Fresh and clean laundry can be scented or unscented depending on the laundry detergent used. Laundry detergents come in many different varieties and fragrances. There are laundry detergents that contain stain removers, fabric softeners, or even non-chlorine bleach in order to keep colors bright. Most people find a laundry detergent that they like and stick with it for most of their life. In households where there is a person with skin sensitivities the detergent used by everyone will likely be one such as Persil or another brand that caters to sensitive skin. Tide, All, and Era are some of the most popular brands and these products offer a full range of detergents that are either scented or non-scented. Detergents can come in liquid and gel form as well as powder and liquid pouches. For those with High Effeciency washers and dryers, there are specially formulated detergents for those machines.
Some detergents are offered with stain fighters such as Oxy Clean already included. If there are heavy stains beyond the usual discoloration that can occur with regular use, a pre-wash stain treatment is a good idea. While detergents with stain fighters can be effective, major trains should also be treated separately.
Laundry detergents can irritate sensitive skin and causes rashes on some people. If a rash does occur, it is best to stop using the detergent immediately and switch to one that is designed for sensitive skin such as Persil or Arm & Hammer. Most major brands such as Tide or All offer special formulations for sensitive skin.
Brands such as Seventh Generation are growing in popularity as more and more consumers are shopping with a more eco-conscious outlook. These detergents are espcecially good for those who have reactions to many detergents as they do not contain many of the harsh ingredients found in the mainstream brands.
The powder option is almost always the least expensive laundry detergent option, with liquid coming in second. The liquid pouches, or pods, are usually more expensive than both of the other two options. Manufacturers often run great coupon specials for this item as do many grocery stores.
Most clothing that is hand washed is delicate in nature and requires a mild detergent. Hand washing does not have the same detergent needs as those for machine washing. Brands such as Woolite are recommended for hand washing delicate clothing over any of the machine detergents.
Generic detergents are not very popular and it may be because of people's fear of skin ailments caused by the detergent. Many consumers report that they do not notice very much of a difference on how well their clothes are cleaned whether using a major brand or generic detergent.
Powder detergents are the easiest to produce and therefore the least expensive. They are also the usual culprit when skin irritations and rashes occurs. It is best to add powder to the water prior to putting in the clothes in order to let it dissolve.
Most people stick with the same laundry detergent brand over their entire lives and Tide is one of the brands that have been around the longest. Many consumers are hesitant to try a new detergent due to the fear of rashes and other skin irritations.