Looking for a laundry detergent that can wash your clothes clean and white as new? The Consumer Council has put to test 34 laundry detergents and found a vast variation in their washing performance. Over one-third of the detergents scored only 2.5 points in overall rating on stain removal. Further, 8 samples were detected with phosphorus harmful to the ecological environment. Consumers are advised to select the product cautiously. The Council also found most samples were not labelled clearly on their ingredients, laundry detergent suppliers are urged to improve their product labeling to enhance ingredient transparency.
Under scrutiny in the test were 16 models in powder, 15 in liquid and 3 in capsules. The samples were put through a series of tests at water temperature 30°C washing 4 types of 18 various everyday stains on cotton test swatches. The 4 types of stains are, namely, greasy stains (mineral oil, make-up, beef grease and sebum); enzymatic stains (chocolate, mud/grass and blood etc); bleachable stains (coffee, tea, tomato sauce, red wine and soy sauce etc); and various stains such as water-soluble and oil-based paint. Among the 4 models, with the highest overall rating in stain removal, whiteness and colour maintenance, the most expensive is a capsule sample, $4.21 compared with the most economical sample, a powder detergent sample, $1.02 amounted to a difference of threefold.
Certain stains are hard to remove Cost of laundry also varies
In greasy stain removal performance, out of the 16 powder detergent samples, 14 scored only 2.5 points or below. Among the 15 liquid samples, 11 scores 2.5 points or below, only one scored the full 5 points. The results showed that, on the whole, both types of laundry detergents were weak in removal of greasy stains, with the liquid samples fared relatively better. Consumers are advised to note that while most of powder and liquid detergent samples performed well in removing sebum and make-up, they were generally unsatisfactory in beef grease removal.
Notwithstanding, in the removal of enzymatic and bleachable stains, performance of all powder and liquid detergent samples were, as well, average with scores at 3 points or 3.5 points though some samples were found relatively weak in removing chocolate. In the removal of bleachable stains from beverages or foods, all powder detergent samples were found unable to effectively clean tea stains.
The test further found all samples to be unsatisfactory in removing paint stains, all with scores at 2 points or below, oil-based paint generally more difficult to remove than water-soluble paint.
In the case of the 3 laundry capsule samples, their performance in removal of stains was rated rather satisfactory, all scored 3.5 points or above. Consumers should take note that laundry capsules are more highly priced than powder and liquid detergents. In terms of average price per wash, the cheapest, a powder detergent, was only $0.23 whereas the most expensive, a laundry capsule, $6.6, a difference of more than 27 times. A word of caution: these laundry capsules are colorful and look like candies that could attract young children and the patients with dementia at home, to accidentally put them into their mouths resulting in serious harm. Consumers should use and store them with due caution.
On whiteness (the degree of whiteness and graying), performance of powder samples was relatively better: 5 powder detergents, 3 liquid detergents and 2 laundry capsules – scored 4 points or above while the remaining 24 samples from 3 to 3.5 points. On colour maintenance, liquid samples were better performed: 6 liquid detergents were rated with 4 points or above while 4 powder detergents and 2 laundry capsules with 3.5 points.
In addition, the test also detected 8 samples to contain phosphorus, including 3 power detergents with sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and 3 liquid detergents and 2 laundry capsules with phosphonates (phosphorus-containing compounds) to prevent the stain from re-depositing on the clothing. It was found that the total phosphorus content of the 3 powder detergents concerned ranging from 0.68% to 8.1%, exceeded the Canadian standard (0.5%) set for home use laundry detergents.
Partially treated wastewater containing phosphorus that gets released into water bodies (lakes, rivers) might cause adverse effects to the ecological environment. The presence of phosphorus may lead to excessive nutrients in water quality, inducing rapid growth of algae and massive death of aquatic life. Many countries and regions have set limit on the phosphorus content of laundry detergents, the Council recommends that similar regulatory oversight be introduced in Hong Kong with reference to the international experience.
In examining the product labeling, the Council found only a small minority provided relatively detailed information on the ingredient content; the rest were mostly labelled with claims of the special quality of the products without a clear list of the ingredients, for example, claims of “germs removal,” “aromatic fragrance,” etc.
In Europe, Regulation (EC) No.648/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council requires laundry detergents to be labelled with ingredients information to assist consumer choice for suitable products. If the laundry detergents are added with enzymes, disinfectants, optical brighteners and perfumes, regardless of the degree of concentration they must also be labelled accordingly. Furthermore, if the product contains fragrance allergens of a concentration more than 0.01%, the chemical name(s) must also be provided on the label. Suppliers are urged to improve their product labeling to enhance transparency of the ingredients for the reference of consumers.
Consumers choosing laundry detergents and washing laundry, are suggested to refer to the following:
-Laundry detergents vary in their standard dosage amount; refer to the dosage amount instructions on the packaging, and use the scoop or cap provided to measure the dosage amount;
-Using detergent in excessive quantity does not necessarily help enhance the cleaning, it may result in deposits accumulated in the washing machine, the excess foam produced may also affect the operation of the washer:
-Choose laundry detergents with low or no phosphorus content:
-Reuse and recycle product packaging or buy the product refill;
-Use room-temperature water (30 °C or ambient temperature) and dry laundry under the sun to save energy consumption and electricity expenditures as well as cutting down on polluting carbon release.
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