One of the many things that became truly prevalent during the course of the pandemic is doing your own laundry. While taking your pile of dirty clothes to laundromats is convenient, easier, and less time-consuming, with the tottering virus threat, 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 liquid or powder type, a mild or concentrated one, we're here to help you navigate the sea of laundry detergent options. We have curated a list of the best ones on the market from brands like Surf, Tide, and Cycles, and we also have a buying guide with comments from Dr. Katrina!
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.
Experts featured in this article only reviewed the content of our buying guide. They had no part in the selection or ranking of products or services listed.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Here are some points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
There are four common types of laundry detergents: powder, liquid, pod, and bars. They have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages and we'll go over them to see which one will suit your laundry needs best.
Powder detergents are the most common type of detergent. They have the lowest cost per load as they can be bought cheaper and can handle more clothes in the washing machine, making them ideal if you have a lot of laundry to do.
Since powder detergents tend to contain stronger cleaning mechanisms and are formulated at a higher pH, they also do a great job cleaning heavily soiled fabrics. They can remove tough stains more effectively than their counterparts.
Moreover, powder detergents are best for consumers who are looking for eco-friendlier packaging. However, powder detergents do not easily dissolve in cold water. Thus, it is best to choose another type of detergent if you're washing clothes that require colder water.
The ease of using liquid detergents attracts most consumers to choose them over powder ones. There is no need to think about blobs of powder getting stuck in your washing machine or detergent drawer with them. Since liquid detergents are already dissolved, you won't also have to worry about any unwanted residue sticking to your clothes.
They are also great for pre-treating stains; simply put them directly on the stain and rub gently. If you're looking for one that you can use for delicate fabrics, like silk and wool, they are the better pick, too. However, note that they are typically more expensive than powder detergents.
If you're looking for the most convenient choice, detergent pods are for you. Since they come in a pre-measured dose of detergent, there's no need to measure and worry whether you're using the right amount of detergent for your laundry load. All you have to do is throw them onto your washer!
They also contain highly concentrated detergents. However, pods are even more expensive than liquid detergents. They might not also be a good pick for households with kids, as they can pose poisoning and choking hazards for young children due to their size and appearance.
A detergent bar, often called "bareta," is another popular detergent type here in the Philippines. Like powder detergents, these laundry soap bars are cost-friendly, making them ideal for general and everyday laundry. Due to their solid form, they are also suitable for handwashing clothes. Using detergent bars, you can rub the soiled areas of your clothes.
We've all been through that moment where we thought doing laundry was easy but end up messing it up. It isn't as easy as it sounds and as we grow up, we recognize the value of having the right detergent for our clothes. Below are some of the considerations we hope we'd known when we were first starting doing our laundry.
Colored clothes may fade after repetitive washes. But thanks to the recent advances in laundry formulations, there are various color-safe detergents now that have the ability to keep your colored clothes from bleeding and fading even after a vigorous wash. These types of laundry detergents are best used for dark and bright-colored fabrics.
Maintaining white clothes can be a chore, and removing stains from one is almost impossible with the wrong detergent. Thankfully, nowadays, there are several laundry detergents that contain a whitening formula to make your white clothes good as new.
They typically have bleach or technologies like OxiClean that combat persistent stains in white clothes. They do it by slowly removing the dye and coloring from the surface of the thread to keep your garments looking white. But keep in mind that they are only for whites clothes, as their strong formulation can cause colored ones to fade!
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.
Although fabric conditioners and softeners were originally bought separately from laundry detergents, you can now chance upon detergents infused with a fabric softener or conditioner. To get one, look for a packaging that says "with fabcon" or "with fabric softener."
Home workouts are much more prevalent right now. With more people working out at home, laundry is sure to pile upーand with that, we're not just pertaining to regular dirty clothes but heavily soiled and sweaty ones that common detergents may not clean entirely.
For these types of laundry, you might want to go for detergents that have the capability to remove odor. You can find ones with anti-bacterial properties, which can eliminate the odor-causing bacteria on your garments. These detergents typically come with labels, like "odor-removing" and "anti-bacterial."
We often associate a pleasant scent with cleanliness, which is also the case for laundry. If you're particular about the smell of your garments and linens, laundry detergents come in various scents that you can choose from. You can find ones with a fruity and citrusy whiff, while there are also others that possess a floral, herbal, or fresh scent. The choice will highly depend on your personal preference!
Babies' skins are delicate and sensitive. Hence, when washing garments and linens that come in contact with your baby's skin, it is best to use a gentle detergent with no harsh chemicals. This can also be the case for family members with particular skin sensitivities.
Detergents with fresh or floral scents could be enticing at first, as nothing beats the smell of freshly laundered clothes. But these scents are often derived from chemicals that may cause irritation and dryness on your baby's skin. Thus, when washing baby clothes, it's best to go for unscented ones that do not contain any harsh fragrance that may pose risks for your little one.
Be on the lookout for sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)/sodium Laureth sulfate (SLES), a cleansing agent that can be an eye irritant. This is usually accompanied by 1.4-dioxane, a trace mineral that was found to be potentially toxic to your brain and central nervous system, among others.
Be careful of laundry detergents with NPE or nonylphenol ethoxylate, too. It is a wetting agent that has been banned in Canada and Europe. Phosphates, meanwhile, are hazardous to the environment that should be avoided.
Before picking one from the laundry detergent aisle, it is vital to check first whether it is compatible with your washer or your usual laundry method. If you're the type to prefer hand washing clothes, you better look for mild detergents that are gentle enough for your hands.
Meanwhile, if you're using a high-efficiency (HE) washer, make sure to purchase a HE-compatible detergent. This is crucial because HE washers use much less water than standard washing machines, so HE detergents tend to disperse quicker.
Since laundry detergents come in different sizes and quantities, it is best to select one that matches the size of your household for maximum cost savings. If you have a big family or run a laundry business, you can save more by purchasing laundry detergents in bulk.
Meanwhile, small packs and bottles of laundry detergents might be a good option for small households or those living alone. This is also ideal if you want to try out a particular laundry detergent brand first!
From ₱259.75
This laundry detergent from Human Nature is heaven-sent for those with sensitive skin—and yes, that includes your baby! Its formulation is derma-tested to be non-irritating and safe even for sensitive skin. Aside from being fragrance-free, it is also clear of any colorant, bleach, and optical brighteners that may cause irritations to some.
It utilizes natural ingredients sourced locally, like coconut cleansers. In terms of performance, it effectively removes dirt and stains on fabrics. It can also keep them smelling fresh without any harsh chemical residue, allowing you to use it even for your baby's garments.
Although unscented, this one is guaranteed to give your clothes a fresh and clean whiff that speaks of a clean laundry load. Another plus of this product is that it is eco-friendlyーtalk about a detergent that is great for the entire family and nature as well!
This offering from SESOU is sulfate-free and phosphate-free, making it an excellent option for mothers who want an eco-friendly and gentle detergent for their household's laundry load. Although 100% eco-sustainable, you can count on its performance to be at par with its regular counterparts.
It does a tough 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.
To ensure your clothes do not only look clean but are actually clean, Ariel's Liquid Detergent Hygiene Pro+ is a must-have in your laundry room. It has Triple Deep Clean technology that penetrates fibers to remove deep-seated stains, 99.9% of Germs, and 99.9% of viruses that may have accumulated throughout your day.
This liquid detergent is a real game-changer during this time when we put extra effort into ensuring we're away from viruses that may put our health at riskーno wonder the Philippines Society for Microbiology recommends it! Another thing you will love about it is that it leaves your fabrics with a fresh-smelling scent!
From ₱368
Suds' small yet amazing detergent pods are guaranteed to make laundry days more convenient. Packed with a concentrated detergent and multi-enzyme stain remover and softener, it targets a wide range of everyday stains. It also has the ability to brighten and soften your fabrics.
Aside from that, it has color protection, so you wouldn't have to worry about your favorite clothes fading. You can also rest easy when it comes to amoy-kulob garments, as it has an anti-bacterial agent and scent booster beads that remove odor-causing bacteria and keep your clothes smelling good with a fresh ocean scent.
From ₱141
This laundry detergent by Surf can be an excellent pick for those who still prefer the manual washing method. Coming in the form of bareta, you can vigorously rub your labada using it to let it deeply seep into every fiber of the fabrics to eventually wash away any unwanted dirt and odor.
Formulated with Oxybubbles, this laundry bar can clean like micro brushes to leave your clothes bright, clean, and white. It also leaves your labada soft with a long-lasting fragrance since it has a fabric conditioner. The best thing? Even with all those cleaning power, it remains affordable!
If you're particular about your laundry's scent, then you'll love this detergent from Pride. It possesses a Kalamansi and Jasmine scent with slightly citrusy and floral notes, giving your clothes a fresh and clean smell. If you're one of the many people who associate your laundry's cleanliness with the presence of bubbles, you'll also love this one, as it has a high-foaming formula.
In terms of performance, this detergent powder also comes at par with other trusted brands. It has a stain-away formula that effectively lifts deep-seated stains on your fabrics to leave them clean and bright. Another thing you'll love about it is that it is environment-friendly!
Who doesn't enjoy a fresh baby smell on their clothes? Using this detergent, you can now exude that fresh baby scent that we all love. Being buried in a fresh load of laundry washed with Cycles can no doubt bring a smile to the faces of mothers. This is another mild detergent that was made especially for babies.
Use this if you are looking for a detergent that causes no skin irritation and would like to skip the use of fabric softeners. Another plus is that it does not use bleach, dyes, or enzymes that could damage clothes and are harmful to the skin. Indeed a detergent that takes care of us, as a mother does.
Mention laundry in the Philippines, and Tide is the brand that is always top of mind. It is an old reliable brand that has withstood the test of time in every laundry room for good reason. A lot of user testimonials have attested to the product's effectiveness, making the brand one of the top choices for moms across the country.
The product claims to clean your garments like they were hand-washed even if you run them on your washing machine. As most Filipino moms still adhere to handwashing due to its stain-removal capabilities, the brand has presented them with a way to clean clothes easier and with less effort. This is why Tide remains to be a household staple in most Filipino homes.
This new offering from Comfort claims to be a 'care detergent' with an anti-aging technology that protects your clothes from looking old even after several washes. The packaging is very sosyal, and they even tapped Heart Evangelista as their endorser to drive that point home.
This detergent leaves a fresh, floral scent on your clothes after washing. It also gets the job done in cleaning your laundry and is an excellent alternative to the usual household brands. For best results, the brand recommends using this detergent with their fabric conditioner.
If you think you should still hand wash those hard-to-remove stains before giving your clothes a run in the washing machine—Breeze solves that for you. To remove stains, simply rub it directly on the soiled area before running your clothes on the washer. By doing this, you can ensure that the cleaning solution permeates the stain, aiding its removal.
Although tough on stains, you can use this detergent for manual washing with no problem, too, as it is gentle on the hands. It also comes with a rose gold perfume scent that leaves an all-day fragrance on your clothes. It is reminiscent of those high-end perfumes that are subtle yet long-lasting.
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 may 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 to the detergent and water. If you develop signs such as redness, itching, 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 the laundry detergent residues are leftーfor example, cloth mask getting contact with the skin.
To make sure laundry day at home goes smoothly, check out these essential products that shouldn't be missing in your laundry room 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! Happy washing!
Author: Laura Mercado
Reviewed by: Dermatologist, Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz
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.
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