Cleaning the laundry is not a favoured job, but someone has to finish it. You will require some serious detergent to clean all those soiled and messy clothes. The inner drum of the washing machine, along with water (front loading) or Spindle agitator (Top Load), detergents (liquid or powder), lift the stains, odors, and dirt away. But when it comes to the question of cleaning power, convenience, and cost, not all detergents are the same.
There are two types of detergents-liquid and powder. These are ideal for high efficiency and for all standards of front load washing machines and top load washing machines at any water temperature. But when you hit the produce aisle in a supermarket or online, several brands will promise you with clean and fresh laundry. Thus you might wonder which one to select? To clear the clouded worries, we have made the following comparisons to let you decide which one is the best among the two.
Powder vs Liquid Detergent
The cost of Powder Detergent is a little less.
The lightweight cardboard packaging and liquid material keep the powder detergent’s product, and transportation cost less than the liquid detergent. Since the liquid cleaning agents contain water and come in heavier bottles, it becomes more expensive to transport them. An average family that has 300 loads each year could save a lot of dimes by choosing the detergent powder over the liquid ones.
Powder Detergents are more efficient in removing the tough stains.
The primary surfactant named Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate in the powder detergents is more effective on bloodstains, lifting the mud or tough stains. This makes it a great alternative for the families of athletic players. On the other hand, Alcohol ethoxylate in the liquid detergents can easily eliminate grease stains, starting from cooking oil to car grease.
Liquid Detergent is Ideal for Hand washing or Stain Pretreatment.
Do you have a habit of pre-treating a stain on a pant or a shirt by throwing it in the washer or before hand washing it? Then liquid detergent is the best in these cases. However, you can prepare a paste of powder detergent with water that will also perform the same as liquid ones. Liquid detergents are ideal for small loads, hand washing, or washing in the machines, whereas powder detergents are perfect for large loads.
Liquid detergent is more fitting to Use.
The manufacturing company packs liquid detergent in plastic bottles for easy transport. It also includes a twisting cap with a spout that will help you in splash-proof pouring into the washing machine. The measuring cup also enables to pour the exact amount of liquid required for washing. However, powder detergent comes in a cumbersome box where you need to pour the detergent separately in a measuring cup. This can be wasteful and messy if the powder accidentally winds up on the floor or your hands.
Fewer Residues While Washing with Liquid Detergent
Both powder and liquid detergents help to distribute active ingredients. Water being the main filler in the liquid detergent easily dissolves in the water. There are fewer residues in the washer and on the clothes when washed with liquid cleaning agents. On the other hand, powder detergent includes a granular texture due to the filler sodium sulphate, which dissolves less in the water, specifically cold ones. Thus they accumulate more on clothes. If you wash all your clothes in cold water often to decrease the power cost and prevent the fading of colours, liquid detergent should be the ultimate choice for you.
Liquid detergent is safer for Washing Appliances.
Undissolved clumps of powder detergent can clog your septic system or washer for which you might have to summon a plumber. Notably, powdered washing agents can block the washer’s draining pump or the hose of the pump that will lead to the failure in the draining. The fillers of the detergent powder might also combine with the septic system liquids to form different varieties of solids that can block the system and stop the disposal of the waste. But some detergent powders come with septic system safe labels to decrease the risk. Since liquid detergents easily dissolve in the water, it is less likely to form any clog in the septic system.
You May like to Read Top Load vs Front Lod Washing Machine
Advantages & Disadvantages of Liquid Detergent
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Ideal for a spot or pre-treated cleaning | Measurement lines are hard to apprehend |
| Efficiently removes grease and oil stains | Remain less efficient on some cleaning agents such as oxygen bleach as they remain unstable when mixed with the water. |
| Less expensive than the pods |
Advantages & Disadvantages of Powder Detergent
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| A small cost of each laundry load | Heavy and large boxes are hard to carry and store |
| Environmental friendly and recyclable packaging | Does not dissolve properly in cold water, thus leaving large residues on the fabric |
| Efficient cleaning agent for the areas with hard water supply | Pre-treating of the clothes is difficult |
| The formula of the powdered detergents are more stable than the liquid ones to remove tough stains like mud and oil |
Final Thoughts
But, finally, what can we say when it comes down to the question of which is the best- liquid or powdered detergents? Well, both of them come with some benefits and drawbacks, but they individually do their job of cleaning well. If you are going to choose a liquid one, then always select anyone with concentrated formula. But if you favour powder detergent more over the liquid ones, then we would suggest something to choose that is colour safe and dissolves well in cold water. That is all for today. Happy cleaning, folks!
Sheena Behera knows the top to bottom when it comes to home appliances. She graduated from the Indian Institute of Science with Mechanical Engineering in the year 2011. She has spent a lot of time working with clientele who require safe and efficient electronic appliances. Her main task at apolloedoc, as an expert, is to provide an unbiased opinion on the safety, durability, and longevity of products we use at our homes daily.
She has ample experience in HVAC systems ((heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and sets strict standards for what passes in her list. Sheena has been working with us since 2018 and has consistently provided our readers with the necessary information to make the right buying decision.
Playing badminton, keeping herself fit, and binge-watching series’ on Netflix are some of her favourite pastimes. She also enjoys flowing away in the stories of fictional books like Harry Potter and The Handmaid’s Tale. She has a chirpy, yet strong collaborative skills and works hand-in-hand with our other writing experts whenever required. Although her family is originally from Odisha, she has spent most of her childhood in Bangalore due to her father’s transfers.