What is the difference between an automatic powder and a hand wash powder?

If I accidentally mixed it up, I looked at the packaging inattentively - and instead of a powder machine, I poured a detergent for hand washing into the washing machine, nothing terrible will happen at once. Most likely, nothing will happen to the machine.

But get involved and repeat the experiment is not worth it. A large amount of foam, which inevitably arises from the use of powder for hand washing, “deceives” automation. She mistakenly determines the water level. As a result, the heating element, instead of finding itself in water, is in foam, which may entail the replacement of the heater, motor or electronic control unit.

In short, the most expensive parts of the washing machine will have to be repaired. At the same time, it is worth considering that the masters often refuse to change bearings or a drum at home, because a washing machine often has to be sent to a service center. And this clearly entails additional transportation costs.

Therefore, if you made a mistake and bought a powder for hand washing (it generally suits also activator-type machines), or if there is no laundry detergent intended for an automatic machine in the nearest store, it’s better to wash dirty clothes by hand (as if it weren’t I wanted to avoid).

The difference between automatic powder and handwash powder

1. Foam

Powder intended for hand washing has special substances that increase foaming. In the powder for the machine, on the contrary, there are agents that stabilize the foam and prevent it from exceeding the maximum allowable limit.

Thus, the manufacturers made sure that the foam did not leak out of the door of the washing machine and the powder compartments, and also did not clog the hose and end up in the electric motor.

2. Care for the washing machine / hands

In addition, almost all automatic washing powders include special substances that soften the hardness of water and prevent sediment from forming. Hard water has a bad effect on the machine in that it has an increased amount of salts, especially calcium and magnesium. The scum just testifies to its presence.

It is especially dangerous for a heating element, whose metal, covered with scum, quickly overheats, softens, as a result of which heat transfer decreases, the need for electricity increases, and the powder consumption increases.

In addition, automatic powders are also useful because they lack various solvents and chlorine that can damage the rubber parts of the washing machine.

At the same time, the composition of the powder for hand washing contains special ingredients that care for the skin of the hands (sometimes soap is present in them).

3. Dissolution rate

The automatic powder is more concentrated (which means it lasts a lot longer and needs less use at a time), therefore it dissolves much longer than that intended for hand washing.

4. The result of washing

In the washing machine you need to put exactly the volume of powder that is recommended by its manufacturer, as indicated on the packaging. Otherwise, irrespective of whether you poured (the detergent may not dissolve corny) or you didn’t add enough powder, the quality of the washing will deteriorate significantly.

Meanwhile, the quality of hand washing depends not so much on the amount of powder as on the work of hands and thorough rinsing. You may notice that having poured more powder, it will take longer to rinse things.