Laundry detergent powder is often less expensive than the liquid variety and may be better at removing outdoor stains such as grass and dirt. Once you decide to go with powder, though, you still need to determine the best product for your situation. The first thing to consider is whether you need a specific type of detergent, such as the kind fit for washing baby clothes or delicates, or a standard detergent will do. You also should determine the fragrance you prefer, though you may choose to use an unscented product. In addition, consider the amount you need and the money you are willing to spend, keeping in mind that you tend to save the most money when you buy washing powder in bulk.
You should first consider your specific laundry needs, because there are several specialty detergent powders available. For example, think about whether you need to wash baby clothes, delicates or heavily soiled items, because there are separate types of detergent powder for each of these situations. If you are determined to keep your white clothes bright, you may want to consider detergent with bleach, while detergents with brighteners often work best for preventing darker clothes from fading. You also can get fabric softener powder so your clothes feel soft and do not develop static cling.
Another detail to think about is the fragrance of the laundry powder. Many people look forward to the scent of their clean clothes fresh from the dryer, so some people choose their washing powder based primarily on this aspect. If you like natural scents, you may want to consider buying a detergent powder that smells like freshly cut grass, the ocean or rain. Another popular scent variety involves florals, and you can often find detergent that smells like a mix of several floral options, including lavender, jasmine and roses. If strong scents make you feel sick, or your skin is sensitive to added fragrances, you may want to choose unscented powder when you buy detergent.
A final consideration to make is the size of the box of detergent powder. In most cases, buying in bulk can save you money, so getting a large box can be cost-effective. Powder usually lasts longer than liquid detergent, so you typically have a few years of use before the product expires. You do, however, have to worry about where to store the box of detergent during that time, so you are encouraged to consider your storage options before choosing an overly large amount of detergent powder.