There are a number of different laundry brands and detergents out there and it does matter what kind you purchase. You need to determine what works best for your clothes and what your personal preferences are. It’s also important to note if you have a high-efficiency washing machine. Laundry detergent can do more than just remove stains and dirt from clothes; it can also help keep them looking brighter and leave them smelling great. There are plenty of detergent scents to choose from no matter what type of form it is in. Choose a scent that appeals to you, unless you have sensitive skin as fragrances can cause a problem for those with sensitive skin. Many brands will offer non-scented alternatives. Read on to learn more.
Liquid detergent is a great choice because it’s effective on food, grease, and oil stains. Since it’s fluid, it can also be used to pretreat as well. If your family has to do a lot of spot-treating and spills happen a lot, choose liquid detergent. Liquid detergent is also better for cold wash settings, since powder may not dissolve properly at all temperatures.
Powder detergent is great for general laundry and can be cheaper than liquid detergent for families that are on a budget. Powder is effective at getting out everyday stains, as well as ground-in dirty stains. If your family’s laundry is full of everyday stains and outdoor stains, then powder can be an effective choice.
Pods come in pre-measured doses, so they offer a lot of convenience and are much easier to manage. If you are trekking to the laundromat or have a condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, that makes it hard to handle heavy containers, then they are a great choice. Many pacs perform the same as liquid detergent when it comes to getting out stains, and new technology allows companies to add extra things like softener and brighteners into the pacs, making the need for other additives unnecessary.
If you have a high-efficiency washer, then you need HE detergent. These detergents will produce fewer suds, which makes it easier for the machines to rinse out soap. Always use less detergent than you think you need, in order for the clothes to be properly rinsed. You can use HE detergent in any standard washer, but not the other way around.
For those that want eco-friendly detergent, there are some options with Method, Mrs. Meyers, The Honest Company, and Seventh Generation. Mrs. Meyers and method come in concentrated liquid form, while other brands like Grab Green come in pods for different alternatives depending on personal preferences.
Using less hot water is better for your clothes and the environment, and many detergent brands are encouraging consumers to do so by making it so detergents dissolve in all water temperatures. Companies are even introducing some versions of detergent that are designed to work better in cold water. For this type of detergent, try Tide Coldwater.
Woolite is especially formulated for delicates and can be used in the machine with the gentle cycle, or it can be used for hand washing delicate fabrics like silk and wool. Woolite can be used in HE washers and doesn’t contain any bleach, phosphates, or enzymes, which are harsh on the clothing.
Many people with hard water will notice that their clothes come out looking dingy. Tide Ultra Stain Release helps not only remove stains and odors from clothing, it also helps clothes look brighter with better ingredients for hard water. Arm & Hammer Clean Burst has baking soda in it, so it has a built-in water softener, making it a good choice to combat hard water.