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While taking your pile of dirty clothes to laundromats is convenient, easier, and less time-consuming, many people are considering doing laundry at home. And for that, you should have suitable laundry detergents for the job. Depending on your washing needs and preferences, there are various types and formulations that you can choose from.
Whether you want a liquid or powder type, a mild or concentrated one, we're here to help you navigate the sea of laundry detergent options on the market. We've curated a list of the best ones from brands like Ariel, Tide, and Cycles, and we also have a buying guide with comments from board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz!
Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
It can be difficult to sift through the various laundry detergents on the market, but we can help you with that! Below, you'll find useful information on how to select the best one for your household, especially if you have kids or sensitive skin.
Whether you have sensitive skin or are washing your kids' clothes, it's important to check the ingredient list of the laundry detergent. Remember to look for natural ingredients and avoid products that contain harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances.
When purchasing a laundry detergent, be on the lookout for cleansing agents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), trace minerals like 1.4-dioxane, and surfactants like NPE or nonylphenol ethoxylate. Not only do they cause skin irritation, but they can also be toxic to our brain, central nervous system, and reproductive system.
Meanwhile, phosphates are skin irritants that are hazardous to the environment, so they should be avoided. Another ingredient to avoid is formaldehyde, a preservative and disinfectant which can cause allergic reasons—it can also be carcinogenic. And if you see detergents with bleach or synthetic dyes and fragrances, it's best to choose safer alternatives for sensitive skin.
One particular ingredient that has been highlighted is dioxane. The steps in producing certain surfactants have been found to create 1,4-dioxane as a by-product, thus, trace amounts have been found in detergents and other household cleaning agents.
The US Environmental Protection Agency calls dioxane “a likely human carcinogen”; hence, companies have looked into ensuring this does not find its way into readily available detergents.
Interestingly, a new law Senate Bill S4389B in the US, calls for no more than 2 ppm in personal care and cleaning products starting Dec. 31, 2022.
If you have certain laundry concerns, it's best to choose a detergent that can address them. There are some that whiten your clothes and preserve the color of your garments, while there are others that can neutralize odors and keep your clothing items soft and smelling nice. However, caution must be taken if you have sensitive skin, as they can cause irritation.
White clothes are prone to yellowing and staining, while colored clothes can fade after a few washes. To prevent these, opt for a detergent with a color-preserving formula.
Look for ones that contain baking soda or technologies like OxiClean to preserve your white garments, particularly, to brighten them and remove light stains. On the other hand, search for color-safe detergents to keep your black and colored clothes looking new.
Some tips:
To remove the dreaded amoy-pawis from your clothes, select a detergent with antibacterial or odor-removing properties. It works by deodorizing foul odor, leaving you with fresh-smelling garments.
This type is recommended for those who live active lifestyles such as athletes and sports enthusiasts. It's also ideal for households with kids since it can remove unpleasant smells from uniforms, PE clothes, and other sweat-laden clothing items.
Typically, these odor-removing detergents contain additional enzymes that help in breaking down complex soils or fragrances to mask the chemicals in the product and impart a clean, fresh scent to the clothes.
Make sure to wash exercise clothes and/or sweat-laden clothes immediately to prevent the smell from sticking to the clothes and reeking. Additionally, turn the clothes inside out. Remember, your clothes absorb most of your sweat on the side in contact with your skin.
Clothes get worn over time through repetitive rubbing and usage. Fortunately, you can find detergents with fabric softeners and conditioners that can combat these by lubricating the threads in your clothes, preventing them from fraying.
To get one, look for a packaging that says "with fabcon" or "with fabric softener." This keeps your clothing items soft and smelling great. It's also best for those who are looking for a cost-effective detergent since you don't have to buy fab con separately.
Fabric softeners lubricate the fibers in the clothes. With less friction, clothes generally last longer in terms of color and quality.
If you have sensitive skin, make sure to look for one that is mild. Since it's difficult to come by one that's fragrance-free, you can test it out and see if any of your family members develop a reaction to it.
If you have a big family or run a laundry business, you can save more by purchasing laundry detergents in bulk. Shops usually give big discounts if you order large packs or multiple quantities—and this will help you save on shipping costs, too! Also, look out for free shipping vouchers and large discounts during monthly sales like 5.5 or 11.11!
Test out the detergent first and make sure that no one in the family develops a reaction. If clear, then go ahead and buy in bulk!
Formulated with coconut-based ingredients, this ultra-gentle laundry powder is the perfect choice for households with kids and people who have sensitive skin. It doesn't contain chemical irritants like phosphates, optical brighteners, fragrances, and bleach, so you can wash away unwanted dirt, stains, and odor without any worries!
It's economical, too, since it lathers well and you only need a few scoops to wash an entire load of laundry. If you prefer to manually wash your clothes, you'll be glad to know that it's gentle on the hands as well. These are probably why it has gained mostly positive reviews online!
Type | Powder |
---|---|
Scented | No |
Sensitive-Skin Safe | Yes |
Best for | Removing Stains and Odor, Softening Fabrics |
Net Weight | 1kg |
Other Features | Derma-Tested, Biodegradable |
This offering from SESOU is sulfate and phosphate-free, making it an excellent option for mothers who want an eco-friendly and gentle detergent for their household's laundry load. Though it's made from natural ingredients, you can count on its performance to be at par with regular detergents.
It does a great job of getting stains out from your clothes, linens, and other fabrics. It also comes with a light scent of lavender and peppermint that gives your wash load a clean and fresh smell. Aside from that, it works well on all types of clothes and is great for your bed sheets and pillowcases as well. People with sensitive skin love this brand, as it doesn't cause allergies and flare-ups, unlike commercial detergents.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Scented | Yes, Lavender and Peppermint |
Sensitive-Skin Safe | Yes |
Best for | Overall Laundry Needs |
Net Weight | 1L |
Other Features | Biodegradable, Machine and Handwash-Safe |
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Scented | No |
Sensitive-Skin Safe | Yes |
Best for | Whitening Clothes, Removing Stains and Odor, Preventing Fading for Colored Clothes |
Net Weight | 500ml |
Other Features | Made From Plant-Based Ingredients, Machine and Handwash-Safe |
Who doesn't enjoy a fresh baby scent on their garments? With Cycles' mild liquid detergent, you can get amoy-baby clothes sans the irritation! Since it's free from common irritants like SLS, SLES, bleach, and dyes, you can safely use it for your little one's clothing items.
This brand is also Pedia-approved and certified hypoallergenic, so those with sensitive skin can purchase it! Moms say Cycles is their trusted laundry detergent brand since it keeps their children's clothes smelling great.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Scented | No |
Sensitive-Skin Safe | Yes |
Best for | Overall Laundry Needs |
Net Weight | 800ml |
Other Features | Pedia-Recommended, Hypoallergenic |
Type | Powder |
---|---|
Scented | Yes, Wildberry Seaside Botanicals |
Sensitive-Skin Safe | Yes |
Best for | Removing Stains and Odor |
Net Weight | 1.7kg |
Other Features | Made From Plant-Based Ingredients, Biodegradable, Vegan, Cruelty-Free |
Type | Powder |
---|---|
Scented | No |
Sensitive-Skin Safe | Yes |
Best for | Removing Stains and Odor, Preventing Fading for Colored Clothes |
Net Weight | 1kg |
Other Features | Made From Coconut-Based Ingredients, Biodegradable, Machine and Handwash-Safe |
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Scented | Yes, Rose |
Sensitive-Skin Safe | No |
Best for | Removing Stains, Softening Fabrics, Preventing Fading for Colored Clothes |
Net Weight | 2.7kg |
Other Features | Ultra-Concentrated Formula for Better Stain Removal, Doesn't Leave Behind Any Residue |
White clothing can sometimes be a little high maintenance as they are prone to turning maputim as time passes. Tide's Brilliant Whites Laundry Detergent helps you restore your white clothing back to its immaculate condition without scrubbing or the use of bleach! Thanks to its power gel formula, it cleans deeper, so your clothes smell better.
It offers outstanding cleanliness in tough areas such as the collar, cuffs, and underarms. This way, you can say goodbye to unsightly stains and discoloration due to the build-up of dirt. Aside from that, it also helps remove over 100 stains with just one wash. No need to be iffy about wearing whites anymore! A lot of user testimonials have attested to the product's effectiveness, making the brand one of the top choices for people across the country.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Scented | Yes, Fresh Scent |
Sensitive-Skin Safe | No |
Best for | Whitening Clothes, Removing Stains and Odor, Preventing Fading for Colored Clothes |
Net Weight | 900g |
Other Features | Great for Spot-Cleaning Tough Stains, Doesn't Leave Behind Any Residue |
Type | Pods |
---|---|
Scented | Yes, Floral Fresh |
Sensitive-Skin Safe | Yes |
Best for | Removing Stains and Odor |
Net Weight | unknown |
Other Features | Made From Plant-Based Ingredients, 100% Biodegradable, Water Soluble |
This bar detergent by Perla is an excellent pick for those who still prefer the manual washing method. Compared to regular detergents, it's gentle on the hands since it's made from coconut oil. But it's still great at whitening and brightening your clothes!
It's matipid because it can soften fabrics as well—no need to purchase additional fabcon! Another great thing about it is that it's already precut, making it convenient to use. People with sensitive skin and parents who have small children swear by this detergent since it's hypoallergenic.
Type | Bar |
---|---|
Scented | Yes, Coconut |
Sensitive-Skin Safe | Yes |
Best for | Whitening Clothes, Preventing Fading for Colored Clothes, Softening Fabrics |
Net Weight | 110g (Each Bar) |
Other Features | Hypoallergenic |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz.
Use enough laundry detergent to clean the clothes, but don't use too much! Using too much detergent can make it harder to rinse out. Ensure no detergent residues are left behind to reduce the possibility of developing a reaction.
Reactions to laundry detergents typically fall under a condition called contact dermatitis, particularly an irritant-type contact dermatitis brought about by the contact of the skin with the detergent and water. If you develop signs such as redness, itching, or stinging, consult your friendly board-certified dermatologist!
Laundry detergent does not cause acne. Instead, it can cause a contact dermatitis type of reaction, especially if there are laundry detergent residues left on the garmentーfor example, a cloth mask getting in contact with the skin.
To make sure laundry day at home goes smoothly, check out these essential products for a hassle-free laba day! With these at your disposal, you wouldn't have to worry about amoy-kulob garments, damaged delicate fabrics, and an unorganized pile of dirty clothes!
Re-editors: R. Victoriano, Aprille Jarcia
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
Beauty
Cameras
Health
Household goods
PCs and laptops
Home appliances and electronics
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Mom and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
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DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, and DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Home improvement and tools
Smartphones and tablets
Banking and finance
Insurance
Audio
Smartphone applications
Others