Best laundry detergents in Australia

The best laundry detergents in Australia

• Best overall laundry detergent: Cold Power Complete Action Liquid Laundry Detergent
• Best laundry detergent for front loaders: Surf Front & Top Loader Laundry Liquid
• Best laundry detergent for top loaders: Radiant Front & Top Loader Whites & Colours Laundry Powder
• Best laundry detergent liquid: Dynamo Professional Oxi Plus Liquid Laundry Detergent
• Best laundry detergent powder: Fab Laundry Detergent Washing Powder
• Best laundry detergent pods/capsules: Tide Pods Plus Febreze Odour Defence Laundry Detergent
• Best laundry detergent for sensitive skin: Purity Sensitive Front & Top Loader Laundry Liquid
• Best baby laundry detergent: Ecostore Ultra Sensitive Laundry Liquid
• Best fragrance-free laundry detergent: Cold Power Sensitive Pure Clean Powder Laundry Detergent
• Best all-natural laundry detergent: Organic Choice Front & Top Loader Luxe Laundry Liquid

For this list, we picked laundry detergents based on actual customer reviews and ratings on Amazon and Catch. For every category, we carefully chose parameters based on our research and determined products with the highest review score within those parameters.

Need a new washing machine? Check out our top picks for December 2024.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

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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.

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How do Australians rate Cold Power's laundry detergent?

90% of surveyed Australians recommend Cold Power

4.1

Value for money

4.2

Overall

4.2

Performance

4.1

Product range

4.1

Scent

How Cold Power compares

In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.

For laundry detergent, Cold Power was ranked 5th for value for money, 5th for performance, 1st for product range and 3rd for scent.

8 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

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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.

How do Australians rate Surf's laundry detergent?

82% of surveyed Australians recommend Surf

4.2

Value for money

4.2

Overall

4.1

Performance

4

Product range

4.1

Scent

How Surf compares

In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.

For laundry detergent, Surf was ranked 3rd for value for money, 7th for performance, 3rd for product range and 3rd for scent.

8 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

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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.

How do Australians rate Radiant's laundry detergent?

90% of surveyed Australians recommend Radiant

4

Value for money

4.3

Overall

4.3

Performance

4

Product range

3.9

Scent

How Radiant compares

In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.

For laundry detergent, Radiant was ranked 7th for value for money, 2nd for performance, 3rd for product range and 7th for scent.

8 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

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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.

How do Australians rate Dynamo's laundry detergent?

90% of surveyed Australians recommend Dynamo

4.1

Value for money

4.2

Overall

4.4

Performance

4

Product range

4.2

Scent

How Dynamo compares

In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.

For laundry detergent, Dynamo was ranked 5th for value for money, 1st for performance, 3rd for product range and 1st for scent.

8 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

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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.

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How do Australians rate Fab's laundry detergent?

89% of surveyed Australians recommend Fab

4.3

Value for money

4.4

Overall

4.3

Performance

4

Product range

4.2

Scent

How Fab compares

In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.

For laundry detergent, Fab was ranked 2nd for value for money, 2nd for performance, 3rd for product range and 1st for scent.

8 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

How do Australians rate Cold Power's laundry detergent?

90% of surveyed Australians recommend Cold Power

4.1

Value for money

4.2

Overall

4.2

Performance

4.1

Product range

4.1

Scent

How Cold Power compares

In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.

For laundry detergent, Cold Power was ranked 5th for value for money, 5th for performance, 1st for product range and 3rd for scent.

8 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

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Why we chose it

With a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating on Catch, we selected the Organic Choice Front & Top Loader Luxe Laundry Liquid as the best all-natural laundry detergent.

The Organic Choice Luxe Laundry Liquid is a plant-based laundry detergent with 3x enzyme concentrate and other natural actives to help remove stains and dirt, leaving whites and colours more vibrant in each wash. It contains blends of essential oils that give a luxurious smell to your laundry. Apart from being palm oil-free, this detergent works well for both front and top loaders too.

Despite being an all-natural laundry detergent, the Organic Choice Front & Top Loader Luxe Laundry Liquid has a strong cleaning power that instantly removes stains and dirt. It also leaves clothes clean and soft, making the product suitable for delicate items. It is formulated without dyes, optical brighteners or artificial fragrances. However, some customers found the scent overpowering. Several others also mentioned that the cap tends to leak, but this seems to be an isolated issue.

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Amazon prices last updated on 18 December, 2024 at 03:01 pmeBay prices last updated on 18 December, 2024 at 05:15 pm

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Compare laundry detergents

Laundry detergent types

There are three main types of laundry detergent: liquid, powder and pods/tablets.

Type	Pros	Cons
Liquid	Effective on grease and oil stains Can be used as a pre-treater for stain removal Many eco-friendly formulas available	Easy to overpour per load Difficult to measure Least eco-friendly, due to high packaging and transport costs
Powder	Cheapest per load Best for cleaning outdoor stains such as mud and dirt, and for use with untreated hard water Recyclable packaging	Can leave residue on clothes Doesn't dissolve completely in cold water Difficult to store Transport costs outweigh eco-friendly packaging
Pods	Convenient single-dose size No measuring needed Lightweight and compact, easy to store Less packaging waste	Usually costs more per wash Can't adjust dosage easily Poison hazard for kids and pets

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are liquid detergents better than powder?

  Powder detergent is cheaper and has a longer shelf life. You can also easily customise the amount to use per load. It works fantastic on heavily stained clothes as well. However, some powder detergent is a bit difficult to dissolve in cold water and needs to be kept dry.

  Liquid detergent works better in cold water. It is also more suitable for handwashing. Liquid detergent removes oil and stains with ease too. However, this option is a bit pricier than powder.

• How much laundry detergent should you use per load?

  For a regular load, use about 2 tablespoons of liquid detergent or about ¼ cup of powder detergent. Always measure how much detergent you're using before pouring it into your washing machine. Excess detergent tends to leave residue on clothes, which can lead to skin irritation.

• Can you use regular detergent on delicates?

  Most detergents are suitable for delicates. Just make sure to wash your precious items on a gentle or delicate cycle to avoid any damage.

Best rated laundry detergent brand award breakdown

Other	8.29	4.50	4.58	4.56	4.26	4.36
Cold Power	8.01	4.46	4.12	4.44	4.06	4.26
Biozet Attack	8.00	4.44	4.15	4.15	3.94	4.26
Dynamo	7.99	4.34	4.10	4.38	4.26	4.28
Earth Choice	7.93	4.32	4.46	4.26	4.12	4.24
Almat/Trimat (ALDI)	7.86	4.26	4.52	4.24	4.06	3.98
Fab	7.70	4.22	3.96	4.20	4.04	4.00
Surf	7.65	4.11	4.06	4.11	4.14	3.94
Radiant	7.58	4.14	4.04	4.12	4.02	3.96
Omo	7.54	4.16	3.76	4.20	3.98	3.94
Purity	7.07	3.82	3.55	3.73	3.82	3.91