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Many individuals are in a dilemma about whether to opt for laundry detergent or liquid detergent when washing clothes. Each type has its own pros and cons, so it depends on your usage needs as well as whether you wash by hand or machine. Let's help resolve the confusion among many individuals torn between laundry detergent and liquid detergent.
1. Should clothes be washed with laundry detergent or liquid detergent?
Many individuals are in a dilemma about whether to opt for laundry detergent or liquid detergent when washing clothes. Each type has its own pros and cons, so it depends on your usage needs as well as whether you wash by hand or machine. Let's help resolve the confusion among many individuals torn between laundry detergent and liquid detergent.
What is laundry detergent?
Laundry detergent is a cleansing agent in powder form that dissolves in water to clean dirty clothes, regardless of temperature or mineral content in the water. It typically contains various active ingredients, primarily surfactants, enzymes, and whitening agents. Surfactants, comprising about 50% of laundry detergent, are responsible for cleaning clothes. When clothes are soaked in water containing laundry detergent, the tail portion of surfactant molecules attaches to dirt while the head portion remains in the water. These molecules help remove dirt from clothes during agitation and are carried away with the water at the end of each wash cycle. The other two components are enzymes and whitening agents. Enzymes accelerate the breakdown of food residues stuck on clothes while whitening agents containing peroxide help whiten fabric fibers. (See more: How to choose the best laundry detergent for washing machines)
What is laundry liquid?
Unlike laundry powder, laundry liquid is in liquid form and can be poured directly into the washing machine or used for handwashing. You can buy laundry liquid at all grocery stores – it comes in plastic bottles instead of hard cardboard boxes – and remember to carefully read the usage instructions on the bottle if you're still unsure about how to use laundry liquid.
Is laundry liquid or laundry powder better?
Many individuals often wonder whether to choose laundry liquid or laundry powder. Laundry powder usually contains more cleansing agents than laundry liquid, so laundry powder often gives us a cleaner feeling because of the amount of foam produced when washing clothes is usually more. Many people mistakenly believe that the more foam laundry powder produces, the cleaner it is. That's not true; the foaming agents in laundry powder are chemical ingredients that promote foaming and maintain the bubbles. When handwashing, you may notice that this type of laundry powder often produces more foamy bubbles than powder for washing machines, but that doesn't mean they work more effectively. Excessive use of laundry powder can cause clothes to fade more easily than laundry liquid. Especially when using unsuitable laundry powder for washing machines, it can cause soap scum to stick to clothes and the washing drum, leading to wear and tear over time. Some people believe that laundry powder is more cost-effective than laundry liquid.
Typically, many individuals choose laundry liquid when handwashing clothes or even using a washing machine. Laundry liquid can easily dissolve in water and penetrate fabric fibers better, while laundry powder sometimes still remains on clothes after washing. To achieve optimal results, you should carefully read the usage instructions on the packaging for good results during washing. Using laundry liquid leaves clothes cleaner and fresher smelling for longer compared to laundry powder. To choose a good laundry liquid, you need to pay attention to the liquid being poured out evenly, with a steady flow, and without clumping.
Depending on your usage needs, you can choose suitable laundry powder or laundry liquid for different types of fabrics, and your family's own washing machine for the best results in the laundry process.
