Bio or non-bio - You’ll also need to decide between bio and non-bio products (more of that below) and natural detergents, which will all depend on your laundry needs.

How much laundry detergent you use depends on how soiled the clothes are, how big your drum is and how hard your water is, but a basic rule of thumb is as follows: If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of getting home from a particularly muddy walk with your family only to discover you’ve run out of laundry detergent, then Smol’s subscription service could be your new best friend. Highly recommended by Mumsnet users and incredibly popular online, Smol has revolutionised household cleaning products and earned its place in our top three best laundry detergents.

How we chose our recommendations

Choosing between pods, powder, gel or liquid to get the best results is a decisive topic split by skin type, budget and personal preference, but at the heart of it all is a universal want to have clothes that are cleaner than clean and make us feel good. After all, it is one of life’s daily essentials, and with energy prices rising, no one wants to run multiple cycles trying to lift the stubborn stains of tomato soup from baby grows or grass stains from a school P.E. kit. So, how do you choose between those that’ll have you slipping between clean, scented bed sheets and those that’ll discolour clothing and irritate skin? Laundry detergents come in various forms (pods, liquid and powder), but all work similarly. When combined with water in your washing machine, they penetrate deep into the fabric of your clothes, lifting stubborn stains, dirt, bacteria and allergens before the rinse and spin cycle washes them away. Good quality laundry detergents are effective even at low temperatures, brightening whites and refreshing clothes whilst protecting fabrics and colours. How can I save money on laundry detergent?

Washing your super-soft cashmere jumper or brand-new silk blouse can be a risky business. They often come with lengthy tags and lists of dos and don’ts to keep them looking new. However, one wrong move and you’ll open up your washing machine to fuzzy fabrics and shrunken sizes. Okay, so some of it might be salvageable with a debobbler and a little stretching, but finding a way to prevent damage and protect your clothing is a must. That’s why we’re recommending Woolite Delicates laundry detergent. One of the main things we can do to try and keep allergies and irritation at a minimum, is to follow the advice of our washing detergents and avoid using more than is recommended as surplus detergent can make its way into the fabric of our clothing and remain there, causing irritation. Also, Dr Chopra suggests keeping our skin moisturised and wearing loose cotton or linen clothing. What washing detergent alternatives can we use safely instead? Alternatives - There are other options, such as soap nuts, which aren’t detergents but will still clean your clothes. Opt for an alternative to laundry detergent - If you really want to reduce the cost of cleaning your family’s laundry, products such as the Ecozone Soap Nuts make a great alternative. You may miss the ‘just washed’ fragrance, but it’ll easily cut your shopping bill and free up funds for use elsewhere. Type of detergent - You’ll need to choose between liquid and powder detergents, which both have pros and cons. Liquid detergents (particularly liquid capsules) are thought to be bad for the long-term health of your washing machine. Still, powders don’t dissolve so well and occasionally leave streaks on clothing. On the other hand, liquids are better for coloured and dark washes and powders for a brighter white.Scent - How strong is the fragrance? Would you like your clothes to have a noticeable scent fresh out of the machine, or would you prefer a fragrance-free option instead? Non-bio washing detergent does not contain this enzyme, meaning it's gentler on your clothes and kinder to your skin. Because of this, it's not quite as powerful at getting dirt out of clothes, but it will generally be more forgiving. If you want a really neutral detergent, natural, non-bio detergent is your best bet. Which laundry detergents are eco-friendly? Simply put, biological laundry detergents contain an enzyme that actively works to break down stains and remove them from fabric. While this is obviously great news for the more (ahem) sullied of clothes, it is by definition a little bit harsher, so it can be damaging to delicate clothing (wool and silk, for example) and more sensitive skin. Although some disagree, the rule of thumb is that it's best to try different types and see what works for your family. Ultimately, this left us with the best laundry detergents available today as recommended by parents, trusted by experts and rated by previous customers. Why you should trust us During a cost of living crisis, we’re all trying to find ways to make our weekly shops go further. Here are some ways to save money on your laundry detergent: