Price
Expand to view more details.This is the price we paid for the pack size tested. The cost per wash is based on this price, so if you can find it cheaper, your cost per wash will be cheaper as well.
enter value/s in increments of 1 between 0 and 39
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Best buy
These are detergents that don't necessarily do well enough to be recommended, but are still great value for money. For front loaders, a laundry detergent must have a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 70% and cost under 30 cents per wash. For top loaders, a laundry detergent must have a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 60% overall and cost under 30 cents per wash.
Washing machine type
Whether we tested the detergent in a top loader or front loader washing machine. If the detergent claims to be suitable for both, we test in both. You'll find the scores under the requisite machine type.
Type of detergent
We test a range of liquid, powder and capsule laundry detergents as well as laundry detergent sheets.
Shop Ethical rating
Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. The rating ranks from A (highest) to F (lowest); N/A means there is no rating for that company.
General detergency score
General detergency is a measure of how well the detergent keeps soils suspended in the wash water and prevents them from being redeposited on your clothes. It's also a measure of how effective enzymes are at removing protein-based stains, and how effectively a detergent removes oil. Differences of 8% or more in general detergency and soil removal are visible to the human eye.
enter value/s in increments of i between 43 and 91
Perspiration stains score
A measure of how well a detergent removes perspiration stains from your clothes. Differences of 8% or more are visible to the human eye.
enter value/s in increments of i between 43 and 93
Grass/mud stains score
Differences of 1% or more are visible to the human eye.
enter value/s in increments of i between 49 and 87
Olive oil stains score
Differences of 8% or more are visible to the human eye.
enter value/s in increments of i between 42 and 78
Make-up stains score
A visible difference to dirt removal from the fluid make-up swatch is hard to pick due to uneven soil removal.
enter value/s in increments of i between 30 and 80
Chocolate ice cream stains score
Differences of 1% or more are visible to the human eye.
enter value/s in increments of i between 49 and 100
Baby food stains score
Differences of less than 1% are visible to the human eye.
enter value/s in increments of i between 5 and 100
Blood stains score
Differences of 7% or more are visible to the human eye.
enter value/s in increments of i between 13 and 100
Tomato stains score
Differences of 4% or more are visible to the human eye.
enter value/s in increments of i between 56 and 100
Mineral oil stains score
Differences of 10% or more are visible to the human eye.
enter value/s in increments of i between 36 and 58
Sensitive
A green tick indicates the product claims to be 'sensitive' on the pack.
Contains enzymes
As claimed on the packaging. Enzymes target protein, starch or biological-based stains such as grass or blood. Different enzymes target different stains. Enzymes are known to cause irritation, so should be avoided by people with sensitive skin.
Contains optical brighteners
As claimed on the packaging. Optical brighteners coat the fabric with fluorescers that absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as blue light, making the clothes look whiter and brighter even though they don't actually remove any dirt. They help minimise greying of whites. Products with brighteners are best avoided by people with sensitive skin.
Low to no phosphate
As claimed on the packaging. Phosphates help soften the water and keep extracted dirt in suspension. But high levels of phosphorus can lead to excessive growth of blue-green algae in inland waterways.
Safe for septic tanks
A green tick indicates the detergent is claimed to be safe for septic tanks if used as directed. The claim is usually based on the detergent having no chlorine bleach or phosphates. While detergents generally don't have much of an effect on the septic tank's treatment capabilities, a high sodium load can cause problems with the soil over time as it's released into the subsoil trenches.
Safe for greywater systems
As claimed on the packaging. This generally means the detergent is low in phosphorus and sodium, and your greywater would be safe for plants.
Country of origin
Where the product is made, according to the packaging.
Included in this review
- CHOICE Expert Rating
- General detergency score
- Perspiration stains score
- Grass/mud stains score
- Olive oil stains score
- Tomato stains score
- Makeup stains score
- Chocolate ice cream stains score
- Baby food stains score
- Mineral oil stains score
- Blood stains score
- Recommended
- Best buy
- Shop Ethical rating
- Year tested
- Washes per pack
- Price
- Cost per wash
- Machine used
- Pack size (g or mL)
- Safe for greywater systems claim
- Sensitive claim
- Dermatologically tested claim
- Safe for septic tanks claim
- Low to no phosphate
- Contains enzymes
- Contains optical brighteners
- Country of origin