Concentrated washing powders. What is concentrated washing powder and how does it differ from ordinary concentrated washing powder?

Washing can be considered a constantly repeating process that helps improve hygiene and maintain the cleanliness of clothes, linens and home textiles used in everyday life by adults and children. To organize the washing procedure competently and safely, it is necessary to carefully approach the choice of household chemicals; universal concentrated washing powder has a range of advantages.

Features of concentrated washing powders

Granular detergent of powder consistency is characterized by increased efficiency when washing everyday items due to its balanced and carefully selected composition.

The concentrated product consists of the same components included in its composition, but in greater concentration, as for the ingredients of universal liquid powders; both types of products differ in characteristics:

• low consumption due to the content of active ingredients 1.5 more than in conventional powders, their concentration allows you to reduce the weight of the laundry detergent;
• concentrated washing powder of any brand has a large bulk weight, so for their correct dosage it is better to use a special measuring cup;
• concentrates are often produced as a universal detergent in powder or liquid form and are intended for automatic washing machines.

Despite the apparent high cost, concentrated washing powder, liquid or loose consistency, is characterized by economical consumption, which is ensured by efficiency per unit price. This means that concentrated Faberlic or AttackBioex washing powder in packaging up to 1 kg, if the dosage is observed, can be used 1.5 times longer than regular laundry detergent.

Selection factors

On the domestic market, Faberlic concentrated washing powder and AttackBioex universal concentrate, produced abroad, received the most positive consumer reviews.

When choosing a product for everyday use, you need to focus on a set of factors; a good concentrated washing powder must meet all requirements, the main ones of which include:

• effectiveness of action due to an improved formula with an increased concentration of active components and rapid leaching from fabrics of any type, maintaining the brightness and depth of color;
• inclusion of biological additives in the composition, thanks to which the universal concentrated washing powder washes stains of any origin at any temperature;
• economical consumption mode, allowing you to replace 1 kg of the usual product with 270 g. concentrated washing powder from such well-known manufacturers as Faberlic and AttackBioex.

The line of popular brands includes concentrates for washing colored, delicate and children's laundry, such as Faberlic Alpine Meadows and AttackBioexBaby, which meet safety and effectiveness requirements. High-quality concentrated washing powder AttackBioex, like the universal Faberlic concentrate, can be used in cool water, with a guarantee of complete dissolution of all components in the shortest possible time.

Benefits of use

Effective, according to reviews from a surveyed audience of users, concentrated washing powder AttackBioexBaby and Faberlic Alpine Meadows are suitable for different types of fabrics, preserving its structure. While maintaining the brightness and saturation of colors, the universal concentrate dissolves perfectly even in cold water, is consumed economically and carefully removes even the most difficult stains.

Attack Bioex washing powder

The ability to use concentrated washing powder in cool water allows you to select economical washing modes in an automatic washing machine and reduce rinsing time. This is due to the practical opportunity to reduce the consumption of water and energy resources, maintaining the family budget, even when purchasing 1 kg of concentrated washing powder per month.

Features of the best powders by composition and reviews

High-quality washing powder with a concentrated composition AttackBioex or Faberlic are characterized by certain features that are the main ones when choosing them for everyday use:

• certified dermatological safety, confirmed by an official document;
• phosphate-free composition, suitable for washing children's and adult clothes, home textiles;
• increased activity of biological components in water of any temperature and hardness.

It should be noted that the concentrated washing powders AttackBioex, Faberlic and Baby universal contain ingredients whose action is aimed at preserving color, its depth and brightness.

An effective washing powder with a concentrated composition provides excellent washing quality and, if the correct dosage specified in the instructions is followed, is characterized by increased economy. In addition to the ability to consume less washing powder, the concentrate allows you to reduce energy and water costs with short washing cycles, without additional rinsing in warm water.

Concentrated washing powders are a type of washing powders in which the active ingredients are present in higher concentrations.

A standard wash requires less concentrated powder than regular washing.

What else distinguishes concentrated washing powders:

• concentrated washing powders contain approximately twice as much active substances and a minimum of ballast substances and other fillers, up to complete absence;
• a package of concentrated powder weighs more than a package of non-concentrated powder of the same volume;
• a box of concentrated washing powder usually costs more than usual, but in terms of washing it is more economical;
• Concentrated washing powders are usually produced for machine washing, but there are also those suitable for hand washing.

A short review of concentrated washing powders

Imported concentrated washing powders

Most concentrated washing powders presented on the Russian market are powders from foreign manufacturers. Popular imported concentrated powders:

• Frosch;
• Luxus;
• Persil;
• Reflect.

Composition of concentrated Frosch washing powder made in Germany:

• 15-30% zeolites;
• 5-15% nonionic surfactants;
• soap;
• enzymes;
• flavoring additives (limonene, linalool);
• Aloe Vera extract;
• browning inhibitor (BBI);
• paint transfer inhibitor (PVP);
• cosmetic dyes.

The composition of this concentrated powder is quite safe and does not contain phosphates. However, in its composition we see various chemical additives and 30% zeolites, which have low cleaning power and contribute to an increase in the amount of powder dust in the air when used in enclosed spaces.

Composition of concentrated Luxus washing powder made in Germany:

• 5-15% anionic and nonionic tensides;
• surfactants;
• proteases;
• amylase;
• lipase;
• cellulose;
• keratinase;
• zeolite;
• mud traps;
• polycarboxylate;
• perfume additives.

Tensides are surfactants that promote better removal of contaminants.

Russian concentrated washing powders

Concentrated Chistown washing powders, which have a completely natural composition, are produced in Russia.

Composition of Chistown concentrated washing powder:

• natural soap - 30-33%;
• soda-62-65%;
• citric acid - 0.1-0.25%.

One pack of 600 g of concentrated Chistown washing powder is enough for 17 laundry washes.

Test results for concentrated washing powders

All of the listed concentrated powders do a good job of washing and removing stains of protein, fat and vegetable origin.

Imported concentrated washing powders are much more expensive than powders from Russian manufacturers.

Foreign concentrated washing powders are mainly suitable for machine washing. It is recommended to wash by hand wearing gloves to avoid damaging the skin of your hands.

Russian concentrated Chistown powders are completely safe when washed by hand.

All of the listed concentrated washing powders have a reduced level of foaming, so they are suitable for any washing machine.

In terms of washing, the most expensive is using concentrated Persil powder. The cheapest washing is obtained by washing with Chistown natural concentrated washing powder.

Concentrated washing powders differ from each other in that they contain a larger amount of active substances. To choose the most suitable option, you need to understand the features of the various brands on the market.

Main differences from conventional varieties

When using concentrated powders (CP), you need to know how they differ from other types.

1. The most important feature is the presence of a larger number of active substances. At the same time, they contain much less filler, which is sodium sulfate. As a result, the amount of required CP is significantly reduced - it is required on average 1.52 times less.
2. There is a difference in the density of the substance. A concentrated drug, taken in the same volume as a regular one, weighs more.
3. The CP costs more than usual, but its efficiency, calculated per unit of cost, will also be higher. In order for the washing costs to be the same in the described cases, it is necessary to dose the washing powder correctly.

Most brands of KP are produced for use in automatic washing machines. However, options for washing powder are also sold that allow for use in both manual and automatic washing.

Review of concentrated powders

Most of the concentrated preparations under consideration are produced by foreign manufacturers. A distinctive feature of such CPs is the absence of phosphates in their composition. The following describes the most high-quality and well-known brands.

Homeland. This concentrate is intended for use when washing white, light, colored and dark fabrics. Using this powder you can wash items made from natural or artificial fabrics. The concentrate contains:

• stain remover;
• oxygen-containing high-quality bleach;
• air conditioner;
• enzymes;
• soap;
• fragrance.

It is suitable for delicate fabrics.

The composition also includes: zeolite, surfactants and polycarboxylate.

Sold in packages containing 810 g of powder. It can be bought in Russia at prices ranging from 345 to 572 rubles.

When choosing, you need to know the advantages of this brand:

1. The packaging offered by the manufacturer not only looks beautiful, but is also convenient to use.
2. When sold, an additional measuring spoon is provided that allows you to use 30 or 45 g of powder.
3. This powder is hypoallergenic. There are no allergic reactions when using it.
4. An important feature is the “5 in 1” effect. This concentrated washing powder can remove stains on linen, can fight against the smell of dampness, enhances the brightness of fabric colors, makes washed items softer, and disinfects them.
5. The surfactants and enzymes used are environmentally friendly. After use, they disintegrate and do not harm the environment.
6. This concentrate does not contain chlorine and phosphates and is suitable for children's underwear.
7. As a result of washing using Attack Multi-Action, no white streaks remain.
8. This KP allows you to do effective and high-quality washing using cold water.

Disadvantages should also be noted:

1. The manufacturer claims in advertising messages that one package of concentrated product is equivalent to 3.5 kg of regular powder in its effectiveness. He says it should be enough for 23 washes. On the other hand, customers say that the maximum number of washes using one package is 18 times. However, they do not consider the possibility of incorrect dosage when used.
2. This concentrate is not always able to cope with complex laundry stains.

It should be noted that in the process of using concentrated washing powder there are certain controversial issues.

One of them is that things washed with this concentrated powder acquire a light and unobtrusive floral scent. Some consumers like it and others don't.

This concentrated powder is suitable for washing synthetic and cotton fabrics. He . Uses enzymes during the washing process. The composition contains 15% surfactants and 5% nonionic surfactants. Can be used for wool and delicate fabrics.

This CP. Each package contains 900 g of concentrate. It can be purchased for 600 rubles.

Its advantages are expressed as follows:

1. Washed items have a pleasant smell.
2. It is completely environmentally friendly. Has no negative impact on the natural environment.
3. Concentrated washing powder has a natural soap base. Washed items become soft and pleasant to the touch. Even kids love things washed with this product.
4. The use of the concentrate is effective in combating stains from chocolate, juice, grass, felt-tip pens or paints - they disappear completely.
5. If clothes have complex and old stains, after washing there will be no trace left of them.
6. The use of this brand of CP does not lead to fading of fabric colors. This effect exists even with a large number of washes. Therefore, the concentrate is suitable for colored laundry.
7. It is completely safe for those who suffer from allergies.
8. Can be used in a variety of washing modes and with water heated to different temperatures.

Unfortunately, this brand has some disadvantages:

1. No measuring spoon provided.
2. Users believe that this product is priced too high.

Since there are so many different brands of concentrated laundry detergent on the market, some buyers don't see the need to pay more for this one, despite its benefits.

This concentrate is offered to consumers. This tool is universal. It does not contain phosphates and is hypoallergenic. This brand KP, 1.5 liters of product will cost about 300 rubles when purchased.

The advantages of this concentrated washing powder are as follows:

1. The product used gives the washed items softness.
2. Light stains can be washed well in both hot and cold water.
3. It has a special chemical composition that prevents the formation of scale on the parts of the washing machine.
4. As a result of washing, no pilling occurs.
5. Suitable for washing clothes for children of any age.

The following can be pointed out as disadvantages:

1. The liquid is very soapy. If it gets on your skin, you will have to use a lot of effort to wash it off.
2. Old and difficult stains cannot always be removed using this powder.

The smell of this product causes mixed reviews among consumers: some believe that it lasts for a very long time after washing.

This product is intended for universal use: it is suitable for both automatic and hand washing. KP does not contain phosphates. Faberlic is available in two versions:

• having universal action;
• intended for colored fabrics.

The first of these options comes complete with an activator. The second uses a dye transfer inhibitor to preserve the color of the fabric.

One pack of powder contains 800 g of product. This product can be purchased at a price of 300 rubles per pack.

Faberlic has the following advantages:

1. Consumers are offered a special measuring spoon for powder.
2. This remedy can be considered as economical. Using one pack of product is equivalent to using 3 kg of Ariel washing powder, the price of which is 600 rubles.
3. It is believed that the efficiency of KP Alpine Meadows is 3.5 times higher than that of conventional powder.
4. The smell of washed items is unobtrusive and light - it does not provoke sneezing.
5. This product has proven itself well in cases where it is necessary to remove small stains.

This tool has a number of disadvantages:

1. It is not able to remove old stains on clothes.
2. Although advertising claims mention that KP removes yellow and gray colors from laundry, in practice this does not happen.
3. In some cases, rinsing is insufficient and white streaks may remain on washed items.
4. They contain zeolites. These substances can harm fabrics during washing. They are not completely rinsed and can be harmful to health.

Concentrated washing powder for colored laundry MEITAN HOME is an effective product that is ideal for restoring color and maintaining the aesthetic appearance of fabrics during active use. Does not contain phosphates, allergic and aggressive components that can cause irritation to sensitive skin and exacerbation of respiratory diseases. You can buy concentrate powder for colored clothing in our online store.

Benefits of MEITAN HOME colored laundry powder

• Economical: the concentrate allows you to wash 4 times more laundry than using conventional powder.
• Effective: removes even stubborn stains, restores the color of fabric and preserves the richness of the colors of clothes.
• Safe: does not contain phosphates, chlorine, or hazardous components that can harm tissue or human health.
• Preventive: prevents the appearance of dull shades of linen, improves the brightness of fabrics, protects against color fading.
• Can be used for both machine and hand washing.

MEITAN HOME colored laundry powder (900 g) is biodegradable and protects the washing machine mechanisms and water supply from damage. The absence of chlorine and phosphates allows you to wash with virtually no restrictions. The components included in the product prevent the formation of plaque and increase the service life of the automatic machine.

Features of application

To remove light and medium stains, use 36 g of powder. To remove heavy dirt or stubborn stains, you will need 40 g of product. When the machine is fully loaded (more than 5 kg), use 45 g of powder.

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the packaging. This will allow you to effectively wash colored laundry, avoiding overspending. Store the powder in a dry place away from children and direct sunlight. Avoid contact with eyes. If the product gets on the mucous membrane, rinse it thoroughly with water.

Today there is such diversity in departments that was previously unimaginable. The huge number of cans, bottles, boxes, packages simply makes your eyes wide open. The question arises. Which of all this variety does the average buyer really need? Which brand should you prefer? Is the information on the packaging correct? And can you trust advertising?

Who should I ask all these questions? The manufacturer will not tell you anything other than that its products are the best. The seller may give preference to one brand based on his personal experience and likes, and often simply get confused in the huge assortment. It was decided to conduct our own research on a wide range of household chemical products. First, a test was carried out on concentrates (or concentrated detergents) that arouse the greatest interest among buyers.

What is washing powder

Washing powder is a mixture of a large number of chemical components. The ability of manufacturers to create the correct chemical formula that optimally combines active substances allows them to create good washing powders.
Surfactants. The active basis of washing powder is made up of surfactants (surfactants for short), their share is 15-25%, the simplest example of a surfactant is soap. The purpose of the surfactant is to wet the contaminated fabric with the cleaning solution and weaken the connection between the contamination and the fabric. Moreover, surfactants must retain the removed dirt particles in the solution, preventing them from re-depositing onto the fabric.
Phosphates. Phosphates eliminate water hardness, thereby enhancing the effect of surfactants and increasing the effectiveness of washing powder. In addition, phosphates ensure softness of fabrics after washing and protect the washing machine spiral from scale. By the way, the actively advertised Calgon product is the same as phosphates. Considering the functions of phosphates listed above, we can say that they are the most important components of a detergent. Unfortunately, phosphates have one drawback - they harm the environment when they get into natural bodies of water. An alternative to phosphates is environmentally friendly zeolites, but their water-insoluble particles can remain on the fabric after washing, making it rough, or precipitate in sewer pipes, clogging them.
Alkaline components. Another group of substances that enhance the effect of surfactants are alkaline components (the simplest of them are soda and liquid glass, which is designated silicate on the packaging). They help increase the pH level (concentration of hydrogen ions) in the cleaning solution, increasing the effectiveness of removing grease stains (due to its saponification).
Optical brighteners. Optical brightener creates the illusion of snow-white laundry. Bleach particles are luminescent dyes that are deposited on fabrics during washing. Absorbing ultraviolet rays from the spectrum of incident light, they re-emit them in the form of blue and cyan, which provides the effect of whiteness. In fact, the fabric does not become whiter, it is just an optical illusion pleasing to the eye.
Oxygen-containing bleaches. Oxygen-containing (or chemical) bleach helps remove stains of plant origin (fruit, wine, tea, grass). In addition, it whitens and refreshes fabrics. Oxygen-containing bleaches are effective at temperatures above 60 °C, because it is at this temperature that the intense release of active oxygen begins. The ability to use the powder with oxygen-containing bleach and at a lower temperature is provided by the TAED chemical bleach activator introduced into the powder.
Enzymes. Enzymes (or dietary supplements, or enzymes) are biologically active substances that help remove organic pollution. Alkaline proteases break down protein contaminants, amylases break down starch contaminants, and lipases break down fat contaminants. Cellulase enzymes refresh color and prevent pilling, while keratinases help remove hardened protein residues. As a rule, washing powder contains a combination of these enzymes, and they enhance each other's action. Enzyme powder is a good, expensive powder. Let us remember that most enzymes are effective at temperatures of 40-60 °C and only a few at 80 °C, so using laundry detergent with bioadditives at high temperatures, for example, when boiling, is simply pointless.
Antiresorbents. Anti-resorbents hold contaminants in solution and prevent them from re-depositing on the fabric.
Fragrances. Fragrances and fragrances perform two functions: they neutralize the unpleasant odor released when washing dirty laundry, and they add freshness to the washed laundry, apart from the attractiveness of the smell when buying this powder in a store. They do not in any way affect the quality of washing, and labels such as “Frosty freshness” or “With the aroma of lemon” on the packaging of the powder do not mean that the powder has become better, they simply mean the presence of fragrance.
Defoamers. Defoamers or foam stabilizers are included in powders intended for washing in automatic washing machines. Defoamers prevent the formation of excess foam during washing, protecting machines from breakdowns.

What types of detergents are there?

The most common detergents we use are powdered detergents. These detergents are highly effective for washing most everyday items (bed linens, clothes, etc.). Powdered detergents undergo granulation. This is necessary to reduce dust and ease of use. For items made of delicate fabrics, silk and wool, it is recommended to use liquid detergents. They have a special composition (for example, wool washing products do not contain enzymes, since the latter damage fragile wool fibers), lower pH levels and provide a more gentle treatment of fabrics, especially dyed ones. Liquid detergents can also be effective when washing lightly soiled laundry. But it is useless to use such detergents for washing heavily soiled laundry; they will not cope with this. Another type of detergent has appeared in expensive supermarkets - tablets. They can be single-layer, quick-dissolving or multi-layer with an adjustable speed of dissolution of the layers. In the second case, the active substances are included in the work one by one: first enzymes (30-40 °C), then oxygen-containing bleaches (60 °C). The main difference between these detergents is the convenience and cost-effectiveness of dosing (12 tablets depending on the degree of contamination).

What is concentrate

Concentrates (or concentrated detergents) are one of the varieties of powdered (granular) detergents. They contain the same active substances, but in higher concentrations. The main differences between concentrates and non-concentrated washing powders are as follows:
1. Concentrates contain 1.52 times more active chemicals and a minimum of filler (sodium sulfate), so the consumption of concentrate by weight is 1.52 times less than the consumption of non-concentrated powder.
2. Concentrates have a higher bulk density: 600900 g/l versus 350600 g/l of non-concentrated powder. That is, for example, the mass of a measuring cup (100 ml) of concentrate is 1.52 times greater than that of non-concentrated powder.
3. Concentrates are expensive, but they are effective per unit price, and with the correct dosage, the cost of washing does not exceed the cost of washing with an expensive non-concentrated powder.
4. Concentrates are produced as products for automatic washing machines.

Tested concentrates

As a rule, manufacturers of washing powders produce a series of products for different types of laundry: universal powder, for white laundry, for colored laundry, for children’s laundry. On the Russian market, the choice of concentrated detergents is limited. Moscow stores offer concentrates from only four manufacturers: Frosch, Luxus, Persil, Reflect. As you noticed, all the products have non-Russian names and are produced abroad, the first three are in Germany, Reflect is in Australia. Concentrated detergents are not produced in Russia.
The Frosch range includes two types of concentrates: for white Frosch Ultra and for colored laundry Frosch Ultra Color. In addition, liquid detergents for colored and white laundry, powder for washing children's clothes, and balm for washing wool products are presented. The Luxus brand is represented by the Professional line, which includes “Luxus Professional for white linen and curtains”, “Luxus Professional for colored linen”, “Luxus Professional universal”. Using the Professional attachment implies a high level of all laundry detergents (both powder and liquid). All of them are produced with the inscription "concentrate". Reflect presents only powdered laundry detergents, all of them are also concentrated: Reflect Ultra Concentrate, Reflect Color, Reflect Lemon, Reflect Pure (children). Various packaging options are possible (cardboard box, plastic bag, plastic canister) and different weights (650 g, 1 kg, 1.25 kg, 1.5 kg). The Persil brand offers both dry and liquid detergents made in Russia and Germany. The first ones, of course, are at least two times cheaper. The assortment is wide and covers almost all positions, except for concentrates - they are only of German origin.
We opted for universal products and purchased the following concentrates for the test: Frosch Ultra, Luxus Professional, Persil Megaperls, Reflect Ultra Concentrate. All of them are designed for washing white and colored laundry (with the exception of Frosch Ultra - only for white); they are not recommended for washing items made of delicate fabrics, wool and silk. Luxus concentrate is also not recommended for washing faded colored items.

Manufacturers' statement regarding concentrates

All manufacturers claim that concentrate is a very profitable product, since it requires less washing than regular powder, and it washes better. Moreover, it saves money. We verified this statement by conducting our own testing.

How we tested concentrates

To conduct the test, we turned to the Research Center for Household Chemicals (NITSBytKhim), which develops, certifies and tests a wide range of household chemical products. Testing of concentrates, as well as other detergents, is carried out in accordance with GOST 22567.1595 (Synthetic detergents. Method for determining detergency) and GOST 22567.1182 (Synthetic detergents. Method for determining bleaching ability).

Test1. Oily stains

Group of spots. Grease stains include directly greasy and oil stains from food, sweat and remnants of exfoliated skin, which collect dust particles and form an oil film; mineral and synthetic oils, soot, etc. Grease stains have one feature: initially they are not colored or have a slightly yellowish tint; over time, particles of dust and soot that settle on them appear on the surface and give the fabric a stable color from yellow to gray-black. (Note that a more correct name for this group is pigment-oil stains).

Removal of greasy stains is carried out with surfactants (surfactants). Since surfactants are an essential component of any detergent, these stains must be washed off with any powder, even the cheapest (by the way, during certification, each powder undergoes a test for the removal of pigment-oil contamination). Some enzymes are also effective in removing this group of stains. The effectiveness of removing grease stains increases with increasing temperature, i.e. They wash better at 90°C than at 60°C. On the other hand, today there is a tendency to reduce the washing temperature, because... high temperatures have a negative effect on fabrics. Based on this, we chose the “golden mean” and conducted a grease stain removal test at a temperature of 60 °C.

Test2. Tea stains

Group of spots. Tea stains, like stains from fruit, wine, coffee, cocoa, greenery, grass, flowers, and pollen, belong to the group of stains of plant origin. Animal stains can be added to this group. These groups are sometimes also called colored stains. The procedure for determining the effectiveness of removing this group of stains requires the use of a standard tea-stained cloth.

Powder component and washing temperature. Chemical bleach works on plant stains. It starts working at a temperature of 60°C (with a bleach activator starting at 40°C) and its effectiveness increases with increasing temperature and also with increasing concentration of the bleach activator. We carried out the tea stain removal test at 60°C.

Test3. Protein spots

Group of spots. Protein stains include stains from milk, blood, animal protein, meat, sauces, etc. As a sample, cotton fabric with protein contamination was washed.
Powder component and washing temperature. Protein stains are removed using enzymes (alkaline proteases). The effectiveness of their action is determined by the washing temperature (optimal: 40 °C) and the presence of other enzymes in the powder that enhance the action of proteases. Note that the effectiveness of enzymes is reduced by chemical bleach. It is quite difficult to combine these active substances in one powder. In this regard, the following pattern is observed: if the powder effectively removes protein stains, then it is ineffective against stains of plant origin and vice versa. The results of the test showed that there are happy exceptions to this rule. The protein stain removal test was carried out at 40°C.

Test4. Whitening

Group of spots. Bleaching is important for fabrics that have yellowed from time or irregular washing and fabrics that are naturally yellow (for example, unbleached cotton). In addition, the disinfection that fabrics undergo during bleaching is important. And paradoxically, this also includes refreshing the colors of fabrics. As a sample, unbleached (i.e., yellowish) cotton fabric was washed.

Powder component and washing temperature. Bleaching of fabrics is carried out using bleach, but not with the familiar chlorine bleach (which, together with dirt, strips the dye and destroys the fabric), but with oxygen-containing bleach - the same one that removes stains of plant origin. As already mentioned, the optimal temperature for oxygen-containing bleach to work is 60 °C.

Test5. Physico-chemical parameters

Two characteristics of the powder were measured. The first indicator is the level and stability of the foam. For automatic machines, the less foam the better. In accordance with GOST 22567.177 (Synthetic detergents), the indicators “foam level” and “foam stability” are regulated together: if the foam is high, then it should have low stability (that is, so that it immediately subsides); if the foam is low, the stability may be tall. The second indicator is the acidity level or pH level. In accordance with GOST 22567.5-93 (Synthetic detergents and surfactants. Methods for determining the concentration of hydrogen ions), this indicator is in the range of 7.5–11.5. The lower the pH level, the worse the powder erases. The higher its level, the more “aggressive” the powder is towards hands and fabrics (the laundry will wear out faster). Therefore, in this matter, manufacturers have to find a compromise.

A note about washing temperature. Just because enzymes are effective at 40°C but don't work at higher temperatures doesn't mean you only need to wash at 40°C from now on. The fact is that when washing in an automatic machine, regardless of the mode, the water heats up gradually, and at some point reaches 40 °C. Many manufacturers offer the “Biowash” (or “Biophase” or simply “Bio”) function, the essence of which is to maintain this temperature for a certain period of time necessary for the enzymes to “work.” As for washing by hand, the temperature of the water poured into the basin suits the enzymes quite well. But when boiled, powder with enzymes is absolutely useless.

Hardness of water. Water hardness (the content of magnesium and calcium salts in it) affects the quality of washing and powder consumption. The harder the water, the greater the consumption of detergent. The water in the Neva and Baikal is soft, in Moscow the water is of medium hardness, river water (Don, Volga, etc.) is hard, underground springs that feed these rivers play a role here. Water from artesian springs has the highest hardness.

Powder dosage. During the test, we took the maximum dosage: the case of the heaviest contamination and for the hardest water. In everyday life, if you wash regularly and live in areas with softer water, the powder consumption will be significantly lower. We carried out test No. 1 (Grease stains) in two dosages: according to the recommendation of the detergent manufacturer and in accordance with GOST requirements. The dosage in the second case is much less (for all except Reflect), i.e. the tested powders are placed under the most stringent conditions. We will call the dosage according to GOST (5 g/l) “standard”.

Regular powder. In addition to wash quality, we wanted to check whether our samples were truly concentrates. For comparison, Ariel automat powder was tested. We call it “ordinary non-concentrated” powder.
It is also necessary to emphasize that manufacturers do not indicate the number of washes based on the maximum dosage. Manufacturers Reflect and Frosch claim 19 and 18 washes, respectively, with minimal consumption (light soil, soft water). Persil packaging is designed for 18 washes with average soiling and average water hardness (which is more respectable on the part of the manufacturer). With Luxus the situation is more complicated, because the number of washes is not indicated, there is an inscription that “600 g of concentrate is equivalent to 1200 g of regular powder.” If Ariel automat again acts as a “regular non-concentrated” powder, then the statement can be considered fair. Luxus consumption for hard water and extremely dirty laundry is half as much as Ariel.
Notes:
1. Test results apply only to the tested samples.
2. We remind you once again that by “regular non-concentrated powder” we mean Ariel automat.
3. We took all the products in the maximum dosage.
4. By “standard dosage” we mean the dosage according to GOST (60 g for a full load of washing machine - 4-5 kg ​​of laundry). This dosage approximately corresponds to our powder consumption “by eye”.

Test conclusions

1. The real concentrate is Reflect. All detergents tested can be called "concentrates" because their consumption is lower than that of "regular non-concentrated" powder. However, Reflect has a significantly lower consumption - almost 4 times less than “regular non-concentrated” powder. As for Luxus, Frosch and Persil concentrates, their consumption is 1.5-2 times less than the consumption of “regular non-concentrated” powder.
2. The washing quality of all tested concentrates is very high. The overall assessment of the washing quality safely allows us to say that each of the tested concentrates shows a higher result than ordinary powders from the middle and high price categories.
3. Frosch is the best in terms of washing quality. According to the “Detergent Quality Formula”, Frosch turned out to be the best. It should be noted that this concentrate is both highly effective in removing protein stains and tea stains - this is a rare, one might even say, unique combination, because washing is a compromise between the removal of these types of stains. So, if the material side does not bother you (and the cost of washing is quite high - 26 rubles), you can consider that the choice has been made.
4. Luxus removes greasy stains best. In the grease stain removal test, Luxus won by a margin over the other powders, although it should be noted that all of them showed high results. If you lower the dosage to the "standard" dosage, Luxus is still the winner, but in this case, Reflect (for which the "standard" dosage is higher than the manufacturer's recommended dosage) shares first place with it.
5. Frosch and Persil are the best for removing tea stains. Both concentrates are highly effective at removing plant stains and perform better than "regular non-concentrated" powder. As for Luxus and Reflect, their effectiveness in removing tea is 2 and 3 times lower, respectively, compared to the leaders. We can say that they cope poorly with tea stains. However, such low figures are not uncommon. This is a very common situation for many powders - the good washability of tea and protein stains is in conflict. If one indicator is higher, the other suffers.
6. In defense of Reflect. It should be noted that Reflect does not contain oxygen-containing bleach, a chemical component responsible for removing plant stains, in particular tea stains. That is why it is incorrect to compare its results with the results of other concentrates. However, it should be noted that the absence of bleach in the concentrate is not limited to poor effectiveness in removing tea stains. In addition, detergents have a reduced bleaching ability. And the most unpleasant thing is that the laundry does not disinfect (unless you wash it in a machine at 90 ° C or boil it). Given the increasing trend towards low-temperature washing, it is possible that bacteria may survive, which is unsafe.
7. Luxus removes protein stains best. When it comes to removing protein stains, Luxus is ahead. It is followed by Frosch and Reflect, whose effectiveness on protein contamination is the same, Persil is somewhat behind. All concentrates perform better than "regular non-concentrated" powder.
8. Persil whitens the best. Persil is the absolute leader in whitening. Frosch shows a fairly high result. They are both more effective than "regular non-concentrated" powder. But the whitening efficiency of Luxus and Reflect is low, the result is 2 times worse than that of the leader. Note that we tested universal powders, while for whitening it is more logical to use powders specifically designed for these purposes.
9. Wear gloves! If you decide to wash by hand, we strongly recommend wearing gloves. All powders have a very high (but normal) pH level. Moreover, a high pH level (10.9-11.4) indicates that when washing colored laundry, the dye will be removed, especially if the items are shedding and the dye is unstable.
10. If you are prone to allergies, buy Persil. Only Persil is a granular concentrate. This is a huge advantage - Persil does not generate dust like other concentrates and does not emit a suffocating odor. The rest of the detergents are fine powders, Frosch and Luxus are very dusty, Reflect - to a lesser extent.
11. If you want informative packaging, buy Luxus. Luxus concentrate is the only one whose labeling is in Russian. Detailed information is given about the excellent qualities of the powder, consumption (in detail - for three degrees of contamination and four degrees of water hardness), recommendations for use are given, and there is also room for self-promotion (listing the Luxus product range). The information on the Persil packaging is given in two languages ​​(German and Russian), all the necessary parameters are given, and understanding them is not difficult. Reflect highlighted the side of the box for the Russian-language description, but in general you can understand how to wash it. Although it is impossible to understand what fabrics (type and color) it is intended for. The consumption is given in units of a measuring spoon (which is thoughtfully included in the box - this is a plus), but not in g or ml. Of course, with simple mathematical calculations you can understand how much detergent is required for washing, but it is unknown how to relate this to the severity of pollution and water hardness. As for Frosch, Russian-language information exists only on a small piece of paper glued to it. It is indicated that the concentrate is suitable for white linen, but the type of fabric is not indicated. Please note that upon purchase, we did not find any paper on the first package that we tried to examine. They probably forgot to glue it.
12. People are greeted by their clothes. Undoubtedly, if you have long chosen “your” powder and have been washing with it for many years, then when you go to the store, you buy exactly it. In rare cases, you will pay attention to other products, unless friends recommended it or there was a very memorable advertisement on TV. But a person in a state of choice first of all pays attention to the packaging. All our 4 concentrates have colorful and attractive packaging. Persil and Frosch concentrates, packaged in tight sealed bags, better retain their properties during transportation, passing through the hands of curious buyers, and at home during direct use. The bags do not tear, do not allow the strong smell of powder to escape until they are opened, and reliably protect the contents from moisture. As for Reflect and Luxus cardboard boxes, they share the common disadvantages of this type of packaging. The “aroma” spreads well, and if the box is poorly glued, then the powder gradually spills out. In this case, this remark concerns the Luxus - while we were studying the instructions and twisting it, the table was covered with “crumbs” of the concentrate.
Note. As we learned from representatives of the Oricont company (Luxus Professional brand), the production of powder in cardboard boxes has already been discontinued; currently only plastic packaging is used.
13. The most prudent – ​​Reflect. An additional plus for Reflect is the presence of a measuring spoon inside the pack. Agree that this is quite convenient. Especially when you consider that all manufacturers (except Luxus) prescribe powder consumption in measuring spoons. Not every housewife has a measuring cup at hand. And in the case of using concentrates, the correct dosage is especially important.
14. Foam over the edge. All powders have normal foaming levels. Let us remind you that detergents intended for automatic washing machines must have reduced foaming. Keep this in mind when washing by hand and follow the dosage: the absence of foam does not mean that you have put in little powder; there is no need to add. Remember that too much detergent will make rinsing difficult and will often be a waste of money. After all, the rule “more powder – better wash” only applies up to a certain limit (usually specified by the manufacturer); a further increase in consumption does not increase washing efficiency.
15. Washing price and price-quality ratio. The most expensive concentrate (regardless of the dosage) is Persil: the cost of washing is 29 rubles. (maximum dosage) and 16 rub. (according to the manufacturer). Washing efficiency is high, the best in bleaching fabrics. It is followed by Frosch: 26 rubles. and 16 rub. respectively. At the same time, we note that it is the winner of our test, the best in removing tea stains, and the only one that combines a high ability to remove plant stains and protein stains. The next price step, 18 rubles. share our "regular non-concentrated" Ariel and Luxus concentrate, with the overall wash efficiency of Luxus being higher. Moreover, Luxus is the best for removing grease stains and removing protein stains. And when consumption is reduced (to the dose recommended by the manufacturer), prices are reduced: for Ariel washing - up to 15 rubles, for Luxus washing - up to 9 rubles. The difference is obvious! The most inexpensive is Reflect concentrate: 11 rubles. (maximum dosage) and 8 rub. (calculated: packaging – 19 washes) per wash. It should be noted that Reflect washes efficiently and is, as we have already said, the most “real” concentrate, although at the dosage recommended by the manufacturer it is inferior to other concentrates. In the test, when everyone was put in the same conditions, Reflect shared first place with Luxus. Based on this, we would like to make our recommendation. Increase the flow rate a little. At the same time, the price of washing will increase slightly, but you will get an excellent result.

Awards

The main result of our testing is that we have once again convincingly proven that concentrated powders are by far the most effective means for washing fabrics in modern washing machines. Moreover, in many ways they are more convenient than non-concentrated powders, and often more economically profitable. Given the fact that in the reader's perception, non-award-winning test participants will be regarded as “bad”, we took an unusual step. We awarded awards to all the powders, since any of them is obviously better than the lion's share of what can be found today on the shelves in the household chemicals department. Meanwhile, each of the powders has its own strengths, which we decided to highlight. So, the "Best BUY" award goes to the Frosch Ultra. Based on all the parameters, this powder turned out to be absolutely the best for universal use, i.e. in the case when you are dealing with pollution of various natures. The "Budget BUY" award goes to Reflect Ultra Concentrate. Washing with this powder is cheaper than others, while providing excellent washing quality. The "Best Buy" award goes to Luxus Professional. We could not help but award the award to the participant who won three out of five tests. The "WORTHY BUY" award goes to Persil Megaperls. The powder showed decent quality for universal use and was a winner in the whitening test. But we note this powder even more for the combination of properties that passed the test and were not described in dry numbers. This concentrate is the most pleasant to use. Its large granules do not generate dust, the packaging is sealed and reliable, has virtually no odor, and it is convenient and pleasant to work with.