8 Reasons Using Liquid Detergent Is Better
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I recall reading a number of comments here on this blog over the years regarding foul residue from liquid detergents trapped under the agitators of top loading washers. Am I mistaken about that?
Makes me wonder. My mother uses liquid all the time. I was cleaning her Maytag stacked unit and under the agitator was a bunch of yuck. She never washes in cold and didn't go wild with fabric softener.
As far as cleaning ability, I have done my own experiments and liquids eventually make white clothes turn gray. Since we switched to powder for whites nothing has grayed...towels, t shirts, socks, drawers, etc. all are still very white.
As far as cleaning ability, I have done my own experiments and liquids eventually make white clothes turn gray. Since we switched to powder for whites nothing has grayed...towels, t shirts, socks, drawers, etc. all are still very white.
Having always used a decent powder for whites
I have become puzzled by some chemical reaction going on that is sending my whites wash hint of PINK??? I do nothing different always used Persil or Ariel in the main wash minimum temp of 60c and let it get on with it. However have noticed that everything has a hint of pink and as I am fastidious and never do a mixed wash whites always on their own, What puzzles me is I cannot find any logical explanation I guess I will have to bleach everything ????
I have become puzzled by some chemical reaction going on that is sending my whites wash hint of PINK??? I do nothing different always used Persil or Ariel in the main wash minimum temp of 60c and let it get on with it. However have noticed that everything has a hint of pink and as I am fastidious and never do a mixed wash whites always on their own, What puzzles me is I cannot find any logical explanation I guess I will have to bleach everything ????
Pink whites
It could be rust from older zink coated steel water pipes or iron or manganese naturally occurring in the water.
You could try to restore the items by soaking in white vinegar water, but don`t expect a huge success. If the acid is strong enough to work well it might also damage the clothes.
Is your water hard? Many discolorations seem to occur hand in hand with a calcium or other mineral build up on clothes.
I`d try more detergent or adding a separate water softener as a precaution on new items.
It could be rust from older zink coated steel water pipes or iron or manganese naturally occurring in the water.
You could try to restore the items by soaking in white vinegar water, but don`t expect a huge success. If the acid is strong enough to work well it might also damage the clothes.
Is your water hard? Many discolorations seem to occur hand in hand with a calcium or other mineral build up on clothes.
I`d try more detergent or adding a separate water softener as a precaution on new items.
Honestly, despite the marketing, liquid detergents really aren’t that good. The plastic jug is more difficult to recycle than a cardboard box, overall isn’t good for the environment or your machine.
As askolover mentioned, colors and whites have been significantly cleaner and brighter since I’ve been using only powdered detergent for the past 4 years.
The only things that are allowed in a plastic jug in my laundry room is fabric softener and bleach, that’s it.
As askolover mentioned, colors and whites have been significantly cleaner and brighter since I’ve been using only powdered detergent for the past 4 years.
The only things that are allowed in a plastic jug in my laundry room is fabric softener and bleach, that’s it.
detergents
I prefer pod detergents because they're easier for me to use as a blind person.
I prefer pod detergents because they're easier for me to use as a blind person.
I got put off using liquid detergent around 1990 because it caused my parents washing machine to become absolutely foul smelling and skanky after my mum stopped doing regular 90C washes. I'd got them to try it out!
Never had a smelly or crudy washing machine using powder other than mould on the seal and draw compartment because I wasn't leaving them open. Nor any cause to complain about how well it washes, and since my machine is a front load with a pump to circulate the water I certainly don't get any problem with the powder not dissolving or leaving residue on clothing.
Only good thing I've read about liquid detergents is they are supposed to work well in cold water, but I'll stick to doing most of my washing at 40C.
Never had a smelly or crudy washing machine using powder other than mould on the seal and draw compartment because I wasn't leaving them open. Nor any cause to complain about how well it washes, and since my machine is a front load with a pump to circulate the water I certainly don't get any problem with the powder not dissolving or leaving residue on clothing.
Only good thing I've read about liquid detergents is they are supposed to work well in cold water, but I'll stick to doing most of my washing at 40C.
Reply #4
Thank you Mrboilwash you have reminded me we had a load of work done on the water pipes in the street and I have noticed an pinky orange stain in the water of the toilet, Bleach and a brush got rid of that so I think you are right its a mineral deposit. I do tend to use Calgon when I wash but had run out this last few hot cycles.
Thank you Mrboilwash you have reminded me we had a load of work done on the water pipes in the street and I have noticed an pinky orange stain in the water of the toilet, Bleach and a brush got rid of that so I think you are right its a mineral deposit. I do tend to use Calgon when I wash but had run out this last few hot cycles.
Am slowly going off liquid format products and back to powders in my stash. At least far as my H-axis machines are concerened. For manual laundry and or in say the various semi-automatic washers in my collection (of all sizes) things are different. Also take them along on odd washes done at local laundromat for certain reasons.
Speaking of launderettes if one wishes to see how liquid laundry detergents can foul a washing machines look no further. Unless dispensers are cleaned daily (usually not) they are fouled with gobs of slimy laundry liquid. Heaven only knows what coats internal areas one cannot see.
Above being said believe P&G along with other laundry detergent makers have done it to us. American market is largely dominated by liquid format products nowadays with few to nil offerings of decent powder products. If one can lay hands on odd box of Tide or Gain at local shops that's saying something. Amazon and other online may prove slightly better but still...
Speaking of launderettes if one wishes to see how liquid laundry detergents can foul a washing machines look no further. Unless dispensers are cleaned daily (usually not) they are fouled with gobs of slimy laundry liquid. Heaven only knows what coats internal areas one cannot see.
Above being said believe P&G along with other laundry detergent makers have done it to us. American market is largely dominated by liquid format products nowadays with few to nil offerings of decent powder products. If one can lay hands on odd box of Tide or Gain at local shops that's saying something. Amazon and other online may prove slightly better but still...
Was at my local Meijer's (Michigan grown much like WM) and they had Tide, Tide with Oxy, Gain and several versions of Ariel and I think I saw some All, all in powder form. Was tempted but have a lot of liquid Persil, a lot of pods, and a quarter box of Tide powder. Until I use much of that up I'm not in the market for more.
One thing liquids just can't do is bleach AND contain enzymes.
Since enzymes are usually more important than bleaching, basically all liquids contain enzymes.
To offset the reduced cleaning ability due to that fact, they often contain more enzymes (both in type and amount) and surfactants (tensides, again both type and amount).
Further they often contain different kind of water softeners.
That in general means they are better at removing non-bleachable stains (oils, fats, particulates) and less likely to leave visible residues on colors.
Further they can't bleach colors. Some might contain optical brighteners though, which might shift perceived colors. But those can always be washed out again.
Powders however can contain both enzymes and bleaching compounds. And more often actually do since you get better cleaning for cheaper that way.
Thus the risk accidentally using a detergent that might permanently shift colors is higher.
Further they often contain water softeners that aren't as easily rinsed out.
That on the other hand means they are better for some stains (like blood, food with strong colors etc) and only really good way for whites to stay whites.
But for colors and general washing, a liquid might be a safer choice.
Since enzymes are usually more important than bleaching, basically all liquids contain enzymes.
To offset the reduced cleaning ability due to that fact, they often contain more enzymes (both in type and amount) and surfactants (tensides, again both type and amount).
Further they often contain different kind of water softeners.
That in general means they are better at removing non-bleachable stains (oils, fats, particulates) and less likely to leave visible residues on colors.
Further they can't bleach colors. Some might contain optical brighteners though, which might shift perceived colors. But those can always be washed out again.
Powders however can contain both enzymes and bleaching compounds. And more often actually do since you get better cleaning for cheaper that way.
Thus the risk accidentally using a detergent that might permanently shift colors is higher.
Further they often contain water softeners that aren't as easily rinsed out.
That on the other hand means they are better for some stains (like blood, food with strong colors etc) and only really good way for whites to stay whites.
But for colors and general washing, a liquid might be a safer choice.
Reply 11
In the US there's a laundry product called Clorox 2 Liquid that contains hydrogen peroxide. Being an additive, it gets mixed with liquid detergent at the time of use. Will enzymes in the detergent have time to act before they're deactivated by the hydrogen peroxide in the additive?
EDIT: I guess the answer is yes, because that's how it works with powders.[this post was last edited: 9/3/2024-08:06]
In the US there's a laundry product called Clorox 2 Liquid that contains hydrogen peroxide. Being an additive, it gets mixed with liquid detergent at the time of use. Will enzymes in the detergent have time to act before they're deactivated by the hydrogen peroxide in the additive?
EDIT: I guess the answer is yes, because that's how it works with powders.[this post was last edited: 9/3/2024-08:06]
Mieles TwinDos is basically the same where detergent and bleaching components are separate.
So are many additives, like Ace over here.
Stuff just isn't shelf stable if you mix bleaching agents and some of the other components in liquid form.
So are many additives, like Ace over here.
Stuff just isn't shelf stable if you mix bleaching agents and some of the other components in liquid form.
ryner1988
Well-known member
I used powdered detergent a lot when I had my conventional direct drive top loader, where I could start the machine and put the detergent in before the clothes. That way the water could be well on its way to dissolving the detergent once the clothes went in. On my new TL, the water doesn't run unless the lid is clothes, plus the washer uses the weight of the load to judge how much water to use on auto sense fill, and since there's no special dispenser on my model, powder has to go in at the bottom of the tub with the dry clothes on top. I'd be worried about the detergent not dissolving all the way, so I switched to pods/liquids. Also, I find clothes stiffer using powder, but maybe that's just in my head. I did find it cleaned very well though.
Ryne
Ryne
liquids can't contain bleach and enzyme
Sun Expert Gel dishwasher detergent contained Sodium Carbonate Peroxide, as well as Amylase and Substilin.
Sun Expert Gel dishwasher detergent contained Sodium Carbonate Peroxide, as well as Amylase and Substilin.
panasonicvac
Well-known member
As much as I love liquid detergents, I'd like to go back to using powder (preferably Kirkland) once I use up my last jug of liquid Tide. The problem I've noticed not too long ago is that liquids can lose effectiveness of cleaning even if they've never been opened after being stored away for a long time, apparently I've also read the same goes for pods as well. At first I thought it was because Tide kept changing their formula but turns out it was because it just got old. I've even done a side by side test between old and fresh liquid Tide, huge difference. We like buying a whole bunch of detergent and store them cause it's better to have plenty than not enough.
vtgbabydress
Well-known member
I am very late to the party. I am obsessed with detergents (and non detergent soap) for my laundry. I have tried almost everything that is natural or mostly natural because I have allergies. The way I determine how well my detergent cleans is if I forget and leave laundry in the washer does it stink? My current favs are Country Save powder and Charlie’s Soap liquid. I do not like Charlie’s powder at all, but I love the liquid. Both of these are available on Prime.
They both leave my clothes smelling like nothing but clean and oh so soft! I do not use a fabric softener unless it is something I really need to extra soften. In that case I use Seventh Generation liquid fs. Otherwise I put a Mrs Meyers lavender softener sheet or a few drops of lavender on a dryer ball. This more for the natural scent,I do not need a fabric softener with these products. Lavender oil smells so good. We get compliments all the time.
I will add stpp to particularly dirty loads, but not daily. Only as needed because it is pricey.
I tried Persil liquid once. Just the regular. I used the whole bottle, but I hated it. The chemical smell made me want to hurl and when I let things soak overnight (I did this twice) the water had the most putrid smell. Yuk. I won’t touch it again.
They both leave my clothes smelling like nothing but clean and oh so soft! I do not use a fabric softener unless it is something I really need to extra soften. In that case I use Seventh Generation liquid fs. Otherwise I put a Mrs Meyers lavender softener sheet or a few drops of lavender on a dryer ball. This more for the natural scent,I do not need a fabric softener with these products. Lavender oil smells so good. We get compliments all the time.
I will add stpp to particularly dirty loads, but not daily. Only as needed because it is pricey.
I tried Persil liquid once. Just the regular. I used the whole bottle, but I hated it. The chemical smell made me want to hurl and when I let things soak overnight (I did this twice) the water had the most putrid smell. Yuk. I won’t touch it again.
Logixx
Really now?
I always thought some component in the bleaching system in laundry detergents was incompatible with the enzymes in the detergent.
That's the way TwinDos is set up at least - the one major difference between 1 and 2 there is one contains enzymes and one dosen't.
Really now?
I always thought some component in the bleaching system in laundry detergents was incompatible with the enzymes in the detergent.
That's the way TwinDos is set up at least - the one major difference between 1 and 2 there is one contains enzymes and one dosen't.
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