The 14 best laundry detergents according to Mumsnetters

‘Which is the best laundry detergent?’, much like ‘Which is the best dehumidifier?’, divides opinion across Mumsnet and raises further questions for our users. Do liquid detergents really make your washing machine smell? Do washing powders actually clog up your drains? Is it even possible to remove stains effectively at 30 degrees? With so many questions that need answering, why not let us knock one or two off your list with our comprehensive guide to the best laundry detergents?

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Best laundry detergents at a glance

• Best powder: Daz Whites and Colours | Buy now £6

• Best pods: Smol Capsules | Buy now £5

• Best gel: Bold 2 in 1| Buy now £10

• Best sheets: Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets | Buy now from £9

• Best for stain removal: Ariel + Oxi Stain Remover All-In-1 Pods Washing Liquid Capsules 39 Washes  | Buy now £34

• Best  for sensitive skin: Surcare Non-Bio | Buy now £6

• Best for babies: Fairy Non-Bio Washing Capsules | Buy now £37

Choosing between pods, powder, gel or liquid to get the best results is a decisive topic split by skin type, budget and personal preference, but at the heart of it all is a universal want to have clothes that are cleaner than clean and make us feel good. After all, it is one of life’s daily essentials, and with energy prices rising, no one wants to run multiple cycles trying to lift the stubborn stains of tomato soup from baby grows or grass stains from a school P.E. kit. So, how do you choose between those that’ll have you slipping between clean, scented bed sheets and those that’ll discolour clothing and irritate skin?

Much like our guide to the best laundry detergent for babies, we have a laundry detergent for everyone from the best-smelling to the best stain remover to the best environmentally friendly. Using our three-step verification process, we’ve researched the real-world opinions of our 10 million Mumsnet users, cross-referenced their recommendations with the experts and investigated customer reviews of each product. The end result? The 14 best laundry detergents that’ll keep your colours bright and whites white, as tried and trusted by parents.

Here are our 14 best laundry detergents UK in 2026.

What does laundry detergent do?

Laundry detergents come in various forms (pods, liquid and powder), but all work similarly. When combined with water in your washing machine, they penetrate deep into the fabric of your clothes, lifting stubborn stains, dirt, bacteria and allergens before the rinse and spin cycle washes them away. Good quality laundry detergents are effective even at low temperatures, brightening whites and refreshing clothes whilst protecting fabrics and colours.

How can I save money on laundry detergent?

During a cost of living crisis, we’re all trying to find ways to make our weekly shops go further. Here are some ways to save money on your laundry detergent:

• Buy in bulk - Whilst larger laundry detergent packs may be a little more challenging to store, it often works out far cheaper on a cost-per-wash basis.

• Take care not to overdose - Some detergents come predosed, such as laundry pods, whilst others require careful dosings, like liquids and powders, to avoid using more than you need.  To prevent this, read the packaging carefully and follow the dosing instructions to make your purchases last longer. You could even reduce the amount by a fraction to gain an extra wash or two.

• Make the switch - If you are shocked at the price of your big brand's detergents, you may want to consider switching to a supermarket’s own brand alternative. Many Mumsnet users couldn’t tell the difference in cleaning capabilities but found it saved them significant money on their weekly shop.

• Opt for an alternative to laundry detergent  - If you really want to reduce the cost of cleaning your family’s laundry, products such as the Ecozone Soap Nuts make a great alternative. You may miss the ‘just washed’ fragrance, but it’ll easily cut your shopping bill and free up funds for use elsewhere.

How do I choose the best laundry detergent?

There are many laundry detergents, so how do you know which is right for you? Here are some things to consider when making your choice:

• Scent - How strong is the fragrance? Would you like your clothes to have a noticeable scent fresh out of the machine, or would you prefer a fragrance-free option instead?

• Eco-friendly - Is the brand eco-friendly? How much plastic waste does it create? Is the brand an ethical choice that is vegan-friendly and not tested on animals?

• Family’s needs - If you have nappies to wash or a child with eczema, you’ll want something without dyes and fragrances or for sensitive skin, for example. On the other hand, if you have football kits and mucky nursery clothes to deal with, you want a reasonably robust non-bio to get the job done.

• Type of detergent - You’ll need to choose between liquid and powder detergents, which both have pros and cons. Liquid detergents (particularly liquid capsules) are thought to be bad for the long-term health of your washing machine. Still, powders don’t dissolve so well and occasionally leave streaks on clothing. On the other hand, liquids are better for coloured and dark washes and powders for a brighter white.

• Alternatives - There are other options, such as soap nuts, which aren’t detergents but will still clean your clothes.

• Bio or non-bio - You’ll also need to decide between bio and non-bio products (more of that below) and natural detergents, which will all depend on your laundry needs.

• Hard or soft water - It's helpful to look into the kind of water you have in your area, as those in particularly hard water areas (hello, Milton Keynes and Bath) may need to choose their detergent more carefully. You can find more information on this here.

• Fabric Type - It's also common to use a different kind of product for various clothing items – as your gym wear or the kids' school uniforms may need that little extra cleaning oomph.

• Ease of Storage - How will you store your laundry detergent? Being able to buy in bulk will make laundry detergent much cheaper, but if you don’t have somewhere to keep it, this can become a huge pain. You could try one of the letterbox subscription services, such as Smol; however, if you are out all day, this can be a nuisance, too.

What is the most effective type of laundry detergent (powder, liquid, gel or pods)?

A popular talk topic on our forums, the general consensus is (between Mumsnetters, laundry experts and washing machine brands) that washing powder is the most affordable and effective laundry detergent format that’ll clean your clothes and take care of your machine.

However, that does not mean you should pour away your liquids and chuck out your pods because they have their advantages, too. For example, gels and liquids are kinder to different fabric types and coloured or dark clothing, whereas pods are convenient and quick to use for a family on the go.

Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference. You know your family’s needs and laundry routine best, so using our guide to make an informed decision is probably your best bet for finding one to suit you.

What is the difference between bio and non-bio?

Simply put, biological laundry detergents contain an enzyme that actively works to break down stains and remove them from fabric. While this is obviously great news for the more (ahem) sullied of clothes, it is by definition a little bit harsher, so it can be damaging to delicate clothing (wool and silk, for example) and more sensitive skin. Although some disagree, the rule of thumb is that it's best to try different types and see what works for your family.

Non-bio washing detergent does not contain this enzyme, meaning it's gentler on your clothes and kinder to your skin. Because of this, it's not quite as powerful at getting dirt out of clothes, but it will generally be more forgiving. If you want a really neutral detergent, natural, non-bio detergent is your best bet.

Which laundry detergents are eco-friendly?

Picking an eco-friendly laundry detergent requires you to think about the following:

• The company’s carbon footprint and mission statement

• The ingredients and chemicals it uses

• Whether they test on animals

• What awards and accreditations it has

• The packaging it comes in

• Whether it is refillable

Laundry detergents such as Bio-D Non-Bio Washing Powder and Ecover’s Non-bio Laundry Liquid are eco-friendly, as are the Ecozone soapnuts.

How much laundry detergent should I use?

How much laundry detergent you use depends on how soiled the clothes are, how big your drum is and how hard your water is, but a basic rule of thumb is as follows:

• Tablets and liquitabs - 1 per wash

• Powder - 110ml per wash

• Liquid detergent - 30-35ml per wash

You can always add a little more if you think the wash needs it, but remember that most of us are using too much detergent regularly, and water does a pretty good job on its own, so you don’t need it to overdo the detergent.

Which is the best laundry detergent?

Obviously, the best laundry detergent is a very personal choice, so what’s good for you and your family may not be the best for someone else. That said, we recommend Daz as our best overall laundry detergent that is effective even at low temperatures whilst protecting colours and brightening whites. Affordably priced and with great value for money, many families are rediscovering the fantastic cleaning power of this brand.

How we chose our recommendations

Recommendations from real Mumsnet users

Before we recommend new products, we start our research using recommendations from  Mumsnet users, of which there are more than 10 million each month.  We sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users to get their feedback on their favourite laundry detergents, including the brands they rate, recommend and use in their homes. We investigated Mumsnet users’ preferences around powders, liquids and pods and researched the products they felt worked best on stain removal and whitening whites. We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsetters highlighted products that they felt were overpriced, hard to dose or struggled to tackle those more stubborn stains the first time.

Expert opinions

Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning or well-regarded products, including those recommended by laundry experts, washing machine brands and consumer champions such as Which. We also looked for Allergy UK and The Vegan Society accreditations, which showcase brands' suitability for sensitive skin and their policies relating to animal testing.

Authentic consumer reviews

Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best laundry detergents on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon to get broader consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.

Celebrated Laundry Detergents

Ultimately, this left us with the best laundry detergents available today as recommended by parents, trusted by experts and rated by previous customers.

Why you should trust us

All Mumsnet product reviews are written and informed by the opinions of real parents - brands can't pay us to be featured in our articles or to be awarded our best overall title.

That's why we spend hours researching, analysing and comparing products to ensure that every product is worthy of making our shortlist.

Transparency is at the heart of Mumsnet, and that's why we work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice our readers can trust.

Although, we do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more extensively researched articles like this one.