It is overwhelming to see a shelf of laundry detergents at the supermarket, and the thought of choosing the right one makes you more conscious. Some might prefer the ones the detergents their mothers use, while others go for cheaper brands. But how can you really know you choose the right detergent for laundry?
A good laundry detergent can remove grime, dirt, and stain on clothes to make them look clean and fresh. Let’s dive in on how to choose the right one.
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Powder Detergent
Powder detergent is the best option to use for hand washing your laundry. It produces more studs making it easier to eliminate stains without much friction and agitation, unlike washing the laundry in a washer.
Do not use cold water when using powder detergent. It does not easily dissolve in low-temperature water cycles and leaves residue on the fabrics if it isn’t rinsed properly.
Liquid Detergent
The liquid detergent is more expensive than powder, and it dissolves quickly, even in low-temperature wash cycles. If your clothes are heavily stained, you can use liquid detergent to pre-treat your clothes before sending them to the laundry delivery service.
Liquid detergents help remove stubborn food, grease, and oil stains. As it effectively removes the stain in the fiber, it retains the bright colors of the garments without damaging the fabric dye.
The same with powder detergent; you still have to limit the amount of detergent. Excessive use leave residues on the clothes and washer.
Whether the detergent is in powder, liquid, or pods, you must check its other components. Some laundry detergent has bleach. This type of detergent is only suitable for white cotton garments; using them on colored clothes may damage their dye.
Laundry Pods
Laundry pods are the most expensive among laundry detergents, and it has only been popular since 2012. Since it was introduced by Tide, a reputable laundry detergent brand, it has overtaken laundry powder and has become the second-most choice of laundry detergent.
It is convenient for people who bring their laundry to the laundromat. They are small in size and pre-measured, eliminating the possibility of overuse. Even when it only uses enough amount of water, the cleaning agents are stable and result in a quality level of cleaning.
Fragrance-Free Detergent
We made this consideration last on the list. Some might take fragrance as a key consideration, but in actuality, this is a personal preference. People do not want detergents with fragrances because they irritate their skin. However, if you are not skin sensitive, you can have a dealbreaker fragrance for your laundry detergent; smells range from lavender to hibiscus scents.
Do you need high-efficiency detergent?
If the laundry service you go to has high-efficiency washers, it is best to use a high-efficiency detergent. High-efficiency detergent produces fewer suds and makes it easier for the high-efficiency washer to rinse the soap. Although this type of detergent is compatible with any washer, it is not the same as the standard detergent. Do not use a standard detergent in a high-efficiency washer.
