HOUSEHOLD & CULINARY TIPS

Using the right detergent and simple hangers and racks for drying can
help reduce the hassle and cost of doing the laundry.

WHEN doing the laundry, have you ever thought about the detergent that
you are using? These days, with the large number of brands available
in the market, choosing the right detergent may prove quite
mind-boggling.

Price is also a factor and many may choose to economise, thinking that
as long as the detergent gets the job done, it will do.

But before you grab the cheapest detergent and put it in your shopping
cart, stop and think about your specific needs. This could determine
the wear and tear not only of your clothes but also of your washing
machine.

Kuan Mun Jen, general manager (Marketing Division) of Southern Lion
Sdn Bhd, which manufactures brands such as Bio Zip, TOP and Dobi, says
low-suds powder detergent should be used in front-loading washing
machines.

Tests have shown that, in general, front-loaders use less water and as
a result require less detergent to be used. “If you use high foam
detergent, your laundry will not be rinsed properly. Also, residue
from the detergent will slowly accumulate and eventually damage the
inner parts of the machine,” Kuan explains. Clothes should be rinsed
properly to prevent build-up of detergent residue, which may cause
health problems to people with skin or respiratory allergies.

With top-loading machines, you can use regular liquid or powder
detergents, but read the product information properly, she advises.

Detergents these days also claim to target specific needs, like “for
whiter whites”, or a “hygienic wash” and “brighter coloureds”. Are
these claims genuine?

According to Kuan, some detergents are targeted at different types of
dirt. If you have school-going children, then you will probably be
dealing with grass, food, paint and other stains, she says. “For
working people, it’s mostly dealing with sweat stains as a result of
sebum secretion.”

So there are detergents that come with special functions to treat such
aspects as colour, whiteness and hygiene.

And then there are powder and liquid detergents. Does one perform
better than the other?

According to Kuan, basic powder detergents (polybag type) make up 42%
of all the detergents sold in the market while premium powders (those
which have added enzymes), which are more expensive, make up 28%.
(Enzymes that are added comprise either protein or starch agents to
combat food stains.)

The others are in the form of concentrated formulas and laundry bars.
Concentrated formulas, says Kuan, also cost more because you use less
to wash the same amount of clothes. As for laundry bars, some people
still use them when they wash clothes by hand and to tackle stubborn
collar stains, she says.

“The efficacy of the detergent is not dependent on the form,” says
Kuan. “Whether it is powder or liquid, it is entirely up to individual
preference.”

Once washed, the clothes need to be dried. The best way to do this is
to hang them out to dry, such as in the garden or backyard.

But for high-rise dwellers, drying clothes can be a huge part of the
laundry day blues. Let’s face it, electric dryers are expensive,
consume a lot of electricity and can spoil your delicates.

“One of the problems of living in a condo is drying the laundry. The
clothes need to be dried properly or they will get mouldy,” says Marc
Lourdes, a high-rise dweller in KL.

This is when a clotheshorse or clothes rack will come in handy.
Alexandra Prabaharan, who lives in a condominium unit, says she hangs
clothes on racks in her balcony. She also uses a clothing line which
can be folded up when she does not need it.

One of the problems that can arise if clothes are not dried properly
is the smell. For Prabaharan, the problem is solved with the use of
sanitisers. “I also use softener so my laundry doesn’t feel starchy.”

Mary Ng says she dries most of her clothes on hangers in her balcony
but she sends big items like sheets, blankets and towels to the
laundrette.

According to Kuan, there are a number of myths about laundry
detergents that need to be corrected:

> The more foam, the better it cleans: This is definitely a myth. In fact, today, many laundry detergents have developed a low-foaming agent with better cleaning efficacy.

> Liquid is better than powder detergents: Although powder detergents may require a longer time to dissolve compared to liquid, their cleaning efficacy is the same.

> Higher water temperature can remove stains better and kill germs more effectively: Not true. A laundry detergent with good cleaning efficacy does not require warm water to aid in removing stains. High water temperature may actually result in discolouration.

> An all-in-one detergent is better for cleaning: There is no all-in-one solution. Make sure you choose a detergent that solves your cleaning problems (for example, food stain removal or mild odour removal).

> Soaking leads to cleaner clothes: If you use a good laundry detergent, it does not matter if you soak or not. However, for those who still prefer to soak, 15 to 30 minutes should be sufficient.



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