In daily life, everyone uses laundry detergent or washing powder, but not everyone understands the difference between the two. Some people are used to using laundry detergent because it creates a strong clean feeling, while others prefer laundry detergent because it has a long-lasting scent and leaves little residue. But how are laundry detergent and washing powder different, which one cleans better, which one is good for washing machines, good for fabrics, or more cost-effective?
This article will analyze fully and in detail so that you can easily choose the right product to suit your family’s washing needs.
1. What Is Laundry Detergent?
Laundry detergent is a liquid detergent mixed with many specialized cleaning ingredients, such as:
- Surfactants help remove dirt and grease
- Enzymes help treat organic stains (sweat, blood, starch, grease, etc.)
- Grease-dissolving agents increase cleaning efficiency
- Fragrance creates a pleasant scent
- Fabric protection additives help fabric fibres last longer and limit tangles
Because it is in liquid form, laundry detergent dissolves very quickly, easily penetrates deep into each fabric fibre, and helps clean effectively without leaving residue, making it especially suitable for industrial washing machines and soft fabrics such as towels, sheets, and patient clothes.
Advantages of laundry detergent
✔ Easy to dissolve completely in water
Because it is in liquid form, laundry detergent dissolves very quickly, leaving no residue on clothes or trays, especially useful when washing with cold water.
✔ Gentle on fabrics
Detergent contains less alkali than washing powder, so it is suitable for thin fabrics, silk, chiffon or children’s clothes. When used for a long time, it also makes the fabric fibres less stiff.
✔ Fast cleaning – optimal for modern washing machines
Because it is easy to dissolve, laundry detergent takes effect as soon as it is put into the washing drum. Front-loading, top-loading, or quick-wash washing machines all work more effectively than when using washing powder.
✔ Keeps fragrance longer
The fragrance particles in laundry detergent easily adhere and penetrate each fabric fibre, helping clothes smell sweet all day long, suitable for people who like light scents or fabrics used indoors.
✔ Friendly to colored fabrics
The detergent has a mild bleaching effect, limits oxidation of fabric colours, helps clothes keep their colour longer, and is less likely to fade after many washes.
✔ Does not clog the washing machine
Because it does not leave residue, the detergent helps limit the drying in the detergent tray, protects the washing machine for longer and reduces the risk of moldy odors.
Disadvantages of liquid laundry detergent
✘ Higher price than washing powder
Laundry detergent is often more expensive due to its mild ingredients and more complex manufacturing technology. If you wash a large amount, the cost will increase significantly.
✘ Easy to overuse
Because of its liquid form, many people often pour more than necessary, causing it to run out quickly. If you do not measure with a cap or measuring device, it is difficult to control the amount used.
✘ Not as strong in cleaning ability as washing powder
For heavily soiled clothes, mud, grease, or yellowed white clothes, liquid laundry detergent is sometimes not as strong as washing powder (which contains many alkaline substances and special cleaning particles).
2. What Is Washing Powder?
Washing powder is a dry powder detergent, made from a mixture of alkaline particles, bleach, enzymes (depending on the type), fragrances and foaming additives. Thanks to its granular structure, washing powder has the ability to mechanically rub when mixed with water, helping to support the cleaning process. This is also the reason why washing powder is very popular in Vietnamese families, especially when hand washing or treating heavily stained clothes.
Advantages of washing powder
✔ Strong cleaning ability
The alkaline particles in washing powder are extremely effective in breaking down grease, sebum, and long-lasting stains. Clothes with mud, sweat stains, kitchen grease, etc., are all handled well.
✔ Creates a lot of foam, feels noticeably cleaner when washing by hand
For many people, a lot of foam helps them feel more secure because they feel clean. Therefore, washing powder is preferred when washing by hand or quickly washing dirty towels.
✔ Low price, cost savings
Compared to laundry liquid, washing powder has a softer price, suitable for families that need to wash a lot or large-volume laundry factories.
✔ Effective with heavy stains
Due to containing strong detergents and optical brighteners, washing powder has a clear effect on white clothes, thick clothes or work fabrics.
Disadvantages of washing powder
✘ Easy to leave white residue if not dissolved thoroughly
In washing machines, especially front-loading washing machines, washing powder is difficult to dissolve completely. Residual residue sticks to clothes, causing white stains and discomfort.
✘ Detergent residue accumulates, causing odours and mould in the machine
If used for a long time without cleaning the machine regularly, detergent residue can form into clumps, causing bad odors in the washing drum.
✘ Can cause fading or hardening of fabric fibres
Due to its strong alkalinity, washing powder can easily cause thin fabrics, colored fabrics or sensitive materials to fade faster than washing liquid.
✘ Creates too much foam, which is not suitable for washing machines
Large amounts of foam can cause overflow, making the washing machine operate less effectively and causing the rinsing process to take many times.
3. Compare laundry detergent and washing powder according to each criterion
3.1. Solubility
Laundry detergent:
Thanks to its liquid form, laundry detergent dissolves almost immediately when it comes into contact with water, whether it is cold or warm water. This allows the cleaning agent to quickly penetrate into each fabric fiber without stirring or waiting. This is why laundry detergent is very suitable for those who wash by machine, quick wash or wash delicate clothes.
Laundry detergent:
Detergent needs time to dissolve completely. If not stirred thoroughly or cold water is used, the powder can easily clump and stick to clothes. These powder residues can cause yellowing of fabrics, stiffening of fabrics or creating unpleasant odors over time.
→ Laundry detergent is superior in its ability to dissolve, clean quickly, clean evenly, and not worry about residue.
3.2. Cleaning efficiency
Washing powder:
Designed with strong detergent particles and high alkalinity, washing powder has the ability to “remove” stubborn stains such as grease, mud, dry sweat or old stains. This is the reason why washing powder is often preferred when washing heavily soiled clothes, work clothes or children’s daily clothes.
Laundry detergent:
The cleaning effect of washing liquid is good but gentler. Washing liquid focuses on protecting the color, softness and durability of fabric fibers, most suitable for washing daily clothes, office clothes, silk, thin fabrics.
→ Washing powder cleans stronger; washing liquid cleans softer – keeps color better.
3.3. Hand wash or machine wash
Washing powder
Washing powder is suitable for hand washing because of its foaming properties. Strong cleaning power also helps to handle areas that need to be scrubbed thoroughly such as collars and sleeves.
Washing liquid
Meanwhile, washing liquid has less foam so it is more suitable for machine washing, does not cause overflow, dissolves quickly, does not leave residue in the washing drum. This helps the washing machine run smoothly and prolongs its life.
→ Hand washing with washing powder – Machine washing should use washing liquid.
3.4. Fabric safety
Laundry detergent:
Gentle thanks to its pH-balanced formula, less likely to irritate the skin. Suitable for high-quality fabrics, soft fabrics such as silk, chiffon, spandex, children’s clothes, colored clothes or clothes that need to keep their shape.
Detergent:
Usually contains high alkalinity and strong bleaching particles, so long-term use can cause the fabric fibers to dry out, stiffen or fade. With thin or dyed fabrics, detergent can reduce the fabric’s lifespan faster.
→ Detergent is safer for materials, especially thin and colored fabrics.
3.5. Fragrance and scent retention
Laundry detergent:
Because it penetrates the fabric fibers better, the scent of laundry detergent often lasts longer and deeper, even when dried in the shade. Many types also incorporate long-lasting fragrance technology, helping clothes smell fresh all day.
Laundry detergent:
The initial scent is quite strong, but when dried in the harsh sunlight, the scent quickly fades. For those who like their clothes to smell good for a long time, laundry detergent is often not as good as laundry detergent.
→ Laundry detergent has superior fragrance retention.
3.6. Cost of use
Washing powder
Washing powder is usually cheaper, suitable for families who wash large quantities or want to optimise monthly costs. For greasy, heavily soiled clothes, work clothes, uniforms, washing powder brings “strong” results without using too much product.
Therefore, for heavy laundry needs or large quantities, washing powder is always an economical, effective, and affordable choice.
Detergent liquid
Detergent liquid is more expensive, but in return is convenience and safety for each fabric fibre.
Because it is in liquid form, washing liquid penetrates evenly, dissolves quickly, helps to preserve colour – protect materials, limit dry fibers.
Suitable for families who want clothes to be durable
4. When should I use laundry detergent or washing powder?
Detergent is suitable when:
✔ Washing with washing machine (especially front-loading machine)
✔ Washing colored clothes
✔ Washing soft, high-quality fabrics
✔ Wanting clothes to smell good for a long time
✔ Washing small quantities, high fabric care needs
Detergent is suitable when:
✔ Hand washing
✔ Needing to remove strong stains of grease, dirt, sweat
✔ Washing thick items such as doormats, jeans, towels
✔ Wanting to save costs
✔ Washing large quantities, used for small factories or restaurants
>>>> Xem thêm: Types of laundry chemicals commonly used in industrial laundry factories
Green Laundry – the leading company in providing quality and professional laundry solutions in Vietnam
Email: greenlaundry@giatuixanh.com
Phone: 028 36 222 180
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