When shopping for a laundry detergent, most of us will consider the cost and fragrance, but not everyone pay attention to the quality itself. A good laundry chemical product is one that effectively cleans and removes stains from fabric while also being safe and gentle on the fabric itself. Here are some qualities to look for in a good laundry chemical product:

Effective cleaning power

A good laundry chemical product should be able to effectively clean and remove a wide range of stains, including dirt, oil, grease, and food stains. To achieve a high quality and deeper clean, choose a product that contains multiple surfactants (nonionic and anionic) as well as enzymes. Examples of specific laundry enzymes include protease (also known as subtilisin), amylase, mannanase, and pectate lyase, these ingredients should leave you feeling confident about the cleanliness of your laundry post-wash.

Gentle on fabrics

A good laundry chemical product should be gentle on fabrics and not cause any damage or discoloration. It should be safe to use on a wide range of fabrics, including delicate fabrics such as silk and wool.

Safe for the skin

If you or someone in your home suffers from sensitive skin, your laundry routine may require some extra consideration. People with sensitive skin should take extra care of their clothes and other items, like sheets and towels, that they come in regular contact with. For many, that includes using a detergent free of dyes and perfumes. Typically, if you have eczema-prone, sensitive, or reactive skin in general, you should be looking for laundry detergent that runs on the free and clear spectrum; these are most commonly free of dyes, sulfates, and fragrance.

Safe for the environment

A good laundry chemical product should be environmentally friendly and not contain any harmful chemicals that can harm the environment.

Easy to use

A good laundry chemical product should be easy to use and require minimal effort to get the desired results.

Cost-effective

A good laundry chemical product should be affordable and offer good value for money.

Versatile

A good laundry chemical product should be versatile and able to be used in a wide range of applications, including in commercial laundry operations and at home.

Pleasant scent

A good laundry chemical product should have a pleasant scent that leaves clothes smelling fresh and clean.

Machine compatible

In addition to getting your clothes clean, your detergent should be safe for your specific washing machine. Check the label to see if your formula is HE safe (should you have a HE machine!) and if there are any special requirements. After all, you don’t want to buy a detergent that needs to be run with a hot water cycle if your appliance doesn’t offer that feature.