Final answer:
Liquid laundry detergents can become less effective over time due to the breakdown of their chemical components. Detergents are designed to support machine washing and to protect textiles from the mechanical stress of washing. They also exist in biodegradable forms for environmental concerns, unlike regular bar soap which is not ideal for use in washing machines with hard water.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is said that liquid laundry detergents may lose their effectiveness after 1-2 years of purchase. This is because laundry detergents are a complex mixture of various chemical components including surfactants, enzymes, bleach, and more. Over time, these ingredients can break down or react with one another, which can diminish their cleaning power.
Laundry detergents are specifically formulated for use with textiles and in washing machines. The mechanical stress of machine washing is harsh on fabrics, and detergents are designed to minimize this stress and protect the fabrics. They also have biodegradable options that may be more environmentally friendly.
While soap is indeed a biodegradable and inexpensive cleaning agent, it is less effective in hard water and not suitable for modern washing machines. Laundry detergents are more effective in these conditions with the designed benefits such as preventing fabric hardening and promoting softer laundry after washing.