When we decide what brand of laundry detergent to use we are often swayed by what our Mum used because it evokes memories through its smell. If like me, knowing that whether I buy this brand or that, all have the same active ingredients; my choice depends on the cost at the checkout. But deciding on the type, liquid or powder, is a bit harder so here is a list of pros and cons for each type which might help make your choice easier:

Pros for Liquid

• As it is in liquid form, it won’t leave soap scum inside your machine/soap drawer.
• It dissolves quickly in cold water, so saves on energy.
• You can use it to treat stains before washing using the lid/pot that comes as part of the packaging.
• It is easier to measure when doing a half load.

Cons for Liquid

• They tend to be more expensive… so shop around!
• In their capsule form, you cannot use in half loads – so not very economical.

(I would have said they were not eco-friendly but producers now use recyclable materials in their packaging).

Pros for Powder

• The ingredient (Surfactants) which actually does the cleaning is more stable in powders so the shelf life is longer making them more economical.
• They tend to be cheaper than liquids.
• The packaging is recyclable.

Cons for Powder

• Use too much and you may find residue on your clothes that requires re-washing.
• They dissolve better in warm water, so costs you more in energy.
• Pre-treating stains requires you to dissolve the powder first in warm water.
• Packaging is much larger, so not always cupboard space friendly.
• Machine maintenance is a higher priority because of the residue it leaves.

It’s all a matter of personal choice – whether you use liquid or powder, to keep your machine working at its optimum level, put it through its hottest wash once a month (without the washing!) and this will help remove any detergent residue and so save you money.