What is better to use for washing - gel or powder - and why?

If in past years the choice of laundry detergents was limited to a few brands of powders, now the range is much more diverse.

In addition to bulk formulations, you can purchase gels. The liquid consistency is attractive due to its ease of use and the manufacturers’ assurances of high quality washing.

To find out whether this is really so and what is better to choose for washing - gel or powder, read the article.

Advantages and disadvantages of dry laundry detergent

Most people use bulk formulations. Even if this detergent is not a favorite, everyone still has one in their home.

Powder has the following advantages:

1. Versatility. This means that it can be used in almost any circumstance: machine and hand washable, for various types of fabrics.
2. High efficiency. The powders work well even on old stains.
3. Possibility of washing at any temperature: both low and high.
4. Long shelf life.
5. Possibility of soaking.
6. Affordable price. On sale you can find a composition for any budget.

Flaws:

1. The powder generates dust, which can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract.
2. After opening, the package remains open, which is why its contents may become damp or spill. The powder can clump into clumps even in the loading tray.
3. Solid particles are difficult to wash out of fabric fibers, which affects the quality of rinsing.
4. Aggressiveness towards tissues.Loose formulations are not suitable for washing and soaking delicate fabrics.

Pros and cons of liquid

If for Russia gels can be considered a relative novelty, then among residents of Europe and the United States they have long come into use. They are preferred by more than 40% of the population of foreign countries.

This is not surprising, since liquid products have a number of undoubted advantages:

1. Convenient packaging. The compositions are bottled in plastic bottles, which do not take up much space. They are tightly closed with a cap, which prevents any contamination from getting inside.
2. Easy dosing. All containers are equipped with a dispenser lid, and exact recommendations for using a specific detergent are indicated on the packaging.
3. Good solubility in water. The gel is initially liquid, so its formula begins to act immediately, immediately after starting the wash cycle.
4. No streaks on clothes after washing. The product is easily rinsed without lingering in the fibers of the fabric.
5. High quality washing. Most mid-price gels wash no worse than expensive powders.
6. Less risk of developing allergies. When using the gel, no dust is generated that can enter the respiratory system. In addition, high-quality leaching of the composition from tissues reduces the risk of skin irritation.
7. Gentle on fabrics. The gel is used for washing delicate items, as it is activated even in cool water.
8. Save on fabric softener. There is simply no need to use it when washing with liquid powders.

Gels have some disadvantages, including:

1. Manufacturers recommend using them only for machine washing.It is better to carry out manual processing of things using a powdered product.
2. The gel is more expensive than washing powder.
3. The composition is effective at 30-40 degrees. It is not used for washing in hot water.

You will find all the most important things about washing gels here.

General properties

Powder and gel are products designed to achieve a single goal: removing dirt from things, which is their main similarity. The basis of the washing formula is represented by synthetic surfactants, but their percentages are different.

Both powders and gels are available for washing colored and white items. You can find cheap and expensive cleaning compounds on sale.

Main Differences

Despite the fact that all products are used for washing clothes, they have certain differences:

1. Compound. Unlike powders, cationic and nonionic surfactants predominate in the composition of gels. Bulk laundry detergents contain more anionic surfactants. Therefore, it is easier to refresh the fabric with gel and it is softer.
2. Release form. Unlike gels, powders generate dust when poured into the detergent compartment.
3. Various additives. Due to their liquid formula, manufacturers add various extracts, peroxide salts and water softening components to washing gels. It is impossible to use some of them in the process of making washing powders.
4. Best before date. It is higher for powder than for liquid detergents.
5. Price. Gels are more expensive.
6. Rinse quality. After using the powder, white streaks often remain on things.
7. Washing temperature. For gels, the maximum threshold is limited to 60 degrees, and for powder – 90 degrees.

How to choose what to wash with?

In some cases, preference is given to gel, in others – to powder. This depends on many factors, namely:

• what kind of washing is to be done - hand or machine;
• what items will be washed – delicate or thick fabrics;
• what is the washing temperature and type of dirt;
• how much money a person has and more.

If you set your priorities correctly, you will be able to significantly improve the quality of your laundry.

Regular powder preference is given in the following cases:

1. It is used when washing in hot water (up to 90 degrees) is necessary. Not afraid of such temperatures cotton And linen.
2. Worn and washed clothes with stubborn stains (from blood, wine, juices, etc.) are also washed with powder.
3. Hand wash required.
4. Things need to be disinfected and rid of persistent odors.

When you need to make your choice in favor of the liquid form:

1. The liquid composition is ideal for caring for delicate fabrics: wool, silk, synthetics, mixed materials.
2. This is a daily wash, the items are not very dirty.
3. A person suffers from allergies or asthma.
4. The wash cycle will be short and there is no time for additional rinsing.

Comparative characteristics

Comparative characteristics of liquid and bulk detergents are presented in the table:

Reviews

On the Internet you can find many reviews about the use of powder and gels.

Many housewives prefer liquid detergents, because they consider them more convenient to use. They are satisfied that they are rinsed well and there are no white stains left after them.

Other consumers do not notice the difference between gels and powders. Therefore, they use those compounds that are cheaper. The advantages of the powder include its high efficiency in the fight against old stains.

Video on the topic of the article

The video will tell you which is better to wash with gel or powder:

Conclusion

Both gels and washing powders have their advantages and disadvantages. It is most practical to have 2 detergents on hand at once and use them as needed., depending on the type of washing to be done and the characteristics of the fabrics.