Dazzling whites, or about as effective as plain water? A consumer watchdog has put laundry detergents to the test, and what came out in the wash was not as bright as some major retailers might claim.
Research by consumer advocacy group Choice found that of 70 laundry detergents tested on dirt and stains including grass, makeup, chocolate ice-cream, blood and baby food, five performed on par with plain water.
Best in launderette – and one of the most expensive products tested, at $1.16 a wash – went to Omo Expert Anti-Bacterial Powder laundry detergent, which scored highly in both front and top loading machines.
Meanwhile, Aldi’s Laundrite Laundry Liquid performed particularly poorly in the front loaders category, scoring 50% – the same rating given to water.
Assessing the range of powders, liquids, tablets and capsules is more rigorous than simply washing a load of dirty laundry, said Choice’s director of reviews and testing, Matthew Steen.
“Bringing a normal load of washing into the testing laboratory wouldn’t cut it. It’s evidence based,” he said of the testing process. Each detergent was assessed on how effectively it tackled various stains, then given a rating out of 100.
To ensure identical conditions in the lab, researchers washed specially stained swatches imported from the Netherlands in standard cold cycles. They then used a spectrophotometer to measure chemical substance concentrations on the swatches, as the laboratory machine delivers far more accurate results than the human eye.
Steering clear of subjectivity, the panel did not test for fragrance.
Highest on the list of commonly encountered stains, and thus weighted the heaviest in the scoring system, were perspiration and collar grime.
Overall, top loaders underperformed versus front loaders. Even water scored lower in top loaders, at 45%, compared with front loaders, at 50%.
But, while Omo Expert Anti-Bacterial Powder, $29 for 2kg, delivered top results on the cleanliness front, and other Omo products also scored well, their prices were also high.
For those not willing or able to spend almost $30 on a single box of detergent, Choice has a best buys category, which deliver value and “a decent wash” says Steen. At $0.11 per wash, Aldi Laundrite Powder, which came in fifth place, costs less than 10% of the top scorer’s price.
Alternatively, Steen advises buying the top scorer, but simply not using as much of the product in each load.
“Sometimes you don’t need a lot, especially if you sit behind a desk all day and don’t dirty your clothes as much as a mechanic or emergency worker,” he said, advising consumers to experiment with using less.
“You can use a quarter of the [suggested] amount and probably still be happy – the difference is marginal.”
Using less is not an option with capsule detergents – which Choice say fail to deliver value, or even results. Four of the lowest scores went to detergents in capsule form, prompting Steen to advise avoiding the category entirely.
An Aldi spokesperson said the supermarket aims “to deliver the highest quality at the most affordable price point. Our Laundrite Laundry Liquid has been developed to be good for your wallet and for the planet by offering a fresh clean without the use of added phosphates.”
“Ultimately, Aldi customers who are not fully satisfied with a product can return any items to the store for a full refund.”
