10 Best Laundry Detergents in 2023, Reviewed by HGTV Editors
Shop our go-to laundry detergents that work hard and smell great.
HGTV staffers swear by their laundry detergents, and it’s easy to see why. Some are masterful at getting out baby and kid stains and some just smell really, really good — perfect for washing bedding and weighted blankets. We even share our favorite concentrated detergent, delicates wash and cashmere shampoo that cost a bit more but last for a while. Shop our top picks, and — dare we say — love laundry day.
"My favorite laundry detergent is Capri Blue Volcano — it smells just like my favorite candles! It leaves my clothes smelling great but doesn’t irritate my skin (normally my skin reacts to scented detergents). It also lasts a while — a little capful goes a long way." — Caroline Alkire, Managing Editor
"I love any Mrs. Meyer's cleaning product and their laundry detergent. I like washing my sheets and towels in the lavender scent and personal clothing in the honeysuckle. I typically like my clothes and sheets to smell different, because mentally, it’s a nice change from being awake to crawling in bed at night with a different, more relaxing, scent." — Virginia Moon, Managing Editor
"My husband and I are trying to use more natural products in every aspect of our lives, including our laundry and cleaning supplies. Grove Collaborative's laundry detergent smells amazing (we love the lavender and rosemary scent), works really well on stains and is great for our sensitive skin. I particularly love that they're plastic-free, made with 100-percent plant-derived ingredients and without harsh chemicals or dyes. The delicious scents are even 100-percent natural. I'm obsessed!" — Kayla Kitts, Managing Editor
"I love the fresh, relaxing scent of lavender in this detergent which makes putting on my face mask a little more pleasant. Scent is a huge issue for me in cleaning products, and this is the kind of clean smell I really enjoy on my towels and sheets." — Felicia Feaster, Managing Editor
"I got a sample size of Glamorous Wash at a pre-COVID 'favorite things' party, and I've been hooked ever since. It’s definitely a splurge, so I use it only on my delicates and where the lovely scent (Diva is my favorite) makes an impact, like when I hand-wash my silk pillowcase." — Mariel Clark, VP of Editorial & Programming
"For the fall and winter months when I pull out my cozy sweaters from the back of the closet, The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo is taken out, too. I find this shampoo helps my wools keep their shape longer, and they feel even softer after I wash them. (I use my delicate setting with a cold-water wash.) — Jennifer Cicatelli, Digital Commerce Manager
"There is nothing — and I mean nothing — that smells as good as Dreft baby detergent. I bought the 150-ounce container before my son was born, and I only recently had to replace it. (He is 17 months old.) Plus, not only does it smell like heaven, it gets out food, dirt and grass stains so well." — Kayla Kitts
"Nathan Brand sport wash and power wash is the only thing that seems to work on my husband's workout clothes. I buy the largest size, and since it only takes a very small capful, it lasts for a long time." — Michele Purcell, Executive Producer
"I use Tide Free & Gentle on my kids' clothes. New parents (myself included) splurge on newborn/baby-specific detergent when you can simply wash newborn and baby clothes in Free & Gentle detergent. I even throw my own clothes into the cycle to save myself time (because we all need extra time!)." — Jennifer Cicatelli
"I usually alternate between a more natural detergent and a conventional one. While I prefer to use natural household cleaning products, it's hard to deny the power of Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean. It just works so well. Plus, it smells amazing and makes my family's clothes feel clean. For heavily-soiled loads, Arm & Hammer is my go-to." — Molly Miller, Assistant Editor
What Kind of Laundry Dertergent Should You Buy?
The best type of laundry detergent for you depends on your personal needs and washing habits.
Liquid Detergent: This is probably the most common kind of laundry detergent on the market and works will in nearly all kinds of washing machines. Take note of how much you use during a wash. Too much detergent might be tough to remove from clothes in higher efficiency washers.
Powder: If you do laundry at a laundromat or need to bring detergent with you on a trip, powder laundry detergent can be a great option. Powder detergent also tends to work better on tough stains like mud or grass stains. Keep in mind, powder needs to be stored in a dry place to avoid clumping.
Detergent Pods: First, keep these out of reach from small children. Pods can be convenient because they're premeasured detergent that you just pop into the machine with each load. Be aware that some machines don't desolve the pods as well as others, which can hinder their performance.
Detergent Sheets: These are newer to the market and something our editors are eager to try. They're also premeasured detergent, just in thin sheets as opposed to pods.
How Much Detergent Should I Use?
We recommend following manufaturer's instructions for how much detergent to use per load. In general, medium loads mean a halfway-full tub with dry clothes. Large and exrta-large loads mean more clothing and are usually common when washing towels and sheets. High-efficiency washers may need a different amount of detergent compared to standard washers. Refer to your user's manual for more information.
Do I Need Specialty Detergents?
Our editors prefer using specialty for delicate fabrics like wool and cashmere to prevent pilling and shrinkage. We also swear by heavier-duty detergents for smelly workout gear.
