As one of the staple house cleaning products to have on hand at all times, laundry detergent is one of those things you just pick up and don’t think too much about.
Unless you’re specifically shopping for your baby or to find sensitive skin-safe ingredients to be extra cautious, the process for restocking your laundry room seems to be simple: buy the laundry detergent that’s on sale.
However, not all laundry detergents are made equal, especially if you prioritize eco-friendly purchases. You want to choose one fit for your washer dryer combo, too.
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Post Wanted consulted cleaning experts and washed loads of laundry in 2024 to narrow down the formulas to the 18 very best laundry detergents. Plus, we put together an in-depth FAQ section highlighting more on laundry care tips.
Ahead, Ek from the American Cleaning Institute answers more commonly asked questions on what to look for in a laundry detergent when shopping for one, how to effectively do your laundry and more.
“Always read cleaning product labels before using them and store these products in their original containers, up and out of reach of children,” Jessica Ek, senior director of digital communications at the American Cleaning Institute, told the New York Post.
With so many on the market, this question is more common than not.
“A good laundry detergent is one that works for you and helps keep your clothes clean,” Ek added. “If you tend to get food stains on your clothes, a detergent with enzymes will help to remove those stains. If your clothes tend to get heavily soiled, look for a detergent with more than one surfactant for more cleaning power.”
There are also specialty detergents that may be a good choice for you. “For instance, if you like to wear a lot of dark clothes, there are detergents formulated to reduce fading,” she added. In general, your best bet is going to be to look for a brand you trust.
When doing laundry, selecting a detergent that suits your preferences can make a world of difference. As for types, laundry detergents come in powder, liquid and single-use packets.
“Powder tends to be the least expensive,” Ek noted. “Liquid gives you the flexibility to use exactly the amount you need based on the size of the load of laundry. Packets are convenient because they take up little space and no measuring is required.”
Ahead, Mezil gave us the 411 on the different types of laundry detergents you’ll find on the market:
Long story short — bigger isn’t always better.
“Keep an eye on how much detergent you will need per load (check the label) because concentrated products can give you the same clean while being more sustainable since they’re shipping less water,” Ek suggested.
The ideal cleaning routine has been unlocked. Follow the following order to ensure you’re going about your laundry process in the most effective way possible.
- Read the detergent instructions. Then check the labels on your clothes to see what can be cleaned in the washer and dryer and how. For delicate items, you can either hand wash them or, if they can be machine washed, you may want to put them in a mesh wash bag for added protection.
- Sort laundry by color, level of soil and any specialty fabrics, like delicates.
- Inspect clothing for stains and pretreat them. The American Cleaning Institute’s stain guide has instructions for a wide variety of stains.
- Determine if you need any additional laundry products and when they should be added in the process by reading the label instructions. These can include things like laundry sanitizers, scent boosters, dryer sheets and optical brighteners.
- Put laundry in the washer with the detergent and choose the washer settings. Depending on your washer, this can include load size, water temperature (cold is usually sufficient) and cycle setting (this usually depends on the delicacy of the fabric). Start the washer and wash your hands.
- Move clothes from the washer to the dryer. If any item still has a stain, send it back to get rewashed before drying. Be sure to follow the fabric care label when it comes to dryer temperature.
- Remove clothes as soon as the dryer is done. Remove any wrinkles, either with a wrinkle spray, steamer or iron.
- Fold and put away.
No more mixing in red clothes with your whites. Below, take a look at how to properly separate what’s in your hamper to ensure maximum results.
- Check each fabric care label: Put clothes needing to be hand washed in a separate pile.
- Sort them by color and soil: Wash all whites separately, then wash pastels and medium colors together and brights and darks by themselves.
- Sort the heavily soiled items from the lightly soiled ones: These should be washed separately since lightly soiled items can pick up the extra soil from the wash water.
- Sort out speciality fabrics: This includes separating delicates from regular wash loads so you can wash them on a gentle cycle and washing flannel, terry cloth and other lint losers away from things like corduroy that tend to pick up lint.
“Fabric softeners soften clothes, reduce static and help prevent wrinkles,” Ek explained. “They also can protect color and prevent stretching, helping clothes last longer. Wrinkle sprays are typically used after garments come out of the dryer to reduce or eliminate the need to iron.”
These products should be used whenever you want these benefits. However, be sure to check the label on these products as some may not be intended for a particular fabric.
According to Ek, baby detergents tend to be milder and designed for sensitive skin.
Interestingly enough, if you have sensitive skin, there isn’t one particular ingredient to look out for. A laundry detergent made without harsh parabens and one that’s designed with sensitive skin in mind is recommended by Ek.
Ahead, find our expert-approved testing criteria we kept in mind for testing and reviewing laundry detergent for one year. The brands above are either expert-recommended or individually tested here at Post Wanted, and we’re continuing to update this guide with top picks:
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