It takes a little more thought to buy the right laundry detergent than it did years ago. With the new larger capacity front-loading washing machines and the rise in environmental consciousness, individuals have to stop and think before putting the cheapest laundry detergent in the shopping cart.
Whether washing for a family of two or a family of eight, one thing remains the same; everyone must use laundry detergent when washing clothes. They just won't get clean without it. Herein lies the dilemma: there are so many detergents on the market, which is the best one to use? All advertising slogans aside, here are a few things to think about when choosing the right laundry detergent for the family's needs:
Consider the cleaning challenges
There are all types of dirty clothes. Depending on the ages, occupation, hobbies and sports, clothes can be soiled as a result of baby formula, football grass stains, axel grease, craft paint or a host of other reasons. Being familiar with the particular cleaning challenges will help to determine which detergent is best. Cleaning infant clothes with a super strong powerful detergent is overkill just as cleaning car mechanics overalls with a gentle laundry detergent wouldn't make sense. Search for a detergent that will meet the cleaning needs.
Powder or Liquid
Powdered laundry detergents are usually less expensive than liquid detergents, but some people find that the powder doesn't dissolve quickly enough when running a cold-water load. On the other hand, liquid detergents are purported to handle the delicate items better, but costs more.
Cost
Be wary of extremely inexpensive laundry detergents. Although the price may be low, the amount needed per load may be high. Compare the cost and the amount needed per load to get a true idea of the cost. It may not be as cheap as it appears.
Manufacturers Suggestions
The high efficiency front-loading washing machines cannot use the same laundry detergent as the top loaders, they must use a detergent that is made specifically for high efficiency machines. Using regular laundry detergent in a high efficiency machine will not only cause excessive sudsing (which is a waste of laundry detergent), but over time will damage the washing machine. Read the washing machine's manual to find out what type of detergent the manufacturer recommends.
Environmentally Friendly
Phosphates are not good for the environment. Be sure to check the list of ingredients to see if the laundry detergent is low in phosphates or phosphate free. Some laundry detergent manufactures like Seventh Generation or EcoSaver make environmentally friendly products.
Make your own
After much research and testing the store brands, try making homemade laundry detergent. The recipe is easy; it's inexpensive (costs less than one cent per load) and is environmentally friendly.
The key to finding the right laundry detergent is to find one that is affordable, cleans well, is environmentally friendly and is not harmful to the washing machine.
Felicia A. Williams - Felicia A. Williams is a full time freelance writer with over 20 years of business writing experience.
