We all use it daily, but why does laundry detergent cost so much? If you have a family, you'll know how expensive it can be.
In our guide, we’ll examine the key factors that influence the pricing of this household essential and explain how you can save money on laundry costs.
Costs of Laundry Detergent: A Breakdown
A few essential factors impact the cost of laundry detergent when purchased online or at the store checkout. We examine the most important ones.
Ingredient Quality
Unsurprisingly, better-quality ingredients like specialized enzymes and stain-fighting agents in premium detergents cost more money. And that's before we consider different fragrances and scent enhancers, which also increase cost.
High-quality enzymes break down stubborn dirt and stains with optimal results at the end of the wash cycle. The research behind these elements is significant and expensive.
Most laundry detergent manufacturers pass much of the source cost of these ingredients onto the consumer. However, it's important not to overlook the retail theory behind higher-priced goods.
Premium price tags can attract some customers who believe they are getting more simply because they are paying more, even if this is false.
Manufacturing Process
Making laundry detergent is a complex process with myriad ingredients, all of which perform different jobs—and you thought it was just soap!
The different elements are subjected to extensive manufacturing processes, which are energy-intensive and expensive.
The design of the container, be it box, bottle, or pack, will influence the cost of production, which will then be reflected in the unit price.
Research and Development
Research and development (R&D) are crucial to laundry detergent manufacturers' constant quest for the next innovation to set their product apart from the competition.
R&D requires significant investment in the hunt to find the next level of stain removal or other aspects of product advancement.
Market forces also influence brands to change their practices, which can impact price. Have you noticed how many liquid laundry detergent pods are now produced in cardboard containers rather than single-use plastic boxes?
It's due to the influence of environmental factors; no brand wants to be left behind in the race to become green.
Brand Reputation, Marketing, and Advertising
Established brands with a proven reputation and decent market share always command higher prices. Reliability, efficiency, and consistent quality inevitably mean a higher price tag.
Brands spend big budgets advertising their products, creating demand, and engendering brand loyalty to detergents. Campaigns can cost millions of dollars, and expensive mediums like TV advertisements are still popular today.
The laundry detergent sector is very competitive, with manufacturers always trying to gain a competitive advantage by maintaining or increasing their market share. There's no room for complacency.
Some of this traction is achieved by being different and standing out somehow. These campaigns are pricey, and the costs are passed on to the consumer.
There are always more budget-friendly options on the shelves, and larger stores will have their own in-house brands.
Pack or Bottle Size
Bulk buying usually offers better value for money due to economies of scale, but always check carefully the price per unit on different sizes; multipacks or value packs are not always what they claim to be.
Specialist Performance
You'll generally pay more for laundry detergents that are hypoallergenic and designed for delicate garments, or have specialist features like odor-eliminating technology.
How Much Does the Average Person Spend on Laundry Detergent?
Many factors make up an average spend, including the size of the product, the brand, and how frequently you use the detergent. However, the average per wash load would vary from $0.20 for budget products to over $1 for high-end and premium detergents.
At over $1 a load, these are niche or luxury detergents containing high-quality ingredients, unique fragrances that may not be synthetic, and eco-friendly credentials. Typically, these are not found on the shelves of your local store.
5 Tips on Reducing the Cost of Your Laundry
- Combine wash loads where possible. This may mean waiting until specific garments have accumulated and taking a more structured approach to wash day, reducing the number of times you machine wash.
- If you're using liquid detergent, measure it correctly for the wash load. If you're using pods you can't adjust, consider swapping to laundry detergent sheets. These sheets are pre-measured and allow for accurate dosing, so you will save money even though the initial price point may be higher. At between $0.29 and $0.47 per load, laundry detergent sheets compete favorably on average pricing and offer excellent value for money.
- Don't buy cheap detergents; they can damage your clothes and washer and cost you more money in the long run.
- Whatever product you choose to launder your clothes, buying in bulk or when there are special offers will save you money. It's a good way to buy a more expensive brand or product at a cheaper price.
- If you're already buying a top-end laundry detergent, then grade down a brand and compare the difference, in addition to the cost. You may be surprised at how well the more affordable alternative performs.
Does It Really Matter What Laundry Detergent You Use?
Most people don't lose any sleep over laundry detergent. All that glossy advertising surely means you're doing the best thing for your clothes and your washer, doesn't it?
Well, times change, and the laundry product that was once the best thing since sliced bread has been superseded by new kids on the block. The fresh product that everyone is talking about? Laundry detergent sheets.
Freddie laundry detergent sheets don't contain parabens, optical brighteners, dye, or 1,4-dioxane, which are common ingredients in some traditional liquid detergents and pods. However, this doesn't mean you’ll compromise on cleanliness.
Freddie laundry sheets contain ingredients like protease, glycerine, and tea seed oil, selected to minimize impact on skin and maintain fabric quality. They’re designed to deliver proper cleaning while avoiding certain ingredients found in traditional liquid detergents.
The chemicals released from liquid detergents may be difficult for septic systems or wastewater plants to process effectively.
Another great thing about our laundry detergent sheets is that you can adjust the dose. Many detergent pods are overconcentrated—run the machine through a few times on empty after your wash load, and see the suds that remain in the drum.
Liquid detergent is notoriously hard to measure, and most people use too much—that's if they can avoid spilling it.
Laundry sheets are pre-dosed; you can adjust the dose by tearing them, so you'll never use too much detergent.
So, yes, it does matter which laundry detergent you use. With all the options on the market, consider an alternative like Freddie, which minimizes environmental impact and reduces plastic waste while keeping your clothes clean.
Is the Cost of Laundry Sheets vs. Liquid Detergent or Pods Worth It?
Let's look at the main advantages laundry detergent sheets offer compared to liquid detergent or pods, making them worth a bit extra.
Non-toxic Ingredients
Avoiding some toxic chemicals found in many modern-day laundry detergents is worth a slightly higher price point.
Some people prefer to side-step ingredients like artificial scents, dyes, parabens, bleach, and 1,4-dioxane due to personal or environmental concerns.
Minimal Environmental Impact
When you choose our detergent sheets, you’re choosing to reduce your plastic waste. After all, Freddie sheets are packaged in recyclable cardboard packaging, with no plastic jugs necessary.
Convenience
Laundry detergent sheets are so easy to use and store. You can tear the pre-dosed sheets to adjust the amount you use to suit the wash load and washer cycle.
There's no messy measuring jug or spills, and you're not stuck with a fixed amount like detergent pods and capsules.
Compact and Space-saving
Our laundry detergent sheets take up a fraction of the storage space in your home. They're also great for travel, as they won’t eat into your liquid allowance at airport security (or leak in your suitcase!).
Does Homemade Laundry Detergent Work as Well as Store-Bought?
It's difficult for homemade laundry detergent to offer the same results as store-bought detergent because commercial laundry detergents don't just contain ingredients to clean clothes.
Commercial detergents include other things, like surfactants, which you can't replicate at home.
Surfactants (or surface-active agents) help trap dirt in your washer and remove it from the water's surface. They play a key role in foaming and cleansing, helping to shift dirt and stains.
Your homemade laundry detergent won't contain 'builders' either. Builders are materials that soften water, improve water quality, and help detergents work more efficiently.
The problem with ingredients like surfactants and builders is that although they improve cleaning performance, some of these ingredients may be more challenging for wastewater systems to process.
So, if you like homemade laundry products because you want to avoid certain ingredients, why not consider laundry detergent sheets?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Has Laundry Detergent Doubled in Price?
The major manufacturers cite the price of supplies and the rising transportation costs to retail outlets as the two main reasons why laundry detergent has doubled in price recently. You can keep costs low by combining your wash loads or switching to a detergent brand offering better value for money.
Is It OK To Use Cheap Laundry Detergent?
Cheap laundry detergent is not less money well spent. Cheap laundry detergent may harm your clothes and not wash as well, meaning you'll use more. Your washer may not like it either. Laundry sheets are a cost-conscious alternative that adds convenience to laundry day, reduces plastic waste, and minimizes environmental impact.
Final Thoughts
No one can overlook the recent price hikes in laundry detergent products, and it's not as if you can do without washing your clothes. The laundry detergent sector is highly competitive, and product prices reflect the intense and complex manufacturing process and associated costs like advertising and research.
There are ways to save money without sacrificing the cleanliness of your household linen and garments, and you can make more sustainable choices all at the same time.
Freddie laundry detergent sheets offer a convenient laundry alternative and tick all the boxes for ingredient-conscious consumers, formulated without dyes, phosphates, parabens, and 1,4-dioxane. They’re formulated with fewer harsh ingredients, in packaging that helps reduce waste. So, consider making the switch today.
