Best laundry detergents in Australia

Why we chose it

For the best overall laundry detergent, we picked the Cold Power Complete Action Liquid Laundry Detergent. It has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on reviews from Amazon and Catch.

The Cold Power Complete Action Liquid Laundry Detergent is specifically formulated to remove stains and discolouration from white fabrics when used in cold water. This means using less energy during washes. The laundry detergent also helps easily remove dirt and grime, leaving your clothes spotless and bright after a wash. It is suitable for front and top loaders as well.

Many customers loved this detergent's performance in cold water. It is fuss-free and doesn't leave any residue. Additionally, a 2L bottle can be used for up to 40 washes. People said that it instantly removes stubborn stains, while keeping their clothes soft and bright. It has a subtle yet fresh scent, but some customers still found it too overpowering for their liking. At $16.99 per 2L bottle, Cold Power is a bit pricier than competitors in the market, but customers said that its results are well worth the tag.

Best laundry detergent for front loaders: Surf Front & Top Loader Laundry Liquid

Pros

Several customers said it works well in hot or cold water
Affordable

Cons

Doesn't work for non-colourfast items
Has an overpowering floral scent

Price (RRP): $8.00 (1L)
Amazon Price: From $16.50

Why we chose it

Apart from finding one of the best front loaders for your home, it's also important to get laundry detergents specifically formulated for this type of washer, ensuring that your clothes stay in tip-top shape. We recommend Surf's Front & Top Loader Laundry Liquid as the best one. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

The Surf Front & Top Loader Laundry Liquid is formulated to lift dirt and grime easily. It also works well in removing stains from whites, leaving them brighter and glowing. This laundry liquid can be used in cold water as well. It comes with Surf's signature scent, which leaves clothes smelling fresh with natural floral and fruity fragrances.

According to reviews, this laundry liquid is great in both cold and hot water. It instantly removes stains while making clothes softer and more vibrant during each wash. People loved the economical 1L bottle, which lasts for up to 40 washes. The smell is refreshing and long-lasting. However, it is overpowering for some people. A few others added that this product doesn't work for non-colourfast items, but this seems to be an isolated issue.

Best laundry detergent for top loaders: Radiant Front & Top Loader Whites & Colours Laundry Powder

Pros

Specifically formulated for whites and colours
Has a fresh, subtle scent

Cons

Each 1kg only lasts for up to 15 washes
A critic said it leaves a powdery residue

Price (RRP): $9.78 (1kg)

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Catch, we picked the Radiant Front & Top Loader Whites & Colours Laundry Powder as the best laundry detergent for top loaders.

It contains Colour Guard technology and advanced brightening systems to ensure that your clothes are brighter and sharper wash after wash. According to the company, this laundry powder is also formulated to brighten whites and colours while lifting dirt and tough stains, leaving them fresh and clean.

Finding the perfect top loader-friendly detergent can be just as difficult as choosing one of the best top-loaders available right now in Australia. The Radiant laundry powder is a top pick for many people. It effectively lifts dirt and grime from clothes while making them look more vibrant in each wash. The scent is quite subtle and fresh, suitable if you're not too keen on heavily scented laundry detergents. For under $10, you'll get 1kg of the product. But customers said that each box only lasts for up to 15 washes. A critic added that it leaves a bit of a powdery residue when not thoroughly rinsed. However, this seems to be a minor issue.

Best laundry detergent liquid: Dynamo Professional Oxi Plus Liquid Laundry Detergent

Pros

Removes stains even dried ones
Suitable for front and top loaders

Cons

Has a strong, lingering smell
Not ideal for people sensitive to fragrance

Price (RRP): $11.00 (1.8L)
Amazon Price: From $12.00

Why we chose it

The Dynamo Professional Oxi Plus Liquid Laundry Detergent is our choice for the best laundry liquid detergent. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Dynamo Professional Oxi Plus is a first-class, potent detergent that removes grime instantly. It is made with a combination of active ingredients that help lift off stubborn stains and dirt, leaving clothes brighter and cleaner. Apart from being suitable for both top and front loaders, this product also works well to remove grease and baby food stains.

People loved using this laundry detergent to get rid of tough stains, especially dried up ones. It also helps remove odour and sweat easily. Some customers also said that it helps keep their colours vibrant and soft. Each bottle also lasts for up to 36 washes, making it economical. However, it has an overpowering scent that doesn't dissipate, which may be a disadvantage if you're sensitive to fragrance.

Best laundry detergent powder: Fab Laundry Detergent Washing Powder

Pros

Suitable for all machine types
Can be used in hot, warm and cold water

Cons

May be less effective on extra stubborn stains
Some users report clumping

Price (RRP): $7.75 (2kg)
Amazon Price: From $13.00

Why we chose it

If you like laundry detergent powders, you might want to try the Fab Laundry Detergent Washing Powder. This is our pick for the best laundry detergent powder, with a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

The Fab Laundry Detergent Washing Powder has a superb cleaning power that effectively works in all types of clothes. This powder is also made for all machine types and water temperatures. Apart from being suitable for cotton fibres, this detergent comes in a wide range of scents, providing up to 30 days of freshness when stored in a cupboard under ordinary conditions.

The Fab Laundry Detergent Washing Powder is a great everyday detergent for removing sweat and dirt on clothes. People loved its subtle scent that smells fresh and clean. It's a versatile detergent that works well in various machine types, making it a fantastic option if you're on a budget. However, some customers said that it's not strong enough to remove tough stains. A few others added that it tends to clump.

Best laundry detergent pods/capsules: Tide Pods Plus Febreze Odour Defence Laundry Detergent

Pros

Dissolves in any temperatures
A 4-in-1 solution for cleaner, fresher clothes

Cons

Limited availability in Australia
Can sometimes get stuck in washing machine doors

Price (RRP): $19.24
Amazon Price: Check site for current pricing

Why we chose it

Our pick for the best laundry detergent pods/capsules is the Tide Pods Plus Febreze Odour Defence Laundry Detergent, which has a rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

The Tide Pods Plus Febreze Detergent is a potent 4-in-1 laundry solution for all of your washing needs. It consists of a laundry detergent, stain remover, colour protector and odour defence technology. The pod has a multi-chamber design, separating key ingredients until they hit the wash. It also has Sports Odour Defence technology, which helps remove sports odours and stains, such as sweat, grass and dirt, in a single wash.

This highly concentrated laundry detergent works in hot, cold and warm temperatures. It is also suitable for both front and top loaders. People said that its cleaning power effectively removes even the toughest of stains. According to Tide, each pod is formulated with HE technology for 6 times the cleaning power in half the time. However, this product is a bit hard to get in Australia. It can also get stuck in washing machine doors, but customers said this isn't really a deal-breaker.

Best laundry detergent for sensitive skin: Purity Sensitive Front & Top Loader Laundry Liquid

Pros

Good value for money
Hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested

Cons

Some customers said it doesn't work on stubborn stains
You might need more than 1 dose to effectively remove sweat and dirt

Price (RRP): $4.59

Buy at Chemist Warehouse

Why we chose it

For sensitive skin, we recommend the Purity Sensitive Front & Top Loader Laundry Liquid as the best laundry detergent. On Catch, it has a rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Purity Sensitive Laundry Liquid is a plant-based laundry detergent formulated without phosphorus, enzymes or dyes. According to the company, the product easily cuts through dirt for cleaner, fresher and cuddlier laundry. Apart from being suitable for baby clothes, it also works for the entire family, particularly those with sensitive skin.

This laundry detergent is cruelty-free, hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested. It doesn't have an overpowering scent that may cause irritation or sensitivities. The detergent also leaves clothes clean and soft, perfect for washing delicate baby clothes. Some customers said it works well in removing everyday dirt and sweat, but it's not powerful enough to remove stubborn stains. You may also need to use more than 1 dose to effectively clean dirtier clothes, making the product pricier than competitors.

Best baby laundry detergent: Ecostore Ultra Sensitive Laundry Liquid

Pros

Suitable for sensitive skin
Works in cold or warm water

Cons

A critic said you have to use double the recommended dose for a thorough wash
More expensive than competitors

Price (RRP): $11.59 (1L)
Amazon Price: From $8.99

Why we chose it

We selected Ecostore's Ultra Sensitive Laundry Liquid as the best baby laundry detergent available online. It has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Ecostore's Ultra Sensitive Laundry Liquid contains a concentrated formula that works in cold or warm water. It helps lift out everyday dirt and stains, leaving clothes clean and fresh. Apart from being plant-based, this product is formulated for sensitive skin and is dermatologically tested. It is also made without fragrance and colourants.

According to customers, this laundry detergent removes grime from baby clothes, leaving them softer and fresher. It doesn't contain any fragrance, perfect if you have sensitive skin. Some people also liked using this for the entire family because of its gentle yet effective formulation. However, a critic said you might need to use double the recommended dose to remove dirt on adult-sized clothes.

Best fragrance-free laundry detergent: Cold Power Sensitive Pure Clean Powder Laundry Detergent

Pros

Affordable
Suitable for front and top loaders

Cons

A few customers reported clumping
May not work on dried up stains

Price (RRP): $8.75 (2kg)
Amazon Price: From $18.50

Why we chose it

For the best fragrance-free laundry detergent, we recommend the Cold Power Sensitive Pure Clean Powder Laundry Detergent. It has an average rating of 4.45 out of 5 stars from reviews on Amazon and Catch.

It is formulated without perfume and dye, dermatologically tested and kind on skin. It is also specifically made for use in cold water, which uses less energy while being gentle on clothes.

Because of its reduced irritants, this laundry detergent is suitable for babies and people with sensitive skin. It also doesn't have a strong, lingering scent that may cause an allergic reaction. People loved that it effectively removes dirt and grime while also being gentle. However, it may not be powerful enough to get rid of dried-up stains. Some people reported clumping, but this seems to be a minor concern.

Best all-natural laundry detergent: Organic Choice Front & Top Loader Luxe Laundry Liquid

Pros

Effectively removes dirt, grime and stains
Formulated without dyes, optical brighteners or artificial fragrances

Cons

Scent is overpowering for some
The packaging tends to leak

Price (RRP): $9.95 (1L)