Is it possible to mix different washing powders?

From time to time, housewives wonder whether it is possible to mix washing powders of different brands? Sometimes it turns out that several almost empty packs accumulate in the closet, but if you pour all the granules into one package, then there is just enough money to start the cycle. On the one hand, what's wrong with that? On the other hand, users are worried whether such a collaboration will harm things. Let's look into the nuances.

Will a mixture of different powders harm the fabric?

Most experts agree that you should not mix washing powders. We are talking specifically about household chemicals of different brands and different spectrum of action. Some manufacturers, when creating laundry detergents, conduct similar experiments to protect customers from surprises.

It was experimentally found that when powders of different brands and different purposes are used simultaneously, the washing efficiency usually decreases.

What explains this? Particles of powders for different purposes can neutralize each other. For example, this will happen if you mix granules for washing light stains with a product designed to remove complex, difficult to remove stains. In such a situation, it is unlikely that it will be possible to cope with severe pollution.

When combining powders of different brands, it is impossible to accurately predict what the final result will be. In the best case, you will make a “discovery”, and your proportion will be able to remove the most difficult stains. At worst, you can ruin the thing. Another option is that the laundry simply won’t wash because the components neutralize themselves and won’t work.

What can be concluded? You definitely shouldn’t mix powders designed for different types of fabrics. After all, you can often find the inscription on the packaging: “It is not recommended to use simultaneously with other detergents.” And you should listen to the manufacturer’s advice.

We carefully look at the composition

Some ordinary people do not agree with the opinion of experts. Users claim that it is possible to mix washing powders with identical compositions. Moreover, many housewives do this periodically, and nothing bad happens. The laundry is washed properly, the fabric does not deteriorate, and things do not lose their brightness.

According to ordinary people, it is possible to mix powders of different brands, but with the same composition - such a “collaboration” does not harm things in any way and does not reduce the efficiency of washing.

This seems logical, but how likely is it to find powders with identical composition? Let's figure out what the most popular laundry detergents consist of. By looking at the list of components, it will become clear whether mixing is acceptable or not.

For example, in the composition of Sarma Avtomat powder:

• sulfates up to 30%;
• phosphates from 5 to 15%;
• carbonates 5-15%;
• active oxygen-based bleach particles up to 15%;
• APAS 5-15%;
• Non-ionic surfactants up to 5%;
• silicates 5-15%;
• foam neutralizer;
• phosphonates;
• optical brightener;
• flavoring

The no less popular “Ariel Color Automatic” consists of:

• APAS 5-15%
• Non-ionic surfactants up to 5%;
• phosphonates;
• polycarboxylates;
• zeolites;
• enzymes;
• flavoring additives.

As part of Tide for automatic machines you can see:

• 5-15% APAS;
• up to 5% nonionic surfactants;
• oxygen bleach;
• phosphonates;
• zeolites;
• enzymes;
• polycarboxylates;
• optical brighteners;
• fragrance.

If you look at the compositions of Tide and Ariel powders, you can conclude that they are completely identical.The only thing is that Tide contains whitening ingredients. Otherwise, the similarity is obvious, so many people mix granules without fear.

The next powder for comparison is Aistenok Automatic. It contains:

• up to 5% vegetable surfactants;
• NSAS;
• polycarboxylates;
• plant enzymes;
• optical brightener;
• foam level regulator;
• fragrance;
• 5-15% natural soap;
• bleaching particles with active oxygen.

Another popular powder is Losk Automatic. Its main components:

• 5-15% APAS;
• bleach with active oxygen;
• up to 5% nonionic surfactants;
• polycarboxylates;
• phosphonates;
• enzymes;
• optical whitening particles;
• flavoring

What is the conclusion? Many mass market washing powders have a similar composition. For example, Losk and Tide Automatic granules are 90% identical.

That is why most ordinary people do not agree with experts, and periodically mix powders of different brands. And if it is the same Tide and Lock Automatic, or Stork and Sarma, designed for automatic washing, then nothing bad will happen. Because the compositions of the granules are very similar.

But even ordinary people understand that you cannot mix powders with different spectrums of action, for example:

• for machine and hand wash;
• for cotton and silk products;
• for whitening light-colored clothes and maintaining the color of bright linen.

The decision whether to mix different brands of powders is up to you. It’s one thing if you wash lightly soiled laundry with a more powerful composition. Another is when a mixture with delicate washing granules is used to remove difficult stains. Then it will not be possible to achieve the expected effect.

Many people mix the remains of powders when washing floor rags and pet bedding, without fear of ruining the item. In this case, there will be no restrictions. The main thing is that the granules cope with existing contaminants.

The recommendations of specialists and manufacturers differ from the opinions of ordinary people. Still, many housewives do it their own way and mix the granules. However, it is worth understanding that the result of such a “collaboration” will be unpredictable. Therefore, it is better to throw away the remaining 50-100 grams of powder than to risk your favorite things.

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