What are phosphate-free washing powders, what is their difference, which one to buy for an adult and a child, you will learn from our review.
The composition of modern washing powders is often alarming: incomprehensible chemical compounds, numbers and letters, the dangers of which can only be guessed. But everyone already knows perfectly well that powders containing phosphates are harmful, therefore their phosphate-free analogues are actively distributed today.
What is the difference between phosphate-free powder: composition
When buying a detergent powder without phosphates, you cannot be sure that you will receive the product without surfactants or other unsafe constituents. It’s easier to immediately figure out which substances are the most harmful, and look at the powder label yourself - even if it is phosphate-free.
So, consider the most harmful components that can be part of:
- Surfactant is the “backbone” of any powder, its basis, which ensures washing efficiency. They accelerate dissolution in water and push complex contaminants out of tissue fibers.
- Phosphates are salts with excellent solubility in water. They are involved in water softening to enhance the effectiveness of the remaining components. Harmful to humans and nature.
- Phosphonates - an analogue of phosphates, which are not so harmful to the environment.
- Zeolites are less dangerous compounds. But at high concentrations, they can cause significant damage to human health, since they wash off the protective layer of fat from the skin, which leads to allergic rashes. Compared to phosphates, they are more environmentally friendly. Choose between your health and environmental friendliness.
What is the difference between phosphate-free powder and usual? The fact that instead of phosphates it may contain the above components. Remember their safe dosages:
- Surfactants - from 5 to 20%. More than 30% is dangerous.
- A safe concentration of zeolites should not exceed a third of the total amount of detergent.
On a note! The release form does not affect the “harmfulness” of the product - it can be powders, concentrated or universal products. The differences are in the composition, and not in their liquid or loose form. Safe IVF powders contain a minimum of “chemistry” and often go even without smell.
Why phosphates in washing powder are harmful
In the 60s, scientists of the Soviet Union decided to investigate how household chemistry affects nature and the human body. They came to the same conclusions as European researchers.
Scientists managed to find out: the main reason why phosphates should not be used is a detrimental effect on the protective layer of the skin, which is fraught with dermatitis and allergies. Further, passing through the skin and penetrating into the blood, they change its composition. This is followed by disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and muscles. This causes metabolic disorders, can provoke exacerbations of chronic diseases, etc.
Now you know what phosphates are harmful, so remember these shocking facts every time you go for a detergent.
Rating of phosphate-free powders: which is better to choose
Understanding which phosphate-free powder is best to immediately discard well-known brands such as Tide, Ariel, Persil and others. These names are simply well advertised, but there are a lot of “surprises” in the composition.
We compiled a rating that included German and Japanese powders, as well as Russian-made products.
Sodasan Ecologocal Color - German product, based on which the manufacturer used soap made from natural ingredients. The composition also contains herbal extracts, citric acid, minerals and essential oils as an aromatic additive. Quality is confirmed by certificates, which means that it fully meets all EU standards.
Packaging 1.2 kg costs 500-600 rubles.
Biio color German production. Instead of phosphates, surfactants and zeolites are involved, as well as less hazardous ingredients - for example, cotton extract. The manufacturer promises that one and a half kilogram packs will be enough for 30 washes in the AGR.
The cost of the funds is within 500 rubles.
Klar Eco Sensitive - powder from Germany based on soap nuts, soaps on vegetable oils, with the addition of oxygen bleach, salt and soda, rice starch. The phosphates in the composition are replaced by zeolites. The temperature range at which it is activated is 30-95 degrees.
For a pack weighing 1.3 kg will have to pay about 1000 rubles.
Ecover zero - Belgian phosphate-free detergent based on BIO-surfactant, soap, zeolites and other chemical components, among which are not prohibited. This concentrated powder is very economical, so it is sold in small packs of 0.75 kg and costs about 700 rubles.
EcoDoo - French remedy with lavender and rosemary essential oils. Detergents in the composition are surfactants, zeolites, alepps soap (based on laurel fruits and olive oil), enzymes. Properties are not lost in the temperature range from 30 to 90 degrees. This is a powder concentrate, therefore it is economical.
It costs more than 2000 rubles per pack of 3 kg.
Mako Clean Closes our list of domestic remedies based on surfactants, enzymes, soap crumbs, foam suppressant, soda ash. It does not have a pungent odor, it is quite uniform.
The cost is within 700 rubles per pack of 1.3 kg.
What other powders do not have phosphates? In the funds listed below, the composition may slightly differ from the previous ones, but they are safer than conventional washing products:
- AlmaVin;
- Mi & Co.;
- Herbals
- Nissan FaFa;
- Clever Free;
- Organic natural;
- X.
On a note! The last two options are the best user reviews, join those who already care about their health and the environment.
Children's phosphate-free powders
When buying powder for newborns or for older children, it is not enough to be guided only by phosphates. The composition should not only contain no harmful “chemistry”, but the concentration of other substances should be in an acceptable norm.
Consider some children's remedies, so that you choose the best one.
Peanut. The phosphates in it are replaced by harmless silicates. And the main detergent component is palm oil. This soap product foams well and copes even with old dirt. In this case, the fabric becomes soft and does not smell of foreign odors.
Burti - expensive premium German powder. Phosphates are replaced by phosphonates. It erases well, but can provoke skin rashes in children.
Stork - the tool is made in the Russian Federation. It erases well, but is considered too toxic. The composition includes both anionic surfactants, nonionic ones. They are poorly washed from tissues with 1-2 rinses. Things after washing have a pungent and unpleasant odor.
our mother - domestic remedy based on soap. Release form - large shavings. The only inconvenience is that the chips must be soaked and poured into the SMA as a concentrate. But this is justified by the excellent composition of the product - natural soap, BIO surfactants, oxygen-containing enzymes.
Separately, we wrote about washing powders for the smallest in the article "What kind of baby washing powder is better to choose."
In conclusion, we can say: the inscription "phosphate-free" does not always mean "safe." Look carefully at the label of the detergent; it may contain other harmful components. It is especially worthwhile to approach the choice of children's products.