As detergents have improved, more and more options have become available. There are biological and non-bio options, powders, liquids and liquitabs, and bleach and bleach free variants. That’s before we get to the different scents, too.
Guide to basics: So where to start?
Bleach and enzymes are used to remove stains and whiten garments. So these are best for getting really white whites. Powders contain bleach, so try Ariel Automatic Powder Original for your white load for whites that shine bright.
So while bleach is great on white clothes, you want something bleach free for your coloured garments. Liquids and liquitabs are bleach free, as well as colour variants of powder.
Enzymes, meanwhile, are proteins that break down stains and grease. While perfect for most clothes, some people prefer detergents without enzymes, mainly for very delicate clothes. Non-bio detergents contain no enzymes.
Convenience and versatility
Choosing which type of detergent is about more than just personal preference, then. Gels are great for washing coloured loads, as they contain no bleach. Likewise liquitabs, though these are also great for their simplicity: just pop one in the bottom of the drum before the wash.
Tablets also have this convenience, but can contain bleach, making them perfect for whites. Powders are also great for whites, and you can dose flexibly into the dispenser drawer.
Liquids are the most versatile of all, though. While they don’t contain bleach, they are great for pre-treating tough stains. Ariel Automatic Power Gel Original with a pre-treat cap is recommended here, allowing you to treat your stain simply and easily before the wash.
How much to use?
With all these detergents, though, the most important thing is knowing how much to dose. Too much and you’re wasting Ariel detergent, while your garments may get detergent marks on them. Too little and you may not get clean clothes after the wash.
Always check the dosing instructions before dosing into the washing machine: the amount of washing and how dirty it is plays a part here.
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