Washing powder is an effective and convenient means for cleaning fabrics from dirt. And if every child knows about the contents and methods of producing ordinary soap, then the composition of washing powders is shrouded in mystery for most ordinary people.
- Powder composition
- Ingredients for baby products
- Natural powders
- Composition of rinses
- Health effects of chemical powders
- Popular powders
- Consumer Reviews
Powder composition
Washing powder consists of many complex substances. Some of them can be remembered from school chemistry lessons, while others are unfamiliar even to straight-A students.
Washing powder for hand washing
Surfactants in washing powders
Surfactants are the main cleaning power of a chemical product. They provide a cleaning and antistatic effect. The share of surfactants is up to 35% of the total mass. Manufacturers usually use a combination of anionic and nonionic surfactants.
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Irina. Housewife.
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Anionic surfactants are characterized by low cost and high ability to dissolve fats and form foam. The detergent properties are due to the ability of anionic surfactants to attach fat molecules to water molecules.
Nonionic surfactants are contained in powders in smaller quantities, but they perform a separate important function - cleaning the deep layers of tissue. Their undoubted advantages are environmental friendliness and safety, but there are also disadvantages - low foaming ability and high price. But nonionic surfactants clean fabrics even in moderately cold water.
Electrolytes and complexing agents in washing powders
The addition of electrolytes helps enhance the cleaning abilities of surfactants. Most often, manufacturers use sodium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate for this purpose. Phosphates are also electrolytes.
Their operating principle is based on water softening - by eliminating calcium and magnesium, which make water hard, phosphates help surfactants more easily penetrate fabric fibers and clean them.
Complexons are used instead of phosphates. Most often, sodium salts, for example, aluminosilicates (zeolites), play this role. They are less effective than phosphates in enhancing detergency and softening water, so products with zeolites contain more surfactants.
Washing powder Losk
Also, the presence of zeolites in detergent can lead to the formation of white spots on some fabrics. Electrolytes and complexones occupy no more than 40% of the product composition.
Antiresorbents
The function of anti-resorbents is to prevent dirt from re-adhering to cleaned fabric during washing. This property of household chemicals is provided by sodium silicate and carbomethylcellulose. Their share accounts for up to 2% of the total volume.
Enzymes
Despite the fact that fats are the main tissue contaminants, protein stains also need to be washed off. To clean matter from protein substances, enzymes are introduced into household laundry detergents. An important feature of these substances is that they decompose under the influence of high temperatures (from 40).
Another significant drawback of this component is that it is undesirable to use enzymes when washing wool products, as they gradually destroy the fabric. As a rule, the enzyme content does not exceed 2%.
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Optical brighteners in washing powders
Optical brighteners are essentially dyes. They reflect the visible blue color, giving treated fabrics a white appearance. This component does not take part in removing dirt, but it penetrates deeply into the structure of the fabric and is not removed even with repeated rinsing.
The role of optical brighteners is usually performed by derivatives of stilbene, coumarin, and benzimidazole. Their number in the total volume is up to 1%.
Peroxide bleaches and bleach activators
Sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate are used as bleaches in household chemicals. These salts not only remove dirt, but also disinfect laundry and mask unpleasant odors. Washing powder must contain a certain amount of bleach, since the use of surfactants leads to the appearance of a yellow tint on white fabric.
These substances, safe for humans and nature, are contained in washing powder in a volume of up to 30%. Bleach activators are necessary to ensure that oxygen bleaches perform their function even in moderately cold water. For example, powders with the addition of tetraacetylethylenediamine can be effectively washed at a temperature of 20.
Tide Washing Powder “White Clouds”
Sulfates
The main reason for adding sulfates is the manufacturer’s desire to reduce the cost of the finished product. These substances do not have a significant effect on the cleaning properties, but somewhat improve the performance of surfactants. A popular filler is sodium sulfate.
Fragrances and phthalates in powders
Citronellol, limonene and others can be used as flavoring agents. They are designed to eliminate the smell of chemicals in the finished product and impart a pleasant fragrance to clean linen. There are natural, natural identical and synthetic flavors.
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Phthalates perform two functions at the same time: they fix the odor and help the powder maintain its structure - they do not allow it to roll into lumps or stick together.
Other laundry detergent ingredients
The presence of the components listed above can be found in any detergent for household use. But there are a number of substances that, for one reason or another, are not used by all manufacturers. More details:
- Sodium hypochloride. This substance is almost never used due to the proven toxicity of chlorine, but some manufacturers continue to include it in their product composition, saving on peroxide bleaches.
- Cationic surfactants. Present in expensive powders. Their washing ability is weak, but they weaken the harmful effects of anionic surfactants.
- Polycarboxylate. Softens water and protects the washing machine from rust.
Ariel timeline
June 12, 1949 - Valera Yarushin was born in Chelyabinsk. 1954 - Five-year-old Valera is first seen with an accordion in his hands. 1957 - Valera Yarushin entered music school No. 2 in the city of Chelyabinsk. 1964 - A promising schoolboy transfers to the Chelyabinsk Music School. 1967 - From 1967 to 1968 - bass guitarist of the group "Singing Hearts" (city of Kopeysk) 1968 - Valery Yarushin becomes a student at the Chelyabinsk Institute of Culture, in which he is close to Guinness records for the duration of his studies. During the same period, Valery Yarushin was invited as the leader of the amateur ensemble “Allegro”. 1969 - From 1969 to 1970, the leader of the group "Allegro" (DK of the Chelyabinsk plant named after Kolyushchenko) - the forerunners of the future VIA Ariel.. 1970 - An epochal year in the history of the ensemble: the group "Ariel" was created. 1971 - First prize at the All-Union VIA competition in the city of Gorky, which the jury divided between “Ariel” and Alexander Gradsky. 1972 - First prize at the All-Union competition of pop artists “Amber of Liepaja” (it was awarded by Maestro Pauls himself!). 1973 - The recording of the first Ariel record took place at the Riga Recording Studio (alas, the phonograms were demagnetized by order of officials from the USSR Ministry of Culture). In the same year, the “disgraced” ensemble, which then worked at the Chelyabinsk Railway Palace of Culture, was liquidated. 1974 - An article by Nikita Bogoslovsky, written in defense of VIA, was published in the January issue of Literaturnaya Gazeta, containing rave reviews about the Ural group Ariel. The famous composer’s compliment became a “pass” to the professional stage - the ensemble was revived already at the Chelyabinsk Philharmonic. Valery Yarushin, together with the rest of the musicians, soon confirmed their creative viability at the Fifth All-Union Competition of Variety Artists, which took place in Moscow in October 1974. This competition also became fateful for Alla Pugacheva and Gennady Khazanov. 1975 - the All-Union finally releases the giant disc "Ariel", which included some songs from the failed "Riga" record. At the same time, foreign tours of the now famous Ural team in Russia begin: the GDR, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos... 1978 was marked by the creation of the first “large form” - Valery Yarushin released the rock opera “Emelyan Pugachev” (with lyrics disgraced poet Sergei Yesenin). The premiere took place at the Avtomobilist club. And later the ensemble showed it to Moscow spectators in the premises of the Moscow State University club, where Ariel’s longtime friend Alla Pugacheva came. The star, peculiarly opposed to superstitions, was given the 13th place in the 13th row, the action took place on December 13 at 13:00. “The devil’s dozen squared brought success...” 1979 - The masterpiece “Porushka-Paranya” was born, which was conceived as... a parody of the famous ensemble “Boney M” and the disco style... In fact, it was a kind of “musical hooliganism” by Ariel, but an old, simple wedding song from the Belgorod villages of Afanasyevka, Foshchevatovo and others, arranged by Valery Yarushin, instantly became a popular hit and a kind of calling card for Ariel. 1980 - “Eternal student” Yarushin finally received a diploma from the Institute of Culture. 1981 - Continuation of work on the “large form”, this time composer Valery Yarushin composed the rock oratorio “Masters” based on the poems of Andrei Voznesensky. 1985 - The birth of a new “canvas”: rock-doom appears on the theme of the ancient Russian epic “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.” 1988 - A joyful event - Valery Ivanovich Yarushin was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. 1989 - The musician’s fate radically changes: the unscrupulous undercover play of former bandmates brought its bitter “fruits” - in April there was a “divorce” with “Ariel”. Throwing, searching, testing... In September, Yarushin’s new “child” was born - the group “Ivanych”. 1990 - “Ivanych” participates in the first international popular music and song competition “Voice of Asia” (Alma-Ata) as an honorary guest. 1991 - The Valery Yarushin Music Center was created, which gave Chelyabinsk the Art-Start festival and became a cradle for talented performers (suffice it to mention the name of the rare vocalist Olga Sergeeva). The group “Ivanych” becomes a diploma winner of the international competition “Shlyager-91” (Leningrad). 1998 - Valery Ivanovich “falls into childhood” - his first audio album “Childhood Aquarium” based on the poems of the Chelyabinsk poetess Asya Gorskaya is released. 1999 - the group “Ivanych” temporarily ceased to exist. Its place was taken by the trio “Chelyaba”, in which, in addition to Yarushin, musicians from the previous composition Rafail Maksumov and Alexander Nemtsev. On June 13, a gala concert was held at the Chelyabinsk Opera House in honor of Valery Ivanovich’s 50th birthday; for this day, Yarushin revived the famous Ariel rock opera “Emelyan Pugachev”. The composition of “Ivanovich” is being reassembled, but under the name “New “Ariel”. 2000 - On John Lennon’s birthday, the first Beatles Gatherings festival, organized by Valery Yarushin, took place at the Chelyabinsk Drama Theater. On October 10, after a petition from Valery Yarushin and journalist Sergei Smirnov to name one of the streets after John Lennon, the local authorities and the mayor decided: this street should be in Chelyabinsk! ! ! BUT many years have passed, and they are still going to build it... 2001 - The group participates in the Golden Hit festival, held in the capital of Belarus, Minsk. 2002 - Anniversary: “35 years on stage.” Participation in the anniversary of our favorite composer Alexander Zatsepin - 75 years old. 2003 - George Harrison’s 60th Anniversary was celebrated in the company of Kolya Vasin’s St. Petersburg friends. The Moscow composition of the group was formed - brothers Viktor and Anatoly Litvinov, Alexander Trapeznikov and Valery Yarushin. 2004 - Launch of a unique retro show “We are from the USSR” - soloists of four legendary VIAs of those years Vladimir Orlov (“Leisya, song”), Andrey Kirisov (“Good fellows”), Valery Yarushin (“Ariel”), Sergei Belikov ( “Gems”), together with the drummer of several groups, Alexander Akinin, formed a kind of combined team of seventies. 2005 - “The Beatles Forever” Festival, Belarus, Minsk. 2006 — The first edition of Valery Yarushin’s book “Fate Called Ariel” was published. Circulation of 1000 copies, now this book is a bibliographic rarity. Participation in the anniversary festival “Amber of Liepaja” in Latvia. In the same year, another epoch-making event occurred - Rospatnet assigned Valery Yarushin the right to use the word “Ariel” in all areas of musical activity, from now on the words “Ariel”, “Ariel Group” and “VIA Ariel” are registered trademarks. An Autonomous Non-Profit Organization (ANO) was created - “Ariel Group of Valery Yarushin”. 2007 - Benefit performance of Valery Yarushin - November 17, Chelyabinsk, Concert Hall named after S.S. Prokofiev. Shooting of the Russia TV channel. 2008 - Ariel tours in Yekaterinburg, and the video for the song White Swan is filmed there. Filming of the documentary-musical, autobiographical film “Fate Called Ariel.” In the summer, the guitarist of the golden lineup, Sergei Antonov, died - he died tragically in Israel. 2009 - Anniversary, Valery Yarushin is 60 years old. Yuri Loza, Anastasia, Alexander Kalyanov, Pierre Narcisse, Boris Statsenko, Dmitry Kharatyan congratulated. 2010 - Valery Yarushin’s new solo album, “The Best,” was released. Bad news came from his native Chelyabinsk, it became known that Lev Gurov was seriously ill. In December, the last telephone conversation between Yarushin and Gurov took place. 2011 - Sad news: Lev Gurov died in March. Performance at the Anniversary of the football team of Russian pop stars “Starko”. In the summer, Ariel performs at the Beatles festival in Belgium, at the request of the host party, the group performs under the name “Back From The USSR”, beloved by Europeans. Ariel has a new drummer - Dmitry Krylov. Valery Yarushin takes part in the filming of the KVN New Year’s program “Ural Dumplings”. 2012 - Concerts. Ariel participates in the youth rock festival in Veshnyaki - “Whether there will be more.” A reissue of the book “A Fate Called Ariel” is being published, expanded and expanded. Ariel's story continues.
Natural powders
The toxicity of chemical washing powders is widely known and proven. People who do not accept the use of hazardous substances in everyday life are looking for alternatives to toxic detergents. Contrary to popular belief, natural washing powders are not the privilege of the rich. They are quite affordable.
The difference between bio-powders and classic ones is that manufacturers try to replace toxic substances with harmless analogues without harming the cleaning properties of the product. Instead of anionic surfactants, biological ones are introduced. They are extracted from coconut and palm oil or from wheat, rice, potatoes and other natural products.
The quality of washing does not suffer with such a replacement, but the harm to humans and their environment is neutralized. All frequently used bleaches are replaced by auxiliary and nonionic surfactants.
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For better washing results, an additional stabilizer of peroxide compounds and an organic complexing agent are added to the environmentally friendly powder. Harmful phosphates are excluded from the composition, and their function of softening water in eco-powder is performed by sodium disilicate. To give washed clothes a pleasant smell, instead of chemical fragrances, the composition contains essential oil.
Washing powder MaKo Clean “Universal”
Minuses
Despite a number of advantages, Ariel powders also have disadvantages. Among them are:
- Relatively high cost in comparison with other detergent products presented on the domestic market. However, if you look at the quality of Ariel, then the high price can be considered completely justified.
- Inappropriate composition for washing small children's clothes. Due to the presence of aggressive elements, some types of powders are not recommended for children's clothing. Otherwise, an allergic reaction may occur.
Some people note that the smell of the detergent is too concentrated. However, due to the easy washing of the powder from things, the aroma is practically inaudible.
Health effects of chemical powders
The harm of chemical washing powders is obvious. The substances that make up them pollute the environment and poison the human body.
Thus, anionic surfactants dissolve the fatty layer on the surface of the skin during hand washing, and during the process of wearing clothes washed with chemical powder, they are absorbed through unprotected skin pores and gradually accumulate in the body. Over time, this can lead to decreased immunity, as well as diseases of the brain, liver, kidneys and lungs.
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Enzymes and optical brighteners are generally non-toxic, but may cause redness or flaking of the skin. Flavors and fragrances lead to allergies. A less common but more severe consequence of odorants is asthma.
Chlorine has recently become less and less common in household chemicals. Its toxicity is extremely high. It primarily affects the lungs, and if inhaled frequently it can lead to cancer.
Phosphates degrease the skin, thereby worsening its barrier function. As a result, the body becomes more vulnerable to other toxic elements. Penetrating through the skin pores into the blood, phosphates significantly disrupt metabolism, which sometimes leads to serious consequences.
They are especially dangerous for pregnant women. Phthalates enter the bloodstream through the lungs and accumulate in the body. May lead to infertility or impotence. For pregnant women, the consequence of inhaling phthalates is intrauterine growth retardation.
Biography
The vocal and instrumental ensemble " Ariel " was created by Lev Fidelman, a student at the Chelyabinsk Music College, in 1966. At the beginning of 1967, at the New Year's holiday, the first performance of the ensemble took place (then there was no name yet). It did not last long, as the director of the music school demanded that the performance be stopped (they managed to sing three songs). In 1968, a lineup appeared that could give concerts. They sang mostly their own songs to the music of the Beatles, Monkees, Tremeloes, and Turtles. The composition of the ensemble in 1968-69 looked like this: LEV FIDELMAN (guitar-bass, vocals), LEV GUROV (guitar-rhythm, vocals), LEV RATNER (electric organ), VALERY SLEPUKHIN (solo guitar), VIKTOR KOLESNIKOV (drums).
Popular powders
The composition of washing powders is generally similar, and most popular brands include the components described above.
- Washing powder “Myth 3 in 1 Frosty freshness” consists of anionic and nonionic surfactants, polycarboxylates, zeolites, enzymes, optical brighteners, flavoring additives, hexylcinnamaldehyde and fragrance.
- The Ariel Mountain Spring powder contains anionic and nonionic surfactants, oxygen bleaches, polycarboxylates, enzymes, optical brighteners and flavorings.
- Persil Expert washing powder contains anionic and nonionic surfactants, peroxide bleaches, polycarboxylates, phosphonates, soap, optical brightener, soap and fragrance.
As can be seen from the examples, the composition of chemical washing powders of different brands differs little from each other. To protect yourself and your loved ones, it is best to use natural washing powders.
People for whom this option is unacceptable can monitor the results of inspections by government regulators and independent experts. This will allow you to select the least toxic product.
Video
Reviews
Numerous customer reviews confirm the effectiveness of Ariel washing powder and its ability to remove complex stains. However, some housewives are embarrassed by the high cost of cleaning products. Because of this, many people opt for cheaper powders.
Buyers note that after using Ariel detergents, things become softer and easier to iron. The influence of powders on the color palette of fabrics has also been noticed. 95% of respondents said that after washing with Ariel products, clothes retained their color and did not become dull.
Top 3 alternatives
There are many laundry detergents with a whitening effect on the household chemicals market. The most popular brands are:
- Persil freshness Vernel . Capsules, washing powder and liquid concentrate are available for sale. In terms of washing quality, these German household chemicals from Henkel are not inferior to Ariel. The cost of a 0.45 kg package of powder is about 100 rubles.
- Tide Alpine freshness . Its composition is similar to Ariel. It is produced by the same company – P&G. You can find all 3 forms of intake on store shelves. Tide is a more economical formulation. The price of a 0.45 kg package of powder is about 60-70 rubles.
- Losk Mountain Lake . When washing white items, it is recommended to use detergents that are not marked Color. The manufacturer offers consumers all 3 forms of release. The cost of powder with a volume of 0.45 kg is about 80 rubles.
Rules of application
The rules for use will differ depending on the form of release of the detergent. Key points to pay attention to:
The powder is poured into a special container of the washing machine. Dosage it according to the instructions indicated on the package.
The minimum amount of detergent for washing 4-5 kg of dirty laundry is 140 ml (for soft water and lightly soiled items), and the maximum is 320 ml (for stubborn stains and hard water).
The powder can be purchased in volumes of 0.45 kg, 1.5 kg, 3 kg, 4.5 kg, 6 kg and 9 kg. The gel is poured directly into the drum of the washing machine, into which dirty clothes are first placed. The required amount is measured using a cap. The dosage depends on the degree of water hardness and tissue contamination. The minimum amount of washing gel is 50 ml, and the maximum is 115 ml.
The dosage is indicated for a washing machine with a load of 4-5 kg. If the drum volume is 6 kg, then add another 25 ml of detergent. The gel is available in volumes of 1.04 l, 1.3 l, 1.95 l.
- The capsules are placed in the drum of the washing machine and only after that dirty items are placed in it. The capsule shell dissolves in water. It releases 3 active components, each of which is located in different sections. 1 capsule is enough to wash 4-6 kg of laundry. They should not be touched with wet hands, crushed, or violated the integrity of the shell in any other way. You can purchase a package of capsules of 12, 15, 23, 30 pieces.
Any form of detergent is activated at a temperature of 30 degrees. According to the manufacturer, even in cool water, Ariel Mountain Spring removes stubborn stains from the first wash and gives the fabric flawless whiteness.
First place
In January 1971, “Ariel” took first place in the regional competition “Hello, we are looking for talents” (“Oh, frost, frost”) and received an invitation to a zonal competition in the city of Sverdlovsk. In March 1971, the ensemble, for political reasons, losing first place to VIA "Yalla", took second place in the zonal competition "Hello, we are looking for talents" ("Went out to the Donetsk steppe...") in the city of Sverdlovsk. After returning from Sverdlovsk, its founder and first artistic director LEV FIDELMAN left the ensemble. Organist SERGEY SHARIKOV from VIA “Pilgrims” was invited to take his place. In December 1971, “Ariel” shared first place with the trio “Skomorokhs”, led by Alexander Gradsky, at the “Silver Strings” competition dedicated to the 650th anniversary of the city of Gorky (the songs “Princess”, “Silence”, “The Swan Left Behind” were performed), Golden Slumbers"). Soon lead guitarist VALERY SLEPUKHIN was drafted into the army, his place was taken by 15-year-old SERGEY ANTONOV.
At the beginning of 1972, a sixth member, pianist VLADIMIR KINDINOV, appeared in the ensemble. In August 1972, the ensemble won the “Amber of Liepaja” competition in Latvia. Where the chairman of the jury was Raymond Pauls (they performed “Winter and Spring”, “Ballad of Memory”, “With a Song across the Urals”, “Silence”, “The River Carried an Oak Tree”, “They Gave It to the Young”, “Golden Slumbers”). In the spring of 1973, under the threat of expulsion from ChGIK BORIS KAPLUN and VLADIMIR KINDINOV, who had three months left before their diploma, the institute’s management “offered” to create their own VIA “Youth of the Urals” at the institute. EVGENY SMETANIKOV was temporarily invited to replace BORIS KAPLUN. After Nikita Bogoslovsky’s article in the Literary Gazette “Difficult “Easy Genre” (dated May 16, 1973), the ensemble was invited to work at the Chelyabinsk Philharmonic and “Ariel” received the status of a professional ensemble.
Ariel's Golden Composition
Features of using detergent
Opened packaging of detergent must be stored in a dry place, out of direct sunlight. Ideally, Ariel should be poured into a special plastic container that prevents spilling and getting wet. After opening, a large plastic bag with powder is tightly closed with a clothespin.
Before you start washing, you need to carefully study the information on the packaging of the detergent, as well as the information on the labels of the items. Ariel powders are not intended for washing wool or silk. For one wash, approximately 150 grams of powdered product should be taken.
When washing dark items, you can set an additional rinse cycle. This step will help avoid white streaks.
People prone to allergies should wash only with rubber gloves and when pouring powder into the machine, try not to inhale particles of household chemicals.
