Contents
What are phosphate-free washing powders, what is their difference, which one to buy for an adult and a child, you will learn from our review.
The composition of modern washing powders is often alarming: incomprehensible chemical compounds, numbers and letters, the dangers of which can only be guessed at. But everyone already knows perfectly well that powders containing phosphates are harmful, so their phosphate-free counterparts are actively spreading today.
What is the difference between phosphate-free powder: composition
When buying a phosphate-free laundry detergent, you cannot be sure that you will receive a detergent free of surfactants or other unsafe ingredients. It’s easier to immediately figure out which substances are the most harmful, and look at the powder label yourself – even if it is phosphate-free.
So, consider the most harmful components that can be included in the composition:
- Surfactant is the “backbone” of any powder, its basis, which ensures the effectiveness of washing. They accelerate dissolution in water and push out difficult pollution from fibers of fabrics.
- Phosphates are salts that are highly soluble in water. They are involved in water softening to enhance the effectiveness of other components. Harmful to both humans and nature.
- Phosphonates are an analogue of phosphates, which are not so harmful to the environment.
- Zeolites are less dangerous compounds. But at high concentrations, they can cause significant damage to human health, as they wash off the protective layer of fat from the skin, which leads to allergic rashes. Compared to phosphates, they are more environmentally friendly. It is up to you to choose between your health and the environmental friendliness of the product.
What is the difference between phosphate-free powder and ordinary? The fact that instead of phosphates, the components listed above may be present in it. Remember their safe dosages:
- Surfactants – from 5 to 20%. More than 30% is dangerous.
- A safe concentration of zeolites should not exceed a third of the total volume of the detergent.
On a note! The release form does not affect the “harmfulness” of the product – it can be powders, concentrated or universal products. Differences – in the composition, and not in their liquid or loose form. Safe ECO-powders contain a minimum of “chemistry” and often come without a smell.
Why are phosphates in laundry detergent harmful?
In the 60s, scientists of the Soviet Union decided to investigate how household chemicals affect nature and the human body. They came to the same conclusions as the European researchers.
Scientists managed to find out: the main reason why you should not use phosphates is a detrimental effect on the protective layer of the skin, which is fraught with dermatitis and allergies. Further, passing through the skin and penetrating into the blood, they change its composition. This is followed by disturbances in the work of internal organs and muscles. This causes metabolic disorders, can provoke exacerbations of chronic diseases, etc.
Now you know why phosphates are harmful, so remember these shocking facts every time you go for laundry detergent.
Rating of phosphate-free powders: which one is better to choose
Understanding what kind of powder that does not contain phosphates, it is better to immediately discard well-known brands such as Tide, Ariel, Persil and others. These titles are just well advertised, but there are a lot of “surprises” in the composition.
We have compiled a rating that includes German and Japanese powders, as well as Russian-made products.
Sodasan Ecologocal Color – a German product, based on which the manufacturer used soap from natural ingredients. The composition also contains herbal extracts, citric acid, minerals and essential oils as an aromatic additive. The quality is confirmed by certificates, which means that it fully meets all EU standards.
A package of 1,2 kg costs 500-600 rubles.
BioMio Color German production. Instead of phosphates, surfactants and zeolites are involved, as well as less dangerous ingredients, such as cotton extract. The manufacturer promises that a one and a half kilogram pack will be enough for 30 washings in the CMA.
The cost of funds is within 500 rubles.
Clear Eco Sensitive – powder from Germany based on soap nuts, vegetable oil soaps, with the addition of oxygen bleach, salt and soda, rice starch. Phosphates in the composition are replaced by zeolites. The temperature range at which it is activated is 30-95 degrees.
For a pack weighing 1,3 kg, you will have to pay about 1000 rubles.
Cover Zero – Belgian phosphate-free laundry detergent based on BIO-surfactants, soap, zeolites and other chemical components, among which there are no prohibited ones. This concentrated powder is very economical, therefore it is sold in small packs of 0,75 kg and costs about 700 rubles.
EcoDoo – French remedy with essential oils of lavender and rosemary. Detergents in the composition – surfactants, zeolites, Aleppo soap (based on laurel fruits and olive oil), enzymes. Properties are not lost in the temperature range from 30 to 90 degrees. It is a powder concentrate, therefore it is economical.
It costs more than 2000 rubles for a pack of 3 kg.
Mako Clean. Our list is closed by a domestic product based on surfactants, enzymes, soap crumbs, foam quencher, soda ash. It does not have a strong smell, it is quite homogeneous.
The cost is within 700 rubles per pack weighing 1,3 kg.
What other powders do not contain phosphates? In the products listed below, the composition may differ slightly from the previous ones, but they are safer than conventional detergents:
- AlmaVin;
- We&Who;
- Herbals;
- Nissan FaFa;
- Clever Free;
- Organic natural;
- X.
On a note! The last two options have the best user reviews, join those who already care about their health and the environment.
Children’s phosphate-free powders
When buying powder for newborns or older children, it is not enough to be guided by phosphates alone. The composition should not only not contain harmful “chemistry”, but the concentration of other substances should be within the acceptable norm.
Let’s take a look at some baby products so that you can choose the best one.
Carapace Phosphates in it are replaced by harmless silicates. And the main detergent component is palm oil. This soap foams well and copes even with old dirt. At the same time, the fabric becomes soft and does not smell of extraneous odors.
burty – expensive German premium powder. Phosphates are replaced by phosphonates. Washes well, but can provoke skin rashes in children.
Stork – the tool is made in the Russian Federation. Washes well, but is considered too toxic. The composition includes both anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants. They are poorly washed out of fabrics with 1-2 rinses. Things after washing have a sharp and unpleasant smell.
Our mother – a domestic product based on soap. Release form – large chips. The only inconvenience is that the chips must be soaked and poured into the CMA as a concentrate. But this is justified by the excellent composition of the product – natural soap, BIO surfactant, oxygen-containing enzymes.
Separately, we wrote about washing powders for the smallest in the article “Which children’s washing powder is better to choose.”
In conclusion, we can say: the inscription “phosphate-free” does not always mean “safe”. Look carefully at the label of the detergent, it may contain other harmful components. Especially carefully it is necessary to approach the choice of children’s funds.