Overall, liquid dish soap is the better option. Even though it costs more, it is more useful and efficient. But if you have a small budget or a specific need, powder detergent may be a better choice for you (such washing in hot water or removing a tough stain).
Hard water that hasn’t been treated makes liquid detergent clean better. It is more resistant to the effects of hard water minerals because the things in it don’t react with them as strongly. Even if your water is hard, you can still use powder detergent, but you’ll usually need to use more detergent to get your clothes clean. Always follow the directions that the manufacturer puts on the detergent bottle.
What is the best brand of soap? The type of detergent you use—powder, pods, or liquid—depends on your needs, according to experts. Powder, for example, is cheap, lasts a long time, doesn’t make any waste, and is great for heavily soiled clothes. On the other hand, liquid detergents can be used to treat spots or to wash clothes by hand. They work better in cold water and are easier to measure. Pods are also easy to use, light, portable, and leave no sign that they were there.
Want to wash something by hand or get rid of a tough stain before putting it in the washing machine? You can use powder detergent, but you have to mix it with water first to make a paste, then put the paste on the stain and wash it. Contrary to what most people think, liquid detergents can be used directly on stains. So, Tide, which sells both liquid and powder detergent, says that liquid detergent is best for treating stains and powder detergent is best for getting everything clean. Powders are cheaper, so they are better for large loads. However, Persil recommends using liquid for both small and large loads, quick machine washes, and hand washing.
Both types of detergents will work well in a front-load or top-load washer if they are used correctly. In fact, tests have shown that Charlie’s Soap Laundry Liquid and Laundry Powder Detergents work just as well in most everyday situations.