Get exclusive shopping offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
By signing up, you agree to the Finder
Privacy & Cookies Policy
and
Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy.
Laundry detergent Finder: How to find the best product for your clothes
We'll help you choose the perfect laundry detergent.
TRENDING
Deals
Where To Buy
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Best Rated Laundry Detergent Brand: Cold Power
Cold Power had the highest rating for cleaning performance and was also recognised for its packaging design.
Key facts about laundry detergent:
- While many laundry detergents on the shelf may look the same, they can vary greatly in terms of effectiveness.
- The three main types of laundry detergents available are liquid, powder and pods.
- Front-loading washing machines and top-loading washing machines have different requirements, so check your washing machine's manual before switching detergent types. .
Compare laundry detergents
Data obtained December 2018. Prices are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
Laundry detergent types
There are three main types of laundry detergent: liquid, powder and pods/tablets.
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid |
|
|
| Powder |
|
|
| Pods |
|
|
Top loader vs front loader laundry detergent
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.
Using top loader detergent for a front loader or HE washing machine?
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.
How to compare laundry detergent
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.
Here are other key features you need to consider
Phosphate free
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.
- A "P" label on laundry detergent means it has low phosphorus levels (P<7.8g/wash).
- "NP" means a product contains no or <0.5% phosphorus.
Greywater safe
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.
Sodium level
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.
Soiled clothing level
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.
Additional factors to think about
Hypoallergenic
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.
- Enzymes. These are used to speed up dirt removal; different ones are used to target protein, starch and biological-based stains.
- Optical brighteners. These are chemicals that absorb UV light and reemit it as blue light. These make your clothes appear brighter without actually making them cleaner.
Environmental impact
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.
Fragrances, colours and dyes
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.
Alternatives
- Laundry balls: Made of plastic with mineral beads inside, laundry balls do not contain any added chemicals, and are cheap and recyclable. However, they don't tackle any stains or odours well. There is actually no scientific evidence that laundry balls are any more effective than hot water at cleaning clothes. To learn more about laundry balls, check out our laundry ball buying guide [link when live].
- Soap nuts: While this natural alternative doesn't cost much and is reusable, its effectiveness is also debatable. As they do not contain surfactants, soap nuts don't remove tough stains well.
- DIY detergent recipes: While there are many DIY recipes available online, we recommend experimenting with a small batch first and trialling a variety of recipes. Frequently suggested ingredients include borax, lemon juice, grated soap, baking soda and essential oils. While DIY recipes may be cheaper, easy to make, potentially eco-friendly and suitable for sensitive skin, they vary in terms of effectiveness. Typically, DIY recipes won't work as well at removing tough stains.
Best rated laundry detergent brand award breakdown
| Overall rating | Value for money | Cleaning performance | Scent | Packaging design | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2020, Kantar. Metric out of 5 stars unless indicated. Methodology and more info. 
More guides on Finder
-
Cot mattress buying guide
We’ll help you choose the perfect cot mattress to meet your baby’s needs.
-
Face masks: Your questions answered by doctors
We put some common questions to two experienced doctors to get their advice on what's what when choosing and wearing a face mask.
-
Toaster oven buying guide: How to find the best appliance for your kitchen
We’ll help you choose the perfect toaster oven for your cooking needs.
-
Steam oven buying guide: How to find the best appliance for you
We’ll help you choose the right steam oven for your kitchen.
-
Best laundry detergents in Australia for 2020
We’ve done the research to find the 5 best laundry detergent options for most people.
-
Clothes dryer Finder: How to choose your next dryer
Find out what type of clothes dryer suits your household needs and learn the features to look for.
-
Dishwasher Finder: How to find the right dishwasher for your kitchen
Learn how to choose the right dishwasher for your household and what features to look for.
-
Gas BBQ Finder: How to choose the best BBQ for your outdoor area.
We’ll help you compare features to find the best gas BBQ for your outdoor area.
-
Front-loading washing machine Finder
Read our guide to buying the perfect front-loading washing machine for your household.
-
Gas cooktop buying guide: How to find the best appliance for you
If you want to buy a gas cooktop, we’ll help you compare features, specs and prices to find the best gas cooktop for your needs.
Ask an Expert
