Laundry capsules: detailed instructions for use. How much to throw, how to use and where to put tablets in underwear

Updated: 03/18/2021 Laundry capsules are a concentrated dosage form of detergents, or laundry detergents. A similar product was introduced to the world market back in the 1960s and for a long time in different countries belonged to a small category of detergent products.

In recent years, laundry capsules have a high level of popularity and demand among consumers. This is explained by a number of advantages that capsules have over traditional means:

• They have an exact dosage.
  One capsule – one wash, designed for an average of 4-5 kg ​​of laundry.
• Convenient, compact storage.
  The composition of the capsules is concentrated, they are light in weight and size, and do not take up much space. They also eliminate the need to transport large packages of powder or gel from stores.
• Maximum ease of use.
  The capsule is simply placed in the drum of the machine. As an added benefit, the powder and conditioner container remains clean.
• Unlike conventional products, they completely dissolve without leaving streaks on clothes.
• High efficiency due to concentration.
• They can replace several products at the same time:
  washing gel or powder, stain remover, fabric softener.

A modern laundry capsule consists of:

• A water-soluble polymer shell, which in structure consists of one or 2-3 isolated chambers.
• Shell contents: gel with a high level of surfactants and soap, enzymes, phosphonates, polymers, fragrances, dyes and other substances.

There are certain features that need to be taken into account if you use capsules:

• Their cost is higher than that of traditional laundry detergents.
• Since the composition of the product is concentrated, there is a higher danger for contact with skin, it is dangerous for children, and the aroma is more intense.
• For automatic washing only.
• The capsule is not suitable for washing several items of light weight.

Introducing the ranking of laundry capsules 2022. The best 11 products that were selected by our experts based on user reviews and ratings.

Benefits of capsules

Unlike washing powder, capsules have the following advantages:

1. Easy to use.
2. Pre-measured precise dosage, more economical consumption.
3. Multifunctionality. The capsule is designed to remove dirt, whiten, and remove stains. Contains air conditioning.
4. Effective fight against stubborn dirt. There is no need to pre-soak the laundry.
5. The product is universal: suitable for washing both natural and synthetic products of different shades.
6. Preservation of the original color and structure of the fabric even with frequent washing.
7. The gel tablet is completely dissolved in water, washed out of the fibers, and does not stick to the walls and elements of the washing machine.
8. Compact, easy to store. The plastic container with capsules closes tightly, preventing moisture, and does not take up much space.
9. No contact with skin or respiratory tract, thanks to the hermetically sealed shell. The risk of burns and allergies is minimal.

For black things

Laundry capsules, which are designed directly for black items, support the dark pigment, preventing it from being washed out of the fibers . The range of such pads is smaller than the universal ones intended for colored clothes. Well-proven capsules for black things include:

Perlux Super Compact Black

Concentrate with enzymes for washing at temperatures from 40°C to 60°C. The cost for 24 pieces is up to 500 rubles.

Coccolino Black&Dark

Capsules for dark and black linen allow you to carry out comprehensive care of things without washing out rich shades, and fights overpricing. The pads leave a light scent on clothes after washing. The cost is about 600 rubles for a package of 29 pieces.

Coral black velvet

They are pads with concentrated washing gel, which is gentle on dark fabrics, preventing their rapid wear . The pads can be used at temperatures up to 60°C. Packaging price is up to 500 rubles for 22 pieces.

Are there any disadvantages

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.

The overly attractive appearance of the capsules, reminiscent of 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.

Who are the manufacturers

The household chemicals market offers a wide range of gel “pads” for washing. Here is a list of the most common brands.

Ariel . A world-famous brand of washing powders. It produces gel for colored (blue bags) and white (green bags) fabrics. The product contains a stain remover, so it copes well with even the most severe stains, and also preserves the color of things, gives them softness and facilitates easy ironing.

Persil . It is considered an analogue of the previous brand. Price and quality are on the same level. Each capsule consists of two sections. 1 is a stain remover, 2 is a concentrated gel. A special feature of this product is the protection of the washing machine from limescale. It is mainly used for colored items, but washing white items is also not prohibited.

Tide . “Bombs” are designed for washing white and colored clothes. In terms of money, more profitable than the previous two options. The product helps preserve the color and structure of the fabric, as well as remove old stains. Some housewives do not approve of it because of the strong smell.

Note: how to properly wash knitted items

Losk . Budget option for capsules. Copes with simple stains.

Domol . A product for renewing the color and refreshing the appearance of clothes. It is not sold in a box, but in a bag, which makes it inconvenient to store.

CM Miele . These capsules are used to wash delicate items: wool, silk. The manufacturer has also released a product for cleaning sportswear, which contains odor neutralizers.

Perlux baby . Gel sachets for washing children's clothes. They do not have a strong odor and do not cause allergies.

BabyLine BIO . Suitable for children's underwear, as well as for people with sensitive skin and allergies.

How to choose a detergent

To choose capsules that will meet your expectations, pay attention to the following features:

1. Manufacturing company, its reputation

   . It is better to buy pills that are produced by large brands or trademarks specializing in the production of IVF products. In the first case, you can be confident in the quality and effectiveness of the detergents, since you have probably used the powder or gel from this large company more than once. In the case of products from small, highly specialized companies producing safe household chemicals, you can count on them not causing allergies or other side effects.

2. Smell of detergent.

   Most tablets contain a highly concentrated gel that has a strong and persistent odor. Typically, users are neutral about this, but there are people who are irritated by strong chemical scents. If the strong smell of washing powder gives you a headache, weakness or asthma attacks, it is better to opt for weak-smelling tablets, hypoallergenic preparations or specialized preparations for children's clothes marked 0+.

3. Composition of the product

   . This aspect is important because it directly affects the quality of the wash. Most tablets consist of several “compartments” that contain different components - washing gel, stain remover, color support or conditioner. To clean very dirty things, especially children's ones, it is recommended to buy capsules with a hypoallergenic stain remover. If things do not require thorough and deep cleaning, you can use the simplest and cheapest detergents.

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4. Number of capsules per package and product price

   . If you are concerned about the cost of one wash, then you need to look not only at the price of the detergent package, but also at how many capsules it contains. It is enough to divide the cost of the product by the number of tablets, and you will find out how much one wash will cost. But keep in mind that some manufacturers directly indicate that to remove persistent and old stains, it may be necessary to use not 1, but 2-3 tablets per load of laundry, which also affects the cost of the procedure.

5. Can I wash it in cool water?

   . If pads with detergent gel can be used at low temperatures, you will not only save on electricity, but also extend the life of things, since cold water harms them much less than hot water.

6. Also, before buying a new household chemical, many users get acquainted with reviews about it on the Internet

   . Reviews are really useful to study, as they provide useful and honest (though not always 100% objective) information about the quality and effectiveness of products. Our experts recommend reading reviews of capsules for washing clothes, since in most cases they are accompanied by “Before” and “After” photographs, thanks to which you can find out what kind of stains certain pads can handle (or can’t handle).

STIMEL from "Traffic Light"

Two-color (blue-red) “tablets” of domestic production have a dense shell and dissolve in water without residue. Bright things do not lose color after using STIMEL.

Among the advantages of this detergent, we highlight the following:

• low cost;
• high efficiency with short washing duration;
• works against oil stains and rust;
• clean clothes have a light floral aroma.

This company produces 20 pieces per package, the price is 220-238 rubles.

See also:

5 cheap toilet cleaners that are better than expensive ones

Types of laundry capsules

Manufacturers produce different types of gel pads:

• Universal . They are suitable for any fabrics of all shades.
• For white and light-colored laundry. The gel tablet contains bleach, which allows you to thoroughly wash bed linen and light-colored clothes. The product is suitable only for natural fabrics; they are prohibited from washing items made from synthetic, wool, or silk fabrics.
• For colored clothes. The ingredients work even at low temperatures and gently remove stains. The item retains its brightness and does not fade.
• For underwear and delicate fabrics. The product is suitable for cotton and linen products, and takes good care of items made of silk and suede.
• For children's things . Hypoallergenic tablets contain no harmful or aggressive substances, fragrances or fragrances.
• Biocapsules with enzymes. They perform well when removing complex stains (wine, juices, fruits, vegetables, blood, grass, paints, felt-tip pens, etc.)

Housewives' opinions

Those who have already tested capsules for washing clothes say the following:

• A neat, easy-to-use tool.
• They do not leave streaks or marks in the form of dried powder cakes on clothes.
• Suitable for people suffering from allergies.
• They work well on various types of stains: grass, food, deodorant.
• When washing outerwear, the fluff does not spread or shrink.
• In some cases, the packaging does not dissolve completely.
• After washing, the laundry smells strong, so you have to rinse it extra.

Directions for use and precautions

When using a capsule product, the following recommendations must be followed:

1. Set the temperature to at least 30 degrees: only warm water helps dissolve the film.
2. Place the product in the drum. In the washing compartment, the pad shell will remain intact, the gel will not have access to dirty clothes.
3. Do not try to burst the capsule yourself.
4. Do not combine the use of the gel tablet with powders, soaps, stain removers and other household chemicals.
5. For complex stains or a large mass of items (more than 5 kg), you can use 2 capsules at once.
6. Do not handle the pad with wet hands to avoid destruction of the shell.
7. Do not soak laundry using the capsule.
8. Store gel tablets in a cool, dry place with the packaging tightly closed.

Is it possible to wash in a basin?

The product is machine washable only. Aggressive ingredients can cause allergic reactions and irritation upon contact with the skin and respiratory tract. Hand washing using encapsulated products is strictly prohibited.

If you need to remove stubborn dirt, then it is permissible to soak the item in a basin, in a powder solution with a stain remover, then rinse, load it into the machine, and wash using a capsule.

How to remove traces of detergent

The film does not completely dissolve in 2 cases:

• if there is not enough laundry loaded into the machine;
• if the temperature was lower than recommended in the instructions.

The way out of the situation is to rinse things in warm water manually or run the rinse mode in the washing machine. The remaining stain can be removed with alcohol. The product is applied, left for 15 minutes, then washed off with warm water. The treatment with alcohol may have to be repeated 2-3 times until the contamination disappears.

Sidebar: Differences between capsules and laundry tablets

Powder tablets are compressed washing powder. Unlike gel capsules, one tablet can be divided into 2 halves if there is not a lot of laundry. In the machine, the product is loaded into a drum or powder compartment. Some tablets are allowed to be used when washing by hand.