By Sandeep Naik, Global Head- R&D for Personal Care and Home Care,
Godrej Consumer Products Ltd
In Indian households, laundry day
is a ritual, buckets filled with clothes, detergent powder scooped generously
into water and the expectation of spotless, sparkling whites. But that
instinctive handful of detergent might be working against you.
In cities like Mumbai, Bangalore,
Delhi-NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Pune and Ahmedabad, hard water is a
common challenge. Hard water makes cleaning tougher, so many people add extra
detergent, often twice as much, believing it will tackle stubborn stains from
street food or monsoon mud. The reality, however, tells a different story.
Excess detergent doesn't clean
better. Instead, it leaves a soapy film on fabrics that traps dirt and odours.
Clothes feel stiff and your washing machine prone to clogs. Over time, this build-up
shortens the life of both your garments and appliances, turning a simple chore
into costly repairs.
The problem runs deeper in India,
where water scarcity and hard water are daily realities. Studies
on household laundry habits show that most consumers use twice or even more
detergent than required. This is largely due to ignorance of proper amounts of
detergent and the water hardness. This overuse not only wastes money but also
leads to additional rinse cycles, consuming more water in regions already
facing shortages.
Powder detergents, widely used
across Indian homes, can further contribute to the issue. Most of them
typically contain mineral-based fillers that may not dissolve completely in
water. These insoluble particles can leave residue on fabrics, contribute to
lint formation due to the soda and potentially block drainage lines or cause
long-term wear in washing machines.
In contrast, liquid detergents
dissolve quickly in water, require more precise doses, and leave no residue
behind. Liquid formulations also tend to be milder on fabrics, often
phosphate-free, and designed to care for clothes while delivering effective
cleaning. The fix starts with awareness, not more product. Always measure detergent
instead of estimating. Around 2-3 tablespoons (approx. 30-60 ml ) per 5-7 kg of
load is generally sufficient for machine washing, with even smaller quantities
needed for hand washing depending on the load and soil level. Pre-treating
stubborn stains using targeted solutions can also reduce the need for excess
detergent.
Front-load washing machines,
increasingly common in Indian homes, use less water and therefore require lower
detergent quantities. Using excessive detergent in these machines can generate
too much foam, leading to residue and build-up inside the drum. Low-foaming
liquid detergents like Fab or Genteel have formulations designed for modern washing
machines. They better suited for these cycles as they clean effectively without
creating excess foam while protecting both fabrics and machines.
Another advantage of liquid
detergents lies in their formulation. Liquid detergents dissolve easily and
leave no residue, making them gentler on fabrics. Unlike powder detergents,
which can be harsh due to abrasive minerals and may increase lint, liquids
clean more smoothly and help reduce fabric wear.
Liquid and pod-based detergents
are gradually gaining traction in India due to their convenience and
pre-measured usage. By eliminating guesswork, they help prevent overdosing, leave
no residue and support more sustainable laundry practices. As consumers become
more conscious about fabric care, appliance longevity and environmental impact,
small changes in everyday habits such as measuring detergent correctly and
choosing the right formulation can make a meaningful difference.