Looking at the display case, where boxes and bags of laundry detergents were arranged in orderly rows, any of us thought about which washing powder is better. At first glance, they are all the same, differing only in smell or purpose. But in fact, inside each package lurks a unique mixture of chemically active substances, which can not only return the whiteness to the sheets and remove grass stains from your favorite shorts, but also harm your health.
So what should you choose, and most importantly, what should you consider when choosing a powder? We will conduct a study in which the three most popular brands will take part - Ariel, Persil and Tide.
How to choose washing powder
Detergents come in three different types:
- Dry powders
. They remove difficult stains, are easy to use, and inexpensive. But if the granules are not rinsed out completely, or if a person inhales them during a rash, there is a risk of a serious allergy. They often leave white marks, so they are not used for black laundry. - Gels
. Liquid formulations are less allergenic, more environmentally friendly, and have a gentle effect on the fabric. Do not clump when exposed to moisture. They do not leave white stains on the fabric, as they are easily dissolved and rinsed with water. There are also no harmful emissions when opening the package. - Capsules
. Miniature boxes containing a special gel that easily removes stubborn dirt. During washing, the protective layer dissolves, the components are mixed and dirt is removed. The product is convenient to store and use. Each cycle requires one capsule, already containing conditioner, which avoids additional costs. The drug is gentle on fabrics and is easily rinsed out of fibers. But not suitable for hand washing. In addition, it has a strong odor that persists for a long time and can cause discomfort.
Which is better: capsules, dry powder or washing gel, depends on the desired result
. The powder is suitable for small amounts of laundry. It should be used when you need to not only remove dirt, but also get rid of dust mites. The gel should be used for delicate textures. Capsules are a good choice for an automatic machine, especially if you need to get rid of stubborn, stubborn stains.
When deciding how to choose the right washing powder, you need to take into account the purpose of the chemistry. It happens:
- universal (for any fabrics);
- special (for clothes of a certain color, wool or silk);
- for children's linen.
It is important to consider the brand of the product. The best manufacturers, whose products are most popular and sold in every store, include Persil, Tide, Ariel
Good, cheaper products are produced under the brands Losk and Bimax. Which is better: Losk, Persil, Tide, Ariel or Bimax?
Ariel is best used when it is necessary to maintain the brightness of the tone of the product and the contrast of the print. Tide is chosen if the items are heavily soiled, or if the person doing the laundry has allergies. Persil can be used in cool water. Bimax and Losk cope well with strong, old stains, are economical, but at low temperatures they “do not work”.
But you shouldn’t buy a drug just because of its well-known name; be sure to read the ingredients. The ingredients will tell you which powder washes best and how safe it is. Inorganic products contain surfactants that can cause harm to health, but it is through them that foaming and removal of persistent contaminants is ensured. It is necessary to rinse things many times after using such drugs. It is better to find a “golden mean”, that is, so that the surfactant value is no more than 5%.
Phosphate compounds are also harmful to health. It is advisable to choose a phosphate-free option or at least one with no more than 5 percent of such components. But they are more expensive. The cheapest powder is unlikely to be safe for health.
Biopowders contain enzymes that effectively remove protein stains: blood, milk. However, they have a flaw: they cause the destruction of natural fibers of wool and silk, and during hand washing they can lead to peeling of the skin of the hands. In addition, when the water temperature exceeds 50 degrees, the action of the enzymes stops. All washing powders contain additives: fragrances, stain removers, conditioners, bleaches. Their safety and concentration also need to be taken into account when selecting a detergent.
What is the difference?
The following differences can be distinguished between Persil and Bimax:
- The Bimax line of detergents is not as diverse as Persil. The Russian brand does not have capsules for washing clothes.
- Persil offers its consumers a Sensitive composition, which is intended for people with hypersensitive skin.
In addition, the range has been supplemented with Premium class powders, capsules and gels, which allow you to cope with particularly stubborn stains. - On sale you can find Bimax gels intended for the care of dark clothing and jeans.
- Persil offers consumers gels, powders and capsules with the scent of the famous Vernel fabric softener.
- The Bimax line has a separate product for hand washing, while Persil has all its compositions that are universal.
If you want to purchase a cheaper powder, you need to opt for Bimax. Persil is more expensive.
Comparison of Tide, Ariel, Persil powders
To determine which powder is better, you can test and compare the results. You should choose the same conditions for the experiment:
Take 6 terry towels (the original color of which is white), previously used in the kitchen. They have identical stains: black from coffee, red from tomato paste and wine. green - from vegetables.
The washing conditions were as follows:
- A quick wash mode (quarter of an hour) is set on a modern washing unit, and the water will be cold.
- Complete cycle (1.5 hours) in water heated to almost boiling point.
The estimated test point is as follows:
- With a quick wash, almost the dirty spots disappeared, except for the spots stained with wine. the coffee stains have changed color slightly.
- Long washing in hot water gave excellent results.
- The result of the first wash is the same as that of Ariel powder.
- When fully washed, the towels took on a snow-white appearance.
- In a cold wash, the powder removed all the stains from the towel, leaving only the red wine stains visible.
- In a hot wash, the washing result was excellent.
Tide, Ariel and Persil powders performed equally well in the stain removal experiment. With the “cold” washing option, not all stains were removed; as a result of the “hot” washing option, the items returned to their original appearance.
Alternatives
The modern market offers similar powder and gel laundry detergents. Worthy competitors include Persil, Ariel, Losk. These detergents have many common and distinctive features.
Persil
The product range from the German company Henkel also includes powder, gel and capsules.
Numerous tests show that Persil's effectiveness in removing difficult stains (from coffee, red wine, greens) is much higher than that of Tide. But in terms of toxicity, German products are inferior to American ones.
The consumption rate for both products is approximately the same: 190 ml (148 g) for Persil and 180 ml (144 g) for Tide. The degree of dissolution (90%) and foaming ability of powders and gels of both brands are at the same level.
Ariel
Like Tide, this product was developed by Procter & Gamble. If you follow the washing rules, the level of effectiveness and degree of dissolution for both brands are approximately the same. The Ariel line also includes powder, gel and capsules.
The differences lie in the chemical composition. Most of the components are duplicated, however, Ariel contains environmentally hazardous phosphates, while Tide does not (comparison of compositions is here). Another difference is the dosage.
The rate of liquid Ariel for 3-5 kg of laundry is 205 ml, which is 14% more than the dose of Tide. Powder dosages differ slightly.
Gloss
The product of domestic origin is now produced under the German brand Henkel. The products go on sale in the traditional trio:
- powder,
- gel,
- capsules.
Gloss, like Tide, retains the natural structure of the fabric after several washes. Things don't get hard and rough.
Minor differences with Tide also concern the consumption rate of the product. Losk's are slightly higher (190 ml (171 g). The level of effectiveness in removing stains is lower compared to Tide.
With a quick wash, the product copes with green stains, but does not remove traces of coffee, wine and blood. A full washing cycle solves these problems by about 80%, since small stains from the wine remain (powder testing is here).
Among the organoleptic properties, all laundry detergents have a different smell. It depends on the flavorings added to the composition.
A little about Ariel powder
The world-famous company Procter & Gamble produces a wide line of Ariel products, which allows you to choose an option for any type of fabric and varying degrees of soiling. The following qualities of the composition may be the priorities for selection:
- The powder contains components that become active even at low temperatures. Penetrating into the structure of the fabric, they remove dirt and smooth the fabric without compromising the integrity of the fiber.
- The powder contains a substance that prevents scale deposits on the parts of the washing machine.
- After washing with this type of powder, streaks do not form on the sleeves and collar of clothes; regular washing does not cause the laundry to lose its color and quality.
Ariel powder contains components found in any detergent:
- Active substances, so-called surfactants, that have a cleansing effect. Their percentage in the powder may vary. Excessive concentration of active substances is dangerous for the human body.
- Electrolytes and phosphates enhance the effect of active substances.
- Phosphates, in addition, destroy calcium and make water softer.
- Enzymes eliminate protein and fatty contaminants.
- When exposed to hot water, bleach produces oxidizing agents that attack stains.
The manufacturer adds aromatic additives and granules of various colors to the powder, which protect the fabric from fading. Ariel powder is considered aggressive, so it is not suitable for washing infants' clothes.
Housewives suffering from allergic diseases should avoid using Ariel powder.
The use of this type of powder has its own characteristics:
- The product should be stored in a container so that water vapor and sunlight do not change the composition.
- Before you start washing, you should read the instructions on the packaging or label of the items. Silk and wool items should not be washed with Ariel powder.
- One machine wash of lightly soiled laundry requires 150 g of powder; for heavily soiled laundry, the amount increases by 100 g.
Pros and cons of Ariel
Under the Ariel brand, you can find 3 types of detergents on sale: washing powder, liquid concentrate and capsules. The products belong to the American company Procter&Gamble.
The advantages of the brand include:
- Safety for human health.
- A wide range of.
- High quality washing, ability to cope with difficult stains.
- Multi-component formula, which includes clothes-safe bleaches, water softening enzymes, conditioner and fragrances.
- Availability of products for people with hypersensitive skin.
- Lack of phosphates.
- Activate the formula in cool water.
The disadvantages of Ariel detergents include:
- high price;
- lack of detergent for washing children's clothes.
Gel Ariel - a practical solution to the problem
When purchasing liquid powder, you can save a lot. A 1.3 liter jar is enough for 20 washes. This figure is equal to 3 kg of ordinary powder. Thanks to the measuring cap, the gel will not be wasted additionally, since its capacity is easy to check. After washing, a pleasant smell of freshness remains on things. Ariel functions as a conditioner and stain remover. Things are always soft and pleasant to the touch after washing. The powerful formula allows you to effectively fight even the most difficult stains.
According to customer reviews, the price of liquid powder is high, but the result is worth it. The product helps to effectively cope with the task and return clothes to their original appearance. Thanks to the convenient plastic bottle, storing the gel is very convenient. The powder has a safe composition, since it does not contain phosphates or surfactants. For this reason, it can be used for washing children's clothes.
If you first read the instructions for use before using liquid powder, you will be able to increase the washing efficiency
It is important to adhere to the dosage indicated in the description. Ariel is also suitable for white clothes.
You can achieve a noticeable result and get rid of the stain after the first wash. Using the gel is very convenient and simple. A practical cap with a spout and a large handle make washing easier.
If you purchase a large bottle with a capacity of 4.9 liters, the powder will be enough for 70 washes. Ariel's innovative liquid product is a practical alternative to conventional powder. Using the gel, you can delicately get rid of dirt without damaging your clothes.
Reviews
You can find different consumer reviews on the Internet.
Many are satisfied with the washing quality of both powders; they do not see much difference between them . Others indicate that Ariel bleaches light-colored fabrics better.
There are housewives who do not like the too intense aroma that detergents leave on things, although many, on the contrary, find it barely noticeable and very pleasant. Tide is often chosen by families with children.
Reviews can be found here, here and here, as well as on this review page.
Persil
Persil was created more than 100 years ago, and today it is popular among Russian housewives. This can be explained by two reasons:
- The powder perfectly washes the dirtiest things.
- The product range is extremely diverse.
Persil is a harmless product due to its constituent components:
- A surfactant is included in the composition, but the manufacturer extracts it from natural substances that soften the effects of aggressive substances and inhibit foaming.
- Bleach (oxygen-containing), phosphates and phosphonates, and dietary supplements are also present, but the product does not cause allergic rashes in people with sensitive skin.
According to the recommendation of the Union of Pediatricians of the Russian Federation, Persil is recommended for washing children's clothes. They can wash synthetic and linen fabrics, except silk and wool. The washing method can also be different: in any washing machine. Persil washes well in water of varying hardness. The product does not lose its properties during long-term storage. The powder must be used according to the instructions.
P&G company -
Although automatic washing machines appeared and became popular only in the middle of the last century, The Procter & Gamble was created already in 1837. Then William Procter (candlemaker) and James Gamble (soap maker) were able to create a unique company that not only entered the top of the best brands in the world, but was also able to almost completely flood the world market.
The future was able to offer customers not just a high-quality product, but essentially the only opportunity to maintain personal hygiene. Before the outbreak of the American Civil War, the enterprising William and James were able to purchase a large amount of tar, which enabled them to continue their activities during the war.
After this, the company turned into a brand and began producing soap products. The first breakthrough was Ivory soap, which did not sink in water, but floated on the surface. Thanks to a good advertising campaign, the company's popularity has grown.
Then, over the course of many years, P&G not only developed and improved its products, but was also able to implement effective marketing, which the manufacturers developed, yielded results, and today the company owns more than 40 global brands in the fields of household chemicals and cosmetics.
Comparison of Tide, Ariel, Persil powders
To determine which powder is better, you can test and compare the results. You should choose the same conditions for the experiment:
Take 6 terry towels (the original color of which is white), previously used in the kitchen. They have identical stains: black from coffee, red from tomato paste and wine. green - from vegetables.
The washing conditions were as follows:
- A quick wash mode (quarter of an hour) is set on a modern washing unit, and the water will be cold.
- Complete cycle (1.5 hours) in water heated to almost boiling point.
The estimated test point is as follows:
Ariel:
- With a quick wash, almost the dirty spots disappeared, except for the spots stained with wine. the coffee stains have changed color slightly.
- Long washing in hot water gave excellent results.
Tide:
- The result of the first wash is the same as that of Ariel powder.
- When fully washed, the towels took on a snow-white appearance.
Persil:
- In a cold wash, the powder removed all the stains from the towel, leaving only the red wine stains visible.
- In a hot wash, the washing result was excellent.
Summary
After analyzing all the above information about laundry detergents and considering the compositions of popular powders, we can draw the following conclusions. If you want to purchase a product that would protect your child from the negative effects of chemicals, you should not spend money on a product called “Eared Nanny”. This powder is effective in itself, but its composition is no different from other “adult” substances. So, for example, “Tide”, by and large, is much safer, since, unlike “Eared Nanny”, it does not contain harmful phosphates, which can contribute to the occurrence of allergic reactions. In the powder from Procter & Gamble, they are replaced with safe zeolites that will not harm the delicate skin of the child. "Persil" is extremely effective for removing various types of stains due to the significant content of enzymes in it. It is useful to have this product at home to deal with serious stains in a timely manner. However, it is not the most effective if the housewife is faced with the task of bleaching laundry. In this regard, Ariel is the leader - a powder that provides high-quality tissue cleansing. Moreover, during the bleaching process, Ariel does not damage fabric fibers or destroy their structure, but only acts directly on the stain.
Cleanliness largely determines your health. Always make your choice wisely!
So, the JOY BY JOY laboratory got to household chemicals, since the right choice and cleaning can greatly simplify our lives. Let's start with such a popular product today as.
Nobody likes to do laundry. And try to convince me otherwise. Someday they will invent a self-cleaning fabric, and all things will be like new in the morning. But envying the inhabitants of the future, they have to do laundry, albeit in washing machines, albeit using modern means. And spend both time and money on it. I belong to that type of barbarian non-household woman who, at the phrase “boiling laundry” and “general cleaning”, faints and asks for some water with a valocordin. Therefore, if something appears somewhere on the market that does not require my active participation in the process, I immediately take the potential miracle into service. The innovation of the last decade is gel. How is it better than powder?
The manufacturer assures that:
- gels have a softer, more gentle effect on tissue;
- suitable for daily washing;
- ideal for washing wool and delicate fabrics;
- unlike powder, the gel “does not generate dust”, which means it does not enter the respiratory tract;
- easily dissolves in water (and some types of powders can completely dissolve only at the end of the wash);
- leaves no streaks.
Do gels have any disadvantages compared to gels? Eat. They are not very suitable for washing at 90 degrees, nor for washing linen and cotton. In this case, it is better to use powder. But this is only when we are talking about classic gels, because today special formulas are also produced that cope with stains no worse than powders.
Tide, Ariel, Persil: which is better to use?
An experienced housewife has a variety of types of powders in stock, using them in specific cases:
- Ariel is best used when washing white items, as a result the color does not change to gray. Washing clothes made of multi-colored fabrics will also be effective: brightness of tone, contrast. The print of the product is preserved.
- Tide can be used when washing heavily soiled items. For housewives suffering from allergic skin diseases, choosing Tide is an ideal option.
- Persil is a powder that has only positive reviews. It can be used when washing in cold water.
Properly selected high-quality washing powder will help keep your clothes in perfect condition.
Capsules
For many Russian housewives, capsules are still a new product.
There are many types of capsules.
The following advantages of this product can be highlighted:
- The product is already dosed, so you don’t have to measure anything.
- Compact sizes. Sold in small plastic containers that do not take up much space.
- The capsules already contain air conditioning, which is an additional saving of money.
- Gentle effect on fiber structure and fabric coloring.
- They dissolve even at low temperatures, which does not affect the washing result.
- Significant savings in water and energy, as the gel is easily washed out of clothes.
A significant disadvantage is that when washing even a small amount of laundry, it will not be possible to divide the capsule into parts. Therefore, they are not suitable for hand washing. In addition, the strong and long-lasting smell of the product causes allergies in some people.
The product has bright color and attracts children. Therefore, it is advisable to keep the capsules away from small children, because when opening the capsule, severe irritation may occur.
Powder composition
To improve the performance of the powder, manufacturers add various chemicals. Let's look at the main components, what they are needed for, and how they affect the human body.
Surfactants (surfactants) are divided into: cationic, anionic, nonionic, amphoteric. Foaming and the actual cleaning of the material from various types of contaminants depend on surfactants. Surfactant molecules combine with fat or dirt molecules during washing, dissolving in water. Most often, manufacturers use anionic surfactants, which are several times cheaper than other active substances. Cationic surfactants are used in the production of expensive powders.
- Oxygen-based compounds for bleaching. In powders you will most often find sodium percarbonate, which eliminates unpleasant odors, whitens fabrics, and disinfects. Sodium percarbonate is absolutely safe for humans. It washes out easily from fabric; the component is non-toxic by nature.
- Phosphonates are substances that soften water during washing. The use of phosphonates is less toxic than phosphates.
- Polycarboxylate protects the machine from corrosive processes, softening tap water. The substance is a safe polymer that completely decomposes and does not accumulate in the environment.
- Zeolites absorb dirt, which dissolves during washing. Sometimes zeolites replace phosphates. Only natural substances are considered safe, but they are used extremely rarely in cheap powders.
- Enzymes are substances that perfectly fight contaminants that surfactants cannot cope with (protein contaminants). The substance is classified as moderately toxic. Cleansers may cause flaking or redness of the skin.
- Flavoring additives make the powder pleasant to smell, but their excessive concentration can cause an allergic reaction.
- Antisorbents absorb dirt, which prevents it from sticking back to the fabric.
- Phthalates help perpetuate the odor of flavored additives.
Why are enzymes needed?
Enzymes are often positioned in commercials as a panacea, substances essential for successful washing. Allegedly, their presence or absence determines which powder washes well. And, in a way, this is true. Enzymes are biologically active substances that are used to effectively remove stains, especially fat stains, which are considered the most difficult.
However, these components can also harm some delicate fabrics, so powders that contain them should be used with caution.
Selecting quality powder
A cheap powder cannot be of high quality a priori. A good product consists of synthesized natural substances, so the price will be high. Recommendations for choosing quality powder:
- The packaging must indicate that the substances contained in the cleanser are not allergenic.
- The smell of the powder should not be pronounced; this indicates excessive additions of aromatic substances that can cause allergies.
- A good powder must dissolve by 80-90% (you can ask a consultant or first read reviews on the forums).
- The maximum phosphate content in the powder should not exceed 5%.
- If you come across a powder with tensides rather than surfactants, then buy it, it is not so toxic. The main thing is that its concentration does not exceed 7%.
- Do not buy powder containing chlorine, it can cause serious problems in the body.
Let's look at an example of which powder is better - Ariel, Persil or Tide, and evaluate their positive and negative sides.
Powder "Ariel"
Ariel powder is produced by the world-famous company Procter&Gamble. The cleanser occupies a leading position in removing various complex and simple contaminants. There is a whole series of Ariel powders, which will allow the buyer to choose a product for any type of fabric, maintaining its freshness and appearance. The advantages of the powder are:
- active substances that cope with the most stubborn stains without damaging the fabric fibers;
- the powder contains substances that prevent scale from forming on the drum, which increases the service life of the automatic machine;
- You can wash items of any contamination at a water temperature of 30°C;
- products are presented in liquid and powder form;
- The cleaning agent is washed out of the fabric fibers well;
- The smell after washing with Ariel powder is pleasant and not very intrusive.
Cons of the powder:
- the price of a household substance is quite high, so not everyone can afford it;
- Children's clothes cannot be washed, as they may become allergic to the ingredients or fragrance.
Powder "Persil"
Produces Persil powder. The Persil powder series is represented by various cleaning agents for colored, white, and black clothes. “Persil” stands out for the following advantages:
- light pleasant smell from clothes after washing;
- the powder is susceptible to any type of contamination (wine, lemon, tomato juice, blood, etc.);
- perfectly washes white things, after washing they turn into snow-white;
- things can be washed at low water temperatures;
- after washing with powder, pellets do not appear on the fabric;
- The consumption of detergent is very economical, one pack (450 grams) is enough for 5-6 washes;
- perfectly removes greasy stains.
Disadvantages of the cleanser:
- fragrance may cause a reaction in people with allergies;
- It is poorly washed out of the fibers; an additional rinsing cycle is necessary.
Tide powder
The Procter & Gamble company is the owner of the Tide brand; the powder is produced all over the world in various countries, but under the strict leadership of the parent company. According to research, the detergent washes things well, but is toxic due to the high content of phosphates and surfactants. Its advantages include:
- perfectly removes any type of dirt, even very old ones;
- The clothes feel pleasant to the body after washing and smell good.
Negative sides:
- the content of phosphates and surfactants exceeds the permissible limit;
- difficult to rinse out of fabric fibers;
- may cause an allergic reaction in children and adults.
The powder must be used very carefully, only in cases of severe contamination.
Which powder should I choose?
One of the best powders, according to experts, is Ariel. Over the past two years, it has occupied a leading position in quality. Compared to many cleaning products, it is less toxic and copes well with various types of pollution.
Laundry capsules
They are a powerful gel coated with a soluble coating. The aggressive composition of the product excludes use for hand washing. The product does not leave streaks or stains on clothing and is intended for the care of items made of dense materials, including winter items. All washing capsules help to avoid the appearance of chemical dust and mist, which is inevitable when using dry detergents poured into the compartment. The product is universal; it is equally suitable for cleaning delicate fabrics and can be used for linen and natural cotton products. When choosing gel tablets, there is no need to purchase powders for white and color. On average, one capsule is enough for 5–6 kilograms of laundry. The product does not stick to the walls and elements of the washing machine, which has a beneficial effect on the service life of household appliances.
Compound
The components of the capsules provide an efficiency 2-2.5 times higher than that of washing powders. This allows you to avoid soaking your clothes before machine washing. The use of gel tablets helps to avoid other destructive methods of cleaning fabric: boiling, using chlorine bleaches. The filler contains:
- concentrated detergent;
- universal stain remover;
- surfactants;
- optical brightener;
- fabric softener.
Such a diverse composition of laundry capsules allows you to forget about purchasing bottles of detergents. Now everything you need fits into a small tablet format. The given components are the basis produced by any manufacturer. Minor ingredients and fragrance may vary.
Mode of application
To achieve the best results, washing powder in capsules should be used according to the instructions for use. Necessary steps:
- Sorting laundry. Clothes should first be separated by fabric type. Delicate fabrics that require cleansing in cold water should be set aside from items that require high-temperature washing: bed linen, children's clothing, cotton and linen tablecloths. Also distribute by color; bright, white, dark are washed separately.
- Using the capsule. The gel tablet is removed from the packaging and placed in the empty drum of the washing machine. This way it will dissolve faster and begin to act. It is forbidden to put the product in the powder compartment. There, the shell will remain intact, and the gel will not get on your clothes. Do not try to burst the capsule or pour its contents into the drum. Only using the tablet without damage will bring good results.
- Loading things. The clothes are placed on top of the capsule, then the washing machine door is closed.
- Selecting a washing mode. The program is directly related to the characteristics of the loaded laundry. You should not set the mode with additional rinsing. The components of the product are perfectly washed out of the fibers.
The amount of use is directly related to the level of soiling of the clothes, their weight and the capacity of the washing machine drum. You can calculate how many Ariel capsules you need for one wash based on the data in the instructions. On average, for high-quality stain removal, one capsule per 3–5 kilograms of clothing is enough.
Foaming
This criterion is important for two reasons:
- The quality of the wash depends on the amount of foam, since its bubbles push the smallest particles of dirt out of the fabric onto the surface.
- Excess foam has a bad effect on the performance of the washing machine. Moreover, if foam leaks through the smallest cracks and gets to where the electronic “stuffing” of the device is located, the machine may be permanently damaged.
More defoamer is added to powders intended for machine washing, but, unfortunately, not all manufacturers carefully monitor compliance with the technological process. Here's what the examination showed:
- Ariel, when used at the manufacturer's recommended dosage, produced so much foam that it came out through the hole for the powder container.
- Persil was distinguished by average foam formation indicators - there was a lot of foam, but its amount did not exceed the norm.
- Tide also foamed well, but the amount of foam remained within the prescribed range.
Thus, it turns out that among the three mentioned powders, it is worth giving preference to Persil - it has good performance in all criteria. Tide is also suitable for washing clothes without visible dirt, but Ariel is much inferior to its competitors and can hardly be recommended for purchase.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=t_hTJGY1Kvc
Determining the type of bleaching
Sometimes it becomes an extremely difficult task to choose a washing powder for white laundry. It is important to know that there are two types of fabric bleaching. You can understand which of them a particular washing powder is intended for by carefully reading the composition of the latter. So, if it contains any kind of peroxide salts, then the product is an ordinary chemical bleach, and if the substances included in the composition have a formula starting with “C,” it is an optical bleach. What this means in practice, we will consider further.
Types of washing powder
Before purchasing powder, you need to decide on the type of washing you want to do. Powder classification:
Depending on the washing method, cleaning products are divided into:
- powders for hand washing and activator-type machines. The presented group of cleaning products foams well, but such products cannot be used for automatic washing;
- powders for automatic machine. Cleansers allow you to penetrate deeply into the fabric and remove dirt without creating a large amount of foam.
Depending on the fabric, washing powders are divided into:
- cleaning products for cotton and linen (other natural fabrics);
- universal;
- wool and synthetics;
- detergents for washing very delicate fabrics (silk, viscose, acrylic, etc.).
Depending on consistency:
- powder-type cleansers, most often these are small particles of white powder with the addition of various active ingredients of a different color (blue, red);
- liquid powders (a cleanser lasts for more washes than a powder one).
You also need to divide the entire range of powders into children's and regular ones. Children's laundry detergents should not contain allergenic substances or excessive fragrances.
Assortment of detergents
The Bimax assortment is represented by several types of washing powders and gels. There are compositions not only with different scents, but also designed for different types of washing. Does not produce capsules.
Powder
On sale you can find washing powders with volumes from 0.4 kg to 9 kg. The products are packaged in cardboard packaging and plastic doypacks. Detergents contain non-aggressive bleaches, as well as substances intended to protect color.
Types of Bimax powders:
- 100 spots Automat. The composition includes a complex of biologically active additives that allow you to wash difficult stains.
- 100 stains Hand wash. The product has increased foaming, so it can be used for hand washing. It is not recommended to pour the composition into the machine.
- Color Automat. The composition contains not only components to combat difficult stains, but also substances that preserve the brightness of colored items. The powder is effective at low temperatures.
- Snow-white peaks Automat. The product contains whitening components.
- Color&Fashion. Using detergent helps keep colored items brighter longer.
- Aromatherapy Automatic.
Bimax powder is not recommended for washing items made of wool and natural silk, as indicated in the state registration certificate.
Gel
Bimax gels can be used for both hand and machine washing, but the water temperature should not exceed 50-60 degrees. Otherwise, all the active components included in its composition will be destroyed, which will affect the quality of the wash.
The gels are packaged in volumes ranging from 1.3 to 2.6 liters. Each bottle is equipped with a measuring cap and a convenient dispenser.
Gels can be used to care for delicate fabrics. Their active components quickly and completely dissolve in water and are also easily washed away.
The assortment is represented by the following varieties:
- Color for colored things.
- 100 spots. Universal composition for white and colored fabrics.
- Aromatherapy.
- White tops for washing white and light-colored items.
- Bimax Jeans.
- Bimax Black fashion.
Which powder is better - Ariel or Persil?
As the advertisement says, the powder copes with any stains, even the most stubborn ones. Do well-known powders really remove stubborn stains such as lipstick, mascara, foundation and ketchup?
Persil-automatic
When carefully choosing a detergent, you must take into account its component composition indicated by the manufacturer and its actual cleaning properties.
Compound:
- This powder does not belong to safe phosphate-free products, as the manufacturer honestly indicated on the packaging of the powder. But it should be noted that to soften water, phosphonates are still used, which are less harmful than the phosphates included in other products.
- The amount of anionic surfactants unsafe for the human body is 5-15%.
Washing properties
So, how does this product cope with removing the above stains under normal washing conditions with a water temperature of 40 degrees? — We make an assessment based on practical notes and experience:
- The ketchup was washed off completely, without leaving even a trace behind.
- The mascara left a slight trace, but did not wash off completely.
- The lipstick only slightly changed its shade to a lighter one.
- The foundation remained virtually unchanged.
It is worth noting that after subsequent washes, the stains from lipstick and mascara still disappeared, but the oily layer of foundation could not be removed without bleach.
Washing powder Ariel
This powder is slightly similar in composition to the already described Persil. Will its properties differ in order to understand which powder is better - Ariel or Persil?
Compound:
- 5-15% anionic surfactants.
- Harmful phosphates.
- There is no optical brightener in the powder.
- Zeolites are used as washing aids, the harm or harmlessness of which is constantly discussed. The negative aspect of such components is their poor ability to rinse, damage to fabric and parts of washing machines. They also lead to “dusty” washing powder.
Washing properties
As for the “direct responsibilities” of the powder, it performed in the same washing mode in almost the same way as the previous product tested:
- The ketchup stain was completely removed.
- The mascara did not wash off completely, leaving behind a noticeable gray mark.
- The lipstick stain took on a less bright shade, but nothing more.
- The foundation remained virtually unchanged as a bright spot on the material.
Based on the testing, you can conclude for yourself which powder is better - Ariel or Persil. They wash almost identically, the composition is unsafe, but as for the smell, Ariel has a more intense and pungent aroma. For some, this is a significant disadvantage, but there are many people for whom this characteristic is only an advantage of the detergent.
Laundry capsules
Capsules are nothing more than concentrated washing gel in a sealed shell. When water gets in, the protective film dissolves within 2–3 minutes and detergents are released.
The capsules contain:
- anionic and nonionic surfactants (25–30%);
- soap (10%);
- phosphonates (5%);
- enzymes;
- optical brighteners;
- flavoring additives;
- preservatives.
There are capsules for washing white and colored laundry. Average cost of a package of 30 pcs. – 750 rubles.
One capsule is enough for exactly one wash. It is placed in the drum of the washing machine with dirty laundry and a program is selected. No other manipulations are necessary.
Laundry capsules are produced by many well-known brands of household chemicals: Persil, Tide, Ariel.
Advantages
The main advantage of laundry capsules is ease of use. There is no need to calculate and measure detergent by grams. It is impossible to make a mistake with the dosage.
One capsule is enough to wash a full drum of clothes. The exception is heavily soiled clothing, such as work clothing. Then add 2 double portions. Everything is simple and clear, even a child can handle the laundry!
Advantages of laundry detergent in capsules:
- Improved composition. Thanks to the content of stain removers and enzymes, things are washed better, debris and pellets are removed from them, and the color is preserved for a long time.
- No divorces. The contents of the capsule are liquid, easily dissolved in water and washed from fabric.
- Work at low temperatures. The detergent works effectively at 30–40 degrees, which cannot be said about powders.
- Eco-friendly, hygienic, hypoallergenic. The capsules do not contain allergens. In addition, the detergent is securely hidden by the film, which means it does not crumble or get into the air. Unlike powder, which you have to inhale when pouring.
- Convenience. Gel balls are convenient not only to use, but also to store. They take up less space than bulk powder bags and have a secure lid.
- Economical use of the product and preservation of washing machine parts. The powder is first poured into a cuvette, after which it enters the drum through tubes. Some part of it settles on the details. In addition, it often spills onto the floor and remains inside the bag. The capsules are consumed without a trace.
Flaws
Laundry capsules are better than powder in many respects. However, it was not without its drawbacks:
- High price. Detergent in capsules is more expensive than powder. Although, considering the bleaches it already contains and the ability to preserve the appearance of things, the price is quite justified.
- Inability to divide detergent into several washes. It happens that the drum does not need to be completely filled. However, the capsule cannot be divided in half. In this case, it is better to use another remedy that can be dosed.