsuitable for white laundry, because its formulation does not contain bleaching agents. It can therefore accentuate the greyness.
If the clothes are stained, the ideal is to first apply soap or stain remover before using liquid detergent.
Laundry detergent in capsules
During a laundry promotion , it is tempting to try laundry detergent in capsules. In addition, this solution is becoming more and more well-known. It therefore takes up more and more space on the shelves.
In terms of stain removal, it is no more effective than the powder version. It should be noted, however, that it is more efficient than liquid detergent. On the other hand, its ability to preserve colors is much less important than that of the liquid version.
Take a close look at the composition of detergents
Whatever the choice of detergent, it is always wise to check its composition. To do this, it is necessary to see its labeling. The latter contains all the data concerning the ingredients of the product.
In case the label appears to be incomplete or if it gives generic names as well as concentration ranges only, it is better to skip the product. The ideal is to opt for laundry solutions that provide clear information. In this way it is possible to determine whether or not it suits the needs and expectations.
In general, harsh chemicals should be avoided. It is also essential to see whether or not the product contains allergenic substances which could trigger allergic diseases or disorders .
It should be noted that manufacturers are forced to publicize the compositions of their products on the internet. Even so-called CMR components, that is to say carcinogenic compounds, toxic for reproduction or even mutagenic and endocrine disruptors must be clearly mentioned on the label. Among these substances to watch out for is butylphenyl methylpropional. This is a harmful scent that could have negative impacts on reproduction. Anhydrous sodium metaborate, which is a stabilizer, is also suspected of being toxic for reproduction.Â