Anti-advertising laboratory: rating of the best “automatic” washing powders based on the results of an inspection by Roskachestvo

An automatic machine that washes and wrings clothes without human control has become a reliable assistant for solving everyday problems for many Russian families. But optimal washing results are obtained only when using high-quality detergents. In 2018, the Roskachestvo agency released a rating of the best automatic washing powders in terms of quality. Let's get acquainted with the verification methodology and name the leaders of this rating.

What powders are on Russian shelves?

The group of washing powders includes mixtures of dirt-removing and auxiliary substances that are used for hand or machine washing of textiles. Nowadays the most popular powders are those intended for use in automatic machines.

The modern variety of laundry compositions presented on store shelves is explained by the need to solve several problems: ideally wash away dirt, give clothes a pleasant smell, preserve the color and impeccable appearance of things. In recent decades, this list of requirements has been supplemented by the need to preserve human health and minimize negative impacts on the environment.

The powder manufacturer is forced to devote all its efforts to optimization: the components must be selected in such a way that the finished composition ideally matches the assigned tasks, while remaining affordable.

It is impossible to create an ideal product for all occasions, so today there are several types of laundry compositions:

• Powders for removing stains from white fabric. Their task is to completely eliminate contamination of various natures, maintaining the neat appearance of snow-white fabric. Typically, such formulations contain compositions of strong bleaches, so they cannot guarantee safety for human health or environmental systems.
• Powders for brightly colored clothing contain substances that prevent the destruction of pigments. They prevent bright T-shirts and skirts from fading, but they do not dissolve dirt as well.
• Detergents for washing children's clothes. Such compositions are subject to particularly stringent safety requirements. The baby powder does not contain components that could cause the baby to develop allergies, dermatitis or other negative reactions.
• Universal powders. This group is intended for washing items used in everyday life. You should not expect any particular effectiveness from such a powder. But it is affordable and copes with many types of pollution at once.

A special group of powders, which are relatively rarely found in our stores, are products based on natural enzymes and other dirt-washing substances. They do not harm the environment and are safe for health. However, such products are much more expensive than compositions based on synthetic substances. In addition, their effectiveness in combating stains is lower.

When choosing the best powder, you need to understand that the benefits of such a product are most fully manifested provided that it is used for its intended purpose.

Search for the best: verification by Roskachestvo

To help consumers understand the choice of washing powder, specialists from the Roskachestvo agency conducted a study of domestic and foreign products presented on the Russian market. Experts came to the attention of powders costing from 30 to 1,594 rubles. per package.

The research was truly large-scale:

• The methodology was based on testing 30 parameters. Such a wide range of tests made it possible to identify and describe many properties: from consumer qualities to environmental safety.
• The list of studied compounds includes 31 items.
• 71% of the studied products (22 items) are produced in our country. Other brands were issued in South Korea, the USA, Australia, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and Belarus.
• The list of tested products includes such well-known brands as “Aist”, “Biolan”, “Myth”, “Ordinary Powder”, “Pemos”, Amway, “Ariel”, BiMax, Burti COLOR, “Deni”, Dosia, Ecover, Freetime , Frosch, Losk color, “Persil”, Reflect, Sarma, Sorti, Tide, etc.

Tests have demonstrated the safety of all tested products.This does not mean that it is permissible to wash dishes or hands with the powder, but when used as directed, the proven compositions will not cause allergies, itching, skin redness or other health problems.

The comparison technique allowed us to achieve high objectivity of the assessment. Based on the rating compiled by experts, Russians can choose a high-quality, effective laundry detergent, focusing on the existing tasks and possibilities of the family budget.

The best automatic powders as of 2020

When conducting tests, experts assessed the parameters of each powder with a certain number of points. As a result, a rating of the best powders was compiled. It is still relevant in 2020.

Rating leader - Burti Color

This powder perfectly preserves paint even when washing delicate fabrics. At the same time, its ability to fight stains is high: it can cope with traces of cocoa, ketchup, herbs and many other types of stains. The product does not provoke the development of allergies. Disadvantages include relative rarity on store shelves and high price.

Second place: Stork Color washing powder

The powder does not burn the skin of the hands and mucous membranes in case of accidental contact, while it is good at removing stains of various origins (grease, juice of fruits and vegetables, paint, blood). Also, the powder practically does not generate dust, which makes it harmless for asthma patients and allergy sufferers. Another advantage is its gentle effect on the fabric: even 25 washes do not cause pilling or other damage to the fabric.

Third place: Reflect Color concentrated powder from Australia

Ideal for removing stains from grease, paint, protein-containing stains (for example, blood).The product is supplied in concentrated form, so it is consumed four times slower than regular powder. Moreover, the composition is harmless to humans: it does not provoke allergic reactions, is non-toxic, and does not burn the skin and mucous membranes.

However, Reflect Color has certain disadvantages:

• A lot of foam is generated when washing. Excess may spill out of the machine.
• Due to the high mineral content, the fabric may become rougher after 25 washes. This effect is especially noticeable if washed in hard water. At the same time, the powder does not provoke the formation of pellets or loss of color.

Despite some shortcomings, Reflect Color can be considered an effective laundry detergent. It is safe for all family members.

Fourth place: concentrated Belgian laundry detergent Ecover

It belongs to the category of rather expensive laundry detergents (price per 1 kg - approximately 650 rubles). The product is safe for eyes and skin and does not cause toxic effects if inhaled or swallowed. The concentrate effectively removes all types of stains and does not cause pilling on the fabric. However, frequent use may damage the color (cause yellowing) of items or make the fabric rougher.

Fifth place: German concentrated composition “Frosch Aloe Vera”

A safe laundry detergent that can handle most types of stains. During washing, almost no foam is formed. In addition, the composition does not “dust” when poured, which has a beneficial effect on the well-being of allergy sufferers and people suffering from asthma. However, it has a rather aggressive effect on the fabric: it reduces the weft strength, damages the color, and makes the material rougher to the touch.

Sixth place: universal powder “Sarma Active Mountain Freshness”

An economical and universal washing composition that can cope with a wide range of stains and softens water well. It does not damage the tissue and does not provoke the formation of pellets. The disadvantages include a large amount of foam that accumulates during washing. If rinsing is not effective enough, residue may remain on the fabric.

Seventh place: BioMio BIO-COLOR

This is a safe product that perfectly combats a variety of contaminants and does not harm people with allergies. It can be used by families with small children, people with asthma and other diseases. Among the disadvantages, experts noted the relatively high cost and reduced effectiveness in the fight against old stains.

Eighth place: “Regular powder”

When checking this product, experts noted a deviation in the amount of powder in the pack from the declared one (about 3%). In terms of consumer qualities and effectiveness, the composition is practically not inferior to the best samples in the rating: it does not generate dust, does not have a toxic or irritating effect, and is good at eliminating stains. Experts called the negative side a large amount of foam that appears during washing.

Ninth place: “Biolan Color”

Biolan Color powder belongs to the group of compositions for washing brightly colored clothes, but it does not perform the task of preserving colors effectively: after 25 washing cycles, the fabric turns gray, becomes rough and hard. At the same time, the powder removes stains well, does not cause pilling, and is safe for health.

The Roskachestvo rating includes powders designed to solve any problem. Based on these results, it is easy to choose a product to suit every taste and budget. We hope this information will help you choose the right washing powder.