Often, effective stain removal is only possible with aggressive chemicals. These are most washing powders, excluding hypoallergenic and baby detergents.
To reduce the negative effect of the powder on the body, it is worth organizing its proper storage. In addition, storage conditions determine the safety of the product itself - otherwise the powder may petrify or lose its properties.
To properly organize the storage of washing powders, follow our recommendations.
Storage time
It is believed that the powder does not deteriorate over the years, so many manufacturers "forget" to indicate the expiration date on the package. If you did not find the terms on the bundle, then it is better to refuse to purchase the funds, the sale of which violated the legislation of the Russian Federation.
The shelf life is affected by the presence of active components that remove stains in the composition of the product. The expiration date of the product usually expires when the activity of these components ends. In unopened packaging and under appropriate conditions, this period is not more than 5 years from the date of manufacture.
This does not apply to special powders for children's things enriched with enzymes (natural BIO components) - these products do not stay longer than 3 years, and sometimes they last only 2 years.
Can I use the product after the expiration date? Specialists do not recommend. And if your family has asthmatics or allergies, then you should get rid of expired "chemistry" as soon as possible.
How to store washing powders at home: conditions
There are three factors that deteriorate detergents quickly:
- High humidity indoors.
- Direct sunlight.
- Increased temperature.
If there was an effect of at least one of the listed factors, then washing with such a powder is useless: it has lost its properties.
How to store powder? We proceed from the opposite:
- Do not leave the powder where there is a high temperature and humidity. Only 24 hours - and a stone is formed in a pack. You can wash them, but whether it’s convenient to split a block is up to you.
- Do not leave packs on heating radiators - in a couple of days such a tool can be sent to a landfill. Powder stain removers under these conditions are destroyed, and things cannot be washed off.
- Leaving the product on the windowsill, especially on the south side, soon you will get the same result as described above.
What to do:
- Seal the pack tightly after each use.
- Wrap cardboard packaging in plastic wrap or plastic bag, tying it tightly.
- A zip package is also great. For the same purposes, you can use clips and clothespins.
Storage
It is not always possible to guess with the place of storage of powder detergents, especially if you are used to buying packages of impressive sizes of 5-10 kilograms. When choosing a place, be guided by the following criteria:
- Lack of access to storage facilities for children and pets. Cats are especially interested in studying the composition of washing powders, often tearing plastic bags and cardboard boxes with their teeth. It’s better not to risk it — the animal may try a chemical.
- Kitchen, living room, bedroom - all these rooms are not suitable. Particles of powder, getting into the air even from a closed pack, are eaten into furniture, food and into the body. Do not risk your health in vain - it’s better to nail another shelf in the bathroom.
- The higher the shelf or cabinet, the better. A closet or toilet is the most suitable place for their location. Towels and baby linen are often dried in the bathroom - it is strongly not recommended to store powder in this room even in a closet.
- Try to store the powder near the washer - you should not carry it from the balcony through the whole house.
What to store
The ideal solution is to pour the product into a special container. A household plastic container is perfect, here are its advantages:
- If the lid is closed tightly and is additionally fixed with latches, the risk of spillage is minimal. Children or pets will not open such a box.
- The polyethylene or polypropylene from which the containers are made does not allow moisture and sunlight to pass through. Therefore, you can store directly in the bathroom.
- Manufacturers specifically make bulk containers of 5-10 liters narrow to simplify placement in small rooms.
- Ergonomics: carrying handles, convenient recesses, noses for filling, measuring cups. All this and much more simplifies the operation of the container.
- Price and availability. You can find the capacity in almost any hardware store by choosing the right color, volume, size and shape.
Now you know the rules that not only protect you from the chemical effects of detergents, but also help to extend their shelf life and compactly place in a suitable room.