Powder vs Liquid Detergents, what is Cheaper & Better?

Detergent powders vs liquid, what’s cheaper to use in washing machines? And what is better? Detergent powders or liquid soap detergents? As much as we would like to have a single clear answer to these questions, there isn’t one.

The cost of using detergent (liquid or powder) depends on factors such as washing machine type and laundry load and on the other hand, what may be better to use (detergent powder vs liquid) depends on factors like the type of clothing you need to wash, the intensity of wash required & the water hardness level.

Let’s first understand how detergent powders work vs how liquid detergents work in a washing machine to find out what’s cheaper to use, powder vs liquid detergent.

• Short Answer on what is cheaper, detergent powder vs liquid:

Powder detergents are generally cheaper per load than liquid detergents due to their lower cost per kilogram and longer shelf life. Liquid detergents, though more expensive, dissolve better in all water temperatures and reduce the risk of leftover residue, potentially saving costs on rewashing & maintenance of the machine in the long run.

This brings to mind a wise quote by John Ruskin on paying too much or too little.

“It's unwise to pay too much, but it's worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money – that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.”

by John Ruskin (writer, philosopher & art critic)

While using detergent powders is usually a cheaper option, it might not be the best one always. To understand this better, you need to have a look at some of the pros and cons of using detergent powder vs liquid detergents which we have mentioned below.

But first, here’s a detailed comparison between detergent powder vs liquid, which is cheaper.

• Long Answer on powder vs liquid detergent, what is cheaper to use:

There are mainly two types of washing machines, front load and top load washing machines. These are divided into different technologies such as semi-automatic, fully automatic, washer-dryer combo and even portable washing machines.

Similarly, there are powder detergents for front-load washing machines and separate one’s for top load washing machines.

There are also special liquid detergents for front-load washing machines & top-load washing machines laundry.

Not choosing the right detergent can not only hamper the performance of your washing machine appliance but also may affect its lifespan.😵⚰️

For example, not using High-efficiency (HE) detergents for your HE washing machine can lead to creating more sud (foam) which can lead to a longer rinse cycle (more water usage, reduced efficiency).

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To decide between powders vs liquid detergents which is cheaper, here’s a simple comparison below:

Note: The average price of detergents in the table is calculated based on the per Kg or per Liter price of the top 10 detergent powders & liquids in India such as Surf Excel, Ariel, Rin, Tide, Presto, etc.

As you can see in the above comparison table, generally, it’s much cheaper to use powder detergents, especially in top-loading washing machines. Front-load washing machines use a tumbling action which requires less water and detergent to achieve the same level of results.

While the price is definitely a major factor in deciding what is cheaper between powder vs liquid detergents, there are also other hidden costs to consider such as the efficiency of the detergent, the safety of your clothes & health of your machine.

Detergent liquids are usually more efficient. They work well in all kinds of water temperatures & water hardness levels. This is not the same with powder detergents which either do not dissolve well in cold & hard waters or need to be used in more quantity, especially in top-loading washing machines.

To truly understand which one is better to use detergent powder vs liquid, you first need to know some basics. So let’s get to it.

Every laundry detergent (powder & liquid) present in the market currently comprises some key ingredients; Surfactants, Builders, Bleaching Agents, Enzymes, Fragrances, and Fillers.

• 🟢Surfactants (or surface-active agents) are the primary cleaning agents that help in removing dirt and stains. They work by lowering the surface tension of water, allowing it to penetrate fabrics and lift away dirt. Liquid detergents have more nonionic & cationic surfactants which remove oil & grease better as compared to powder detergents which remove soil & dirt better🫧

• 🟢Builders in powder detergents like Sodium Carbonate and sodium Silicate help soften water by binding with calcium & magnesium ions. In liquid detergents soluble builders are used that easily dissolve in water leaving less chance of residual on washed clothes.💧

• 🛑Bleaching agents are also a part of most detergent powders but most high-quality modern-day detergents use colour-safe bleaches that prevent discoloration. Liquid detergents compared to powder detergents have fewer bleaching agents making them safer to use for delicate fabrics❤️‍🩹

• 🛑Enzymes help remove stains like starch, fats, oil, blood, & food. However, some low-quality detergents with poor formulation can cause these enzymes to turn into a skin-irritation-causing villain from a stain-removal hero. Enzyme's main function is to break down fats and oils effectively, but they cannot differentiate between fabrics and human skin. Hence any residual left on your clothes has the potential to invite these enzymes to react with your skin’s natural oils (can cause skin blotches).❗❗❗

While both liquid and powder detergents contain enzymes, the chances of residual being left get slimmer in liquid detergents due to their easily soluble nature. Thus potentially reducing the chances of causing skin irritation.

Hence, it is recommended that infant clothes, older people or anyone with sensitive skin should use a laundry detergent that is enzyme-free ( Shop enzyme-free detergent liquid on Amazon)

• 🟢Fragrances are used in both powder detergents & liquids. Liquid detergents use better quality fragrances such as essential oils and premium synthetic fragrances, because they blend better in the liquid medium. Dry laundry detergent powders on the other hand have to rely on basic synthetic fragrances due to cost-effectiveness and the challenge of evenly distributing high-quality fragrances in a powder format

• 🔴Fillers are simply ingredients that are added to bulk up a product. Liquid detergents generally use fillers, such as Water, Propylene Glycol, and Hydrotropes which maintain the stability and effectiveness of the detergent. On the other hand, dry laundry detergents use fillers such as Soda Ash, Sodium Sulfate, and Zeolites. While these are effective, they can leave more residue & are less refined comparatively.

Powder detergents are clearly the most economical option but as mentioned earlier, they aren’t the best option always. After all, it isn’t necessary that which is cheap is always the best buy, is it? Powder detergents compared to liquid detergents are more likely to contain unnecessary fillers and chemicals which can lead to skin irritation problems if not washed properly. They also contain more bleaching agents which is why we mostly see colour fading problems occurring with powder detergents vs liquid detergents. Here’s a short & crisp powder detergent pros and cons table to judge better:

Latest deals on powder detergents (curated deals) ✔️

Liquid detergents prices compared to powder detergents are slightly higher per laundry load but the expense adds up quickly if you calculate it on a daily basis. However, if you take the price point out of the equation, liquid detergents probably offer the best quality of wash for your clothes and safety for your washing machine appliance and even your skin. This is of course given you are buying a good quality liquid detergent. Nevertheless, here are liquid detergents pros and cons:

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• When washing fabrics that require a cold wash 🥶

• For removing oil & grease stains.🍟 Thanks to the higher content of nonionic and cationic surfactants.

• For long-lasting fragrance & less chance of leaving residue on clothes 🍃

• When you need to wash delicate fabrics or avoid the chances of fading the dye of your clothes 👕👗

If you have water shortage problems in your area. Liquid detergents are more effective than powder detergents in less water wash cycles (hence a better solution for HE front-load machines too)

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• If you have a larger laundry load to wash. Thanks to their cheaper per load cost.💵

• If you need to wash soiled clothes effectively👖

• If you have a top-loading washing machine that uses more water💧

• Powder detergents also work well for warm to hot water washes♨️

Choosing between liquid vs powder detergent isn't just about cost. It's about what best meets your laundry needs. Powder detergents are cheaper to use for routine larger laundry loads & tackling soil & dirt. For delicate fabrics, cold wash, long-lasting fragrance, hard water & tackling oil and grease, liquid detergents can be a better choice.

Moreover, modern-day washing machines come with a tub cleaning washing cycle too which customers can use from time to time to avoid residue buildup.

As few of our dimers commented on this useful thread: Liquid vs powder detergents: What is better for your washing machine?

Thanks to @sudarshan61 & @Agni007 and all our other dimers for their useful comments

Do share with us in the comments below what do you find cheaper & better, liquid vs powder detergents. I will start with myself. I have been on both ends (powders & liquid) and have used Ariel Matic liquid detergent as well Surf Excel Easy Wash Detergent Powder. Personally found the Ariel matic liquid more efficient but the powder detergent from Surf Excel isn’t bad either. We have been using the Samsung Ecobubble washing machine and it has this detergent drawer (they call it “Bubble Storm”) it kind of helps make sure there are no lumps or that the detergent mixes well in water. For routine laundry, we prefer powder detergent mostly and for delicate fabrics, liquid of course works the best.