Best Laundry Detergents UK 2024 | For Sensitive Skin And Much More

Choosing the right detergent can sometimes be a daunting task, not just because of the sheer number but also due to lack of effectiveness. There are many brands online and local claiming their the best laundry detergent in the UK. But are they really good? Check out our list of the Best Laundry Detergents UK for more details.

Investing in the right detergent is actually a huge deal. Most people don’t realize the harmful chemicals used in detergent that might leach into your clothes and affect your newborn’s skin or might cause rashes if you have sensitive skin and not understand what is causing it.

So we have gone ahead and curated a list of the best laundry detergents that are affordable, biodegradable, and safe on your skin. After all, it's a household product that has become part of our lives. Anyway, here's the list of the Best Laundry Detergents UK for your washing machines.

Best Laundry Detergents -- Quick Summary

Best Laundry detergents	No. of Washes	Best feature
Persil Non-Bio Detergent	130	Can be used for both hand and machine wash
Ariel Professional Powder	110	Good for washing white clothes
Ecozone Ultra Liquid	166	Good for coloured fabrics
Ecover Non-bio Liquid	28	Plant based and biodegradable
Surf Tropical Fragrance detergent	85	Low temperature wash for both whites and coloured clothes
Method Concentrated Laundry Detergent	39	95% biodegradable and safe on skin
Persil Bio Liquid Detergent	53	87% removal rate
Daz P&G Washing Powder	130	Affordable and heavy duty
Fairy Non-Bio Pods	108	Best for sensitive skin

After reviewing 50 Laundry Detergents in the UK based on various types of factors like, packaging, effectiveness, sensitivity, chemical components, and price; My team and I zeroed in on 9 that really stood out. These 9 were further put through a series of stress tests. We found that:

The best laundry Detergents in the UK is the Persil Non-Bio Detergent. This extremely effective detergent not only gets rid of even the stubbornest of stains but is also easy on the skin. Its unique formula gets rid of stains and leaves no trace of chemicals that can harm sensitive skin.

Best Laundry Detergents UK

Persil Non-Bio Detergent

Persil Non-Bio Detergent is known for being gentle on your skin and tough on stains. The formula used is recognized by the British Skin Foundation, so you can be assured no harm can happen to your skin. It is ideal for washing baby clothes as it has a mild formula. It's the Best Laundry Detergent in the UK.

• It works well at lower temperatures saving time and energy. If you are looking for a detergent that is light on the skin and still removes difficult stains, this detergent is ideal for you.

• This detergent can be used for both machine washing and handwashing. It does an excellent job of removing stains like oil and Ribena, considering its light formula.

What’s in it for you?

Most detergents contain harmful chemicals that might cause harm to newborns, with Persil Non-Bio the unique formula removes stains and leaves no trace of the substances which might cause harm to infants or sensitive skin.

Key Features

• The Persil Non-Bio detergent is ideal for families, as its unique gentle formula is recognized by the British Skin Foundation, making it comfortable for anyone to use.
• It can be used for both machine washing and handwashing.  

Ariel Washing Powder Original

This professional powder detergent is specially formulated to provide excellent cleaning results. Its whiteness technology protects your whites from colour fades, making it last longer. It's one of the Best Laundry Detergents UK.

• There is no need to pre-soak as the potent formula provides excellent results without it, saving water and time. You can expect excellent stain removal and brilliant glow from your whites within the first wash. 

• The concentrated formula provides excellent results in the first wash. 

• Ariel detergent chemical formula is phosphate-free, reducing the amount of phosphate wastewater treatment plants must clean up.

• The perfume system delivers a non-overpowering fresh scent to your laundry.

What’s in it for you?

The detergent is phosphate-free, and the need for pre-washing or pre-soaking is not required saving water and energy.

Key Features

• Ariel detergent is a professional powder detergent that does magic on whites, leaving them glowing and fresh.
• The concentrated formula is phosphate-free and provides excellent results in the first wash.
• The perfume system delivers a pleasant clean scent after every wash. 

Ecozone Ultra Concentrated Non-Bio Laundry Liquid

This Vegan liquid laundry detergent is plant-based, and its natural formula has no harsh chemicals. Since the formula is concentrated, very little of the cleanser is required for each wash. The detergent can provide up to 166 from each container with excellent results from every wash. 

• The all-natural formula is gentle on the skin and leaves a fresh fragrance after every wash.

• Its formula works well on coloured fabric, as it is a natural formula. The risks of the colour fading are minimal. 

• The detergent works best on tough stains at 30-degree temperature. 

What’s in it for you?

Ecozone Ultra-concentrated Detergent is a plant-based detergent that is all-natural and is safe on sensitive skin.

Key Features

• It removes the toughest of stains at 30-degrees temperature.
• The concentrated formula works well on coloured clothes removing stains and not the colour.
• A light fragrance is induced, so your clothes smell fresh and ready to wear. 

Ecover Non-Bio Laundry Detergent Lavender & Sandalwood

The Ecover Laundry detergent is another plant-based biodegradable detergent that removes stains while still remaining gentle on the skin. Fabric softener is induced for fresh and light feel when done washing.

• The all-natural formula works well on all skin types making it ideal to use on the entire family’s laundry. It's one of the Best Laundry Detergents UK.

• Its plant-based formula helps clothes last longer and retain colour.

• The all-natural formula is biodegradable, making it safe for you and the planet.

What’s in it for you?

The natural fragrance of sandalwood and wild lavender, geranium, and bright lemon wrapped in amber make this detergent one of the best smelling detergent among the lot.

Key Features

• The Ecover Non-Bio laundry detergent is an all-natural planet based biodegradable detergent.
• It is gentle on all types of skin and gives out a fantastic fragrance.
• The concentrated formula removes stains easily while still being gentle on the fabric, making sure your laundry has a longer life. 

Surf Tropical Fragrance Liquid Detergent

The Surf Tropical Lily & Ylang-Ylang detergent is a beautiful blend of lily’s floral scent, and the Ylang-Ylang flower’s aroma both seduces the senses. If you are looking for a detergent that gives your clothes floral freshness, Surf tropical detergent will add that touch.  

• The detergent is suitable for cold washes for both colours and whites.

• You can get brilliantly clean laundry even when you wash at 15°C. At 30°C, you can save up to 40% on energy and cut your electricity bill too.

• The fragrance lasts long after you've washed your clothes with burst after burst of uplifting scent released right through your day.

What’s in it for you?

One year's laundry washed at 30°C instead of 40°C could save you enough energy to light nine rooms for a whole year! Making this one of the most eco-friendly detergents in the market. 

Key Features

• The Surf Tropical Lily & Ylang Ylang detergent is known for its alluring fragrance that lasts all day long.
• If you are looking for a detergent with a tropical scent, this detergent is ideal for you.
• The detergent cleans well even on low temperatures saving time and energy.

Method Concentrated Laundry Liquid Detergent

The Method Concentrated Laundry Detergent is an all-natural plant-based that comes in 3 great fragrances. Smart clean technology uses an ultra-concentrated plant-based formula that delivers big cleaning power with just four tiny drops. The detergent can handle both colours and whites with ease while still retaining the quality of the fabric. 

• The smart clean technology uses concentrated planted-based formula that provides excellent cleaning power in just three drops.

• It is an all-natural plant-based detergent that is 95% biodegradable that is safe on your skin and on the planet. 

• The formula is tough on stains and light on your fabric, giving longer life to your clothes. 

What’s in it for you?

The Method detergent comes in three different fragrances that can be combined for your own unique scent.

Key Features

• Method Concentrated Laundry Detergent is a plant-based biodegradable detergent.
• It comes in three different fragrances to mix and match with according to your liking.
• The smart cleaning technology provides excellent cleaning results with just three drops making it worth every pound. 

Persil Bio Liquid Detergent 

The Persil Bio Liquid Detergent offers effective stain removal in a quick wash, making it ideal for people who have a large amount of laundry to do. It comes in a convenient flip-top bottle and a spout. It comes with a stain eraser dosing ball that makes pre-treating stains easy for quick removal. If you’re looking for detergent for quick hand washes, this detergent is ideal for you.

• It offers brilliant stain removal with an impressive 87% removal rate and works well even on polycotton. It's one of the Best Laundry Detergents UK.

• The improved bio formula contains Celluclean technology that does an excellent job on your whites.

• It contains enzymes that break down and remove stains even in 30 degrees saving time and energy.

What’s in it for you?

The Stain eraser dosing ball that comes with the bottle is excellent for pre-treating hard to remove stains. Breaking them down faster and removing them within the wash. 

Key Features

• The Persil Bio Liquid Detergent is ideal for quick washes and has an impressive 87% removal rate.
• The formula used contains Celluclean technology that does an excellent job of retaining colour and keeps whites glowing.
• It works well even at 30 degrees saving time and energy.
• If you live a busy lifestyle and require and quick and easy solution for your laundry, this detergent will have it done in no time.

Daz P&G Professional Washing Powder

The Daz powder detergent made it to our list for being the most affordable detergent with 130 washes. Ideal for large families for its effectiveness on large piles of laundry and whiteness even at 40 Degrees C. if you are looking for a cheap alternative to remove stains from your bed sheets and pillows, this heavy-duty detergent will make easy work out of it. 

• Excellent cleaning results even without pre-washing or pre-soaking to help you save water and energy. It's one of the Best Laundry Detergents UK.

• Daz professional detergent chemical formula is phosphate-free, reducing the amount of phosphate wastewater treatment plants must clean up.

• It contains specific whiteness technology that keeps your whites white for longer. It also improves the brightness of the fabric.

What’s in it for you?

Daz Professional Powder Detergent does an excellent job on large piles of laundry as the chemical formula is strong enough even to remove stains at 40 degrees. 

Key Features

• Daz Professional Powder Detergent is one of the most affordable and heavy-duty detergents among the lot.
• It provides great cleaning results even without pre-washing or pre-soaking, saving time and energy.
• If you are looking for an affordable option to do your entire family laundry in one go without pre-soaking, Daz will handle the whole pile with ease. 
• It is phosphate-free and contains whiteness technology to make your whites glow and last long.

Fairy Non Bio Pods Washing Liquid Capsules

The Fairy Non Bio Pods Washing Liquid Capsules not only contain a simple detergent formula but it also has a fabric conditioner that is perfect for sensitive skin. In fact, it was actually voted the best laundry brand for sensitive skin. Additionally, this detergent brand also has a fabric softner formula that makes your clothes feel extra gentle on the skin. It's one of the Best Laundry Detergents UK.

• It comes in a pack with a child lock system that prevents any untoward accidents. Since it comes in pods, the amount is already measured, making it extremely convenient for the user.

• These capsules also now contain 75% less plastic making it just a little bit better for the environment.

• What's really amazing is that these capsules have a unique structure to them. They not only have the right amount for a single wash but they also have multiple ingredients that are discharged at different times, making it highly effective.

What's in it for me?

This proprietary special ingredient makes your clothes extremely soft. It is also perfect for babies with sensitive skin. This product was given the Skin Health Alliance seal. It is also considered as being one of the kindest to sensitive skin even by independent testers.

Key Features

• Skin Health Alliance seal
• Best for sensitive skin
• Capsules have a unique structure to them and dispenses the ingredients at different times
• These capsules contain 75% less plastic
• Also comes with a fabric softener

How to Choose the Best Laundry Detergent in the UK?

Choosing a laundry detergent brand is not easy. There are a ton of factors to consider. Foe example, the price, the scent, the effect of the detergent on your skin and it's overall effectiveness.

Most importantly, with all the confusing and complicated labels on the packaging, choose the right detergent has become a tedious task. So, go through our buyers guide for all the details.

Bio or Non Bio

• Although there various kinds of detergents, the majority of them come with a Bio or Non-Bio label. Both have their pro and cons. While it sounds extremely complicated and a bit confusing, once you understand the effect of these detergents on your clothes you get to make a better decision.

• Bio detergents come with a Biological Enzyme that is extremely effective in breaking down stains. It is your best bet when it comes to getting rid of stains. However, don't let the "Bio" confuse you.

• While it's great when it comes to cleaning your clothes, it is harsh on the fabric. Most importantly, people with sensitive skin tend to have allergic reactions to Bio detergents.

• Non-bio on the other hand does not contain this bio enzyme and is rather gentle on both the skin and clothes. Unfortunately, it is not as effective in getting rid of stains.

• So, when choosing a detergent, you really do have to take your home situation into account and buy accordingly. Do you have a baby with sensitive skin? Then go for a more neutral non-bio detergent that's easy on the baby. Of course, you can always try both and find your perfect fit.

Liquid or Powder

• Liquid detergent might seem like it's much better if you take into account the quantity. However, It actually contributes to the deterioration of the washing machine as it has to spend more time and energy to dissolve the solution.

How we test laundry detergents?

Every laundry detergent that’s picked for testing is first scrutinised on their labels where all the instructions are given. The directions, use for small/medium/heavy loads, safety instructions and all are properly understood. 

We then applied 20 different stains of coffee, tea, oil, pickle, wine and a lot more to white polyester shirts and allowed them to stain for 24 hours. After 24 hours the stains were washed using different detergents with additional items according to the given instructions on the label.

After washing, the shirts were dried in natural daylight and ranked from 1 to 5 on the basis of stain removal, 5 being the most removed. Other criteria to measure detergents were dispensing, sud it produces, and residual after washing.

Which is the best laundry detergent?

My team and I tested 20+ laundry detergents based on stain removal, dispensing, sud it produces, and residual after washing. We found that Persil Non-Bio detergent is the best.

Persil Non-Bio detergent is known to remove the toughest stains from clothes and feels very gentle on the skin. It can be used for both hand-washing and machine washing. The formula of this laundry detergent is very mild and can be used for washing baby clothes as well. It’s available for sale on Amazon.

Types of laundry detergent

Most effective detergent is often based on personal preference as each one of it has their own advantages and disadvantages. The three most common laundry detergents are: powder, liquid and single use packs.

• Powder: This form of detergent is usually cheaper than liquid or single packs. They work really well on stains like  mud, clay, or grass so if you’re into soccer or gardening go for this one. Store this in a completely dry area and don’t let water come in contact with it. 

• Liquid: This form of laundry detergent is the most common and works great with grease and stains. They dissolve easily but have high chances of over-sudsing and sometimes the soap doesn't get washed completely in one machine cycle so use only the recommended amount. 

• Single pack: This form of detergent is meant for one-time use only and is quite convenient if you’re living alone or travelling. One pack is enough for an average size load. Sometimes it might cause trouble in dissolving.