Introduction
As a homeowner trying to keep your house clean on a budget, getting the most out of your detergent is essential. With a few simple tricks, you can make your detergent work much harder so you use less while still getting everything sparkling clean. Read on to discover easy ways to make your detergent 10 times more effective!
Buy Concentrated Detergent
One of the easiest things you can do is buy concentrated laundry detergent. Concentrated detergents contain less water and more active cleaning ingredients per ounce compared to regular detergents. This allows you to use much less per load while still getting fabrics thoroughly clean. Concentrated detergents come in smaller packaging, which also creates less plastic waste.
Here are some key points on concentrated detergents:
- Contain 3-4x more surfactants – Surfactants are the active cleaning agents that allow detergents to penetrate stains. More surfactants mean more cleaning power.
- Use 1/3 to 1/2 as much per load – Check the label for recommended amounts. Concentrated detergents need much less.
- Save money over time – Even though the upfront cost may be higher, you’ll use less per wash so they last longer.
- Creates less waste – The smaller packaging means less plastic used. And you won’t go through detergent as quickly.
Switching to concentrated laundry detergent is one simple way you can make each ounce of detergent work much harder. The higher concentrations of surfactants give you incredible cleaning power at a lower volume.
Use the Right Water Temperature
Believe it or not, the temperature of the water you use to wash laundry makes a big difference in how well your detergent works. Most detergents are formulated to work best in specific temperatures. Here’s an overview:
- Hot water – 130°F and above. Best for really dirty laundry and whites. Helps detergents dissolve and activate.
- Warm water – 90-120°F. Works well for most laundry loads. Provides sufficient activation for detergents.
- Cold water – 60-75°F. Can still clean lightly soiled items. Saves energy. Use for delicates and darks.
Check your detergent label for the ideal water temperature range. Then adjust your machine to match. Using the proper water temperature allows your detergent to activate fully and work 10 times harder to penetrate stains and clean fabrics.
You can also consider using hot water for really dirty items, then switching to cold for rinsing to save energy and money. The right temperature makes a big difference!
Pre-Treat Tough Stains
No matter what detergent you use, tough grease, ink, food, and ground-in stains are difficult to remove in the wash alone. That’s why pre-treating them beforehand is highly effective. Here are some pre-treat suggestions:
- Liquid dish soap – For oil and grease stains, rub a few drops of original blue Dawn dish soap on the spot before washing. It breaks down the oils.
- Baking soda – Make a paste with water and rub it into stained areas. Let sit for 30 minutes before washing.
- White vinegar – For ink or fruit stains, apply undiluted vinegar and let soak for 15 minutes.
- Oxygen bleach – For discolored stains, make a solution with an oxygen bleach like OxiClean and soak the garment prior to washing.
Pre-treatment allows you to pinpoint stubborn stains and break them down before washing the whole garment. This prevents the stains from setting in the dryer. A bit of targeted pre-treatment means your regular detergent doesn’t have to work as hard on intense stains.
Use Detergent Boosters
There are a variety of detergent boosters or laundry enhancers you can add along with your regular detergent to improve its effectiveness. These include:
- Borax – An all-natural mineral detergent booster. Helps with odors and whitening. Use 1/2 cup per load.
- Washing soda – Removes tougher stains. Also helps deodorize and soften water. Use 1/4 cup per load.
- Baking soda – An alkaline booster that helps detergents activate and lift stains. Adds odor removal. Use 1/4 cup per load.
- White vinegar – Acidic to help remove soap residue. Also softens fibers and prevents dye run. Add 1/2 cup in rinse cycle.
Adding a booster gives your regular detergent a major cleaning boost. The boosters attack stains in different ways and enhance your detergent’s stain fighting abilities. Using the right boosters can take your detergent from average to 10 times more effective!
Conclusion
You don’t have to buy the most expensive detergents to get incredible cleaning power. With concentrated formulas, the right water temperature, pre-treating, and detergent boosters, you can make bargain detergents work 10 times harder! Test different combinations and find the best laundry boosting methods for your needs and washing machine. A little effort goes a long way to maximizing your detergent’s cleaning ability.
