Texture

• Powder laundry detergents are composed of small, dry soap granules. When water hits the granules, they dissolve. Powder laundry detergent works best in a washing machine for general cleaning. Powder laundry detergents require less for each load, saving you money overall. They also work well on mud and thick, caked-on stains.
  
  Liquid detergents have a thick gel that combines with the water to form suds. You can use liquid detergents both in a washing machine or for washing clothes by hand. Liquid laundry detergents work better than powder detergents on grease and oil stains.
  
  Detergent packs, or combination detergents, contain a mixture of both liquid and powder detergents in a small pouch. The pouch dissolves in water, exposing the detergent. Detergent packs work best in the washing machine rather than hand-washing. Since detergent packs contain both liquid and powder, they work on all types of stains and dirt.
  
  

Ingredients

• Traditional laundry detergents contain surfactants, enzymes, softeners, solvents and other synthetic materials. Surfactants loosen dirt and trap the dirt in the water so it does not release back onto the clothing while enzymes break down and remove stains. Softeners keep clothes from stiffening in the wash while solvents keep the other materials in the detergent from deteriorating. Natural or green laundry detergents use ingredients derived from natural sources in place of synthetic materials. For example, the detergent may contain essential oils, washing soda or vegetable-based preservatives. However, even green detergents can contain some synthetic ingredients.
  
  

Types

• All-purpose detergents work on most clothing materials and in warm or hot water settings while delicate wash detergents are best used on thin or fragile materials and are particularly useful for hand-washing intimates and other fragile clothes. Cold water wash detergents work as effectively as all-purpose detergents. While all laundry detergents work to some degree in cold water, cold water formulas have special ingredients that make them more effective in cold water settings. Free and clear detergents do not contain colorants or fragrance additives, two ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or skin irritations in people with sensitive skin.
  
  

Features

• Many laundry detergent manufacturers claim that their products have added ingredients that go beyond basic cleaning. For example, a laundry detergent with added fabric softener eliminates the need to use two products. Laundry detergents with added stain lifters eliminate the need for pre-treating stains. Detergents with color-safe bleach help keep colors bright while detergents with whitening agents keep whites from yellowing. Detergents with added fragrance or odor eliminators remove smells from clothing and leave a fresher scent.