The detergent market is overflowing with specialty and combination products that all promise the best for your laundry. From color detergents to mild detergents to special products for wool, sportswear or baby clothes – the choice is huge. But which detergents do you actually need for perfect washing results? Most households get by with far less than the advertising suggests. Here you can find out which three basic products are completely sufficient and what you can do without when buying. Which detergents do you really need? Just read on!
Which detergents do you need: These detergents are enough
Experts from the consumer advice center agree: For an average household, three different detergents are enough to cover all washing needs. This basic range is not only cost-effective, but also more environmentally friendly as it reduces the use of chemicals.
1. heavy-duty detergent (universal detergent):
Heavy-duty detergents are the all-purpose weapon for white and heavily soiled laundry. They contain bleaching agents and optical brighteners that keep white textiles bright and remove stubborn stains. Colored laundry can also be washed occasionally with heavy-duty detergent, but the colors will fade if used frequently.
2. color detergent:
Color detergent is the first choice for coloured laundry. It does not contain bleaching agents or optical brighteners, which protects the colors and prevents them from fading. Modern color detergents often contain special enzymes that clean reliably even at low temperatures.
3. mild detergent:
Delicate materials such as wool, silk or clothing with the care label “delicates” require a mild detergent without aggressive enzymes. Delicates detergents clean gently and preserve the structure of the fibers.
Superfluous special products: You can do without them
Many detergent manufacturers offer special products for certain applications. However, most of these are superfluous and can be replaced by the three basic detergents:
Sports detergent: These promise to remove sweat odors and are often significantly more expensive than conventional detergents. In fact, a good color detergent at 40 °C is completely sufficient to get sportswear hygienically clean.
Baby detergent: Even if the advertising suggests otherwise, special baby detergent is not necessary. A mild mild detergent or color detergent without fragrances cleans baby clothes just as well and is gentle on sensitive skin.
Black detergent: These products are designed to protect black clothing from fading. However, a high-quality color detergent serves the same purpose and is more versatile.
Wool detergent: A mild detergent is sufficient for occasional washing of wool sweaters. A special wool detergent may only be useful for very expensive or delicate wool items.
Additives and aids: What is useful?
In addition to the basic detergents, there are some additives that can be useful in certain situations:
Stain remover: Special pre-treatment agents can be helpful for stubborn stains such as blood, grease or grass. However, home remedies such as gall soap or a paste made from baking soda and water are often sufficient.
Water softener: In areas with very hard water, a water softener can improve the detergent effect and prevent limescale deposits in the machine. Check the water hardness in your region – this additive is often superfluous.
Hygiene rinse aid: These products promise special hygiene and bactericidal properties. They are superfluous for normal laundry, as modern detergents already wash hygienically clean at 30-40 °C. They can only be useful in special cases, such as illness or the need for care.
Powder or liquid: Which is better?
In principle, both powder and liquid detergents have their place:
Washing powder is usually cheaper and often contains fewer preservatives. It is particularly suitable for white laundry and heavily soiled textiles. However, it can leave residues at low temperatures.
Liquid detergent dissolves completely even at low temperatures and leaves no residue on dark clothing. However, it is often more expensive and contains more chemicals for preservation.
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Dosage: less is often more
A common mistake is overdosing detergent. More detergent does not automatically mean cleaner laundry – on the contrary! It can lead to residues that make textiles appear stiff and gray. Follow the dosage recommendations on the packaging and take this into account:
- The degree of soiling of the laundry.
- The water hardness in your region.
- The load size of the washing machine.
With the right basic set of three detergents, you can manage in almost all washing situations. This not only saves money and space in the household, but also protects the environment. Avoid superfluous special products and rely on proven, high-quality detergents.
Source: verbraucherzentrale
