Choosing a laundry powder can be an overwhelming decision, given the amount of choice available on the market today.
There are many choices of laundry powders out there, all of which make an array of claims, from stain removal right through to social responsibility, but as the saying goes “it’s what’s on the inside that really counts.”
The majority of major laundry brands load their products with fillers and extenders. These fillers ‘bulk out’ the product, meaning that they are able to produce more of it at a cheaper cost to the business.
Even though these products are often cheaper for you to buy, it certainly doesn’t mean they’re the most economical choice. For example, powders that contain fillers are a lot less concentrated, meaning that you need to use a lot more of the product to get satisfactory results.
Not only do these filler-laden products not stack up on price and performance, but the adverse effects to your health and natural environment are also very concerning. Here are just a few of the issues fillers can cause:
1. Fillers are difficult to rinse away and they often remain hidden in the fibres of your fabrics, even after the wash cycle has completed. These fillers are a major contributor to itchy skin, skin irritation (especially for those who suffer from skin conditions) and allergies.
2. Fillers can build up in parts of your washing machine. Once the water drains, the sediment dries out, turning hard and over time can create a blockage in your machine’s pipes. This can also damage pumps and other internal parts of your washing machine as well.
3. Fillers and sediment build-up shortens the life of the rubber hoses in your washing machine.
4. Fillers are unsuitable for use in septic and water recycling systems, as the filler-laden greywater can be harmful to your garden.
5. Fillers are corrosive to the alloy and metal parts of your washing machine, like the pump and the impeller that moves the water within your machine.
6. The build-up of fillers that remain in your clothes and bed linen is abrasive and slowly ‘rots’ your fabrics. Eventually, fabrics lose their freshness, becoming coarse and dull in appearance.
So how do you know whether or not your household laundry powder contains fillers? Well, we have a simple way that you can test for them:
You’ll need a clear glass or jug, filled with clean water. Pour one teaspoon of your laundry powder into the water, and then gently give it a stir to mimic the agitator during the wash cycle.
After 10 minutes, inspect the bottom of the glass for any white, salt-like sediment. If you can see any of this, bingo. You’ve got fillers.
When you try this simple test with Tri Nature’s Alpha Plus Laundry Powder, you can clearly see how remarkably clear the water is. It’s not hard to imagine how using Tri Nature’s laundry powder will keep your machine in pristine condition in comparison to products containing blockage-causing fillers.
Tri Nature’s Award-Winning Alpha Plus Laundry Powder contains no FILLERS or EXTENDERS