Best Detergent (Powder & Liquids) for Washing Machine in India

The washing machine is an essential household appliance. It is one of the things that ensure cleaner and fresh laundry, but what is that another thing?

Laundry detergent plays an important role in making your laundry clean, eliminating, and keeping it fresh.

You require laundry detergent in small quantities but it has to be efficient and powerful to make it work. There are two types of detergents available in the market – and liquid. Both of these have their own pros and cons.

If you are looking for an efficient, and the best laundry detergent, then this guide will be super helpful.

We help you understand how you should choose the detergent for your needs, review the best ones available in the market, and also answer some commonly asked questions.

Let’s get started!

Top 12 Best Detergents (Powders & Liquids) for Washing Machine

Best Detergent for Top Loading Washing MachineWeightBest Buy Link
 1. Surf Excel Matic 2 KgBuy on Amazon
 2. Ariel Matic
 3 KgBuy on Amazon
 3. Syclone Matic
 2 KgBuy on Amazon
 4. Henko Matic   1 KgBuy on Amazon
Best Liquid Detergents for Washing MachineWeightBest Buy Link
 5. Ariel Matic Liquid Detergent 
 1 LitreBuy on Amazon
 6. IFB Essentials Fluff 1 LitreBuy on Amazon
 7. Surf Excel Matic 1.02 LitreBuy on Amazon
 8. Bosch Detergent —–Buy on Amazon
Best Detergents for Front Load Washing MachineWeightBest Buy Link
 9. Surf Excel Matic 2 KgBuy on Amazon
 10. Ariel Matic  4+2 KgBuy on Amazon
 11. Henko Matic 2+1 KgBuy on Amazon
 12. Syclone Matic 2 KgBuy on Amazon

Best Washing Machine Detergent Reviews

1. Surf Excel Matic Top Load Detergent Powder

Surf Excel Matic Top Load Detergent Powder

It removes 100% of the toughest stains.

Surf Excel comes under the giant Unilever brand and was established in 1996. It was the first detergent to have launched in India and been very popular since then.

This powder detergent is specially designed for machines. It can remove 100% of the toughest stains.

It is designed to work amazingly well in the high water level of the top-loading washing machines. The powder detergent dissolves completely in water without leaving any residue on the laundry or the machine.

The detergent can give you a hand wash like effect in the machine, with its advanced formulation. There is no need for you to soak or scrub the laundry before putting it to wash. The detergent takes care of all of it.

All you need is 1 scoop of powder for regular laundry load and if the clothes are too dirty, then 1 ½ scoop.

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2. Ariel Matic Top Load Detergent Washing Powder

Ariel Matic Top Load Detergent Washing Powder

Its ‘bright guard technology’ prevents the colours from fading

Ariel is a British brand of laundry detergent that is owned by the American Procter and Gamble. It was founded in 1967.

Ariel is one of the most trusted and popular washing detergents in India. The cutting edge technology provides an amazing wash to all your clothes. It removes stains in one wash like butter, chocolate, gravy, juice, etc.

Its unique formulation has brightguard technology that prevents the colours from fading. With the deep down cleaning that it provides, it also leaves the laundry smelling fresh.

This powder detergent is made for fully automatic washing machines and generates the required amount of foam for washing.

You need 1 scoop of the powder for a regular load and 1 ½ for heavy load.

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3. Syclone Matic Top Load Detergent Powder

Syclone Matic Top Load Detergent Powder for Washing Machine

It has tiny freshness beads for fragrance

Another effective powder detergent on this list is the Syclone Matic Detergent powder.

Its multi-enzyme technology (sourced from Sweden) efficiently removes daily and tough stains.

The detergent also contains enzymes and special polymers that prevent the fading of colours and also do not make the whites dull.

It has tiny freshness beads that give your laundry a boost of freshness. The detergent’s highly efficient quick action formula can efficiently wash your laundry in top loaders.

All you need is 1 scoop for a regular load and 1 ½ for soiled laundry.

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4. Henko Matic Top Load Detergent

Henko Matic Top Load Detergent

Nano fiber lock technology that keeps your clothes look fresh

Another powder detergent for top-loading washing machines is Henko. It is a Jyothy Laboratories product.

Henko claims to have all the solutions to your laundry issues like stains, colour fading, etc. Its Nano fiber lock technology makes your clothes look new and fresh by locking the fibers and holding its colour.

It removes the toughest stains in just one wash. The dual-action wash removes the stains first and then the nano fiber lock technology works to give you laundry that looks new.

The powder texture is smooth and does not leave behind any residue. It has a fresh scent that keeps your laundry smelling great.

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5. Ariel Matic Liquid Detergent

Ariel Matic Liquid Detergent

It is suitable to wash your kid’s laundry

Another detergent from Ariel on this list is the liquid detergent. It is specially formulated for fully automatic washing machines.

It removes tough stains like ketchup, dirt, ink, etc. from the clothes in just one wash. Since it is in liquid form, it can dissolve better, without leaving any residue.

This detergent is also suitable to wash kid’s laundry. It protects colour in one wash and does not allow it to fade.

The cap of the bottle is designed in a way that ensures zero spillage for no mess. It also has a refreshing and long-lasting fragrance.

1 liter of this liquid detergent washes as much as 1 kg of powder detergent.

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6. IFB Essentials Fluff Top Load Fabric Detergent

IFB Essentials Fluff Top Load Fabric Detergent

It has a pH-balanced formula to protect the softness of the laundry

The IFB washing machine brand also has its liquid laundry that works amazingly well with top load and front load washing machines.

This one is low foaming that protects your washing machine and cleans the laundry thoroughly. It gives the laundry a fresh and flowery fragrance.

It has a pH-balanced formula that protects the softness of the clothes and adds shine to them. The liquid detergent can wash your whites and coloured clothes.

The detergent is 100% environmentally friendly. It can be used with any washing machine brand but works excellent with IFB machines.

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7. Surf Excel Matic Top Load Liquid Detergent

Surf Excel Matic Top Load Liquid Detergent

It’s 7 deep layer penetration removes tough stains

Another Surf Excel detergent on this list is the liquid type. It is specially formulated for fully automatic washing machines.

The detergent has a powerful cleaning technology with 7 deep layer penetration that goes deep inside the clothes and removes tough stains.

Since it is a liquid detergent, it dissolves quickly into the high water level in the machine and leaves no residue that might harm your clothes and machine.

It is designed to create sufficient foam as per the washing machine type that does not choke the pipes.

While removing tough stains from the laundry, it also retains the original colour and does not cause fading. The detergent leaves a long-lasting fragrance to the laundry.

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8. Bosch Detergent for Front Load Washing Machine

Bosch Detergent for Front Load Washing Machine

It is a German tested and approved laundry care solution

The Bosch washing machine brand also has its liquid laundry that works excellent with the front load washing machine.

It is formulated to remove the toughest of stains. It has a low suds formula that can be easily dissolved in the water and does not leave any residue on the laundry and machine.

Its special formulation keeps the colour of the clothes intact. It is a tested and approved laundry care solution in Germany.

Each wash gives a pleasant fragrance to your laundry so feel the freshness while wearing the clothes.

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9. Surf Excel Matic Front Load Detergent Powder

Surf Excel Matic Front Load Detergent Powder

Its low suds formula does not leave residue on the clothes

This Surf Excel powder detergent is specially formulated for front-loading washing machines.

It is designed to work at a high water level without compromising the efficiency of the wash.

With its low suds formula, it produces the right amount of lather that does not leave residue on the laundry and also protects your expensive machines.

The detergent removes 100% tough stains by penetrating into the layers of the clothes. There is no need for you to soak and scrub the clothes before putting them to wash.

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10. Ariel Matic Front Load Detergent Washing Powder

Ariel Matic Front Load Detergent Washing Powder

Removes tough stains of chocolate, ketchup, juices, etc.

This Ariel powder detergent is specially designed to work in front-loading washing machines.

It offers excellent stain removal of tough stains like juice, chocolate, ketchup, etc. in just wash. The new brightguard technology brightens the clothes in every wash.

This detergent is specially formulated for fully automatic washing machines and thus it creates the right amount of foam to protect the washer and not leave any residue on the laundry.

The detergent provides long-lasting and fresh fragrance to your clothes and a clean wash to give you the best laundry experience.

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11. Henko Matic Front Load Detergent

Henko Matic Front Load Detergent

Its LINTelligent nanofiber lock technology reduces lint by 127%

This Henko powder detergent is specially formulated for front load washing machines.

The formulation dissolves stains like ink, mud, chocolate, etc. easily without damaging your clothes. It can remove the toughest stains in just one wash.

Its LINTelligent nanofiber lock technology has a lint reduction power of 127% that locks the fiber and makes your clothes look new always. It also conditions the clothes to keep the colour and shine intact.

Its dual-action wash removes stains and locks in fiber to give you an excellent laundry experience. It is gentle to your clothes and thus does not harm the fabric.

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12. Syclone Matic Front Load Detergent Powder

Syclone Matic Front Load Detergent Powder

Its multi-enzyme European technology eliminates all kinds of stains

Syclone detergent for front loaders triple action formula is an all-rounder that removes tough stains, shields the clothes from fading, and leaves a long-lasting smell.

The low lather formulation makes it suitable for less water as well as low energy consuming washers. Since the front load machines use less water, a high lather could choke the pipes and leave a residue on the clothes.

Multi-enzyme European technology removes all kinds of stains. It has a perfume encapsulation technology that has fragrance beads that gently releases mild smell from the washed clothes.

It has brightness boosters that prevent the greying of whites and fading of coloured laundry.

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How to Choose a Detergent for Washing Machines in India?

Choosing the first one you come across or the one suggested by your family or friend may or may not be the right one for you.

Thus, the below-mentioned considerations will help you understand the things you need to look out for as per your requirements to make an informed purchase.

Consider the right type – powder or liquid?

Usually, there are two types of detergents available, liquid and powder. Let’s us know in detail about each:

Liquid detergents

This type is becoming popular day by day as people have started washing their clothes in the machine more. The only reason is that it does not create too much lather which is a problem in washing machines as it can clog up the pipes.

Liquid detergents also eliminate the toughest stains and wash the clothes efficiently. It also does not leave a blot or detergent mark on dark coloured clothes like powder detergent.

The only downfall of this type of detergent is that it is expensive when compared to the other type.

Powder detergent

This is an economic option for liquids and has been in the market for a long time now. These produce too much lather while brands like Ariel, Surf Excel, etc. have introduced low later options that save your machine.

Powder detergents can be used for hand washing your laundry while some can be only used in different types of machines. Based on the types of washing machines, there are three kinds available like:

  • Washing powder for front loaders
  • Washing powder for top loaders
  • Washing powders for fully automatic machines

The above-mentioned powders do not have a difference between each of them but a tiny change in their formulation to make it more suitable.

Stain removing ability

All detergents available in the market claim to remove stains but all do not fulfill the promise. You may end up buying the wrong detergent and rubbing the stain with your hand.

We have listed some of the best powder and liquid detergents that you can consider buying like Surf Excel and Ariel.

Lather production ability

One of the most crucial things that you need to consider is how much does the detergent lather. The reason for lather generation is to rub against the stain removal.

Based on your usage, you should choose a detergent that lathers. For example, for hand wash you should prefer a detergent that lathers and for machine wash, the one that lathers less.

The main reason why less lather is required in machines is that it clogs up the pipes and fills them with residue.

If you have a technologically advanced machine, then the lather amount does not matter but for old washers, a less lather detergent is a must.

Fabric softening ability

Some detergents make the laundry too stiff and thus your laundry detergent should have fabric softening ability. It needs to keep your laundry soft.

Some machines have a separate area to put the fabric softener, while some detergent comes with this as a solution.

Buying a washing powder with a softener can help you serve two purposes and save money.

Long-lasting fragrance

Another point to consider while looking for detergent is its fragrance. This does not mean that it should be too strong or it is a must, but you feel good to wear clothes that have a mild fragrance.

A few detergents like Syclone have active fragrance lock technology. They have tiny fragrance beads that release fragrance at regular intervals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you put the detergent in the machine before or after the clothes?

It depends. If you have a higher efficiency front loader machine, then there will be a separate compartment to put the detergent.

A few top-loading washing machines also have a separate compartment but your machine does not have one, then fill the washer with water, add detergent, and then clothes.

Can I use normal detergent in my top-loading washing machine? Will it damage?

No. If your washing machine requires higher efficiency detergent then you should not use normal detergent. This is because the high-efficiency detergents create less lather that helps the machines work efficiently.

How much laundry detergent should I use?

You should only use one tablespoon of detergent per regular load size. Liquid detergents come with a measuring cup which is actually 10 times more than the regular detergent required. Always measure the liquid detergent before pouring it into the machine.

Conclusion

We hope to have helped you understand the basics of laundry detergent that will help you make an informed purchase.

The buying guide helps you understand what are the important points you need to consider while buying to ensure you do not regret your decision.

To make your search simpler, we have reviewed a list of the best detergent powders and liquids for the washing machine.

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