Powder VS Liquid Laundry Detergent – And the Winner Is…

What is the reason to create different products if they contain the same ingredients and do the same job? The issue of powder VS liquid laundry detergent seems redundant at first glance. However, while they might appear the same - variations in functionality, efficiency, and quality can make a world of difference in the end.

First, there was water, and later came ash, followed by a variety of soap innovations. Then someone invented powder detergent and shook the laundry washing scene. Liquid detergents appeared decades later. It is kind of natural to presume that newer is absolutely better.

But is it?

Let's see what's in the backstage of the powder vs. liquid laundry detergent battle. We'll examine the target focus, similarities and differences, along with the pros and cons of each.

In this article you can read about:

Powder VS Liquid Laundry Detergent: Let’s Start With the Basics

First, let’s define what is what. Both product types are quite similar in definitions.

What Is Liquid Laundry Detergent?

Liquid detergent is a term that refers to a number of different cleaning products. What they have in common is the liquid form. Liquid washing detergent designed for laundry shares many active ingredients with its powder counterpart, but final properties depend on the formula and manufacturing method. The list of components and their proportion determine the best use of the product, as well as its quality, efficiency, and even price tag.

What Is Laundry Detergent Powder?

Powder washing detergent is a kind of dehydrated soap, suitable for manual and machine washing. It’s a more traditional washing solution than liquid, also typically more affordable. Powder detergent is provenly efficient against certain types of “stubborn” stains, and many formulas are developed to support specific uses.

Powder VS Liquid Laundry Detergent: What They Have in Common

Both detergent types are designed for removing stains from all kinds of fabric and can be used for any sort of washing. Most formulas comprise the same or similar types of ingredients.

Builders

Builders in detergents play the same role as traditional washing agents such as lye, ash, and fatty acids. These are crucial components for making a detergent base. Building agents also emulsify fat, enhance the efficiency of other ingredients, and affect minerals in hard water. Some builders also protect the washing machine by preventing corrosion of its exposed parts.

Some of the most used builders in the detergent industry are STPP (sodium tripolyphosphate), caustic potash (potassium hydroxide), and caustic soda (sodium hydroxide).

Surfactants

The role of surfactants is to intensify the foaming ability of the final formula and break up stains to make them washable. A combination of anionic and non-ionic surfactants is often used to maximize the detergent’s efficiency.

Enzymes

The components that made both powder and liquid detergents more potent than ever are the enzymes. They concentrate on specific soils in order to break them into washable molecules. Along with the improved efficiency, formulas containing enzymes shorten the process and allow washing at lower temperatures.

Common enzymes range includes proteases, lipases, amylases, along with the emerging new generation of eco-friendly compounds with excellent sustainability.

Supporting Ingredients

  • pH modifiers – determine the acidity or alkalinity of the formula, making it suitable for targeted use. Agents like Sodium metasilicate pentahydrate perform multiple roles, including emulsifying, purifying, dispersing, and more.
  • Optical brighteners – visual enhancers, eliminate the need for using harsh bleaches.
  • Anti-redeposition agents – prevent soils from settling back on cleaned fabrics.
  • Suds – prevent surfactants from damaging the washing machine.
  • Colorful speckles – visual enhancers, add to the product’s identity.
  • Processing aids – ingredients such as sodium sulfate affect the formula’s density and inhibit caking.
  • Fragrances – cover chemical and dirt odors.
Key takeaway

As we said before, while the components may be the same, their concentration and differences in the manufacturing process lead to the creation of quite diverse products. For instance, liquid detergents feature much higher concentrations of animal fat compared to powder versions. The reason is the fluid nature and the concept of such formulas.

Powder VS Liquid Laundry Detergent: Key Differences

So, now we got to the crucial part. Let’s see why this “eternal battle” is even a thing.

Manufacturing Process

There are three standard ways to produce powder detergent formulas. One is the blender (dry mixing) process. Another method is called the agglomeration process, and includes shredding of the mass, spraying it with the liquid parts, then exposed to heat and crushed to create distinctive granules. The third, most reliable process is the slurry method, in which the compound is dried and filtered inside a spray drying tower, using hot air distribution. The final step of any method comprises post-processing, in order to perfect the product.

Liquid detergent production can be manual, semi-, or fully automated, separated into four key steps. The first step is to form a base by dosing and mixing all major components, followed by the addition of supporting ingredients. The mass then passes through the filtration process, after which it’s ready for the packaging and labeling line.

Price Tag

Here is one of the crucial reasons why many choose powder detergent. On average, it costs less than liquid laundry cleansers, detergent pods, and similar solutions. However, the price itself doesn’t always show the product’s actual value, so it’s good to also consider the cost per load.

For instance, economy packages come with a higher price tag but pay off in the number of washes the user gets from one pack. Also, both liquid and powder detergents come in concentrated versions that produce the same economic result by using less product for one wash.

While both liquid and powder laundry detergents come in different packaging, affordable economy packs are more common with powders. Liquid detergents often appear in regular-sized bottles as multiple concentrated solutions.

It’s important here to distinguish standard liquid concentrated formulas from a modern HE detergent. High-efficiency detergent is designed to improve the eco-friendly aspects of the process. They produce less foam, allowing laundry machines to perform at maximum levels while using less water. HE detergent is a must in specialized high-efficiency washing machines but can also be used in many standard top load washers.

Washing Machine Safety

Now, what is safer for use in washing machines, liquid or powder detergents? Liquid formulas have some advantages over powder detergent in this matter, but in the end, it all depends on the quality of the finished product. Powders often contain more chemicals prone to caking; hence their residue might cause some issues over time. Liquid detergents do not pile up in the draining system – however, their overdosing or low-quality components could result in foam leaks and other hassles.

On average, powder detergents are less prone to cause mold growth, while liquid detergents pose a lower risk to the pipes. Also, some models of the front-load washers are designed only for use with powders.

Powder VS Liquid Laundry Detergent Efficiency

  • Powder detergent is better for use on outdoor stains. One of their main components, Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, is powerful in dissolving and eliminating grass stains, clay, and mud.
  • Liquid detergents are very efficient on stains caused by oils and fats. Their common ingredients, alcohol ethoxylates, easily break and remove greasy marks from fabrics.
  • Due to their versatility,heavy-duty, premium washing powders are convenient for frequent washing diverse heavy stains.  
  • Liquid detergent is better suited for pre-washing treatments and direct use on the clothes in the washer drum. 
  • Liquid detergent works well in different water temperatures, while powders need more time and heat to dissolve properly. 

Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness

Powder detergents mostly come packed in an easily recyclable cardboard box. Most of these packages are compostable. 

Liquid detergent is available in plastic bottles. Plastic is not the most environmentally friendly compound but can be recycled through different garbage disposal programs. 

Both types of laundry detergents can be bulky when fully branded and packed, leading to higher transport costs and more gas emissions. However, that can be partially avoided by buying large bulk quantities for private labeling or contract manufacturing. In such cases, most of the packaging happens in the area of distribution.

If you are worried about the detergent residues in wastewaters, there are various eco-friendly formulas, most of which are biodegradable, phosphate-free, and not tested on animals.

Shelf Life

Powder formulas are dry and thus stable, with a long shelf life. Most powder laundry detergent brands will retain their cleaning power for a long time.

Liquid detergents, however, feature plenty of water, which affects their longevity. Cleaning agents featured in such formulas lose their strength over time, hence do not present a good solution for bulk storing.

Key takeaway

All laundry detergents will clean the fabric, removing most of – or all – stains and odors. In terms of powder VS liquid laundry detergents, both types have their advantages and flows. Liquid detergents are slightly more diverse and offer more convenience of use. On the other hand, washing powders excel in removing specific types of stains while also being generally more affordable.

The bottom line

So, powder VS liquid laundry detergents…Which type should you use? Like we said before, the best laundry detergent is the one that gets the job done. More or less, any formula will do the task of cleaning your clothes. For best targeted results, choose the detergent type that suits your specific needs and excels in particular kinds of stains. In terms of affordability, go for either economy packs of powder detergent, or highly concentrated liquids.

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