Can hand washing powder be used in a washing machine?

It is not advisable to use hand washing powder in an automatic machine, although it is not prohibited. Due to the peculiarities of the composition, you will have to pour much more of it, moreover, the result will be worse than when using a powder marked “Automatic”.

How does automatic washing powder differ from hand washing powder?

Both contain surfactants, which are abbreviated as surfactants. These are organic compounds that quickly surround microparticles of dirt and literally tear them off the surface of the fabric.

However, despite the same active ingredient, there are quite a lot of differences between the products. For example, a characteristic feature of hand washing powder is the presence of components that:

• protect the skin of the hands during prolonged contact with the resulting solution;
• promote abundant foaming;
• ensure rapid and complete dissolution in water (these are, first of all, chlorine compounds). These components do not harm the skin of your hands, but with prolonged use they can negatively affect the machine.

The “automatic” powder contains substances that:

• prevent scale deposits on heating devices;
• inhibit foaming;
• protect machine surfaces from the negative effects of hard water.

The described differences can be presented in table form:

*If the product is used for other purposes, things may not stretch to the end, and the presentation will most likely be lost.

That is why if you use powder for a machine to wash things manually, you need to take much less of it (4-5 times by weight) than usual. In addition, the mixture will need to be dissolved in warm water for a long time. Constant use of such a product is undesirable, since it can negatively affect the skin of the hands, leading to itching, flaking and allergic reactions.

In this sense, it is better to use so-called eco-powders for hand washing. They consist of 90% natural ingredients that dissolve well in water, produce abundant foam, and most importantly, do not cause irritation. Such products are suitable for children's underwear and can be used by allergy sufferers.

Precautions when washing by hand

If you still have to use the “automatic” powder for washing manually, you need to take the following precautions:

1. You need to fill the basin with warm water in larger quantities than with normal washing.
2. Open the packaging carefully; when falling asleep, do not lift it too high so that powder dust does not get into your lungs.
3. Pour in a minimum amount of powder - it should be 3-4 times less than usual.
4. Stir thoroughly until completely dissolved and a relatively fluffy foam forms.
5. After finishing, the laundry should be rinsed several times so that no traces of the product remain on the surface.
6. You should also wash your hands thoroughly when finished. It is advisable to lubricate them with nourishing cream. If an allergic reaction occurs, use appropriate medication or consult a doctor.

When washing by hand, it is better to use rubber gloves, especially if you use a product with aggressive chemical components in its composition.

Why is hand washing powder not recommended for use in a machine?

Based on the above, we can conclude that hand washing powder should not be used in an automatic washing machine. At the same time, there is no categorical prohibition - in conditions of extreme necessity this is an acceptable option. “Non-profile” powder will not harm the mechanism and will generally cope with the task, but the result may be worse. In addition, you will need much more of this product than one specifically designed for machine washing. As a result, you will have to spend more money to get approximately the same result.

Another significant drawback is that due to the use of large quantities of hand washing detergents, too much foam is formed in the drum, which can literally extend beyond the lid. Therefore, in practice, washing things will be quite difficult.

For each washing method, a special product of appropriate composition and quality has been developed. Therefore, you can use hand washing powder to wash clothes in a basin (especially convenient for small items), and only powders or gels marked “automatic” should be poured or poured into the machine.