First published: 30 June 2021 @ 6:00 pm
Doing laundry or washing clothes is a mundane chore for most people. It is something that has to be done, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be done without thought. With the wide variety of laundry detergents available, there are a lot of factors to consider when deciding what type of laundry detergent is best for you and your family.
In this article, we will discuss some factors you should consider before making your decision.
Preference
One of the biggest factors in deciding what type of laundry detergent to use is preference. There are many types of laundry detergents available today, and they all have their own strengths and weaknesses.
The right one for you depends on what you are looking for in a laundry detergent.
People who prefer free and clear or unscented products generally do so because they have sensitive skin or allergies, or because they want their clothes to retain their natural scent as much as possible.
However, some people simply prefer these products because they don’t like the way scented products smell after being washed several times in a row (or after being washed with other scented products).
People who prefer these types of products should look for one that does not contain any perfumes or dyes. They should also check the ingredients list to make sure that they are not allergic to any of the ingredients.
Conventional and Natural Laundry Detergents
Preference also comes into play when deciding between conventional and natural laundry detergents.
Some people prefer natural products because they feel that natural products are safer for the environment and safer for their families or because they have sensitive skin, while others prefer conventional products because they feel that natural products are not as effective as conventional products.
Some people have tried both types of laundry detergents and like both equally, but would rather use a product that is safer for the environment or their families.
One thing to keep in mind is that some natural laundry detergents can still contain harmful chemicals, so it is important to check the label before buying any product.
What is SLS in Detergents?
Most conventional laundry detergents use sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as a foaming agent. SLS has been shown to cause eye irritation in high concentrations, and has been linked to increased risk of cancer in animal studies.
However, some natural brands of laundry detergent do not use SLS as a foaming agent (and many brands with SLS have recently reformulated their products without it).
The purpose of using a laundry detergent is to clean your clothes, so choosing one that actually works is very important. However, some people feel that their clothes are clean enough if they simply wash them with warm water and soap.
This is why many people prefer detergents that are free of dyes and perfumes. Some laundry detergents come in liquid form, while others come in powder or gel form.
Different Forms of Detergents
Liquid laundry detergents are easy to use because they do not require any measuring or mixing before you use them.
Powdered and gel laundry detergents are more concentrated than liquid ones, so you can use less of them to get the same amount of cleaning power (they also tend to cost less per load).
However, powdered and gel laundry detergents are more difficult to measure because they don’t come with a measuring cup like liquid ones do. Some powdered detergents even come with a scoop that you can use instead of a measuring cup.
Liquid laundry detergents tend to be less expensive than powdered or gel ones, but this isn’t always the case. If you can find one that works well for you and your family, there is no reason not to choose it just because it costs more than other brands.
If you find that you have to use more of a certain brand’s product in order for it to clean your clothes, then it is probably not worth the extra money.
Ability to clean your clothes
The purpose of a laundry detergent is to clean your clothes, but some detergents are better at this than others. It is important to make sure that the laundry detergent you choose can actually clean your clothes well.
Some laundry detergents contain enzymes that help remove stains from your clothes. Enzymes are proteins that help break down organic matter, so they can be used to remove stains from your clothes (but they cannot remove inorganic stains like rust or dye).
If you have a lot of stains on your clothes, then you should consider buying a laundry detergent with enzymes in it. Some laundry detergents contain bleaching agents that help whiten your clothes and remove yellowing caused by age or sunlight exposure.
These bleaching agents can be effective at removing yellowing and whitening your clothes, but they also wear down the fibers in your clothing over time.
This means that if you have very old or very delicate clothing, you should not use any type of bleach-containing product on them because it will destroy them faster than if you did not use bleach on them at all.
Some products come with bleach-free boosters that you can use on your clothing if you need to whiten them.
Water hardness
Water hardness refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium in your water supply. If you have hard watered, it will build up on surfaces like shower doors and faucets, as well as clothes during washing.
Hard water makes it difficult for laundry detergents to dissolve completely, which results in soap scum residue on clothing and a buildup of dirt in the washing machine itself.
If you have soft water, you don’t need to worry about soap scum or buildup because soft water allows detergents to dissolve more easily. Detergent that doesn’t dissolve completely won’t clean effectively.
If you live in an area with hard water, use a laundry detergent that is formulated for hard water and has an added booster or rinse agent that helps prevent soap scum from building up on clothing.
The easiest way to test whether your laundry detergent is formulated for hard water is by checking the label on the back of the container. If it says “HE” (for high efficiency) or “all-fabric,” it is formulated for hard water.
The amount of detergent
The amount of detergent you use is also important. If you don’t use enough detergent, your clothes won’t get clean. If you use too much, the excess can cause soap scum to build up on clothing and in the washing machine.
Most detergents come with a measuring cup or scoop that tells you how much to use based on the size of your load and water hardness level.
Detergents that come in powder form may also contain a “water softener” additive that will prevent soap scum from building up on clothing, but make sure to read the label carefully before using this type of detergent in hard water.
Washing machine
Another important factor to consider is the washing machine itself. If you have a top-loading machine, it may be best to use a powder detergent, because liquid detergents can leave a residue in the rubber seal around the door that can cause mold and mildew to grow.
Meanwhile, front-loading machines have a special system that scrubs clothes clean while washing clothes, so liquid detergents are usually best for these types of machines.
Type of fabrics
You have also taken into account the type of the fabric you are washing. For example there are detergents that are made specifically for washing silk or wool.
These types of detergents are formulated to help keep the colors in the fabric vibrant and bright. You can’t use the same detergent for all fabric types.
If you use the wrong type of detergent for a particular fabric, it can damage the color or even cause tough stains. Therefore, you need to check the fabric care labels on the back of the detergent container to see what type of fabric you should use it for.
Preferences, ability to clean your clothes, water hardness level, washing machine type, and amount of detergent used are all important factors to consider when choosing a laundry detergent.
You also need to take into account the type of fabric you are washing. For example, there are detergents that are made specifically for washing silk or wool.
These types of detergents are formulated to help keep the colors in the fabric vibrant and bright. You can’t use the same detergent for all types of fabrics.
If you use the wrong type of detergent for a particular fabric, it can damage the color or even cause tough stains. Therefore, you need to check the fabric care labels on the back of the detergent container to see what type of fabric you should use it for.
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