The deeper chemical and technological developments penetrate into our lives, the more often we think about safety and turn to the experience of our ancestors. For example, if we talk about safe dishwashing detergents, it is useful to remember what our mothers and grandmothers used to wash cups and glasses.
To keep the dishes clean, they used “penny” available means: baking soda, mustard powder, laundry soap, table vinegar, and also knew a lot of secrets that allowed them to wash away grease, soot, and limescale. Today, from the simplest ingredients, if desired, you can prepare an environmentally friendly dishwashing detergent by hand. Let's talk about this in more detail.
Let's go back to history
Cleaning products like “Fairy” appeared on the market in the mid-to-late 90s of the last century. Then it was a breakthrough! With one drop you could wash off a mountain of dishes that had accumulated after your birthday. And the smells: spring bouquet, citrus mix, green apple... However, today the issue of safety rises above efficiency, cost-effectiveness and a pleasant aroma. Expensive environmentally friendly products are increasingly appearing in advertising. But instead of overpaying for foreign innovative developments, it is worth remembering what Russian women successfully used.
Do you remember how in K.I. Chukovsky’s fairy tale “Fedorino’s Grief” Fedora called the runaway dishes home and promised to clean them with sand and pour boiling water over them? This is one of the ancient ways of washing dishes. In the old days, dishes were rubbed with sand, sedge, nettle, and washed with lye (an aqueous infusion of wood ash). By the way, sand and grass are still used by tourists.
Later, laundry soap, baking soda, and mustard appeared on the sinks of Soviet women. These products, which can always be found in any kitchen, perfectly wash dishes, while being completely safe. They are the ones you should focus on if the housewife is concerned about the safety of the detergent.
To remove carbon deposits and grease
Suitable for removing strong, difficult-to-clean stains, carbon deposits and grease stains in the kitchen (stove, oven, hoods, protective aprons, microwave oven, grill). Available in various forms.
Powders must be used very carefully; they may leave scratches. Some chemicals are not suitable for cleaning dishes because they contain toxic substances.
Cillit Bang Anti-fat
This spray is recognized by housewives as the most effective for removing grease and carbon deposits. It does not have a strong chemical smell, and copes well with even the most severe dirt, without the need to make serious efforts or spend a long time rubbing the dirty area. The container is equipped with a spray bottle, which makes using Cillit Bang Anti-grease very convenient. Before use, be sure to protect your hands with gloves. Price - 220-240 rubles.
Sanita
Effectively removes even stubborn old dirt. The downside is that it has a pungent odor that takes a long time to dissipate. The container is equipped with a spray bottle, which allows you to use liquid economically. Suitable for housewives with any income level. Does not require rinsing with water, but cannot be used on dishes. In addition, liquid quickly drains from walls and other vertical surfaces. The spray costs about 150 rubles, the cream - 100.
Magic soda and essential mustard
Baking soda is the most popular solution for cleaning dark deposits from various dishes and cutlery. Having a fine-crystalline structure, it has a soft abrasive effect and cleans to a shine and a pleasant squeak. Baking soda can be used in two ways:
- dissolve baking soda in water and wash (if necessary, soak) dishes in it;
- pour baking soda onto a sponge and scrub away dirt.
After treating dishes with soda, rinse them thoroughly and wipe dry.
Baking soda can be successfully used to wash mugs, tea cups, and glass glasses. It perfectly removes dark stains from tea and coffee. Many people are familiar with the situation when glassware with a corrugated pattern ceases to shine and becomes covered with a layer of dust remaining in the recesses.
Wine glasses, shot glasses and cut glasses will acquire their original shine if you go over the design with a sponge dipped in soda slurry and then rinse the dishes with water. The same method will help rid the plates of dark marks that usually appear on their lower parts over time if daily washing is not thorough enough.
Tip: Baking soda is great for removing grease, but it should not be used to clean non-stick cookware.
Mustard powder has properties similar to soda. It can be used in the same way: in a solution or directly applied to a sponge. However, it is worth noting that mustard is more expensive than soda. But if you don’t have baking soda on hand, then mustard becomes indispensable as an effective natural dishwashing detergent. Crystal shine and fat removal are guaranteed.
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The Best All-Purpose Cleaners
Universal are household products that effectively remove various types of dirt on any surface. They come in gel, paste or powder form and are suitable for daily cleaning or when you can't spend too much time cleaning.
It is worth considering that these types of products may be less effective when cleaning heavy dirt or processing certain materials than those intended for a specific type of surface.
Let's look at the most effective and popular universal cleaning products.
Frosch - lemon or orange
Suitable for washing bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, it removes grease, traces of water and soap quite well. Cleans various types of tiles, sinks, kitchen furniture. Contains abrasive particles, so it is not recommended for use on glass, acrylic surfaces, or induction cookers. Doesn't remove rust very well.
Frosch has a pleasant lemon or orange scent and leaves behind a feeling of freshness. It does not contain allergens and does not irritate the skin, so it can be used by people with high sensitivity to components of household chemicals. The price is quite reasonable, about 150 rubles.
Among the products of this brand, Frosch cleaning milk with the scent of lavender, orange or lemon is well suited for cleaning any surfaces.
Domestos Freshness of the Atlantic
This disinfectant perfectly cleans floors, tiles and other surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen and toilet. Has a whitening effect. Costs 160-180 rubles.
Domestos can be used not only for the toilet, but also for cleaning other surfaces
Sanfor Universal 10 in 1
This universal cleaning gel contains chlorine, which provides an excellent antibacterial effect. The manufacturer claims that Sanfor 10 in 1 can be used instead of 10 different products, is suitable for all types of dirt (grease, gray deposits, soap and water stains, mold, old food dirt) and has a pleasant, fresh smell. It also perfectly cleans glass ceramics, tiles, floors of any material, washable wallpaper, and household appliances. Price - from 70 to 120 rubles, depending on the store.
Vinegar for shine
Table vinegar is another resident of any kitchen that is always ready to help in the fight to keep dishes clean. It is not used for daily washing of plates and cutlery, but if you need to restore the shine of glassware, rid it of limescale or disinfect it, there is no better product. Prepare vinegar water from:
- 1 l. warm water;
- from 3 tbsp. l. up to 200 ml of table vinegar. Depends on the purpose: 3 tbsp is enough to add shine to the glass. l., and for disinfection you can take more.
For a shine, rinse clean glassware with vinegar water. By treating with an aqueous solution of table vinegar, you can also restore the shine to steel pots, ladles and frying pans. To do this, you need to wipe them with a sponge soaked in vinegar water, if necessary, rubbing the contaminated areas more intensively, and wipe dry with a towel.
An aqueous solution of table vinegar (1:5) can be used to disinfect kitchen utensils such as cutting boards, cutlery storage containers, plate drying trays, etc.
Criteria for a good detergent
It's hard to choose when your eyes are filled with assortment
Before we begin the review, let's consider the qualities that a good product should have:
- Safety . The substance should be quickly and completely washed off the plates during rinsing.
- Fights grease and stains. In addition to breaking down fats, the compositions should remove old stains and stubborn plaque
- Removing odors. After washing with a high-quality substance, the dishes smell pleasantly fresh
- Hypoallergenic . The optimal product does not cause irritation on the skin of the hands, does not dry out the epidermis, and can be used without protective gloves
- Versatility . This gel is suitable for washing both adult and children's kitchen utensils, as well as hobs. It works great in cold water, destroys germs, smells delicious, and takes care of the skin.
- Environmental friendliness . This composition does not contain fragrances or fragrances and consists of ingredients of natural origin.
- Economical consumption . Some balms run out quickly, others can be used for months
- Price . An important criterion that often becomes decisive
Making your own dishwashing liquid
If you want to wash dishes with your usual “detergent”, and not just lather a sponge with laundry soap and sprinkle with soda, you can prepare it yourself. At the same time, it will turn out to be safe and not too expensive. We offer two options:
- liquid product;
- cleaning paste.
Both products can be stored, so they do not need to be prepared each time before washing dishes. Both recipes contain soap as ingredients. For liquid soap you will need:
- water - 0.5 l;
- laundry soap (72%, 200 g piece) - 1/8 piece;
- liquid glycerin - 5 tsp;
- alcohol tincture of calendula - 1 tbsp. l.;
- medical alcohol - 4 tbsp. l;
- bottle with dispenser.
Preparation:
- Grind the laundry soap. This can be done using a grater or a sharp knife. Transfer the shavings to a saucepan.
- Place the saucepan with soap in a water bath. Gradually add water to it. You should get a homogeneous mass.
- Add the remaining ingredients from the list. Mix well and pour the product into the bottle.
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To prepare a cleaning paste with soap you will need:
- hot water - 1 glass;
- laundry soap - 1 piece;
- 6 tbsp. l. baking soda;
- storage container, such as a plastic container.
Tip: when calculating the ingredients, when you take soap in the amount of 1 piece (200 g), you get a lot of product. If you prepare this pasta for the first time, it is better to proportionally reduce their amount by 2-3 times.
Preparation:
- Grind the laundry soap using a grater. You can also cut it into small pieces with a sharp knife.
- Place the laundry soap in a saucepan and place in a water bath, gradually adding water. You can simply pour hot water over the chips and let it brew, stirring from time to time. But this will take more time.
- When the soap mixture becomes homogeneous, add soda to it. Beat with a mixer or whisk and transfer the paste and soap into a container.
However, it is not enough to prepare a harmless home remedy; you also need to know how to wash dishes so that they shine just as well as when using store-bought products.
Plate test
However, the ideal product should not only wash dishes perfectly, but also be economical in use. Therefore, the second question about the effectiveness of a detergent is how many dishes can be washed with one drop. To find out, we conducted what is called a plate test. A solution of five grams of detergent and five liters of water was made for it. Then we immersed the dishes in the solution and saw how many dishes it washed.
The solution that washes the most dishes is Fairy (30 pcs.), SODASAN (28 pcs.), SARMA (29.7 pcs.) and Amway (49 pcs.). However, this is not enough to evaluate the effectiveness of the detergent. To get a complete picture, you need to compare the number of plates washed and the cost of washing one hundred plates. We did it for you. For your attention – the top most economical means.
After re-examination
Experts conducted a plate test, that is, they checked how many plates can be washed with a solution of 5 g of detergent (at a concentration of 1 g of detergent per liter of water). For this, a solution was prepared from 5 g of detergent and 5 liters of water. The plates were immersed in water with a solution, a certain number of standard movements were made, then the plate was pulled out of the solution. The test was considered complete if, after immersing the plate in the solution and performing certain movements, the plate remained greasy.
It should be noted that a repeated study showed that Fairy began to wash more plates (previously - 30, now - 35-36). But at Synergetic, the number of dishes washed with this product decreased by almost 2 times: from 24 to 10–11.
How much would you pay to wash 100 dishes with other researched products, see HERE
.
In turn, very few plates can o (2.3), “Red Price” (3), “Minute” (3.7), “Rainbow” (4), Help (3.7) and Smart (4) .
A few secrets for pure glow
If the housewife has decided not to use store-bought products full of chemicals, but to switch to soap, soda, vinegar and other natural products, she should know a few secrets:
- Darkened cutlery is well brightened by the water remaining after boiling potatoes. Soak forks and spoons in it for 6-8 minutes. Then they will need to be rinsed under water and ground.
- If you don't have a brush on hand, you can clean a bottle with a narrow neck by placing eggshells and a little water in it. It needs to be vigorously shaken, and then the water and shells are drained.
- A glass carafe whose bottom has turned white from limescale can be cleaned with vinegar essence (70%). 1 tsp is enough, which you need to add to the water and fill the carafe to the contaminated area. After a few minutes, the solution must be washed off and the carafe rinsed thoroughly with water.
- If something is burnt in an enamel pan, you should pour 3-5 tbsp on the bottom. l. baking soda and pour hot water just above the burnt area. Bring water to a boil and leave until cool. Then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Table vinegar will help clean a burnt frying pan. Pour 200 ml of vinegar into it and add water so that it covers the burnt area. Boil for 5-10 minutes, then wash the pan with detergent.
When the question arises of what to wash dishes with so as not to harm your own health, it is useful to remember the good old laundry soap, soda and vinegar. You can also prepare a special dishwashing detergent - the most natural one, the natural ingredients of which you can be 100% sure of!
Hypoallergenic, odorless products
Synergetic Antibacterial dishwashing gel
The products of this line of household chemicals are very effective and at the same time as safe as possible both for the person himself and for the environment. The gel formula was developed by German chemists; it includes exclusively biodegradable components that can actively fight serious pollution and bacteria hazardous to health. The main components used here are special surfactants, which are made from plant materials. The molecules of the product block pollutant particles and help water quickly remove them from the surface of the dishes. The content of such compounds is not too high - about 6%, but this does not in any way affect the economical consumption of products. The gel has passed all the necessary studies and received an international certificate indicating its hypoallergenic characteristics.
The product is suitable for all types of dishes, regardless of the type of contamination; the gel can also be used for washing and disinfecting children's toys. The remaining product is completely washed off with a stream of medium intensity water. The method of application is standard - apply a small amount of gel to a damp sponge, foam, wash the dishes and rinse them thoroughly. Available in 0.5, 1 and 5 liter packages. You can find products on sale with the addition of lemon, apple and other extracts.
Advantages:
- Absolutely harmless to human health, domestic animals and the environment;
- Easy to use;
- Effective in combating any type of pollution;
- Reasonable cost;
- Very economical consumption;
- You can find products in packaging of various sizes;
- Found in almost every household chemical store.
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Flaws:
- The dispenser is not very convenient, especially on a liter bottle.
Synergetic Antibacterial dishwashing gel
BioMio Unscented dishwashing detergent for vegetables and fruits
A fairly effective product of domestic production - it can easily cope with even stubborn stains.
They are allowed to wash dishes for small children, as it not only removes grease, but is also completely washed off with water without remaining on the surface - this is confirmed by special studies. The formula contains cotton extract, which provides a soft and safe effect on the skin of the hands. After using the composition, your hands become very soft, as if they had just been treated with cream or lotion. In addition, the product contains silver ions, which have an antibacterial effect and additional protection against the proliferation of harmful and pathogenic microbes. It is produced in the form of a concentrate, so product consumption is minimal. The products are made on the basis of biodegradable components, so there will be no harm to nature either. This product can even be used to wash vegetables and fruits. It has no foreign odor and contains no compounds that could cause an allergic reaction. However, you can find a product on sale that contains aromatic essential oils, which will give the dishes a very pleasant, light smell. The product produces abundant foam, so even a small amount is enough to wash a large volume of dishes. There are no aggressive surfactants here either.
Advantages:
- Contains cotton extract to soften hand skin;
- It is allowed to wash vegetables, fruits, children's dishes, toys, and so on;
- Does not contain aggressive compounds;
- It has disinfecting properties due to the silver ions contained here;
- The smell is either completely absent or rather weak.
Flaws:
- Quite expensive.
BioMio Unscented dishwashing detergent for vegetables and fruits
Celesta Bio-gel for washing dishes, vegetables and fruits
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This dishwashing detergent contains a small amount of surfactants - their content does not exceed 5%. At the same time, glycerin has been specially added to the formula, which has a beneficial effect on the skin of the hands: it prevents the surface of the skin from drying out, softens it, makes it more tender, and eliminates irritation. Products may contain various extracts of natural substances - aloe vera, apple, menthol and others. The smell is slightly sour, but not at all sharp, there are no chemical notes. The consistency is quite thick, so the consumption is very small. A very large amount of foam is formed. The product does not leave any streaks after washing and is easily washed off even with a small amount of water.
Supplied in a soft bag with a convenient dispenser. It acts on dirt very quickly - with the help of the gel you can instantly remove old fat, traces of dried buckwheat, and various sauces. Active elements instantly dissolve dirt, roll it into lumps and remove it from the surface of the dishes - no serious effort is required. Clinical studies have shown that the formula does not have a negative impact on human health, the gel quickly decomposes without harming the environment.
Advantages:
- Soft packaging with a very convenient dispenser;
- Does not contain too many active compounds, although it cleans dishes well even from dried fat;
- Thick consistency and low consumption - one 500 ml package is enough for almost six months;
- Reasonable cost;
- The composition contains glycerin, which softens the skin of the hands.
Flaws:
- It is not very convenient to store half-empty packaging - it always tends to fall.
Celesta Bio-gel for washing dishes, vegetables and fruits
Meine Liebe dish gel
The gel is perfect for housewives who want to ensure cleanliness in their home and kitchen, but without harming their family members. The product has long been popular with them due to the fact that it fully complies with all categories of a quality product, has an acceptable cost and low consumption. The composition does not contain phosphates, chlorine and other components that can harm the health of any person, regardless of his age. The detergent can be used for high-quality cleaning of children's toys, surfaces made of wood, glass, plastic or metal. After the product is washed off with water, no molecules remain on dishes or cutlery, which makes the product absolutely safe. The gel can be used to wash baby bottles and even pacifiers. The composition allows you to get rid of very difficult contaminants in cold water, while the surface of the dishes will not be damaged.
It is worth noting that not too much foam is formed, making it very easy to wash off the product. The formula is well thought out, the composition is consumed quite slowly. By and large, this is a concentrate, so if necessary, it can be diluted with water to the required consistency. The products contain original ingredients that provide a gentle effect on the skin of the hands; they also have a rejuvenating effect. It is allowed to use this composition for washing vegetables and fruits, because it is no secret that wax is applied to their surface so that they do not spoil longer.
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Advantages:
- There is practically no smell;
- Has hypoallergenic characteristics;
- Contains no chlorine or phosphates;
- Carefully cares for the skin of your hands;
- If necessary, the concentrate can be diluted with water.
Flaws:
- The dispenser is not very convenient;
- The price is a bit high.
Meine Liebe dish gel
LV Dishwashing liquid
The leader in this section is Finnish-made products, which are characterized by a hypoallergenic formula, thanks to which the composition can be used by people with sensitive skin and those who have a pronounced allergic reaction to various chemical compounds. The product is sold in a transparent plastic bottle - its volume is 1 liter. There is information in Russian. The dispenser is retractable, which is very convenient, since it can be locked at any time. The consistency of the composition is more like a gel. When interacting with water, a voluminous but quite soft foam is formed. It is able to remove stubborn and old dirt even in cold water - the grease is washed off without any residue, and no streaks remain. The products do not damage the nails and skin of the hands; on the contrary, they make the dermis softer and more delicate.
The composition is absolutely environmentally friendly - all active substances decompose without causing harm to the environment. The product is suitable for washing children's dishes, including milk bottles - it washes away the residues and odors of any product. There are no dyes, flavors, phosphates, or optical brighteners. After using the product, no greasy film appears on the surface of the dishes, and no foreign odor remains.
Advantages:
- Environmentally friendly composition;
- Has no smell, dyes, flavors;
- Absolutely hypoallergenic;
- There are no surfactants;
- Can be used for washing vegetables, fruits, children's dishes;
- Low consumption;
- Reasonable price.
Flaws:
- Not detected.
LV Dishwashing liquid
Ingredients: what should not be in it?
The safety requirements for dish gels are quite high, since these preparations come into contact with the inner surface of kitchen utensils.
Hand protection
One of the safety conditions is that the drug should not irritate the skin on the hands . This is achieved with soft formulas and the addition of plant extracts.
The acidity level of the detergent according to the current GOST standards should be in the range of 3-11.5 pH. An indicator of 5.5-8 is safe for the skin.
If the pH in the gel is higher than 8, you will have to use rubber gloves.
What's prohibited?
If the composition contains chlorine or heavy metals, the drug cannot be considered safe . Surfactants in the composition are responsible for effectively washing away contaminants.
But not all surfactants are equally harmless. There is a class of nonionic, which do not pose a threat, and ionogenic.
The washing effect is provided by anti-surfactants. They can lead to irritation of the skin of the hands. In terms of effectiveness and quality of washing, surfactants lead as the main active component.
All household chemicals indicate not just the presence of these substances, but also their percentage. For sensitive skin - should be more than 5%.
Optional components: dyes and flavors
included in household chemicals meet the standards . If the gel is intended for washing children's dishes, then there may be no flavorings at all, or they will be natural. Dyes are also not recommended in this case.
Regardless of the composition of the detergent, after cleaning from food residues and grease, the dishes should be rinsed very thoroughly.
Types of funds
Detergent is a household chemical product.
Detergents are classified depending on the form of release:
- liquids, balms, gels. Such products are characterized by ease of use. They are applied evenly to the surface without scratching it. When choosing a product in this category, take into account its consistency. The thicker the product, the more economical the consumption;
- sprays. Such products are sprayed onto the surface. They are distinguished by reasonable consumption and affordable cost, but cannot always cope with the task;
- powders. These products are highly effective and affordable. Their main disadvantage is that they can scratch the surface;
- concentrates. This product is diluted before use. This ensures economical consumption of the product, which justifies its high cost.
How to choose a detergent
Please keep the following points in mind when purchasing this product:
- type of product. In this case, you should focus on your own preferences. Most housewives choose concentrates, gels and sprays due to their high efficiency and low cost;
- type of surface being processed. The label indicates what the substance can be used for;
- compound. It is not recommended to purchase an overly aggressive product, since even its vapors can cause intoxication of the body and other health problems;
- the presence of an antibacterial effect. This is especially true for detergents used to clean the toilet. They not only remove pollution, but also destroy harmful microorganisms.
So which detergent should you choose? When purchasing, first of all, you need to focus on the purpose of using the product. So, if you need a dishwashing detergent, we recommend paying attention to the Fairy option. For toilets we can offer Domestos Anti-Rust and Anti-Plain liquid. For plumbing fixtures you can use Synergetic spray. In our rating you can choose the optimal product for caring for different surfaces.