laundry detergent
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laundry detergent
A substance in powder, gel, or liquid form that is used to clean textiles in a washing machine or by hand washing.
Für weiße Wäsche solltest du ein Vollwaschmittel verwenden.
For white laundry, you should use a heavy-duty detergent.
'Waschmittel' (laundry detergent) is a compound noun made from the verb 'waschen' (to wash) and the noun 'das Mittel' (means/agent). So it literally means 'a means for washing.'
Ich muss neues Waschmittel kaufen, unseres ist fast leer.
I need to buy new laundry detergent; ours is almost empty.
The component '-mittel' is very productive and often refers to a substance for a specific purpose. If you know this pattern, you can more easily understand other words like 'Spülmittel' (dish soap), 'Putzmittel' (cleaning product), or 'Lösungsmittel' (solvent).
Für den Abwasch brauchst du Spülmittel, nicht Waschmittel.
For washing dishes, you need dish soap, not laundry detergent.
In everyday life, 'Waschmittel' (laundry detergent) is often specified by its form or purpose. Common combinations are 'flüssiges Waschmittel' (liquid laundry detergent), 'Waschmittel in Pulverform' (powder laundry detergent), 'Waschmittel für Buntwäsche' (detergent for colored laundry), or 'Waschmittel für Wolle' (detergent for wool).
Für empfindliche Stoffe nehme ich immer ein flüssiges Feinwaschmittel.
For delicate fabrics, I always use a liquid mild detergent.
soap
'Seife' and 'Waschmittel' are both connected with cleaning, but they are used for different things. 'Seife' is normally used for skin, for example for your hands. 'Waschmittel' is used for clothing and other textiles, usually in the washing machine or when washing by hand. The words can be confused because both remove dirt. The important question is: What is being washed? For the body, you say 'Seife'; for laundry, you say 'Waschmittel'.
Ben kauft Waschmittel, weil die Handtücher gewaschen werden müssen.
Ben buys laundry detergent because the towels need to be washed.
Auf der Reise nehme ich immer eine kleine Seife mit.
When I travel, I always take a small bar of soap with me.