If you’re in charge of a business that needs to frequently wash uniforms, you might consider using homemade laundry soap. You may think that it will help you save money or that it is ideal for personalizing the scent of your employees’ clothing.
Yet, there are many disadvantages to using homemade laundry soap. Often, it’s not the best idea to include your own laundry detergent in your laundry process. So, wondering why homemade laundry soap is bad and what alternatives you can consider? Read this article to find the answers you need.
Why is Homemade Laundry Soap Bad for You?
Since homemade laundry soap is not as effective at cleaning as alternative options, this is one reason this solution is bad for you. Additionally, homemade laundry soap often leaves a residue inside washing machines and can actually damage your clothing as it does not always rinse out properly.
Specifically, these homemade laundry detergents do not offer an odor neutralizing effect, nor do they remove stains well or protect the fabric fibers of uniforms. This can mean that the clothing materials trap pungent odors, get thinner over time, and potentially change color. So, it’s best to avoid homemade detergents that contain bleach, baking soda, vinegar or other products.
What Are Some Effective and Powerful Alternative Clothing Detergents?
Trying to find some effective and powerful alternative clothing detergents or pretreatment solutions? Avoid your own homemade laundry detergent recipes and consider the many types listed below.
#1 Laundry Pretreatments
Plenty of laundry pretreatments take a powder form that can penetrate tough laundry stains. Manufacturers created solutions like the Clorox 2 for Colors, available in the janitorial/sanitation laundry products category, to remove unpleasant odors and substances and keep white clothing whiter and brighter.
Other solutions like the Oxiclean Max Force Stain Remover spray are laundry pretreatments that contain food stain-lifting amylase enzymes and can remove grease as well as dirt-binding elements without damaging the clothing.
#2 Laundry Detergents
Laundry commercial detergents come in a few forms, such as powder, pods and liquid. If you are looking for liquid laundry detergent, some of the ideal brands include Purex, Tide, and Betco. Purex offers liquid solutions specifically for high-efficiency washing machines, Tide offers its Pods 3 in 1 detergent pods that remove stains effectively, while Betco’s Symplicity Duet L Laundry Detergent cleans and brightens linens.
The Boardwalk brand of commercial laundry detergents comes in a powdered laundry detergent form that works effectively if you have no choice but to wash uniforms or work clothing in hard water. The Low Suds Industrial Powder Laundry Detergent by Boardwalk has a fresh lemon scent and brightens white shirts, table linens, aprons, and bed linens.
#3 Fabric Softener
If you are running a medical center or a hospitality service and need to wash fabrics, such as hotel linens , fabric softener is one solution that will make those fabrics more comfortable for your patients or guests. Solutions such as the Downy Liquid Fabric Softener infuse the entire fabric material with a silky softness and minimizes wrinkles, so you can impress your guests easily.
You can alternatively use the Seventh Generation Natural Liquid Fabric Softener to cater to those with sensitive skin. This solution will work well in standard and high-efficiency washing machines alike.
#4 Antistatic Softener
A full range of antistatic softeners are available on the market if you need to impress hotel guests with comfortable sheets. Brands such as Bounce offer fabric softeners that fight against static charges and also leave behind a fresh scent and wrinkle-free sheets.
Also available is the Snuggle Vend-Design Fabric Softener, which manufacturers created for businesses that offer guest amenities. This solution minimizes static cling and ensures your clothing remains soft and fresh.
Who Should Avoid Homemade Laundry Soap and Buy Powerful Detergents?
Various businesses operating in a range of industries should avoid homemade laundry soap and purchase alternative, powerful detergents. As mentioned, hotels in the hospitality industry need to include strong detergents and possibly fabric softeners to make the best impression on their guests and encourage repeat bookings.
Restaurants also need to ensure they have powerful detergents to complete laundry processes for table coverings, while those in charge of a medical center will need such detergents to clean sheets frequently and thoroughly.
If you are in charge of companies or organizations like these, we highly recommend purchasing powerful detergents in bulk, which you will find at BuyDirect. We also make bulk purchasing more cost-effective, passing on discounts for Mission customers. Plus, we offer free shipping and don’t expect a minimum purchase quantity.
Purchase Powerful Detergents from BuyDirect for Fresh and Clean Clothing and Linens
If you have been using homemade laundry soap or DIY laundry detergent, it’s worth keeping in mind that powerful detergents can be a good alternative for keeping work uniforms or clothing fresh and clean. While homemade laundry soap can leave residues behind and may not always remove all of the odor or stains, the range of powerful detergents we stock are more effective.
Whether you work in a hotel, restaurant, or medical center, we have high-grade detergents ideal for your laundry process. Check our selection at BuyDirect today.
FAQs
Looking for more information on laundry detergent? Have a look at these frequently asked questions.
What Are the Benefits of Laundry Detergent?
Since they contain surfactants, laundry detergents clean fabrics and clothes thoroughly. They are more effective than homemade laundry soap and produce a more powerful cleaning result.
Their surfactants penetrate dirt and stains easily because they can interact with and loosen oil-based and water-based substances. This is why, at BuyDirect, we recommend the many laundry detergents in this article, options we stock, as opposed to homemade laundry soap.
How Much Laundry Soap Do You Really Need?
Generally speaking, it’s best to use one or two tablespoons of laundry detergent for each regular load size. This means that for each load, you do not need to fill the entire detergent cap, because this amount will be too much.
If you are washing a smaller load, you will be able to use less than two tablespoons of detergent. And if you are washing a larger load, consider adding slightly more. When in doubt, add a small amount at first and then slowly add more. However, you will not really need more than two tablespoons.
What Happens if I Don’t Use Enough Laundry Detergent?
If you add insufficient amounts of laundry detergent, you will find that bacteria might still be present on your clothing or work uniforms. Additionally, mineral and metal deposits found in water can build up over time.
Such deposits can alter the texture of your clothing, making them appear the wrong color. It’s best to use at least one tablespoon for each load and not exceed two.