10 Best Detergents for Clothes in India 2021 - Buying Guide Reviewed By Chemical Engineer
Since there are numerous laundry detergents on the market, we’re here to help you understand what makes each of these products different so that you can choose the most suitable one for yourself. To make the selection process even easier, we’ll also introduce you to the top 10 best laundry detergents you can find online in India. This article is reviewed by a chemical engineer, Komal Gupta, keep on reading to hear the expert's opinion.
Quick List - Top Detergent
Surf Excel
Works With Hard Water, Reduces Lint With Limited Quantity
Godrej
Gently Cleans Delicate Fabrics and Keeps the Colours From Fading
Komal is a chemical engineer, working in the field of electroplating. She has a keen interest in understanding the chemicals used in pharmaceuticals and detergents. Komal is striving to create consumer products with better efficiency and bio-friendly methods.
mybest editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in India in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- 10 Best Detergents for Clothes in India
- No. 1Surf Excel | Matic Front Load Detergent Powder
- No. 2Godrej | Ezee Liquid Detergent - For Winterwear, 3kgs (1 bottle + 2 refills)
- No. 3Surf Excel | Easy Wash Detergent Powder
- No. 4Surf Excel | Excel Bar
- No. 5MamaEarth | Plant based laundry detergent
- 5 more products
- Check Our Household Section for Different Guides
- Summary
How to Choose Detergent for Clothes in India – Buying Guide
There are a few important things you need to think about if you want to choose the best laundry detergent for your clothes. Things like the type of detergent: bar, liquid, or powder, if it's suitable for baby's skin, or even fabrics. So, get going if you haven’t thought about the things mentioned above.
Select a Type Based on What It Does Best
Detergent Bars Are Great for Sweat or Dirt Stains
Although we say it’s great for handwashing, we mean it’s limited to that purpose because it cannot be used to wash clothes in washing machines. Additionally, just like any other soap bar, it runs out fairly quickly if you’re not careful about keeping it away from water once you’re done using it.
While washing with detergent bars helps one focus on the area of sweat and dirt, it also has detrimental effects on the skin. Because of the lower ph of these bars, the human skin starts to peel off. To avoid this, one may use non-soap-based synthetic detergents called syndets. Syndets have a nearly identical cleansing action as soap, but with the benefit of having the same pH as the skin.
Powder Detergents Work Well in Hard Water but Take Longer to Dissolve in Cold Water
For example, the lemon extract helps in breaking down tough stains and is good for white clothes. Just be careful that you prevent any exposure to moisture because that can make your detergent clumpy, making it a little inconvenient to use. It also takes longer to dissolve in cold water, so keep that in mind before you use it.
Hard water is water that contains high mineral content like calcium and magnesium carbonates. These minerals react with the detergent to form a salt that precipitates on the cloth. This is not healthy for cleaning. On the other hand, some cold water formulated detergents like tide plus are easily dissolvable in cold water, give effective cleaning.
Liquid Detergents Are a Great Alternate but Be Careful With the Instructions
Liquid detergents overcome this as they dissolve entirely in water and are more suitable for a fully automatic washing machine. Liquid detergents are ideal for soft fabrics and clothes made of wool or silk as they do not have bleach, unlike powdered ones. They dissolve quickly in both hot and cold water.
One aspect that you need to be careful about is that it’s easy to misjudge how much detergent you should use when using liquid ones. It takes time to get used to the adequate quantity required for washing. So, we recommend checking the instructions carefully at the back of the bottle.
Since liquid detergents are mostly used in machines, one must take care of a few essentials while buying them. Your liquid detergent must contain some builders like tetrasodium EDTA, which helps remove the hardness from water. It must also contain antideposition agents, which prevent the soil from depositing back on the cloth.
Dye transfer inhibitors like Chromabond S-100 help prevent dye from coming off. Pro tip - One can be easily conned while buying liquid detergents. The retailer might dilute the composition to gain profit. You must always look out for the thickness of your liquid detergent.
Choose Detergents Specifically Made for Washing Machine
When selecting detergents, not all detergents are suitable to be used with a washing machine. It is still important to buy only washing machine-specific ones. Some detergents are for only top-loading machines, and there are some made for front-loading.
Check the labels on the box; it is specifically specified to be used with a washing machine, either top loader or front loader, as per the brand. Even manufacturers mention only specific brands to be used to get maximum efficiency and cleaning, or else you might not get satisfied with the cleaning outcome of your washing machine.
A top-load washing machine has an agitator and has a longer washing cycle in the drum, requiring more water for washing. A front-load, on the other hand, has no agitator and works on tumble action.
A front-load requires less water and detergent, having a shorter cycle for washing. Due to this difference in washing mechanism, different detergents are required for front-load and top-load washing machines.
Washing Baby Clothes? Check if the Ingredients Are Safe for Your Baby’s Skin
Check the ingredients for sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)/sodium Laureth sulfate (SLES), phosphate, and bleach. They are cleaning agents and can irritate a baby's eyes. Buy detergents free of them. Moreover, we’d recommend going for a liquid detergent as they’re easier to rinse out and less likely to cause any skin irritation.
An infant's skin is vulnerable to scratches and can easily develop irritation, rashes, and redness. To avoid this, one must choose the detergent very carefully. The detergent must contain high cleaning properties as well as minimal use of chemicals. One major component must be a fabric softener. This helps to keep clothes fresh and soft on the skin.
Go for More Gentle Formulas for Delicate Fabrics
Wool, silk, chiffon, and satin are all delicate fabrics that need more gentle detergents, ones that are specially designed for them with a neutral pH that’ll not strip the natural oils from their fibers. Therefore, if you want to wash clothes made of such fabrics, make sure you choose more gentle detergents that clearly mention they’re meant for delicate materials.
One must also prefer washing these delicates by hand. In a washing machine, the harshness of the detergent and agitator may soil the clothes. You may also use plant-based detergents for such clothes.
You must be careful about the dispense of your wastewater after cleaning. Detergents are very harmful to aquatic animals. They destroy the external mucus layers that protect the fish from bacteria and parasites.
10 Best Detergents for Clothes in India
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Surf Excel Matic Front Load Detergent Powder | | Works With Hard Water, Reduces Lint With Limited Quantity | |
2 | Godrej Ezee Liquid Detergent - For Winterwear, 3kgs (1 bottle + 2 refills) | | Gently Cleans Delicate Fabrics and Keeps the Colours From Fading | |
3 | Surf Excel Easy Wash Detergent Powder | | Detergent for Everyday Use That Isn’t Harsh on the Hands | |
4 | Surf Excel Excel Bar | | Economically Priced and Makes Hand Washing Less of a Hassle | |
5 | MamaEarth Plant based laundry detergent | | Suitable Laundry Detergent for Kids Clothes | |
6 | Ariel Matic Liquid Detergent | | Minimises Product Wastage and Has a Lingering Scent | |
7 | Surf Excel Matic Top Load Detergent Powder | | Keeps the Colours From Fading and Leaves Clothes Feeling Softer | |
8 | Tide Plus Extra Power Detergent Washing Powder (Lemon and Mint) | | Removes Mal-odors and Works Particularly Well for White Clothes | |
9 | IFB Essentials Fluff Top Load Fabric Detergent | | Contains Fabric Conditioner to Keep Your Clothes Super Soft | |
10 | RIN Detergent Bar | | Great for Removing Mud and Dirt Stains From School Uniforms |
Works With Hard Water, Reduces Lint With Limited Quantity
It also helps reduce lint, keeps the clothes smelling fresh, and it’s especially great for washing whites. Furthermore, a little goes a long way with this detergent, so it’ll last for a while, and it works well with hard water too, so you won’t need to worry about that either.
Godrej Ezee Liquid Detergent - For Winterwear, 3kgs (1 bottle + 2 refills)
Gently Cleans Delicate Fabrics and Keeps the Colours From Fading
It’s also safer for those with sensitive skin as it has a much more gentle formulation that is free of irritants such as heavy fragrances. Additionally, it may be an investment product, but it’ll be worth spending on as it’ll increase the life of clothes that need the extra care.
Detergent for Everyday Use That Isn’t Harsh on the Hands
It removes stains without any hassles, especially if the clothes have been presoaked, which shouldn’t be a problem as it dissolves easily even in cold water. You only need a little bit of this, so it won’t run out easily, making it perfect for everyday use, and on top of that, it’s not too harsh on the hands either.
Economically Priced and Makes Hand Washing Less of a Hassle
As with all other detergent bars, the only drawback to this is that it won’t work for more delicate fabrics, limiting handwashing. Additionally, even though you don’t have to brush with this, you will need to rub on the stains at least a little bit, which will slowly but eventually damage the threads near the cuffs and collars.
MamaEarthPlant based laundry detergent
Suitable Laundry Detergent for Kids Clothes
This product by mama earth is specifically made for babies' clothes. The product contains natural ingredients like neem, citric acid that is effective on stains and does not cause any reaction to the baby's skin. The product contains bio enzymes and anti-bacterial agents.
The product is dermatologically tested and does not contains ingredients like bleach, phosphate, SLS, OR SLES. Many product reviews by mothers have highlighted how good the product is and has given a good essence after washing clothes.
Minimises Product Wastage and Has a Lingering Scent
The liquid detergent works effectively and sufficiently with limited quantities. Moreover, you’ll have to use it as a pretreatment for tougher stains as it won’t remove them properly unless that’s done.
Keeps the Colours From Fading and Leaves Clothes Feeling Softer
It’s not the best option for those who want a detergent with a strong fragrance, though, as it has a pretty light scent, which doesn’t linger for very long either. Additionally, despite being a powder type, it doesn’t work too well with hard water, so you might want to consider one of the others if you’ll be using hard water for laundry.
Tide PlusExtra Power Detergent Washing Powder (Lemon and Mint)
Removes Mal-odors and Works Particularly Well for White Clothes
While it does a great job at removing mal-odors and leaving the clothes feeling fresh, you must use it as pretreatment for at least two hours before you start washing to make sure it does its job properly. Furthermore, it’s quite harsh on the hands, so be prepared to deal with that if you plan to hand wash.
Contains Fabric Conditioner to Keep Your Clothes Super Soft
The product needs to be used in quantities specified on the label for efficient usage and less wastage. Moreover, its softening properties do not work on towels as they remain quite rough if you don’t use a softener separately.
Great for Removing Mud and Dirt Stains From School Uniforms
Although it’s the most economically priced, once it gets wet, it takes really long to dry, so a lot of the soap is wasted, and you run out of it pretty quickly. It’s also a bit harsh on the hands and will leave them feeling dry. Furthermore, it’s too harsh for woolens or silk clothes, so make sure you don’t use it on them.
Check Our Household Section for Different Guides
Suppose you're looking for different household products like Burner gas stove or Pedestal Fans. Head over to our household section and read our comprehensive buying guides with relevant and adequate information to help you select the right one and the best one.
Summary
Top 5 Detergent
No. 1: Surf Excel｜ Matic Front Load Detergent Powder
No. 2: Godrej ｜ Ezee Liquid Detergent - For Winterwear, 3kgs (1 bottle + 2 refills)
No. 3: Surf Excel｜ Easy Wash Detergent Powder
No. 4: Surf Excel｜ Excel Bar
No. 5: MamaEarth｜Plant based laundry detergent
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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