Soaps and detergents loosen dirt from clothes, keeping dirt in the wash water so it doesn't get back on the clothes. Choosing Soap or Detergent Most areas of New Mexico have hard water, so use detergent rather than soap. When soap mixes with hard water, they form a soapy scum that can turn clothes gray. For delicate fabrics that require hand washing, use a gentler detergent such as dishwashing detergent. Most stores carry many brands of laundry products.
All detergents contain similar types of cleaning ingredients.
Detergent powders are the most common laundry product and are the least expensive. Liquid detergents are made especially for washing clothes in cold water, although they work in hot water, too. Some people like lots of suds in the wash water. However, too many suds can cut down on washing action and are hard to rinse out. Suds may also damage the washing machine.