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Cold Power had the highest rating for cleaning performance and was also recognised for its packaging design.
There are three main types of laundry detergent: liquid, powder and pods/tablets.
Type | Pros | Cons |
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Liquid |
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Powder |
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Pods |
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If you have a top loader washing machine, you should use top loader specific laundry detergent (vice versa for a front loader). Top loader detergent produces more foam and requires more detergent than a front loader due to its high water consumption. If you use the recommended top loader dosage in your front loader, it may get damaged.
For those thinking of purchasing a new washing machine, check out our washing machine buying guide to find out more about the pros and cons of each.
High-efficiency (HE) laundry detergent is also available. Frequently found on the shelves, labelled with "HE", it can be used for both front-loading and HE washing machines. These produce less suds than top loader detergent.
If you want to try using top loader detergent for a front loader or HE washing machine, experiment with using a half to quarter dose. This should prevent the excess build-up of deposits and avoid damage to your washing machine.
Laundry detergent can cost you from around $2 to $22 per pack (or $0.11-$0.64 per wash), depending on brand, model, detergent type and washes per pack.
While phosphates help to soften water and leave less residue on your clothes, it is harmful to the environment and can cause algae blooms. Unless your water is particularly hard, it's better to opt for low phosphate detergents. Check with your local council to find out how hard your water is.
For those who are environmentally conscious, picking an eco-friendly detergent lets you recycle washing machine rinse water (greywater) for your garden. Check your detergent's GreySafe rating to confirm whether it's safe to use the rinse water on your garden. You could also consider recycling greywater to flush your toilet.
If you recycle greywater on your garden, you should pick low sodium detergents to avoid harming plant life. Liquid detergent is generally lower in sodium and phosphates.
For lightly soiled clothes, using a cheaper detergent (which has fewer surfactants and enzymes to remove soiling) with a good stain remover should work well enough. For heavily soiled clothing, you should pick a more expensive, heavy duty option to effectively get rid of tough grease, oil, food stains and body odour.
For those with allergies or sensitive skin, opt for fragrance- and dye-free options.
You should also avoid detergents that include enzymes and optical brighteners, as these can also irritate skin.
Opt for concentrated models with more washes per pack to create less waste per package. Buying in bulk will also save you more. Check out our tips on how to save energy on your laundry to cut back on your overall environmental impact.
These are for aesthetic appeal and do not make your clothes cleaner. Whether you opt for a particular perfumed product is up to your personal preference.
Overall rating | Value for money | Cleaning performance | Scent | Packaging design | |
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Almat/Trimat (ALDI) | 4.26 | 4.52 | 4.24 | 4.06 | 3.98 |
Biozet Attack | 4.44 | 4.15 | 4.15 | 3.94 | 4.26 |
Cold Power | 4.46 | 4.12 | 4.44 | 4.06 | 4.26 |
Dynamo | 4.34 | 4.10 | 4.38 | 4.26 | 4.28 |
Earth Choice | 4.32 | 4.46 | 4.26 | 4.12 | 4.24 |
Fab | 4.22 | 3.96 | 4.20 | 4.04 | 4.00 |
Omo | 4.16 | 3.76 | 4.20 | 3.98 | 3.94 |
Purity | 3.82 | 3.55 | 3.73 | 3.82 | 3.91 |
Radiant | 4.14 | 4.04 | 4.12 | 4.02 | 3.96 |
Surf | 4.11 | 4.06 | 4.11 | 4.14 | 3.94 |
Other | 4.50 | 4.58 | 4.56 | 4.26 | 4.36 |
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