How to Use Powder Detergent Correctly in Your Laundry

Mary Marlowe Leverette
·4 min read
2

Powder laundry detergent can be used in any type of washing machine and water temperature if you add it correctly. Learn the best ways and how to use powder detergent to get your laundry clean and fresh.

What Is the Difference Between Powder and Liquid Detergent?

Powder detergents have been around since the 1930s and are less expensive to use than liquid or pods per load. The main difference between powder and liquid detergents is how they are formulated and packaged. The active cleaning ingredients in liquid detergents are suspended in water and the detergent disperses more easily in the washer water. Powder detergents include fillers that do not contribute to the cleaning process and all ingredients must be dissolved in the washer water.

When choosing between the two formulas and comparing costs, be sure to compare the number of laundry loads per package. Most powdered detergents have a larger dosing cup than liquid especially if the liquid formula is concentrated.

Pros

  • Less expensive per laundry load than liquid

  • Packaging is recyclable

  • Formula is more stable than liquid

  • More effective at removing outdoor stains like grass and mud

  • Measurement scoops are easy to use

  • More effective for areas with untreated hard water due to more stable additives

Cons

  • More difficult to use for pretreating stains

  • Must be stored in a completely dry area to prevent caking

  • Does not dissolve well in cold water and can leave residue on laundry

Pros

  • Easy to use as a stain pre-treater or spot cleaning

  • More effective at removing oil and grease stains because the liquid penetrates the fibers of the fabric to help release the stain

  • Disperses well in any water temperature

  • Packaging is recyclable

Cons

  • The measurement lines on most detergent bottle caps are difficult to read, causing consumers to use too much detergent per load

  • Due to the weight of water, the bottles are heavy to transport and ship adding to consumer and environmental costs

  • Liquid detergents are not as stable as powder and limit the effectiveness of some ingredients, like oxygen bleach

When to Use Powder Detergent

You can safely use powder detergent anytime you do laundry and want to save money. It is more effective than liquid detergents at removing grass, mud, and ground-in dirt. This makes it perfect for washing children's play clothes, football and soccer uniforms, and clothes worn for farming and manual labor.

How to Use Powder Detergent

Top Load Washers

Add the powder detergent directly to the washer drum before adding the dirty laundry or water.

If you live in an area with extremely cold water in the winter, dissolve the powder in one to two cups of hot water before adding it to the washer drum.

Front Load Washers

Add the powder to the detergent dispenser.

If you find that powder remains in the dispenser after the laundry cycle is complete, dissolve the powder in two cups of hot water and add it directly to the drum before adding the dirty laundry.

Use the Correct Amount

Take the time to read the product label to make sure you are not using too much detergent. Follow the measurement guidelines on the provided scoop.



Tip

Using too much detergent can leave a white powdery residue on dark fabrics and leave all fabrics feeling stiff and scratchy.



Use as a Presoak

To help remove heavy soil and stains, powder detergent can be used as a presoak before the clothes are added to the washer.

For cotton clothes (socks), fill a bucket or tub with hot water and add the powder detergent. Stir to dissolve and add the clothes.

For synthetic fabrics, dissolve the powder in some hot water and then add it to a bucket of or tub of cool water before adding the clothes to soak.

Tips for Getting the Best Laundry Results from Powder Detergent

  • Always store the powder detergent in a dry, conditioned space.

  • Follow the dosage amount recommended on the label.

  • If washing in cold water, dissolve the detergent in a cup of hot water before adding it to the washer.

  • Check washing machine automatic dispensers frequently to make sure there is no powder residue clumped in the dispenser.

  • Do not overload the washer. Leave room for the clothes to move in the water so the detergent can reach all surfaces.

Read Next: What's Best: Liquid, Powder, Pods, or Sheets for Laundry Detergent?