How to use laundry capsules correctly

The gel, packaged in a shell called “Ariel,” are capsules that have different properties depending on the reagents they contain. When using this detergent, you need to follow some rules; it is useful to listen to the reviews of housewives who constantly use encapsulated soap.

Dosed loading of the washing machine with washing gel or powder is the primary concern of the housewife: a deficiency affects the quality, and an excess leads to an abundance of foam. Portions of detergent in the form of a gel placed in a shell are called capsules. They contain a precisely measured amount of reagent for effective washing, thanks to which an increasing number of women are using the new product.

Description and composition of Ariel capsules
Pros and cons of gel in a shell
Directions for use of capsules
Types of film-coated reagents
Opinions on the effectiveness of 3 in 1 pads

Pros and cons of the remedy

TM Ariel gel capsules are an innovative product designed for washing in automatic machines.
Gel pads have a number of advantages:

washing efficiency;
absence of whitish stains on things after treatment;
ease of use;
possibility of use even at low temperatures;
since the product is placed directly into the drum, there is no loss of the drug when passing from a separate compartment on the machine;
safety;
pleasant aroma of clothes after washing;
compact storage.

A feature of modern Ariel capsules is the multi-chamber organization of each pad. When washing, their contents are released at a certain stage of processing by dissolving the shell.

The gel that is inside is easily distributed in water, starting to act immediately after release. And it is also easy to rinse, which makes this product stand out compared to powders.

There are also some nuances to using. These include the following points:

when wet (for example, if you handle the pads with wet hands), the shell dissolves and the contents may spill;
the original design of the product and the external attractiveness of the pads require that the detergent be kept away from children, who may find it interesting and even like candy;
Packaging the product in capsules does not make it possible to use less product, since the capsule is indivisible.

This also includes the rather high cost of the product - it is much higher than that of the powder.

An alternative product beats washing powder in many ways, but it is also subject to criticism. The main complaint about capsules is the impossibility of dividing them into two or several parts - after all, it happens that the drum does not need to be completely filled. If you often have to wash small volumes, using capsules will not be profitable.

Important to keep away from children

The disadvantages include a higher price, which may not be justified if the items that require washing are not too expensive for you. In addition, the smell after washing with capsules is more pronounced than when using powder. If it is unpleasant to you, it is better not to use capsules for fabric that you have to keep next to your face - pillowcases, towels.

The most rational solution would be to alternately use both means. For gentle washing of personal items, it is better to use capsules, and for household fabrics, where gentle handling is not necessary, you can use standard powder.

An overly attractive appearance of the capsules, a rubber toy or treat, can arouse unnecessary interest in the child. Trying to lick or eat the product can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the packaging out of children's reach.

Advantages

Washing capsules outperform conventional powders in several ways:

Washing efficiency. They allow you to remove dirt from fabrics much better than classic products.
Precise dosing. The capsule contains the volume of gel that is necessary to wash one batch of laundry. At the same time, it rinses well.
Safety. The cleaning components are packaged in a hermetically sealed shell, so contact of the skin and respiratory tract with them is excluded.
Dissolves even in cold water.
Does not require the use of additional funds. The product already contains a concentrated gel, conditioner, and bleach.
Convenient to take with you on trips.

Benefits of laundry capsules

Thanks to the uniquely developed composition, the power of the capsules is twice that of the powder. A special gel copes even with difficult stains.
The included conditioner is gentle on things - this is very important, whether we are talking about delicate fabrics or underwear. The product also allows you to wash outerwear without damaging it or leaving streaks.
Accurate dosage eliminates problems with calculating the required amount of powder. The capsule contains exactly as much detergent as you need for washing, and you won’t have to deal with soap residue on poorly rinsed clothes.
Before washing, the powder is poured into a ditch, and only then is it washed into the drum. Such a complex path is characterized by the loss of part of the powder, which sticks to the walls and gets stuck in the openings. Not to mention the amount that inevitably remains in the bag or spills onto the floor. Using capsules, you can be sure that you will spend the entire amount of the purchased product.
Complete dissolution occurs even at low water temperatures.
Capsules are more environmentally friendly. They are hypoallergenic and protect you from harmful fumes that you will inevitably have to inhale when using the powder.
The packaging is more compact and takes up less space than the usual huge bags of powder. The lid closes conveniently and easily.

Let's consider the positive aspects of this product before the powder.

Thanks to the innovative composition, the included components exceed the physical capabilities of the powder by 2-2.5 times. It is thanks to powerful bleaches that housewives can easily remove the most difficult stains without resorting to boiling or soaking.
After washing with capsules, there are no light spots or streaks left on clothes. When laying, there is no dust, which usually occurs when adding powder. The non-flowing composition of the capsules is very convenient to use if the washing machine is installed in the kitchen and not in the bathroom.
The indisputable advantage of preparations of this kind is considered to be that the capsule already contains a concentrated conditioner. Many people mistakenly talk about the high pricing policy of the product, but do not forget that the powder and rinse aid will be more expensive.
An innovative product suitable for washing delicate fabrics. Capsules are used when processing underwear made of expensive materials, which are usually washed by hand. The composition also copes well with complex stains on silk, suede, and linen products.
The amount of the original component contained in the capsule is sufficient to fully wash all items. It doesn't matter if it's 3 or 7 kg. The drum of a household machine is designed, the final result will not change. This eliminates the need to measure the product by gram, as is the case with powder and conditioner.
When washing clothes with capsules, you do not have to rinse again, since the composition is washed out the first time. In addition, the product dissolves in water at low temperatures in a short time (mode 30 degrees and below).
The undeniable advantage of laundry capsules over powder is their cost-effectiveness. In the hope of ridding their favorite clothes of difficult stains, housewives pour more powder into the machine compartment. When the bulk composition is washed into the drum with water, it loses from 3 to 5% (the mixture sticks to the walls, gets stuck in openings, etc.). In the case of capsules, this feature is absent; the entire composition goes “into use.”

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Kinds

Well-known companies produce capsules of several types: universal capsules for products made from all types of fabric, highly specialized ones designed for washing items made of delicate fabrics, children's clothing and linen (underwear, bed linen).

For white

These tablets work as well as quality liquid bleaches and stain removers. They are used when washing light-colored casual clothes, white linen (underwear, bed linen) made from natural fabrics. Not used for caring for wool and silk products. The product gives things whiteness, freshness, and retains 100% fiber strength.

For color

The concentrated gel, entering the water, begins to work at a temperature of 30 °C. It can be used in hand and delicate wash modes. The liquid removes stains delicately, does not damage the structure of the fabric, and completely preserves the brightness and richness of colors.

For children's things

The gel and conditioner contain no harmful fragrances or aggressive substances that cause allergies. No fragrances are added to baby detergent. The absence of harmful components reduces the risk of allergic reactions and skin irritation.

For underwear

The capsules are intended for washing women's and men's underwear made of silk, cotton, and linen. They can be used in the care of clothes made from delicate fabrics. The gel removes stains carefully without disturbing the structure of dense and thin materials.

Biocapsules with enzymes

This type of capsule is used if it is necessary to wash things from traces of grass, blood, fruit and vegetable juices. The gel begins to work at a temperature of 30-50 °C. The product copes well with all types of organic contaminants and does not harm the quality of the fabric with repeated use. Biocapsules have a disadvantage. The enzymes contained in the gel may cause allergic reactions.

Composition of laundry capsules

The three-compartment capsule is an effective synthetic laundry detergent that provides a comprehensive approach to fabric processing.

Contains:

surfactants are necessary to separate contaminants from the fibers of the material (included in the composition of water-soluble briquettes is 30% of non-surfactant surfactants and 5-15% of non-surfactant surfactants, respectively);
phosphonates – serve for more intensive surfactant work and reduce water hardness;
enzymes make it possible to effectively combat contaminants, including those of biological origin;
fragrance – gives things a light aroma of freshness;
coumarin and other components.

The rich composition without phosphates ensures high-quality washing of clothes.

To prevent detergent residue from remaining on the fabric, items must be rinsed thoroughly. Using the additional rinse function will better remove gel residues from the fabric.

As a rule, all manufacturers adhere to a single scheme in terms of incoming components. A high-concentration gel for cleaning products and a stain remover in powder (or liquid) form are the fundamental components. Of course, every manufacturing company wants to stand out by creating its own secret components.

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Disadvantages of laundry capsules

Any innovative product is subject to criticism from housewives and competitors. People consider the main disadvantage to be the inability to break one capsule into 2 or 3 parts. A similar need arises in cases where the drum is not even 1/3 full. From the above, we can conclude that regular washing of small amounts of clothes will have a detrimental effect on the user’s wallet.
As mentioned earlier, laundry capsules have a high price tag, unlike powder. For this reason, if things are not very dear to you, the costs will not be justified.
Many people consider the fact that after washing with capsules, things smell quite intense as a disadvantage. In the case of powder, such a feature is not observed. If the smell does not suit you, refuse to treat products located near your face (pillowcases, towels, etc.).
Not all housewives can use only laundry capsules, since household fabrics do not require such a careful approach. For this reason, it is recommended to use two formulations at the same time: the powder is useful for washing men’s “work” clothes, the capsules will be an excellent assistant in the fight against stains on more expensive items.
A significant drawback is the appearance of the capsules on the part of children. The product will liquefy a bath bomb or silicone toy filled with water. Therefore, little hooligans may inadvertently take the capsule into their mouth, which will cause poisoning. Do not arouse excessive interest in the child; keep the packaging out of reach.

Precautionary measures

Keep the capsule container closed and away from children at all times.
Do not handle gel sachets with wet hands as they may dissolve and the contents will get on your skin and cause irritation.
The bags are not intended for soaking laundry.
The product is not used for hand washing.

As you can see, laundry capsules have their advantages and disadvantages. But we can say that this product is unique, high-quality and effective in the fight against various contaminants, and also treats things with care.

Varieties

Ariel produces several types of capsules. This makes it possible for each buyer to find their own product that suits them optimally. All of them are intended exclusively for automatic washing.

The currently popular form of product release is “3 in 1”. It allows you to implement the maximum program:

Cleansing.
Removing stains.
Maintaining brightness of shades.

Popular titles include PODS 3 in 1:

Color;
Mountain spring;
Touch of Lenor Fresh;
With shea butter.

All pads contain 3 components of different shades. Washing with capsules allows you to:

remove stains;
remove stubborn stains thanks to the highly concentrated composition;
give things freshness;
maintains the brightness of colors.

Innovative water-soluble packaging reliably separates the contents of the individual compartments from each other before contact with water. The differences between capsules with different names are in the additional substances.

By choosing any of the products, the buyer receives a quality product that allows you to effectively remove stains.

Color capsules are focused more on maintaining the brightness of shades and preserving color; “Mountain Spring” and “Shea Butter” give things a fresh and very pleasant aroma, as does “Fresh from Lenore”. They can be used for washing colored and white laundry.

Popular laundry capsules

There are several popular manufacturing companies that have proven themselves well in the Russian market.

"Ariel Active Gel". The products rightfully occupy a leading position in the list of the best cleaning products. The company produces capsules for washing not only colored but also white clothes. Green capsules are designed for light-colored fabrics, while blue-violet capsules are designed for colored linen (restore shade, increase brightness). The world-famous manufacturer has manufactured the capsules in such a way that they include a highly concentrated gel and a powder that acts as a bleach. Double blow removes the most difficult stains in 1 wash. According to numerous consumer reviews, Ariel capsules do not destroy the structure of delicate fabrics, retain color, impart softness, and facilitate easy ironing.
"Tide Alpine freshness." Despite the effectiveness of this product, the capsules leave an intense odor on clothing. It is difficult to remove even after completely drying and wearing clothes, which is not suitable for everyone. Convenient and ergonomic packaging is approved by most housewives, but the capsules are not designed for washing children's clothes. For the most part, Tide is purchased to remove old stains of blood, rust, wine and fuel and lubricants. The product also perfectly maintains color and preserves the structure of the fabric.
"Persil Duo-Caps". The product is considered an analogue of the above-mentioned Ariel company; their quality and pricing policy are at the same level. The capsule is divided into 2 sections, the first contains a stain remover, the second contains a concentrated gel. For the most part, the product is designed for washing colored fabrics, but is also used for light-colored laundry. As a result, the composition is considered universal; there is no need for soaking, boiling or additional bleaching of things. Blue “bombs” are placed in the drum of a household machine and completely dissolve, leaving no streaks or stains. Since it strives to become the first competitor, the capsules have exactly the same properties: color preservation, improved shade brightness, effective removal of complex contaminants, hypoallergenic composition.

Housewives' opinions

“Of course, it’s still cheaper to buy powder. But the capsules are nicer in appearance, neater, and more convenient. They are more pleasant to look at than the torn edges of a bag with stuck granules. I take the powder when I want to save money, but in general the capsules are easier to deal with.” (Tatiana)

“I use capsules exclusively for washing, the child has allergies, nothing else suits him. I am completely satisfied with everything: now as soon as I remember these pieces of powder on my clothes, I shudder. This is not the case here, everything is washed clean, and there are no stains.” (Angela)

“Capsules are good for everyone, but their conditioning effect is rather weak. It cannot be compared to the full use of this product. So sometimes I use additional conditioner, but everything is fine.” (Faith)

Private video review.

How to use, where to put, how much do you need for one wash?

Ariel capsules are intended for machine washing only. The capsules are the same size and are designed for one wash each. All pads have individual packaging, which is opened only before being placed in the drum.

How to use capsules? The method of using the drug is very simple:

Remove the capsule from its individual packaging and immediately place it in the drum of the machine.
Place the items to be washed on top of the pad in the drum.
Set the processing mode and, if necessary, adjust the settings.
Start the wash cycle.

One capsule is designed to wash from 4 to 6 kg of clothes. If the machine is large and more than 6 kg of laundry is loaded, then 2 pieces are placed in the drum at once.

If the drum is not fully loaded, 1 pad with gel content is used. If things have already been put in the drum, but you forgot to put the capsule in right away, it’s okay; in extreme cases, you can put it in last.

Silk and wool cannot be washed using capsules; they require specially designed detergents.

Incomplete dissolution: what to do?

In rare cases, housewives may encounter a situation where the capsules have not completely dissolved.

The following circumstances may lead to this:

Very little or, conversely, a lot of things were put into the drum.
The washing temperature was set lower than what the manufacturer recommends.

The way out of the situation would be an additional rinse in the washing machine or rinsing things manually in a basin. If the result still leaves a stain on the clothing, it can be carefully treated with alcohol.

Apply alcohol to the stained area using a sponge and rinse with water after a quarter of an hour. If the treatment does not produce results the first time, it is repeated .

Following the recommendations of the laundry pad manufacturer will help prevent the capsules from not completely dissolving in the future.

Tips for a good purchase: price and location

All capsules are packaged by the manufacturer in compact and practical plastic containers. Each of them is in a separate package.

One such package may contain a different number of capsules. Depending on this, the price of the product is determined. Approximate price for the product: from 400 rubles for 13 pieces per package when purchased without discounts.

For a large family, it is beneficial to purchase a larger package that includes a larger number of capsules. The purchase can be made at almost any store that sells household chemicals, since Ariel products are very popular, or you can order capsules from an online store.

You should pay attention to promotional offers for these products. This will allow you to make an even better purchase.

How to use laundry capsules

Place 1 capsule at the bottom of the drum (middle) and load the clothes on top. Separate whites from colored items to avoid staining the fabrics.
Select the appropriate mode. It is important to remember forever that capsules can cope with even complex stains at low temperatures. Therefore, if you usually wash at 30 degrees, there is no need to change your habit.
After all the preparations, press the start button of the machine and wait until the end of the washing cycle.

The capsules are environmentally safe; they can be used for washing children's clothes and items for allergy sufferers. The product ranks first in the list of the best hypoallergenic products, which is considered an undeniable advantage. The packaging with washing capsules is ergonomic, it does not take up much space and is convenient to use. The lid opens and closes easily, no need to put on a clothespin in the form of a clip.

Removing traces of detergent

A trace situation may arise if:

Water temperature is lower than recommended;
Small machine load.

To correct the situation, you need to turn on the rinse mode in the machine.

If the product is still not removed, then alcohol is applied to the items and left for 15-20 minutes. Afterwards, wash it off with warm running water.

Precautionary measures

Avoid contact of capsules with children;
Do not use for soaking or hand washing;
Avoid getting water on the capsules;
Even if the product is hypoallergenic, it is better to read about possible allergic reactions before use.

Alternative options

Persil

Persil gel pads are designed for white and colored laundry. Each block consists of several chambers. Capsules are sold packaged in plastic containers. The process of using them is similar to Ariel.

Several types of capsules are produced under the Tide TM. The concentrated formula allows you to organize the washing process as efficiently as possible, and with convenience for the consumer.

Manufacturer of Lock capsules – Hungary. Several chambers of the detergent are combined into one unit. The active components, as in the case of pads from other manufacturers, are released gradually when necessary during washing.

Review of manufacturers

Housewives have a choice; capsules from several global brands are on sale. They differ in design, aroma, and composition.

Ariel Active Gel

The products of this company are popular among Russian housewives. You can purchase gel tablets for colored and white laundry. The gel has stain remover properties, which greatly increases the efficiency of washing.

Persil Duo-Caps

The product preserves the color of linen, restores cleanliness, and is suitable for products made from any fabric. The capsules are filled with gel and stain remover; there is no fabric softener. To remove stubborn stains, it is recommended to place 2 capsules in the drum.

Tide Alpine freshness

Tide capsules are used to wash white and colored laundry. They do not leave streaks and retain color. Washed items have a strong smell, so they should not be dried in an unventilated area. To remove the strong aroma, run an additional rinse mode.

Losk Duo-Caps Color

After washing, things are soft, fresh, smell nice, but not all stains come off. The washing concentrate contains enzymes and a stain remover, suitable for washing white and colored laundry made from natural fabrics and synthetics.

Ariel pods reviews

Users who use capsules to care for clothes note the high quality of washing and ease of use of the product. Many people consider the high price of the product to be the main disadvantage.

Some users of the detergent find the aroma to be strong, in which case an additional rinse cycle is used.

But capsules with shea butter aroma are practically devoid of such complaints. In general, individual packaging is more economical than liquid gel and more practical than powder.

Reviews of Ariel Color can be found here, here and here. About the capsules Shea butter aroma - on this review, here and here. Reviews of Touch of Lenor Fresh gel pads can be found here, Mountain Spring - here.

Storage rules

The container must be tightly closed after each use. The gel tablets will stick together if water gets into it.

The detergent has a limited shelf life. When stored in a dry place it is only 15 months. It is not advisable to use capsules that have expired. The manufacturer does not guarantee the quality of washing. In addition, an expired concentrated product may leak and cause an allergy attack.

The container with detergent should be put away in a closet so that it does not accidentally catch the child’s eyes. Young children are attracted to transparent containers filled with bright liquid; they resemble beautiful toys. If a child comes into contact with a concentrated product, he or she may become poisoned.