discussions

guidelines

meet the moderators

Refine Display
Discussion Categories
washers & dryers topics
Start a

Lockedpowder vs liquid

posted on July 02, 2009 at 12:25AM Inappropriate?

I know there was a post on this yesterday but I cant find it anywhere. sorry I cant remember the rational and I was trying to explain it to a friend

What was the reason for perfering powder in the front loaders?  Does it do something different to the machines ? is liquid damaging in some way ? also I read to only use 1 tbs of soap this is alot less than I am used to and wanted to be sure I had that correct. 

The installers mentioned using powder also but didnt say why . 

replies: 5 latest post: July 03, 2009 at 11:22PM by BlueCrewGuyInMA
Displaying all 5 posts
posted on July 02, 2009 at 08:58AM
 

Powder detergent allows for just about anything to be added to the detergent and remain stable as a powder. However, liquid detergents require special ingredients to keep all the ingredients evenly mixed in a homogeneous liquid.

The ingredients that keep the liquid ingredients stable contribute to the detergent being viscous and sticky. This thickening quality makes the detergent much more likely to leave residues behind after each load.

These residues contain enzymes, which will eventually die and become food for bacteria and mildew. The more residue, the more food, the more bacteria/mildew, the more likely your washer will smell...well...not-so-fresh.

Powder detergents dissolve without thickening effects, and without stickiness, so they rinse cleaner from the washtub, reducing the likelihood of mildew.

It doesn't hurt that powders tend to be cheaper per load as well. :)

posted on July 02, 2009 at 09:19AM
 

Perfect. Now it makes sense to me.

Id always heard liquid was best for your machine and powders would clog it up .

I guess thats backwards.

 

posted on July 02, 2009 at 07:27PM
 
In response to BlueCrewGuyInMA's post from July 02 2009 08:58AM

I am comsidering buying a new front loading HE washer. I use cold water for almost everything.  Will the powder still disolve in cold water?  I have had problems with that in the past.

posted on July 02, 2009 at 09:12PM
 

What kind of water you have is the determining factor. If you live in an area with hard water with high mineral content powder will cause the formation of lime in the washer. this stuff builds up in the machine and will cause all kinds of problems, Liquid detergent uses citrate builders in the formula and doesn't react with the minerals in the water. the washers that are having smell problems are front loaders. if you get a top loader you won't have smell problems. A GE Harmony washer has a 4.0 capacity equalling most front loaders.                          In a Dishwasher you should use a good powder in the box. the only reason manufacturer's are trying different soaps are for longer shelf life. there is no advantage to the consumer to buy anything but powder. if you get one of those new Dishwashers that have a reservoir that can hold a bottle of gel and dispenses it automatically you need to be very careful what the soap is based on. some soap is enzyme based and some has a bleach base. if you mix the different soaps in the reservoirs the bleach will kill the enzymes and the reservoirs will set up like concrete, and you will have an expensive repair on your hands.

posted on July 03, 2009 at 11:22PM
 
In response to terryf's post from July 02 2009 09:12PM

Another advantage to powder: enzymes and bleach can co-exist in powder.

LockedThis topic has been locked.