Which detergent should you choose?
Choosing the right detergent is often a process of trial and error, to find a detergent that both suits your family and gets your cloth nappies beautifully clean. You'll know that your detergent is working for you when
As a general rule, mainstream supermarket detergents will give a better clean than plant-based/eco detergents. Mainstream detergents have stronger surfactants (cleaning agents) and often a greater proportion of ingredients that will help with stain and bacteria removal.
Some people are hesitant to use mainstream detergents, thinking that they are environmentally damaging. The reality is that detergent composition in Australia is well regulated. Australian detergents have been free from phosphates (which contribute to algal blooms in waterways) since 2014 (see Accord Phosphorous Standard 2013 for a copy of the regulations). Australian detergents are also manufactured with biodegradable surfactants to the Australian Standard (AS4351:1996). If you're interested in learning more about the composition of laundry detergents, visit the Washwise website.
Wash temperature
Wash temperature is an important consideration. As a general rule, a main wash temperature of 40-60 degrees is sufficient for mainstream detergents. If you're using a sensitive or plant-based detergent, you'll find that a wash temperature of 60 degrees will give you the best results.
How to dose laundry detergent
If you're using a mainstream detergent, a great starting place is the dose information on the packaging. You may need a little extra if you have a very large washing machine (eg greater than ~8.5kg) or moderately hard water (Brisbane/Adelaide/some areas of Perth). Water hardness refers to the mineral content of the water. Most of Australia has soft water, so water hardness need not be a great consideration for most.
If you're using a plant based detergent, a good starting point is a double dose, and add a dose of stain remover/soaker powder in your main wash. You can use any brand eg Vanish/Sard/DiSan or the 'eco' equivalents- they all contain the same active ingredient.
To dose your detergent, follow these simple guidelines:
1) Use half of the “Normal Load” amount in your Prewash
2) Use the “Large Load/Heavy Soiling” amount in your Main Wash
3) Double these quantities for Plant Based Detergents
For the image below; use 1/2 scoop in your prewash and 1.5 scoops in your main wash.
Choosing the right detergent is often a process of trial and error, to find a detergent that both suits your family and gets your cloth nappies beautifully clean. You'll know that your detergent is working for you when
- your nappies come out of the wash free from stains and smelling fresh (or like nothing at all if you're using a fragrance free detergent)
- your nappies don't smell like anything other than fresh mild wee off of your baby
- your night nappies don't stink in the morning
- your nappy pail doesn't stink.
As a general rule, mainstream supermarket detergents will give a better clean than plant-based/eco detergents. Mainstream detergents have stronger surfactants (cleaning agents) and often a greater proportion of ingredients that will help with stain and bacteria removal.
Some people are hesitant to use mainstream detergents, thinking that they are environmentally damaging. The reality is that detergent composition in Australia is well regulated. Australian detergents have been free from phosphates (which contribute to algal blooms in waterways) since 2014 (see Accord Phosphorous Standard 2013 for a copy of the regulations). Australian detergents are also manufactured with biodegradable surfactants to the Australian Standard (AS4351:1996). If you're interested in learning more about the composition of laundry detergents, visit the Washwise website.
Wash temperature
Wash temperature is an important consideration. As a general rule, a main wash temperature of 40-60 degrees is sufficient for mainstream detergents. If you're using a sensitive or plant-based detergent, you'll find that a wash temperature of 60 degrees will give you the best results.
How to dose laundry detergent
If you're using a mainstream detergent, a great starting place is the dose information on the packaging. You may need a little extra if you have a very large washing machine (eg greater than ~8.5kg) or moderately hard water (Brisbane/Adelaide/some areas of Perth). Water hardness refers to the mineral content of the water. Most of Australia has soft water, so water hardness need not be a great consideration for most.
If you're using a plant based detergent, a good starting point is a double dose, and add a dose of stain remover/soaker powder in your main wash. You can use any brand eg Vanish/Sard/DiSan or the 'eco' equivalents- they all contain the same active ingredient.
To dose your detergent, follow these simple guidelines:
1) Use half of the “Normal Load” amount in your Prewash
2) Use the “Large Load/Heavy Soiling” amount in your Main Wash
3) Double these quantities for Plant Based Detergents
For the image below; use 1/2 scoop in your prewash and 1.5 scoops in your main wash.
How do I know if the dose is right?
Too little detergent or use of a weak detergent will result in stains, greying of your nappies or smells such as a “wet dog” smell while drying, or noticeable urine or poo smells off the bum or in the nappy pail.
Too much detergent can cause an overload of suds in front loaders and this can prevent good agitation. If you’re running a full load and you have an overload of suds, reduce your main wash dose a little and evaluate next wash.
These instructions are for family sized machines eg. 8kg. If you have a smaller machine (eg 6kg), adjust the main wash dose closer to the normal load amount and then evaluate the clean.
Sometimes you don’t have enough laundry to run a full load. When this happens, adjust your main wash detergent back to suit the load size.
Dose guide for popular, effective detergents
Product |
Suggested wash temp (C) |
Prewash dose |
Main wash dose |
Biozet powder |
40-60 |
1/3-1/2 scoop |
1-1.5 scoops |
Radiant liquid |
40-60 |
1/2 cap |
1.5 caps |
Omo powder (regular/Ultimate) |
40-60 |
1/2 scoop |
1-1.5 scoops (sudsy in front loaders) |
Omo liquid (regular/Ultimate) |
40-60 |
1/2 cap |
1 cap |
Omo Sensitive powder |
60 |
1/2 scoop |
1-1.5 scoops (sudsy in front loaders) + dose of stain remover powder |
Omo Sensitive liquid |
60 |
1/2 cap |
1 cap + dose of stain remover powder |
Dynamo Professional liquid |
60 |
1/2 cap |
1.5 caps |
Dynamo Free & Clear liquid |
60 |
1/2 cap |
1.5 caps |
Fab powder |
60 |
1/2 scoop |
1.5 scoops |
Surf powder |
60 |
1/2 scoop |
1.5 scoops |
Cold Power sensitive powder |
60 |
1/2 scoop |
1.5 scoops |
Cold Power sensitive liquid |
60 |
1/2 cap |
1.5 caps |
Earth Choice Bioplus liquid |
60 |
3/4-1 cap + dose of stain remover powder |
1.25-1.5 caps |
Dirt liquid |
60 |
3-4 pumps |
6-8 pumps + dose of stain remover powder |
Kinkin Naturals liquid |
60 |
45-60mL |
90-120mL + dose of stain remover powder |
Ecostore powder |
60 |
1 scoop |
2-3 scoops + dose of stain remover powder (sudsy in front loaders) |