More and more space in the household chemicals department is occupied not by powders, but by gels for washing clothes.
This convenient form of detergent production is confidently conquering consumer baskets.
Read the article about why washing gels are so good, how to choose and use them correctly.
Content
What is better for washing: liquid washing powder or dry?
It is difficult to answer the question of which is better - powder or gel. It all depends on the type of wash.
Their competitive advantage:
better dissolution - after washing there will be no white stains left on things;- convenient dosing - each bottle is equipped with a measuring cap;
- convenient storage - the container is always tightly closed;
- absence of chemical dust when adding gel to a washing machine or basin;
- versatility of use - most compositions are suitable for both hand and machine wash;
- softer cleaning effect;
- Washing at low temperatures, which is excellent for caring for delicate and mixed fabrics.
Liquid concentrates contain less aggressive anionic surfactants and more cationic and nonionic surfactants. Therefore, it is easy to refresh clothes with gel. The optimal washing temperature is from 30 to 50 degrees.
Read more Here.
How to choose?
To choose a washing gel that will meet all the necessary requirements, the following points need to be taken into account:
- Purpose. There are gels for caring for colored and white clothes, black and denim clothes.
- Whose things can be washed? Gels for washing children's clothing represent a separate category.
- Compound. The higher the asurfactant index, the better the product copes with complex stains, but the more aggressive its effect on fabrics. It is also necessary to pay attention to the presence of bleaches, stain removers and other components in the composition.
- Smell. For lovers of rich aromas, products labeled “Aromatherapy” are suitable.
- Consumption. This parameter can be assessed using the information provided on the label.
Manufacturers
Almost all manufacturers of laundry detergents produce liquid concentrates, but they are especially popular among consumers German And Japanese gels.
German compounds have a high safety profile. Their manufacturers have long abandoned the use of phosphates and other chemicals that negatively affect the environment and human health.
When producing laundry detergents, the Germans use exclusively advanced technologies. They take into account and put into practice all the scientific achievements of recent years. This has a positive effect on the quality of their products.
In Russia, the leading position in sales is occupied by Henkel, which produces Persil and Losk gels.
Gels produced in Japan have a hypoallergenic composition.Most products are universal, that is, they can be used for both hand and machine washing. Japanese concentrates are famous for their pleasant aroma; most of the compositions are original and are not found in other manufacturers, for example, “Blooming Garden” or “Blue Flowers”.
For white laundry
When buying a gel for washing white and light-colored fabrics, you need to carefully study its composition. It must contain whitening components. They are represented by oxygen and optical brightener.
Optical brightener visually brightens yellowed fabrics. Essentially, they are luminescent dyes that, by absorbing ultraviolet light, create the effect that the item is whiter and brighter.
For black
For black clothes, specialized gels are produced that are activated at a temperature of +20 degrees. This allows them to be washed even in cold water.
It's no secret that it is the black pigment that is washed out the fastest, because of which the clothes lose their attractive appearance and look worn.
Gels for washing black clothes can solve this problem. The only disadvantage of such compositions is their inflated price.
Read more Here.
For color
For colored fabrics, you need to choose products marked “Color”. This indicates that they contain components that protect the pigment from being washed out. The minimum activation temperature of the washing formula is 30 degrees.
Gels for washing colored items do not contain aggressive bleaches and acids, but may contain stain removers.
For children's things
Separate formulations have been developed for washing children's clothing. In general, gels are safer for caring for baby's things, as they are easy to rinse and contain fewer toxic substances.
If the brand you like in the line does not have a separate composition for washing children's clothes, It is recommended to opt for a product marked “Sensitive”.
Specialized children's formulations may contain herbal extracts, for example, string or chamomile, and natural soap. The hypoallergenic formula eliminates the use of dyes and fragrances.
Ideally, the gel should be based on natural ingredients. Therefore, if after opening the lid a liquid with a pronounced odor and an acidic color was found, this is a reason to doubt the quality of the product. A lot of useful information about gels for washing children's clothes - in this section.
For down jackets
When choosing a gel for washing a down jacket, you need to pay attention to its composition - it should contain lanolin. It preserves the fat layer on natural down and feathers, so the filler does not stick together or clump.
The bottle of liquid concentrate most often features a feather. It should also be marked that it is suitable for washing delicate items, wool and silk items. It’s good if the minimum activation temperature of the formula is 20 degrees.
Read more In this article.
For membrane fabrics
Gels for washing membrane fabrics should not contain aggressive components. An indispensable condition is the rapid dissolution of detergent particles in water.This will avoid clogging the pores of the membrane and preserve its properties.
Even more information read here.stubborn stains and also whitens well
Top 5 best products
You can find many gels on sale from different manufacturers. The following formulations are most popular among consumers:
- Persil Sensitive. Its mild formula and neutral odor allows it to be used for people suffering from allergies. The brand holder is the German company Henkel. Minimum cost – 260 rubles.
Ariel Mountain Spring. The composition has high cleaning power. It copes well with stubborn stains and also whitens fabrics well. Price – 550 rubles for 1.3 liters.- Attack. This Japanese product is distinguished by high quality washing, economical consumption and environmentally friendly composition. It can be used on different types of fabrics except wool and silk. The cost of a 0.9 liter bottle is 415 rubles.
- Weasel 3D black restoration effect. The product is designed specifically for dark clothes. It can be used for both hand and machine washing. Price – 600 rubles for 2 liters.
- Eared nanny. This is an inexpensive and safe product for caring for baby clothes. The composition is hypoallergenic and quite inexpensive. Price – 160 rubles per 1 liter.
The rating of the best washing gels is presented In this article.
Features of use
Liquid concentrates are used according to the same scheme:
- Dosage is carried out using a measuring cap. The specific amount of detergent depends on the brand.Each package contains instructions for use and exact dosage. As a rule, 1 measuring cap is used for 1 hand or machine wash cycle (with a load of up to 5 kg).
- Pour in the product into a special compartment found in an automatic washing machine, or into a drum, directly onto dirty clothes.
- When washing by hand, the liquid is poured into a basin of water and foamed on its own.
- The temperature regime is set according to the type of washing. Acceptable range: from 30 to 50 degrees.
How to do it yourself?
Homemade gel is made from soap and soda. The block is grated and diluted with water (2 liters of liquid are taken per 200 g of chips).
The resulting mixture is poured into an enamel bowl and put on fire.. The mass must be constantly stirred. The composition is not brought to a boil. When it becomes homogeneous, add soda to it.
The finished mixture is cooled, allowed to settle and poured into suitable containers. However, the quality of the homemade product is significantly inferior to even the most inexpensive industrial gel. Read about how to make washing gel yourself Here.
Is an allergy possible?
The likelihood of allergies when using the gel is not as high as when using powders, but it cannot be excluded.
The main symptoms are:
- skin rashes,
- itching,
- cough,
- lacrimation and runny nose.
As a rule, they appear immediately after switching to a new product, so it is not difficult to isolate the allergen.
Where and for how much to buy?
You can buy washing gels in retail stores, in departments with household chemicals. Another option is to order the composition online.
The average price for 2 liters of detergent is about 500 rubles. It may vary depending on the point of sale, locality and pricing policy of the store.
It is most profitable to buy concentrates on sale. During this period the price may be reduced by half.
Customer Reviews
Many people use washing gel. They like the ease of dosing and economical consumption of the product. The main advantage they call is its high-quality rinsing from fabrics.. Consumers are satisfied with the absence of a strong smell from things, as well as a wide range.
People note that some formulations cope worse with difficult stains than powders. Also, many are not satisfied with the too high price of the liquid product.
Conclusion
Gels are practical and easy to use. Unlike powders, they can be washed every day without fear of ruining the item. A wide range of liquid concentrates allows you to choose a product to suit every taste and budget.
