Choice reveals best and worst laundry detergents
Here are the best and worst laundry detergents for both top loaders and front loaders, as tested by consumer watchdog Choice.
Photo: Dan Gold on Unsplash
There can be something comforting about taking out a load of freshly washed laundry, so soft and warm.
But that lovely feeling quickly drains away when you notice the grass stain still embedded in your favourite jeans, or the remnants of tomato sauce on a nice shirt.
Apart from a good stain remover, your best bet is to give your clothes an effective wash with a good laundry detergent, and research from consumer group Choice may help.
Choice tested more than 90 laundry detergents using front and top-loader washing machines against various stains, including grass, make-up, chocolate ice cream, blood and baby food.
Omo Ultimate Powder received the best score for front loaders, with 86 per cent.
The brand also took out second and third place for detergents in front loaders, with Omo Laundry Powder and Omo Ultimate 3 in 1 Capsules, respectively.
But Choice editorial director Mark Serrels said if you have a top loader, Aldi’s Laundrite Laundry Powder would better suited.
“We also tested detergents in top-loader machines, which typically do a poorer job of washing clothes, resulting in lower scores for any detergents tested in them,” he said.
“If you do have a top loader, we’d recommended picking up Aldi’s Laundrite Laundry Powder which scored first in our top-loader testing.”
Omo Ultimate Powder and Aldi Trimat Advanced Concentrated Laundry Powder took second and third place for best top-loader laundry detergents, respectively.
But things weren’t all rosy for Aldi, as its Green Action Laundry Liquid was found to be the worst detergent for top loaders.
For front loaders, Aldi Laundrite Laundry liquid won the dubious crown for worst performer with a score of 50 per cent – the same as using plain water to wash clothes.
Choice also tested laundry sheets; these are sheets of dissolvable paper embedded with detergent that disintegrates when it comes into contact with water, releasing the detergent.
Although laundry sheets are marketed as an eco-friendly option given they create fewer emissions to package and transport and come in cardboard packaging, Choice found they ranked among the worst performers of the detergents tested.
“With more time and development they may improve, but for now we don’t think they’re a great buy,” Serrels said.
– TND
