Best Types of Detergents to Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh
Many consumers rely on advertisements to learn about and choose detergents. But detergents come in various types and serve different functions based on their ingredients. So, depending on your laundry requirements, you should pick a product with the right ingredients. So to help you make a decision, here are key ingredients and types of detergents you should consider. Further, you can also check out the top detergents to get great-smelling, clean clothes:
Types and best options
You can find wide-ranging detergents on department store shelves and online sellers. So, here are some common types of detergents and the best products under each category to get fresh-smelling clothes:
Powder detergents
This type of detergent is found in most households mainly because they are budget-friendly and easily available products. Powder detergents often contain higher concentrations of oxygen bleach, which breaks down tough stains to remove them, helping whiten clothes. Here are the top powder detergents in the country:
Gain Original Scent Powder: Those who prefer a stronger and more effective cleaning solution to deal with tough stains and odors should opt for Gain powder detergent. Its 91-ounce pack is available for about $15. As for its benefits, the cleaning agent comes with Gain’s Aroma Boost Technology, which promises up to six weeks of freshness after you wash the clothes, lasting until first use.
Corewash Laundry Powder: If you have sensitive skin, this detergent from Corewash is an ideal choice. The formula is vegan and free from toxins. Additionally, the cardboard and steel canister is biodegradable, while the powder is free from plastic, making it safe for the environment. You could get the 32-ounce pack for just $20 on the Celsious website.
Liquid detergents
This can be a more expensive option than powder detergents, but you are likely to see liquid detergents in many homes owing to the convenience they offer. For starters, the liquid formula is designed to dissolve easily in water. Further, the product works well with most temperature settings and is highly effective in dealing with greasy stains. You can also pre-treat stains before adding the clothes to the washer for the best effects. A liquid detergent is also easier to clean up if there is an accidental spill. Here are a couple of top liquid detergents you can choose from:
Persil ProClean + Stain Fighter: This Persil product is one of the most popular laundry solutions in the market. It is ideal for those who wash their laundry every day. Further, the product has a strong formula that can tackle most stains and extract them from clothes. You can pick up a 100 fl oz for about $25 from Quill’s online retail store.
Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean: The liquid detergent is hypo-allergenic, so it can fight off tough stains without being harsh on dry and sensitive skin. You can get a 194 fl oz bottle for about $30 on the Catsa online store. You can use it for 146 loads before having to buy another bottle, which makes the product reasonably priced.
Laundry pods
Laundry pods are the best solution if you travel frequently. The pods come with a biodegradable coating and contain pre-measured amounts of detergent. Just like regular detergents, the pods can remove stains and odors and brighten clothes. The packaging gives laundry pods a longer shelf life. Here are the best laundry pods to consider:
Tide Pods Laundry Detergent Soap Pods: A popular laundry pod detergent to consider is this 42-pod pack from Tide. You can get it for about $15 on the RiteAid website. The product has a three-in-one formula, working as a detergent, stain remover, and color protector. Tide pods will also dissolve completely in most water conditions so that there is no residue after a wash cycle. As for the fragrance, each wash adds a floral and fruity scent to the clothes, making the pods a great pick to get a fresh-smelling, clean load.
All Mighty Pacs: The All Mighty Pacs are a great option for people with sensitive skin, as the pods are free from dyes and perfumes. The product is available for about $4 in online retail stores, making it a perfect choice for travelers looking for budget-friendly options. In addition to its hypoallergenic formula, the pods can fight tough stains and remove odors seamlessly.
Key cleaning agents
Before choosing the best detergents, you should check and compare the important chemicals in popular laundry products. These ingredients tackle dirt, first, mud, food, and oil stains to give you clean and fresh-smelling clothes. The primary chemicals in most laundry detergents are:
Bleach: Chlorine is a form of bleach found in most laundry detergents. The chemical can extract color from non-removable stains so that they are no longer noticeable. However, when using bleach-heavy detergent, you should not add too much of it as it may completely discolor the laundry load.
Surfactants: These are chemical compounds, including soap molecules, that bind with water and oil. Surfactants reduce the surface tension between oil and water and subsequently get rid of grease. When rinsed, the dirt particles are flushed out of the clothes due to surfactants.
Brighteners: Brighteners are added to laundry detergents to substitute bleach, helping brighten white clothes using blue dyes. So, detergents with brighteners help enhance the color of white clothes that have yellowed over time.
Builders: These chemical agents are generally added to detergents to help reduce the hardness of water by balancing the pH level. The chemical also helps eliminate stains by emulsifying oil and grease stains and breaking them down, loosening the dirt before completely removing them from the clothes during the rinse cycle.
Other chemicals usually added to detergents include preservatives, solvents, stabilizers, enzymes, and fabric conditioners. So, you must check the ingredient label on the product to understand which is best suited for your laundry load at home.
