10 Best Powder Concentrates for Effective Laundry

Concentrated washing powder differs from the usual one in only one parameter – the concentration of active substances. We will find out which brands of concentrates are on the detergent market, how they differ and what consumers say about them.

What do you need to know about concentrates?

Concentrated powders (hereinafter referred to as CP) are a type of detergents, powdered or granulated, with a high concentration of active substances.

How are they different from conventional detergents?

The main differences between concentrates and conventional powders:

• The content of active components is several times higher, and sodium sulfate (filler) is the minimum amount. Therefore, the CP is spent much more economically – 1,52 times less.
• Differ in big bulk weight. If KP and a conventional analogue are poured into equal glasses, then the first one will weigh more in the corresponding number of times.
• They are more expensive, but have greater efficiency per unit cost. If the product is dosed correctly, then the cost of washing in monetary terms does not exceed the cost of washing with non-concentrated analogues.
• Usually produced for automatic washing machines, but there are also universal products – they can be used both in typewriters and when washing by hand.

Brand Review and Consumer Reviews

Most of the concentrated detergents are of foreign origin. As a rule, they do not contain phosphates. At most, there may be phosphonates. These are high-quality powders, positioned as safe and effective. Consider a few popular brands.

Attack Multi-Action – from the Japanese manufacturer

Universal phosphate-free concentrate for white and light, colored and dark fabrics. They can be washed – in a typewriter or by hand, cotton and synthetics. In the composition – stain remover, conditioner, soap, oxygen-containing optical brightener, fragrance, enzymes. As well as zeolite, surfactants – 5-30% and polycarboxylate. In a white powdery substance – blue and red granules. The cost of a package weighing 810 g is from 345 to 572 rubles.

Advantages:

• Beautiful packaging, easy to use and store. Inside the box there is an intermediate paper layer that protects against moisture and spillage.
• There is a convenient measuring spoon with dispensers for 30 and 45 g.
• Does not cause allergic reactions.
• It has the effect of “5 in 1” – removes stains, enhances the brightness of color, disinfects things, eliminates the smell of dampness, softens fabrics.
• Fully biodegradable – surfactants and enzymes decompose, safe for the environment.
• Contains no chlorine or phosphates.
• Does not leave white streaks.
• Can be used in cold water.

Disadvantages:

• The manufacturer promises that 1 package replaces 3,5 kg of powder and this is enough for 23 washings. Users complain that they have enough of this volume for 15-18 washes. But perhaps consumers do not take into account the capacity of the drum. After all, the dosage depends on the load.
• Doesn’t handle tough stains.

The issue is the smell. One likes an unobtrusive, barely audible aroma. Others claim that Attack Multi-Action has a pungent smell and is not at all floral, as the manufacturer promises. The presented product has a “twin brother” – Attack BioEX. It differs in the color of the packaging and some ingredients.

Burti Baby Compact – for baby clothes

Washes synthetics and cotton. No phosphates. With enzymes. Contains 15% surfactants, 5% nonionic surfactants. The full composition is on the package. The price of 900 g is about 600 rubles. Made in Germany.

Pros:

• A pleasant smell, “even a cat likes it – it rolls on freshly washed linen” (quote).
• Safe, environmentally friendly. You can wash clothes for newborns. There are no aggressive components.
• Thanks to the natural soap base, things become soft – they are comfortable for the delicate skin of babies.
• Perfectly removes stains from grass, juice, chocolate, paints, felt-tip pens – from everything that children usually smear with.
• Deals with old stains.
• Things retain the brightness of the color, do not fade after repeated washes.
• Does not cause allergies.
• Suitable for various temperature conditions.

Disadvantages:

• No measuring spoon. “A trifle, but unpleasant” (quote).
• Expensive. Users believe that the market is full of other detergents to overpay for such an expensive KP.

Burti Baby Liquid

Liquid analogue of children’s Burti Baby. Contains enzymes. Hypoallergenic, phosphate-free, universal remedy. The price of 1,5 liters is almost 300 rubles. The country of origin is Germany.

Advantages:

• You can not use the conditioner – all products become soft.
• Washes lightly soiled things well, including in cold water.
• Thanks to the innovative formula, it prevents the formation of scale on the inside of the washing machine.
• Like all BURTI, it has an “anti-peeling” effect that prevents the formation of “pellets”.
• Approved by dermatologists, suitable from the first days of life.

Disadvantages:

• Too soapy liquid – if it suddenly gets on your hands, you have to wash it off for a long time.
• Not all stubborn contaminants can be eliminated. You have to soak and wash. It is almost impossible to wash T-shirts smeared with mud or grass without pre-treatment.

And here the smell causes ambiguous comments. It seems pleasant to someone, but there is dissatisfaction that the fragrance of the fragrance does not disappear for a long time – washed things smell like it. Moms believe that children’s things should not emit strong aromas – there is no need for babies to “enjoy” them. But it doesn’t bother adults.

“Faberlik” – universal

Organic, phosphate free. There are two versions – universal and for colored linen. Their composition is slightly different. In the first version there is a bleach and a bleach activator, in the second there is a dye transfer inhibitor. A pack of 800 g costs about 300 rubles.

Pros:

• There is a Faberlic measuring spoon.
• Economical. For comparison, an 800 g pack of Faberlik is comparable in terms of the number of washes to a 3 kg pack of the usual Ariel, which costs 600 rubles.
• 3,5 times more economical than conventional analogues.
• The smell is light and unobtrusive, does not provoke sneezing.
• Deals with light dirt.

Disadvantages:

• Efficiency is low – it does not wash, for example, white socks.
• Contrary to assurances that this product eliminates dullness and yellowness, this does not happen – yellowed and grayish fabrics do not become snow-white.
• It doesn’t always work out well. Whitish streaks may remain.
• They contain zeolites that damage tissues, are not completely rinsed out, and are harmful to the body.
• There is no promised fresh and light fragrance, washed things sometimes smell like they are wet and unwashed.

Amway SA8 Premium — with bioenzymes

Powerful cleansing concentrate. Biodegradable with active oxygen. Contains 30% nonionic surfactants. A pack of 1 kg costs about 775 rubles. This amount is enough for 25 cycles with an average load.

Advantages:

• Removes blood, grass, egg yolk and other contaminants.
• It dissolves well in water, does not form a precipitate.
• Has a light, fresh scent. No specific powder flavor.
• Does not harm the environment.
• Contains softener – makes things pleasant to the touch.
• Effective at 30–95 °С.
• Washes with good quality.

Disadvantages:

• High price.
• Problems with stubborn stains.
• It doesn’t always work out well.
• The composition contains harmful substances. For example, phosphonates.

Reviews vary regarding the effect on the skin. Some note hypoallergenicity, others complain of skin irritation.

Reflect Color – for colored things

Phosphate-free concentrate with enzymes. The price of 0,65 kg costs 275 rubles or more.

Advantages:

• Due to the double degree of color protection, the intensity of the color is preserved.
• Protects from UV light.
• High washing capacity in a wide temperature range – from 10 to 100 degrees.
• Qualitatively washes stains without damaging the structure of the fibers.
• Convenient packaging.
• The anti-piling effect prevents fabric hairiness.

Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for silk and wool.
• Washed items have no smell.
• Reasonable cost.

Frosch Color – with aloe vera

German concentrate of universal application. Without phosphate, with enzymes. Complete biodegradability. Contains zeolites – 15-30%, non-ionic surfactants – 5-15%, soap, fragrances and an inhibitor of transfer and darkening of colors. A pack of 1,35 kg can be bought for 460 rubles. Replaces 3 kg of plain powder.

Advantages:

• It penetrates deep into the fibers, cleans fabrics qualitatively, preserving the saturation of colors and without corroding the fabric.
• Little foam.
• Easily copes with fresh stains, including fat and oil.
• Leaves no streaks.
• Does not cause skin irritation.
• Environmental friendliness – there are no phosphates and other harmful components.

Disadvantages:

• Shedding fabrics and new items should be washed separately.
• Poured directly into the box – there is no package. The measuring spoon is missing.

The smell is pleasant to some, disgusting to others. It smells not so much of aloe vera as of lemon.

NS FaFa Japan Baby floral – with a floral scent

Concentrate from the Japanese manufacturer. Meets safety standards. Contains conditioner and bleach. There are different packaging, 4 kg costs within 1560 rubles.

Positive traits:

• Delicate floral scent. But the laundry after washing does not smell of anything, except for cleanliness and freshness.
• Soft impact.
• Convenient zippered packaging.
• Beautiful design.
• There is a measuring spoon. True, it’s just a cardboard scoop.
• Removes dirt well.
• Rinses out quickly.

Disadvantages:

• High price.
• It does not eliminate complex stains – additional funds are needed, soaking, washing.
• It is inconvenient to store in a package – you have to pour it into a more reliable container. There is not even a package in the box, there is a risk of spillage.

Ecover Zero Non-Bio Ultra Concentrate

Ecover brand. He represents a whole line of washing powders “Ecover”. Among them is Zero Non-Bio ultraconcentrate. Eco-friendly concentrate with whitening effect. No phosphates or fragrances. Manufacturer – USA. A pack of 0,75 kg is sold for 500-600 rubles.

Good:

• Versatility – you can wash any clothes.
• Suitable for allergy sufferers, does not smell and does not irritate the skin.
• Rinses out great.
• Does not form thick foam.
• Makes fabrics soft, no need to use conditioner.

Disadvantages:

• It does not cope with complex stains, it is necessary to apply additional methods of cleaning.
• Expensive.

Meine Liebe – versatile

Another German brand. Especially for baby clothes. Biodegradable. There is nothing toxic. 1 kg can be bought for 170-200 rubles.

Positive feedback:

• Eliminates medium pollution without problems.
• The aroma acquired during washing disappears after drying.
• Maximum environmental friendliness and safety.
• Interferes with formation of a scum.

Disadvantages:

• Spent more than the manufacturer claims.
• It is impossible to remove difficult pollution.
• Washed things become stiff. You have to use air conditioning.

Conclusions

• It’s a thankless task to read reviews about smell. Consumers have very different opinions. Everyone should find out for himself – how much the product suits him in terms of aromatic characteristics. The same applies to the issue of skin irritation.
• Almost all the brands under consideration cannot cope with stubborn stains. But this is not required from ordinary powders. To remove difficult stains, there are all kinds of stain removers and enhancers.
• When buying any household chemicals, carefully read its composition. Safe products should not contain phosphates, and hypoallergenic products should not contain dyes and fragrances.

The main advantage of concentrates is the minimum volume. Otherwise, they are no different from ordinary washing powders. When choosing a concentrated product, it is important to consider its purpose and be interested in the composition.