When selecting a laundry detergent, other factors besides cleaning power may need to be considered.
There are almost too many varieties of laundry detergent out there to count. Trying to choose one can be overwhelming after all, every one promises to be the best! Considering the difficulty of comparing actual cleaning power, brand loyalty, price, and even fragrance preference all become powerful influences in the decision. But have you considered your washing machine’s needs, your children’s safety, or your water quality? These too are important factors to consider when choosing a detergent.
Washing Machine Type
If you have a front-loading washing machine, you absolutely must use a high-efficiency laundry detergent. Standard laundry detergents create too many suds. Not only will this excess of suds keep your clothes from getting clean, they can also interfere with the sensors that control water level in the unit. Your washing machine may actually become damaged as a result of using the wrong detergent and you would end up needing washing machine repair.
Child Safety
Consumer Reports recently issued a warning to parents who use those convenient little pre-measured detergent packets than can be just tossed into the wash. These bright little packets look dangerously like candies and contain highly-concentrated detergent that is toxic when ingested. Since detergent packets went mainstream in 2012, poison control centers across the country have logged over 20,000 calls from parents of children who have tried to eat them. If this isn’t enough reason to avoid detergent packets, you should also know that these detergents performed poorly in Consumer Reports’ tests.
Water Hardness
If your home has hard water with high mineral content, this can be very bad for your washing machine, as calcium and magnesium can create buildup and blockages in the inner workings of the machine. This problem can be worsened by using the wrong laundry detergent. Powdered detergents are especially prone to binding with the mineral ions present in hard water and simply falling to the bottom of the washer, where they create a sludge that can further gum up the works of your machine. Also, don’t forget that when this happens, the detergent doesn’t get a chance to clean your clothes at all! Some tests have found that it takes up to 30 percent more powdered detergent to get clothes clean in hard water as in normal water. This excess of detergent can also contribute to a buildup of residue on the inner surfaces of the machine which can eventually cause odor problems. Liquid detergents, on the other hand, while not as effective as powders in ideal water conditions, generally perform well in all water conditions.
