The best detergents in the UK 2023

in the UK, laundry detergent is one of the most important household products. In fact, a household would consume 26 liters of liquid detergent per year, or 40 kg of washing powder, to be able to do an average of five washes per week. With the diversity of products on the market, the choice is difficult. Powder or liquid? Classic or ecological? To find out, read our buying guide.

Le Chat Sensitive Duo - Laundry Capsules 1
9/10

Best value for money

Le Chat Sensitive Duo - Laundry Capsules

The best laundry detergent in 2021

The Cat Sensitive Duo-Bubbles is a capsule detergent of 112 units. On the market, it offers quality cleaning for all types of clothes. The product is accessible to all because of its price.

26 £ on Amazon

Cat Sensitive Duo is a quality detergent that cleans linens in an extraordinary way. It removes stains without damaging the fabric. In addition, it helps you to get rid of stubborn dirt and stains without difficulty. Easy to use, this detergent is presented in the form of a capsule corresponding to one wash.

The cat sensitive duo is very effective with the softness of sweet almond milk in addition to being completely water-soluble. It also has a hypoallergenic fragrance that is suitable for all types of fabrics. You can use it to wash white or colored clothes. Of course, it contains milk, but the formulas have been meticulously studied to limit the risks of allergic reactions.

Ariel Original Liquid Detergent 2
8/10

Best value for money

Ariel Original Liquid Detergent

The best entry-level detergent

This product from Ariel is an exceptional 2.47 L liquid. You can use it with peace of mind because it can remove all stains from your clothes. Plus, it is sold at a very affordable price.

7,86 £ on Amazon

The particularity of this detergent from Ariel is its ability to remove stains in an exceptional way. Indeed, the result is breathtaking from the first wash at 30 °. Your clothes will be shiny because this product restores the shine of your clothes. In all, you can do up to 45 washes with this detergent. It also prevents the formation of yellowish marks due to perspiration.

Since it has the ability to soften linens, you don't have to use fabric softener. You can use it on white cloths and colored lines. It gives a very pleasant smell to clothes. Moreover, this detergent is very economical, because you don't need to use a large amount of it to make it work.

Ariel Allin1 + Unstoppables Laundry 3
9/10

Best premium value for money

Ariel Allin1 + Unstoppables Laundry

The best high-end detergent

This is a laundry detergent with the best qualities. In addition to its perfect scent, it is also able to remove all stains, soften clothes... What more could you want? You won't be disappointed with this Ariel Allin 1+ detergent.

42,46 £ on Amazon

With its many benefits, nothing beats this laundry detergent from Ariel. First of all, it spreads a sweet lavender scent that you will enjoy for a long time. It is perfect for a perfect wash and cleans all your clothes in depth. In fact, this detergent will remove even the most persistent stains.

From the first wash at 20°C, the result you will have will be impressive. It dissolves completely in water and is very easy to use. With this set of 3 boxes, you can do up to 66 washes. This capsule detergent effectively refreshes your clothes.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day - Lessive Concentrée 4
9/10

Special baby

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day - Lessive Concentrée

The best baby laundry detergent

If we compare its characteristics with those of other detergents in the same range, Mrs. Mever's Day comes out on top. Indeed, this detergent brings shine and brightness to the clothes while maintaining its quality.

13,58 £ on Amazon
Buying guide • November 2023

Best laundry

Any specific needs?

The best laundry detergent in 2021

The best entry-level detergent

The best high-end detergent

The best baby laundry detergent

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best detergents

TOP OF THE LINE CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Le Chat Sensitive Duo - Laundry Capsules 5
9/10
Ariel Original Liquid Detergent 6
8/10
Ariel Allin1 + Unstoppables Laundry 7
9/10
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day - Lessive Concentrée 8
9/10
OUR SELECTION
Le Chat Sensitive Duo - Laundry Capsules
Ariel Original Liquid Detergent
Ariel Allin1 + Unstoppables Laundry
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day - Lessive Concentrée
The Cat Sensitive Duo-Bubbles is a capsule detergent of 112 units. On the market, it offers quality cleaning for all types of clothes. The product is accessible to all because of its price.
This product from Ariel is an exceptional 2.47 L liquid. You can use it with peace of mind because it can remove all stains from your clothes. Plus, it is sold at a very affordable price.
This is a laundry detergent with the best qualities. In addition to its perfect scent, it is also able to remove all stains, soften clothes... What more could you want? You won't be disappointed with this Ariel Allin 1+ detergent.
If we compare its characteristics with those of other detergents in the same range, Mrs. Mever's Day comes out on top. Indeed, this detergent brings shine and brightness to the clothes while maintaining its quality.
Efficiency
Weight
3.05 kg
2.74 kg
5.8 kg
2.28 kg
Size
Pod
Liquid
Pod
Liquid
Number of washes
112
45
66
2 x 31
Scent
Sweet Almond
Green : Alpine
Lavande
Lavender

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Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - laundry

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How to choose your laundry

There are a multitude of detergents on the market. To choose the right product, it is important to define a few essential criteria.

#1 - Efficiency

Currently, you can choose between two types of detergents on the shelves of supermarkets: classic or ecological. The most common is the classic detergent which is produced from petrochemical elements.

On the other hand, you have the ecological detergents, of cereal, sugar or oleaginous origin, which are based on natural and biodegradable products. If you suffer from allergies, it is best to use an Ecolabel product. Remember that the effectiveness of two products is roughly equivalent depending on the brand chosen.

#2 - Linen protection

Checking for allergens in a laundry detergent should be an automatic reflex insofar as some of you may have sensitive skin. If your detergent contains allergens, they will eventually stick to your clothes and you risk skin irritations.

To give you a brief idea of this, you should know that preservatives are mainly allergenic: the best known are methylisothiazolinone (MIT), methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCIT) and benzisothiazolinone (BIT). The presence of any of these preservatives should therefore attract your attention. On the other hand, perfumes are also irritating particles for the most sensitive. On the other hand, overly scented detergents should raise doubts.

#3 - Dosage

This notion of a label is sometimes slightly blurry for some of us. It is indeed a guarantee of quality adopted by many brands to affirm the reliability of their products. Each label is defined through a set of specifications listing the standards that must characterize the product. Thus, on laundry detergent for example, we would find labels of ecological or health-related labels.

In general, Ecocert or European Ecolabel are the best ecological labels that we find on laundry detergent packages. These meet fully environmentally friendly properties, a case that is extremely recommended nowadays.

#4 - Perfume

Maybe a little less required, this criterion is still essential when choosing a laundry detergent. Why do we persist in washing at low temperatures? First and foremost for an economic reason, in order to reduce the energy consumption of the washing machine. Indeed, washing at low temperature is ideally suited to lightly soiled clothes.

Nowadays, the detergents available have good cleaning performances from 30°C. Some are even effective at lower temperatures, or even cold. However, be sure to keep an eye on the relationship between the temperature settings and the quality of the fabric being washed.

#5 - Composition

The choice of a detergent should also be made according to your needs. If you need to do laundry several times a week, it will be wiser to choose a quantity of detergent capable of doing 20 to 40 washes per month. Remember that the amount of detergent used will vary depending on the amount of clothes to be washed and the hardness of the water.

Whatever the quantity you choose, you must also respect a certain dose for each wash. Brands take this rule into account by finding the ideal way to apply it to the user. Some opt for the doser, others rely on the number according to the quantity of laundry (this is the case for capsules).

Washing powder and washing machine

In general, the washing machine has 2 tanks to pour the product. The first one is for the pre-wash product, to be used if the laundry is very dirty. Tank 2 or washing tank is where the detergent should be poured. If the detergent is packaged in tablets or capsules, it should be placed directly into the drum with the laundry.

What does the detergent contain?

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Have you ever wondered what exactly is in that laundry detergent you use every day? What makes this product take care of the deep cleaning of your laundry? Indeed, the laundry detergent should contain these few essential components.

Surfactants. Simply put, these are the very washing base that makes up the detergent. They hold essential functions through their chemical properties: wetting, foaming, emulsifying or detergent. The current trend is to favor surfactants of plant origin.

Antiliming agents.They help to protect the laundry as well as the machine against the formation of limescale residues. In general, the most requested are citrate, sodium carbonates, silicates or zeolites because these are milder and do not pose any health risks.

Breaching agents. Some detergents contain them, others do not, depending on the specificity of each detergent. As the name suggests, they act primarily on white laundry to preserve their color and prevent it from tarnishing.

Scents. Although this component is no longer entirely recommended on laundry detergents, some still contain it in small amounts. Among others, fragrances of natural origin or essential oils are also interesting. It is always necessary to remain vigilant on this element because when it is in very small quantities the list of components does not mention it, yet it can still cause allergies even being in minute quantities.

With these few basic ingredients that make up the laundry detergent, depending on the brand, you will also find preservatives as well as other active minerals that enhance the effectiveness of the detergent.

The different types of detergents

In general, you will surely find these three types of detergents on the market: even if their common purpose is the same, each of them has specificities that distinguish it from the other.

Powdered detergent

This is the most common and classic form, existing for a long time and adopted by many major brands. Powdered detergent has the advantage of versatility, i.e. it is suitable for both machine and hand washing. It can also be used at all temperatures, but is more suitable for hot water washing.

Because of its consistency, powdered detergent penetrates more deeply, and thus has the power to effectively remove stubborn stains. It usually contains bleaching agents and anti-scaling agents, and preserves the brightness of the colors of the clothes, especially white, soft tones, pastel colors, etc. Powdered laundry detergent does not lather much because it contains only a small proportion of preservatives.

Advantages: In short, washing powder is economical because it is easier to dose. Generally speaking, it is used to remove the most stubborn stains. Its formula is perfectly suitable for sensitive skin.

Disadvantage: Powdered detergent is less recommended for brightly colored clothes because it could dull them after several washes.

Who is it for? Powdered detergent is ideal for soft and light colored fabrics. Moreover, it is suitable for all types of uses no matter the size of the household because it is sold in different formats.

Liquid detergent

This type of detergent does not contain any bleaching agent, so it is not too suitable for white laundry. Instead, it provides a better accentuation of bright colors. Liquid detergent is often used to remove grease stains because of its strong emulsion and high surfactant concentration. For machine washing, it is ideal for short cycles.

Liquid detergent does not have the same effectiveness as powdered detergent in removing tough stains. Its formula also contains a significant amount of preservatives. Therefore, it is a risk if the user has sensitive skin.

Advantages: Liquid detergent is excellent for removing grease stains, more so than other types. It is used to wash brightly colored clothes because it is effective in preserving their color. Finally, liquid detergent is suitable for washing at low temperatures.

Disadvantages: In general, the formula of the liquid detergent contains allergenic substances, likely to cause intolerances at the level of the skin. On the other hand, liquid detergent is not so effective on white linen.

Who is it for? Liquid detergent is best for brightly colored linens. With their large size (20 washes on average), it is suitable for a family of 4 or more.

Washing powder in capsules or tablets

In a world where scientific research is in constant profusion, the latest innovations even concern laundry. In order to optimize the comfort of use and the adaptation to the latest machines, the detergent in capsule or tablet form emerges and interests more and more users, the tablet being the compacted form of the powder detergent and the capsule the right dose of liquid detergent.

This new form is the ideal solution for a quick wash with the right dose. Depending on the choice, the effectiveness of the detergent in the wash also varies.

Advantages: The detergent in capsules or tablets is highly concentrated in surfactants, hence its powerful cleaning power. Moreover, the concept has reconciled the format with the necessary dosage to optimize the ease of use.

Disadvantage: The detergent in capsules or tablets easily attracts the attention of children because it has the appearance of a candy, so it should be kept out of their reach.

Who is it for? Laundry detergent in capsules or tablets is suitable for all types of laundry. It is also a perfect product for those who live alone or with two people since the product is already dosed. This saves money.

Classic detergent or ecological detergent?

Liquid detergent

Generally, a liquid detergent does not contain any anti-scale bleach. It is especially recommended for machine use, as it has a high concentration of surfactants. This means that it is water-soluble and does not leave residual deposits on the laundry after rinsing. This is a real advantage from an ecological point of view.

However, it should be noted that the perfumes contained in most liquid detergents can be a source of allergy in some cases. To minimize the risks, it is always possible to turn to products certified 100% allergen-free. In order to facilitate its marketing, liquid detergent is presented in three formats: eco-refill, single-dose and the most common bottle or can.

Powdered detergent

The use of washing powder has not lost any of its prestige among households. It is particularly effective in removing the most stubborn stains embedded between textile fibres. It is also suitable for restoring the shine of white fabrics and for cleaning cotton cloths.

However, the downside is that it requires a temperature of at least 60°C to achieve good results. Also, it is always recommended to proceed to a pre-wash to accentuate. Finally, the intensity of bright colours will not be preserved after repeated washings. Thus, you will find washing powder in the form of pre-dosed tablets, contained in small packages or in barrels.

Verdict

The choice between these two types of detergents should not be based on the brand name of the product or on their formats. They were both manufactured for the purpose of cleaning clothes. Their differences lie in their composition and the proper way to handle them. In conclusion, the best thing to do is to have these two types of detergents and use them according to your needs.

The 7 benefits of laundry detergent

1. Versatility

If you have a washing powder or liquid detergent, know that you can use them for hand washing. So if you decide to wash only 2 or 3 clothes, it will save you money on your monthly electricity bill. Depending on the type of laundry, you can put your clothes in the dryer or use a drying rack.

2. Save time

Traditional soaps are not compatible with a washing machine. If you have a lot of laundry to wash, using the machine and a detergent will save you a lot of time. In addition, modern machines have a delayed start program that will allow you to schedule your day well. Then, the different washing programs, will allow you to choose the program best suited to your laundry.

3. The ecological trend

The use of biodegradable products is more and more popular among users in order to preserve the planet. With this in mind, many laundry brands are starting to produce so-called ecological detergents. Made from natural products, ecological detergents have many advantages for health and the environment. In addition, their efficiency is better than that of conventional products.

4. Preservation of colors

Because of its composition, laundry detergent has a positive effect on preserving the brilliance of colors. Depending on the type of detergent you choose, it contains active ingredients whose role is solely to protect the colors of your laundry, to prevent them from fading after several washes.

5. The economic side

Depending on the quantity you need, you can save a lot of money on your detergent. Since detergent use is based on dosage or the number of washes, you can easily determine the exact amount you need in advance.

6. The possibility of settings

Depending on the intensity of the stains on your laundry, you can choose the right detergent for low or high temperature washing. Just make sure that the detergent you choose is suitable for the wash temperature.

7. Scented clothes

Laundry detergents are often enhanced with scented additives. This makes your laundry more comfortable to use once ironed. Also, don't forget that you can use a fabric softener that comes in a variety of scents like lavender.

The best brands of detergents

In our opinion, the best brands of detergents in 2022 are :

Ariel
Le Chat
OMO
Dash
L'Arbre Vert

Developed in Brussels by Procter & Gamble, a product containing enzymes was marketed under the brand name Ariel in 1967. It is only one year later that the French will be conquered by its cleaning properties. Since 1994, it is positioned as the N°1 household product, in terms of detergents, by conquering all households that can not do without it now.

The brand Le Chat was born in 1853 in Marseille and moreover was the first to be marketed in the form of powder for washing machines. Its derived products have always been declared phosphate-free for about twenty years. Nowadays, it is available in liquid and capsule formats to satisfy its customers and conquer new market shares.

The first launch of this laundry brand was done since 1908 but it was not adopted by the general public until 1950. From advertisement to advertisement and twenty years later, focusing on cleaning stains made by the little ones, it finally met with success. A godsend for consumers with children...

From the same creator as the Ariel brand, Dash has been making a name for itself in Austrian, Swiss, German, Belgian and, for a while now, French homes. The advent of "pods", a product specially designed for washing machines, has only maintained its motto "wash whiter than white in a single wash". An innovative concept that is making an impact with housewives.

L'Arbre Vert, which was only created in 2003, is making its way with its European ecological label (Ecolabel). This French brand producing laundry detergents, in addition to cleaning products, relies on the fact that its products are free of phosphates/parabens, allergens and substances of animal origin. There is something to delight environmentalists!

What is the price for a laundry

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
10 £ to 20 £
Mid-range
20 £ to 50 £
High-end
more than 50 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Choose your detergent carefully.

It is important to choose the right type of detergent for your needs. Use powdered detergent for cotton fabrics, liquid detergent for synthetic fabrics and for washing in cold water. If you don't know how to dose properly, opt for capsules.

Use the right detergent for your clothes.

If you're dealing with fairly stubborn stains, washing powder is still the best solution. But first, you need to treat them with other stain removers like vinegar, baking soda, alcohol or salt. Before you intervene on the whole, you must test the one you are going to use somewhere on the fabric to make sure that it will not damage it.

Avoid overdose.

In order

not to alter your linens and their quality, it is essential to choose the right type to wash them. Use detergents with bleaching agents for your white linens. Other types, on the other hand, are suitable for brightly colored clothes, thanks to their color preservatives. You can also see products on the market designed to clean the most persistent stains.

Dose well according to the type of textile.

To optimize the action of the detergent on a new linen, first soak it in cold water and leave it like that for six hours. Then, run it through the machine with the right amount of detergent and the right program (preferably a short cycle and a low enough temperature).

Refer to the automatic dosage of your washing machine.

Discard the

idea that the more detergent you put in, the more effective it will be. If the amount of detergent is overdosed, your laundry will show white spots. As well as the excess deposited on the laundry can cause allergies or skin conditions. More detergent also means more rinsing, which means more water is used. A proper dosage is therefore recommended.

In some areas where the water is somewhat hard, the impact is felt on the laundry after several washes. With the use of laundry detergent, you should in this case resort to a water softener, such as vinegar. If you do not have a softener, then you should properly quantify the dose of detergent to be used: to do this help yourself to the information mentioned on the product.

A

proper dosage according to the fabric material is essential for effective washing. Delicate textiles require less quantity. While denim clothes need more dosages. The amount of detergent should also be proportional to the weight of the laundry. The more clothes you have, the more detergent you need. To find out how much detergent is needed, refer to the dosages indicated on the packaging.

If

your washing machine has an automatic dosing function, you can use the dosages indicated. This is very useful if you don't know exactly how much detergent to use for each wash. It also limits wasting your laundry wrongly while having an effective result.

FAQ

Which detergent to choose for baby?

The detergent used for laundry and baby clothes must be free of allergens and preservatives.

Why doesn't my laundry smell?

You may be using a fragrance-free detergent which is a solution for less allergy. But, under-dosing the detergent can also be the cause.

How to use the detergent?

In general, the detergent should be poured into the wash tub. For the product to be effective, it is important to follow the instructions on the label.

Does the liquid detergent expire?

Liquid detergent does not expire. But it may be less effective if stored in an inappropriate place. To keep it at its best, store it in a place that is free of moisture and away from light and sunlight.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , quechoisir.org
  2. , deavita.fr
  3. , arbrevert.fr
  4. , passeportsante.net
  5. , ecoconso.be
  6. , labelleadresse.com
  7. , femmeactuelle.fr
  8. , lebriochin.com
  9. , toutpratique.com
  10. , fr.wikipedia.org
  11. , leroymerlin.fr
  12. , lessive-naturelle.fr
  13. , magicmaman.com
  14. , bioalaune.com
  15. , huffingtonpost.fr
  16. , linternaute.com
  17. , aboneobio.com
  18. , guide-achat.lefigaro.f
  19. , wise-geek.com
  20. , beko.com
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Le Chat Sensitive Duo - Laundry Capsules 9
Le Chat Sensitive Duo - Laundry Capsules
Ariel Original Liquid Detergent 10
Ariel Original Liquid Detergent
Ariel Allin1 + Unstoppables Laundry 11
Ariel Allin1 + Unstoppables Laundry
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day - Lessive Concentrée 12
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day - Lessive Concentrée

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