Laundry is a tedious task, but modern washing machines make this chore much easier than years before. In addition to a wide range of washers and dryers, there are thousands of different laundry detergent formulas on the market. Everyone loves the scent of fresh laundry, but there’s more to consider than whether to choose Fresh Rain or Citrus Burst. Choosing the right laundry detergent requires looking at a number of factors.
There are a variety of detergent options that can meet the unique needs of your family. By determining what works best for your family, you can end up with cleaner clothes, and maybe save a little time on laundry.
Skin allergies
If someone in your family has sensitive skin or allergies, scent and dye-free detergents could be the best choice. Children’s clothes should not be washed in highly-scented detergents, as their skin is far more sensitive than adults. Fabric softener matters, too. Whether you add a sheet to the dryer or liquid in the wash, choose a fabric softener that is non-irritating for the whole family. Adding a cup of vinegar can also help reduce detergent residue on clean clothing. The smell won’t linger, and may help reduce the need for fabric softener altogether.
Scents
Scents are important to consider when choosing laundry detergent. If you are sensitive to certain smells, or someone in your family is, an unscented detergent may be your best bet. You should also consider the people you work and live around – if your laundry detergent is highly-scented, it may irritate allergies in your co-workers and family. Babies and children may also be sensitive to scented laundry detergents, particularly newborns.
HE vs. non-HE
Most new washing machines boast the label “high efficiency.” These machines use less water, which means that a specially formulated high efficiency (or “HE”) detergent is required. These detergents produce less suds than conventional detergent, making them rinse away more effectively in high efficiency machines. If you accidentally pick up a high-efficiency bottle of detergent and own a conventional washer, it will still work in your machine. High efficiency machines, though, shouldn’t be used with detergents that are not formulated to require less water.
Cleaning efficiency
Some laundry detergents are more effective than others, and in most cases, you get what you pay for. For parents, detergents with a stain remover boost can help clean clothes with stubborn stains like fruit juice, grass, and dirt. You can save time in pre-treating stains by choosing a detergent with a lot of stain removing power. Cheaper detergents may clean your clothes just fine, but you’ll likely use more than pricier formulas. You may need to do a little experimenting to find out which type of laundry detergent works best for you, but it can make all the difference in this tedious chore.
Considering your family’s needs, your washing machine, and cleaning power are all important when choosing a laundry detergent. You may not find your favorite scent in the right detergent, but your clothes could be much cleaner.
Post Author: andyc.
