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Characteristics of washing powders

Characteristics of washing powdersIf you choose a detergent for washing by packaging or price, it is unlikely that you can get perfectly clean things. On the contrary, you can discolor a new blouse or not remove a greasy stain. To achieve the optimal result, it is necessary to carefully study the composition and technical characteristics of washing powders before buying. Experienced housewives even advise you to immediately purchase several brands and alternate depending on the pollution and type of fabric. Our detailed review will help you not to get confused in the abundance of brands and manufacturers.

General properties

Finding powder in a store is not difficult: it is always located in the department of household chemicals. The standard form is a dry synthetic mixture consisting of surfactants, bleaches, dyes, perfumes, salt ballast, enzymes and special substances designed to “bind” calcium and magnesium ions in tap water. There are more natural options based on baby soap and soda, in which there are no irritating phosphates, surfactants and bleaching components.

The composition of the powder determines its ability to wash and bleach. For this “bleach”, which may be:

  • Optical. It is often added to inexpensive powders, but you should not expect a special effect from it. The action is temporary in nature, since it does not bleach things, but due to luminescent substances it settles on the tissue and makes it "shine" under the sun's rays.
  • Oxygen. We are talking about chemical components - perborate or sodium percarbonate, which can penetrate the structure of the material and fight pollution from the inside. The spot is oxidized, since under the influence of oxygen-containing substances, intramolecular bonds are destroyed, fibers are discolored and foreign bodies are removed. There is only one “but”: if the TAED activator is not present in the composition of the powder, then for perfect bleaching it will be necessary to heat the washing water to 70-90 degrees.

Oxygen bleaches can be enhanced by other components, anionic surfactants and phosphates, due to which they more effectively remove dirt and completely disinfect linen.

It is worth paying attention to the presence in the composition of the powder of substances that suppress foaming, as well as the addition of special water softeners to the mixture. Thanks to them, scale can be avoided and full rinsing and quick dissolution can be achieved. No less important is the biodegradability of the packaging and detergent, which is also indicated on the labeling of the goods.oxygen bleach

It is of fundamental importance to many that the detergent leaves a pleasant smell on clean linen. Then you need to look for a flavor in the composition, although most often manufacturers report the “goodness” of the product in the name, naming it accordingly, for example, “Lavender”, “Tea Rose” or “Sea Freshness”. Otherwise, washed items will smell like soap.

But while it is impossible to find a product with an ideal composition: natural mixtures do not wash complex and old stains, and aggressive components can settle on clothing and cause allergies. The best way would be to purchase several products suitable for specific things and various types of stains. And the larger the home range of “versatile” powders, the cleaner the clothes will be. So, it is advised to have bleach, a pack for white, colored and children's underwear.

Detergents Classification

For the convenience of consumers, manufacturers immediately divide their products into types intended for hand washing or automatic, synthetic or delicate, white or color, baby clothes or workwear. Knowing the main types, you can quickly choose the right tool and not be mistaken with the end result. First of all, powders are separated depending on the type of fabric.So, you can find formulations specially selected for:

  • Wool and silk. This includes other delicate, soft and thin materials, which are suitable only for high-quality mixtures of primary alkyl sulfates, sodium sulfate and with a minimum content of alkylolamides. Sometimes bicarbonates may appear in the composition, creating a slightly alkaline environment for efficiency at temperatures up to 30 degrees.powder for washing wool and silk
  • Mixed fabrics. These are the so-called universal products, consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkidaryl sulfonates with the obligatory presence of optical brighteners. Much depends on the degree of heating of water: for gentle cleaning of delicate materials, it is necessary to prevent heating above 45 degrees, and synthetics, cotton and linen can only be removed by boiling.
  • Cotton and linen. These products are distinguished by the addition of soda ash, which creates a strong alkaline environment.

It is strictly forbidden to use compositions intended for cotton and linen for washing wool items, since keratin will be destroyed with increased alkalinity, the pile will fade and the fabric will lose weight.

  • Dense and rough textures (like workwear). This kind of clothing can only be washed with aggressive surfactants and phosphates.

Depending on the properties of the detergents, they are also divided according to the purpose. So, some formulations are designed for soaking, others for washing heavily soiled items or bleaching. There are also powders for disinfecting, giving the material crease resistance and antistaticity.

Laundry products vary in the way they are used. Universal mixtures can be used both in the machine, and in the machines of the activator type, and for hand washing, and on an industrial scale. Special, on the contrary, are intended only for one of the mentioned units. Some powders boast additional features. They can:

  • have a complex effect;
  • bleach;
  • to disinfect;
  • tint in blue;
  • take statistical electricity;
  • soften laundry for easier ironing.

As a rule, its packaging clearly tells about all the features of the powder. Manufacturers of inscriptions report on the scope of the tool and possible additions. Special designations are sometimes used, for example, machine wash mixtures have a schematic representation of an automatic machine on a box or bundle.

Knowing the comparative characteristics of the powder and the decoding of all the labels printed on the packaging, you can quickly choose the right tool without overpaying or spoiling the laundry. The main thing is not to neglect the composition and recommendations of the manufacturer.

   

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