Guide to high performance laundry detergents

We know a big consideration when choosing a laundry detergent is that your clothes are clean. By choosing the right detergent, you can get a great wash, and at the same time, make a big difference to the cost of treating water so that it can be recycled, and safely use greywater occasionally on the garden.

• Above average overall dirt removal performance, giving you a clean and fresh result
• Low salt levels, which is important for recycling water from treatment plants
• OK for occasional garden use of the wash water

Based on weightings of the above criteria we recommend the following detergents.

Greywater was considered to be “OK for the garden” based on intermittent use of a combination of wash and rinse water on a garden of 150-200m2. Detergents were diluted with 60L of water for front loading washing machines, and 120L for top loading washing machines.

To find out how your favourite brand performed for washing performance, stain removal, greywater suitability and wastewater recycling and cost per wash, refer to the results of CHOICE’s study.

• Use a liquid

  If you usually use a powder detergent, pick up a liquid concentrate next time you are at the supermarket and see if you are happy with the results. Liquid concentrates contain less salt than powders, making them less harmful for our waterways and better for wastewater recycling.

• Reduce the detergent dose

  Reducing the dose of detergent per wash will not necessarily affect its washing performance. For instance, CHOICE concluded that Omo Small and Mighty (powder concentrate for front loaders) performed almost as well at half dose as it did at full dose.

  So try your favourite brand at a lower dosage and see if you are happy with the results. This will not only help protect our precious waterways, but it will also save your household money!

• Using greywater on your garden

  It is safe to use the rinse water from your washing machine on your garden, but when using the wash water, you need to be mindful of the impacts on your plants, lawn and soil. CHOICE recommend intermittent use of wash water in combination with rinse water and use of a detergent that was listed in their study to be ‘Ok for the garden’. Greywater was considered to be “OK for the garden” based on intermittent use of a combination of wash and rinse water on a garden of 150-200m².

  If you intend regular use of greywater from your washing machine, please refer to the helpful information provided by GreySmart by following the links below.

• Working safely with greywater
  Basic greywater do’s and don’ts for working safely with greywater
• Choosing laundry detergents
  Some laundry detergents make the process of recycling water easier than others