Liquid detergents and powder detergents both have their pros and cons.
We show the most important differences.
Deciding between liquid detergent and powder detergent can be confusing.
Both have their pros and cons, and it's important to understand the differences in order to make the best choice for your needs.
Benefits of washing powder
The washing powders include not only the powdered variants, but also other solid detergents such as tabs and pearls.
Detergent powder has the advantage that it has a longer shelf life than liquid detergent.
Heavy-duty detergents also contain bleach, which prevents white laundry from turning gray and bleaches stains.
These become particularly active at high temperatures from 60 degrees, which makes it easier to clean heavily soiled laundry or remove stains.
It also contains no preservatives, which is particularly beneficial for people with sensitive skin.
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Powder detergent has some advantages over the liquid version.
© Joko/Imago
Disadvantages of washing powder
A disadvantage of powdered detergents is that it can sometimes leave a white residue on dark-colored clothes, especially at lower washing temperatures.
A lower dosage often helps here.
What is washing powder made of?
Detergent powder is made up of the following chemical ingredients, among others:
Surfactants
to dissolve grease and dirt particles
Bleaches (in heavy
-
duty and heavy-duty detergents) to remove stains and discolorations
Enzymes
to remove stains
Builders
to improve detergent effectiveness
Polymers
to prevent dirt build -up Fragrances
to neutralize odor
Colorants
to improve appearance
Phosphates
(in some detergent powders ) for water softening
It is important to note that some laundry detergents may also contain other ingredients and that the exact composition may vary by brand and product.
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Benefits of liquid laundry detergent
Liquid detergent is commercially available either in bottles or, in the meantime, often in the form of caps or discs.
It has the advantage of quickly dissolving in water and leaving no residue on clothing.
Because it contains no bleach, it's also gentler on clothes and can be used at lower temperatures, saving energy and helping the environment.
Disadvantages of liquid detergent
A disadvantage of liquid detergent is that it can spoil faster than powder detergent and therefore has to be used up more quickly.
In order to increase the shelf life, preservatives are also included, which can cause skin irritation in allergy sufferers.
Liquid detergent may also not be as effective as powder detergent at removing tough stains because bleach cannot be added.
What is the difference between the ingredients of liquid and powder detergent?
In contrast to washing powder, liquid detergent does not contain bleach, but instead contains more surfactants to dissolve grease and dirt.
In addition, liquid detergents contain preservatives that are not needed in powder detergents.
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Which detergent is better depends on your own needs
Both types of laundry detergent have their pros and cons, and the choice depends on your specific needs.
If you need to wash clothes at higher temperatures or need to remove heavy stains, powder detergent may be a better choice.
However, if you have sensitive skin, want to save energy when washing, or wash clothes at lower temperatures, liquid detergent may be better.
It's also important to note that each brand of laundry detergent may have different ingredients and properties that can affect performance.
It pays to try different brands and see which one works best for your needs.
This article was created with the help of machines and carefully reviewed by editor Andrea Stettner before publication.
List of rubrics: © Joko/Imago