The laundry aisle is full of different brands and types of detergent. Does it really matter which one to get? It absolutely does. Some detergents that just work better than others. There are also some questions to ask yourself before buying.
There are different types of detergents for different purposes. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid detergents that contain dyes and scents, as these can irritate your skin. Detergents like All Free & Clear, and Cheer Free are great for sensitive skin. Some experts recommend that you should also keep your loads small and if still having issues, run a second rinse cycle.
Fabric softeners will irritate sensitive skin as well. It is best to avoid these you have sensitive skin. Dryer sheets usually contain scents and should be avoided for the same reason. There are different options for your dryer like dryer balls, which provide the softening and removal of static without using dryer sheets. Plus, they are reusable, which is good for the environment.
If sensitive skin isn’t an issue for you, look at how well the detergent fights stains. Tide tends to win the top spot year after year for best stain fighting. While Tide does a great job, it’s also one of the priciest options out there. If that’s not an issue, then by all means pick some up. If you are on a budget, you may want to look into less expensive options.
It is possible to get far more out of your purchase than the box states. Most loads of laundry have way too much soap added. Tide powder for HE machines can last quite a while if you cut back on the amount used. You’ll find that your clothes are still clean, and you are using half as much detergent.
If a stain fighting detergent isn’t really necessary for your lifestyle, you could save quite a bit of money by making your own detergent. There are several recipes out there, and most of them will work great for your needs.
One quick tip on why detergent matters
When buying detergent, never use standard soap in a high efficiency washer. The amount of water used in this type of machine just can’t handle that many suds. Your clothes will come out completely soapy and in need of another wash.
Getting the right detergent for the job at hand will definitely improve the life of your clothes, keeping your whites white and your colors bright. Now if only you could accomplish the entire washing process in 10 minutes instead of half an hour! That would definitely revolutionize the washing machines we use today.