26 Aug 2026
Laundry detergent cheat sheet:
- Laundry detergent removes dirt, stains and odour from your clothes.
- It comes in several forms, including capsules, liquid and powder.
- Modern concentrated detergents use less product while still delivering brilliant cleaning.
- Choosing the right detergent depends on your clothes, laundry habits and personal preference.
Most of us probably use laundry detergent without giving it much thought.
But what is it?
Is it the same as soap?
And does it matter whether you choose capsules, liquid or powder?
Here's what you need to know.
What does laundry detergent do?
Laundry detergent is specially made to remove dirt, grease, sweat, body oils and everyday stains from fabrics during washing.
The ingredients in a detergent help lift dirt away from fabric so it can be rinsed away in the water. They can also brighten whites, stop the dirt from re-depositing back on to the clothes, and of course they can also make your laundry smell much nicer!
The difference between laundry detergent and soap.
Normally, soap is made by reacting natural fats or oils with an alkali in a process called saponification.
Laundry detergent, on the other hand, is made very differently.
Instead of being created from fats and oils, it's made using specially selected cleaning ingredients, such as surfactants, which are designed to lift dirt away from fabrics to be held in the water of your washing machine.
Compared with traditional soap, detergents generally:
Soap | Laundry detergent |
|---|---|
Can leave residue in hard water | Made to work in hard or soft water |
Better suited to washing skin | Designed for cleaning fabrics |
Less effective on stains | Formulated to tackle dirt and grease |
What types of laundry detergent are there?
There are 3 main types of effective laundry detergent.
Laundry detergent type | Best for |
|---|---|
Everyday ease & pre-measured doses | |
Flexible dosing, hand washing items & pre-treating stains | |
Powder | Flexible dosing, when on a very tight budget |
There isn't a "best" option really of the three, although less and less of us tend to use powder. But it all depends on the way you do laundry.
Laundry Capsules or Laundry Liquid?
Here at smol we have our brilliant Laundry Capsules AND our wonderful Laundry Liquid.
Both deliver powerful cleaning, the difference lies in how you can use them.
smol Laundry Capsules | smol Laundry Liquid |
|---|---|
Pre-dosed | Flexible dosing |
No measuring | Pump exactly what you need |
Keeps everyday loads easy | Good for hand washing items or pre-treating stains |
100% recycled aluminium or plastic refillable bottles-for-life | |
Bio, Non-Bio | |
Great on low temperatures | Brilliant at 15-minute quick washes |
What's the difference between Bio and Non-Bio laundry detergent?
One of the most common questions when choosing a laundry detergent is whether to go for Bio or Non-Bio.
Bio detergents contain enzymes that help break down everyday stains making them a great choice for busy households.
Non-Bio detergents don't contain added enzymes and are often chosen by people looking for a gentler formula.
At smol, you can choose from Bio, Non-Bio or even Fragrance-Free Non-Bio Laundry Capsules, PLUS Bio and Non-Bio Laundry Liquid, making it easy to find the right option for your home.
What to look for in a laundry detergent.
When comparing detergents, look for products that offer:
- Great cleaning performance.
- Concentrated formulas that use less product.
- Packaging designed to reduce waste.
- Performance on modern quick wash cycles.
- A Bio or Non-Bio option that suits your household.
Small improvements across all of these areas can really make laundry day simpler.
Laundry detergent FAQs.
Catherine Green, Cleaning Expert
Catherine has been on a mission to revolutionise the way we tackle chores since the dawn of smol and is an advocate for making more sustainable living accessible to all, with a strong focus in cleaning that’s heavy on dirt, lighter on the planet and gentle on the skin. Catherine has tested hundreds of hacks to make tackling chores easier, safer, and better for the planet and our homes.
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