Know The Difference Between Soaps and Detergents
Soaps and detergents differ in their makeup and cleaning power. Soaps are generally composed of an alkali soda and salt and may be fortified or "built" with phosphates or washing sodas that make them more alkaline. Examples of unbuilt soaps are gentle dishwashing liquids such as Ivory and Lux, while examples of built ones are Duz, Rinso, and Instant Fels Naptha. Neutral, mild, or pure soaps without builders are often recommended for washing silk and wool, both of which are sensitive to alkalies. They are also used for laundering fabrics with antistatic finishes because detergents tend to remove the finish.
Fels Naptha
Soap is not generally as efficient as detergent, because it combines with minerals in hard water to form an insoluble deposit (called soap curd or lime soap) that gathers dirt from the water and adheres to clothes and the insides of washing machines. People used to get around this problem by having a tub outdoors to catch rainwater, which is very soft and which they strained through gauze or fine linen. They also added washing soda to their soap to increase its cleaning power.
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Detergents are made of petroleum products, modified fatty acids, and other chemicals called builders (phosphates and silicates) that soften the tie up water minerals to permit cleaning. Where phosphates are banned because they pollute the water supplies, nonphosphate detergents may require warmer water to work efficiently. Unless your water is very soft, as well as warm, you may get some stiffness or discoloration or colored or printed fabrics with light-duty detergents. Heavy-duty, built detergents without phosphates function as well as phosphate types in warm or hot water.
Additional chemical in detergents my include corrosion inhibitors to protect washing machines, florescent whitening agents that cling like dyes, solvents such as alcohol, perfumes, and enzymes to dissolve protein soil. Detergents are better and stronger than soap for synthetics and moderately to heavily soiled clothes, and they are necessary in hard water. Because they often have strong alkalies in them, it is good to wear rubber gloves if you wash them with your hands.
How To Choose The Right Soap Or Detergent
For general use, the less expensive house brands will do just as well as nationally advertised ones if you have no particular problems with your water. Delicate fabrics are better handled with a soap (if you don't have hard water) or a mild synthetic detergent such as those recommended for wool and cool water. Heavily soiled clothes and synthetics with greasy spots my require heavy-duty types with builders. Powders are as expensive in the long run as liquid detergents (which are more concentrated) and initially cost more because you will have to use more power than liquid. Liquids are more convenient for pre-treating spots and stains before washing.
You may also get away with using much less than the amount recommended on the package for lightly soiled items. No matter which form you choose, add the product to the wash water (especially if washing in cool water), not only to let it dissolve and disperse, but also to let the chemicals soften the water before you add the clothes. The is some cleaning help their is so much more to learn about taking care of clothes and spot cleaning.
Taking Care of Clothes, and Cleaning
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