What is better to use for washing - gel or powder - and why?

If in past years the choice of laundry detergents was limited to a few brands of powders, now the range is much more diverse.

In addition to bulk formulations, you can purchase gels. The liquid consistency is attractive due to its ease of use and the manufacturers’ assurances of high quality washing.

To find out whether this is really so and what is better to choose for washing - gel or powder, read the article.

Advantages and disadvantages of dry laundry detergent

Most people use bulk formulations. Even if this detergent is not a favorite, everyone still has one in their home.

The powder has the following advantages:

1. 
   Versatility. This means that it can be used in almost any circumstance: machine and hand washable, for various types of fabrics.

2. High efficiency. The powders work well even on old stains.
3. Possibility of washing at any temperature: both low and high.
4. Long shelf life.
5. Possibility of soaking.
6. Affordable price. On sale you can find a composition for any budget.

Flaws:

1. The powder generates dust, which can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract.
2. After opening, the package remains open, which is why its contents may become damp or spill. The powder can clump into clumps even in the loading tray.
3. Solid particles are difficult to wash out of fabric fibers, which affects the quality of rinsing.
4. Aggressiveness towards tissues. Loose formulations are not suitable for washing and soaking delicate fabrics.

By what principle to choose

When choosing this product, most people evaluate the profitability of the purchase according to the following criteria:

• Material side;
• Efficiency;
• Interaction with the washing machine (should not have a negative impact on its mechanisms);
• Pleasant smell or lack thereof;
• Safety, hypoallergenicity of the product (this is especially concerning for those who have small children);
• Beautiful packaging;
• Personal choice (some people are used to using washing powders and are not able to take something new, while others liked the product in the form of a gel).

Pros and cons of liquid

If for Russia gels can be considered a relative novelty, then among residents of Europe and the United States they have long come into use. They are preferred by more than 40% of the population of foreign countries.

This is not surprising, since liquid products have a number of undoubted advantages:

1. 
   Convenient packaging. The compositions are bottled in plastic bottles, which do not take up much space. They are tightly closed with a cap, which prevents any contamination from getting inside.

2. Easy dosing. All containers are equipped with a dispenser lid, and exact recommendations for using a specific detergent are indicated on the packaging.
3. Good solubility in water. The gel is initially liquid, so its formula begins to act immediately, immediately after starting the wash cycle.
4. No streaks on clothes after washing. The product is easily rinsed without lingering in the fibers of the fabric.
5. High quality washing. Most mid-price gels wash no worse than expensive powders.
6. Less risk of developing allergies. When using the gel, no dust is generated that can enter the respiratory system. In addition, high-quality leaching of the composition from tissues reduces the risk of skin irritation.
7. Gentle on fabrics. The gel is used for washing delicate items, as it is activated even in cool water.
8. Save on fabric softener. There is simply no need to use it when washing with liquid powders.

Gels have some disadvantages, including:

1. Manufacturers recommend using them only for machine washing. It is better to carry out manual processing of things using a powdered product.
2. The gel is more expensive than washing powder.
3. The composition is effective at 30-40 degrees. It is not used for washing in hot water.

You will find all the most important things about washing gels here.

What is best for children's clothes?

To wash delicate products, which include children's clothes, you need to choose household chemicals with the safest composition for health. On the one hand, gels are environmentally friendly, have a gentle effect on fabric, and therefore are more suitable for washing children's clothes. On the other hand, there are often severe stains on children’s clothes that a liquid product cannot deal with: only a powder can deal with them. What should I do?

When washing delicate and not too soiled children's clothes, you can use gels. If you need to remove stubborn stains, you need to turn to washing powder, checking its composition on the packaging.

Attention!

To wash children's clothes, special powders are used that are safe for health and do not cause allergies. The packaging of such products must indicate the purpose (for children's things) and the age of the child from which the powder can be used on his clothes.

General properties

Powder and gel are products designed to achieve a single goal: removing dirt from things, which is their main similarity. The basis of the washing formula is represented by synthetic surfactants, but their percentages are different.

Both gels and powders use aromatic additives, substances to protect against color fading, and whitening components.

Both powders and gels are available for washing colored and white items. You can find cheap and expensive cleaning compounds on sale.

Review of the best gel manufacturers

The main criteria when choosing gels are their effectiveness, health safety and cost. According to user surveys, the most popular liquid products from the following manufacturers:

• Henkel
  (Germany). Manufacturer: Persil Gel, Perwoll Gel, Rex Power Color, Losk. The products remove dirt well, protect color, smooth fabric, and have a pleasant smell. Disadvantages - they are used up quickly and are expensive (price - 3-5 euros / l).
• Procter & Gamble
  (USA). Products – Ariel Gel, Tide. Economical packaging, affordable price, high efficiency - copes well with difficult stains. Disadvantages: a large number of chemical additives that can cause allergies and a strong odor. Price 3-4 euros/liter.
• NCT (New Chemical Technologies)
  (Russia). The product is Wellery washing gel. Gentle on textiles, color protection, practical packaging, pleasant light aroma and economical consumption. Health safety due to the use of natural biodegradable components. Disadvantages - the price is higher than that of other domestic manufacturers - from 150 rubles. for 1 l.
• Unilever
  (Netherlands). Product – OMO Gel. Anti-allergenic, easily washed off gel, protects fabric from color fading, pleasant unobtrusive aroma. Based on inorganic compounds, can be used for hand washing. Disadvantages - high price (1 liter 3.5 - 4.5 euros).
• Nevskaya cosmetics
  (Russia). The product is “Eared Nanny” gel for washing children’s clothes. The hypoallergenic product is suitable for children from the first days of life, has bactericidal and disinfectant properties. Low price. Disadvantages - it is not suitable for all children, sometimes there are allergic reactions.

When choosing a detergent, you can give preference to universal products suitable for various types of textiles. For allergy sufferers, gels for children's clothes are ideal; they are safe for health and remove stains well.

Main Differences

Despite the fact that all products are used for washing clothes, they have certain differences:

1. 
   Compound. Unlike powders, cationic and nonionic surfactants predominate in the composition of gels. Bulk laundry detergents contain more anionic surfactants. Therefore, it is easier to refresh the fabric with gel and it is softer.

2. Release form . Unlike gels, powders generate dust when poured into the detergent compartment.
3. Various additives . Due to their liquid formula, manufacturers add various extracts, peroxide salts and water softening components to washing gels. It is impossible to use some of them in the process of making washing powders.
4. Best before date . It is higher for powder than for liquid detergents.
5. Price. Gels are more expensive.
6. Rinse quality . After using the powder, white stains often remain on things.
7. Washing temperature . For gels, the maximum threshold is limited to 60 degrees, and for powder – 90 degrees.

How to choose what to wash with?

In some cases, preference is given to gel, in others – to powder. This depends on many factors, namely:

• what kind of washing is to be done - hand or machine;
• what items will be washed – delicate or thick fabrics;
• what is the washing temperature and type of dirt;
• how much money a person has and more.

If you set your priorities correctly, you will be able to significantly improve the quality of your laundry.

Regular powder is preferred in the following cases:

1. 
   It is used when washing in hot water (up to 90 degrees) is necessary. Cotton and linen are not afraid of such temperatures.

2. Worn and washed clothes with stubborn stains (from blood, wine, juices, etc.) are also washed with powder.
3. Hand wash required.
4. Things need to be disinfected and rid of persistent odors.

When you need to make your choice in favor of the liquid form:

1. The liquid composition is ideal for caring for delicate fabrics: wool, silk, synthetics, mixed materials.
2. This is a daily wash, the items are not very dirty.
3. A person suffers from allergies or asthma.
4. The wash cycle will be short and there is no time for additional rinsing.

Hand washing using gel is not recommended, as its use is not as effective. The formula is better activated precisely in the conditions of a washing machine (so-called mechanical activation occurs). Manual processing will not achieve this result.

Which is better: gel or capsules for washing?

Capsules are the same washing gel dosed into silicone soluble sachets. Sometimes they include air conditioning. One sachet is designed for a full wash cycle and will do an excellent job of removing dirt. The composition of the liquid gel in the packaging and capsules is almost identical. What are the benefits of capsules? Precise ready dosage, comfortable use. There are also disadvantages: you cannot divide the capsule if you need to wash a few things; colorful sachets may interest young children; gel capsules are much more expensive. What is better to choose – gel or capsules? Choose based on considerations of convenience and safety for the child.

Thus, washing powder and liquid gels have their own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. The ideal option is to have both means in your arsenal so that you can use either one depending on the task at hand and the type of textile.

Comparative characteristics

Comparative characteristics of liquid and bulk detergents are presented in the table:

Criteria for comparison	Powder	Gel
Release form	Loose powdery product	Liquid concentrate
Features of the composition	Anionic surfactants predominate (the harshest)	Co-surfactants prevail: nonionic and cationic (have a mild cleaning effect)
Washing temperature	Up to 90 degrees	Not higher than 60 degrees (preferably 30-40)
Washing type	Manual and machine	Machine
Features of application	For removing difficult stains, for soaking	For everyday washing
Rinsing	Additional rinse cycle required	Rinses well
For what type of fabrics	Not suitable for all delicate fabrics	Can be used to care for delicate fabrics
Disinfection ability	High	Low
Health safety	Less secure	More secure
Price	Different price categories, there are cheap products	Average price category and above

Reviews

On the Internet you can find many reviews about the use of powder and gels.

Many housewives prefer liquid detergents , as they consider them more convenient to use. They are satisfied that they are rinsed well and there are no white stains left after them.

Other consumers do not notice the difference between gels and powders. Therefore, they use those compounds that are cheaper. The advantages of the powder include its high efficiency in the fight against old stains.

You will find reviews on the use of gels and powders here and here.

Which is more profitable?

Washing powder, on the one hand, is more profitable, since its price is much lower than gel detergent. However, can we say that it is more economical? The fact is that more powder is consumed for washing, and besides, it simply crumbles from an open package. Therefore, there is no need to talk about big benefits. Thus, you need to choose a detergent based primarily on the question of expediency of use. It is best to have both gel and washing powder in your arsenal.