Remember those TV ads where someone washed two white T-shirts with different washing powders and one (hint: the brand that’s being advertised) always came out blindingly clean? Well, we’ve been conducting our own version of that in hopes of finding which washing powders really are the best.
We’ll start by saying that we always thought those adverts were questionable – especially as the kids seemed to get their clothes implausibly messy. But after having had three kids of our own, we now know that those ads were probably being generous with just how mucky kids can get. Naturally, as a result, finding a powder that can live up to that hype has become our mission.
Of course washing powders are not all the same. The two key types are biological and non-biological (often shortened to bio and non-bio). But what exactly is the difference?
Biological powders contain enzymes that break down fat, grease and starch, which are often the culprits for the toughest stains. However, some people find these irritate the skin and can leave colours looking a little muted.
On the other hand, while non-bio washing powders don’t contain these enzymes – making them best for people who have sensitive skin – they do have cleaning agents in them, so you might find you need to whack up the temperature a bit on the washing cycle to get your washing looking cleaner.
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How we tested
We tested all these washing powders in the same machine in a hard-water area. Following the dosage described on the packet, we did several washes with each powder, both with colours and whites. Yep, our washing machine has been doing overtime. And thanks to our family of five, some of whom have sensitive skin, we were able to see just how well these powders dealt with real-life scenarios and spills.
We had ample stained clothes to test – from tomato-pasta sauces to Sharpie. We (OK, our kids) threw the lot at it. We wanted to see how bright our whites stayed, how vibrant the colours came out, and, of course, how nicely the clothes smelt afterwards. Here are the washing powders that cleaned up…
The best washing powders for 2022 are:
- Best overall – Bio-D concentrated non-bio washing powder: £8.95, Biod.co.uk
- Best for stain removal – Ecover non-bio washing powder: £9, Sainsburys.co.uk
- Best for whites – Miele ultra white powder detergent: £16.69, Miele.co.uk
- Best for sensitive skin – Fairy non-bio washing powder: £7.50, Wilko.com
- Best subscription service – Splosh bio washing powder: £5.45, Splosh.com
- Best supermarket non-bio – Sainsbury’s non-bio laundry powder: £6.50, Sainsburys.co.uk
- Best biological washing powder – Aldi Almat biological washing powder: £2.99, Aldi.co.uk
- Best for those with a social conscience – Bide laundry powder: £10.40, Bideboxes.com