Detergent
The key to bright clean laundry
Detergents are among the most important household products for perfectly cleaned clothes. This is because detergents ensure that clothes, bed linen, textiles and towels smell pleasant and fresh and are also hygienically clean. In the past, only curd soap or simple washing powder was available. Today, innovative detergents offer a variety of special functions. They clean more effectively, care for the fibres, protect the colours and the environment – but not every detergent is suitable for every wash.
The selection of detergents is very large. It ranges from heavy-duty detergents, colour detergents and mild detergents to wool detergents or modern special formats such as Laundry Detergent Sheets and liquid detergents. The “right” detergent depends primarily on the type of laundry and the colour of the textiles. And detergents are now available in various forms: classic washing powder, liquid detergent, pre-dosed tabs or pods and Laundry Detergent Sheets. Powder detergents contain bleaching agents in the heavy-duty detergent version and often achieve better results on white laundry than liquid alternatives. Liquid detergents leave no residues on textiles and are particularly suitable for low temperatures. Laundry Detergent Sheets are the most compact and environmentally friendly form: pre-dosed, without microplastics and without preservatives.
The basic function of a detergent lies in its ability to effectively remove dirt and stains. The cleaning effect of detergents is based on surfactants, which remove grime and grease from the textile fibres. Enzymes also break down organic soiling such as protein, starch or grease. Depending on the type of detergent, these ingredients are composed differently – tailored to the washing temperature, type of textile and degree of soiling. Most modern detergents wash effectively and hygienically at 20 to 30 °C – an important contribution to saving energy in the household.
