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. 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? Alternatives - There are other options, such as soap nuts, which aren’t detergents but will still clean your clothes. However, Bold’s not just all about smelling good. They’re about helping your clothes look good too! Effective even at cold temperatures, Bold’s 2-in-1 gel promises to keep colours vibrant and lift stains with ease. The only hitch is that it is bleach-free, which means it can build up in the drum causing foul smells and mould to grow, so investing in the best washing machine cleaner is necessary. However, don’t let that put you off; this is another highly recommended Mumsnetter product that’ll help keep you on top of your laundry pile! 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

You can always add a little more if you think the wash needs it, but remember that most of us are using too much detergent regularly, and water does a pretty good job on its own, so you don’t need it to overdo the detergent. Which is the best laundry detergent?

Best laundry detergents at a glance

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: Hard or soft water - It's helpful to look into the kind of water you have in your area, as those in particularly hard water areas (hello, Milton Keynes and Bath) may need to choose their detergent more carefully. You can find more information on this here.

Transparency is at the heart of Mumsnet, and that's why we work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice our readers can trust. Eco-friendly - Is the brand eco-friendly? How much plastic waste does it create? Is the brand an ethical choice that is vegan-friendly and not tested on animals? A popular talk topic on our forums, the general consensus is (between Mumsnetters, laundry experts and washing machine brands) that washing powder is the most affordable and effective laundry detergent format that’ll clean your clothes and take care of your machine. 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?In case of tough and dried stains: Completely dissolve 1 scoop of the Vanish Oxi Action Powder into 4 liters of warm water (max 40 °C) and let it soak. If the stain is not that stubborn, you can use ½ a scoop. 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.