Washing your clothes in hard water without using the right laundry detergent can leave them looking (and smelling!) less than clean. Hard water is notorious for leaving unsightly residue on your clothes, resulting in a rough texture and lackluster appearance.
What’s even worse is that the residue weakens fabric fibers, which means that your clothes will fade faster and won’t last nearly as long. If your home has hard water, now is the time to make a switch to a detergent that cleans your clothes and battles against the effects of hard water.
In this guide, you’ll find information about the top 20 laundry detergents that tackle hard water issues. These products feature effective ingredients that protect against hard water residue, leaving your clothes clean, soft, and fresh.
- Loni Labs Bio Detergent
- Charlie’s Soap Booster & Hard Water Treatment
- Persil Liquid Detergent ProClean Intense Fresh
- Rockin’ Green Natural Laundry Powder
- Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Lavender Scent Laundry Detergent
- Stoneworks Laundry Detergent Pods
- Clean People Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent Sheets
- Molly's Suds Laundry Powder
- Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Booster
- Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent Plus OxiClean
- Dropps Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent
- Purex Dirt Lift Action Concentrated Detergent
- All with Stainlifters Free Clear Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Capri Blue Volcano Concentrated Laundry Detergent
- Seventh Generation EasyDose Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent
- Attitude Laundry Detergent
- Tide Ultra OXI Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Zuma Nutrition Organic Laundry Detergent Concentrate
- Thymes Mandarin Coriander Concentrated Laundry Detergent
- Grove Co. Ultra-Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent
Keep reading to learn about the 20 best hard water laundry detergents so that you can finally enjoy your laundry experience.
1. Loni Labs Bio Detergent
Make hard water problems a frustration of the past by switching to Loni Labs Bio Detergent. This premium, bio-based detergent is made with all natural ingredients that are safe for babies, pets, and those with sensitive skin. The hyper-concentrated formula washes away tough stains and stubborn odors, leaving behind a fresh scent that lasts.
Loni Labs Bio Detergent works with standard and HE washing machines and is proudly made in the USA.
2. Charlie’s Soap Booster & Hard Water Treatment
Stop letting hard water ruin your laundry and instead add Charlie’s Soap Booster & Hard Water Treatment to your routine. This product is specifically designed to tackle mineral buildup and residue caused by hard water. It effectively enhances the cleaning power of your detergent, ensuring a thorough and efficient wash in every load.
Charlie's Soap Booster & Hard Water Treatment is safe for all types of fabrics and is free from harmful chemicals.
3. Persil Liquid Detergent ProClean Intense Fresh
Persil Liquid Detergent ProClean Intense Fresh is a high quality, high performing laundry detergent that leaves your clothes clean and smelling great. After just one wash, you’ll be amazed at how all of the stubborn stains and odors are completely gone!
With a unique Intense Fresh scent, your clothes will smell fresh between washes.
4. Rockin’ Green Natural Laundry Powder
Rockin' Green Natural Laundry Powder made with all natural ingredients that clean and deodorize your clothes. Made with biodegradable plant-based ingredients, this powdered detergent is made without any harmful ingredients, making it safe for the whole family.
These ingredients may be gentle on the skin and delicate fabrics, but they’re powerful against stains, dirt, and odors.
5. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Lavender Scent Laundry Detergent
Experience the true cleaning power of nature-derived ingredients with Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Lavender Scent Laundry Detergent. Aside from the calming and soothing aroma of lavender, this detergent contains a powerful formula that effectively removes trapped dirt, odors, and stains.
Made without any toxic or potentially harmful chemicals, this is a detergent that you can feel good about using for all of your laundry needs.
6. Stoneworks Laundry Detergent Pods
Speed up your laundry experience and enjoy a deep clean with Stoneworks Laundry Detergent Pods. These pre-measured detergent packs offer sensational cleaning power along with a lasting-fragrance that keeps your clothes smelling great.
Made without any artificial chemicals, these pods contain a blend of plant and mineral ingredients that remove all traces of stains and bad smells from your clothes.
7. Clean People Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent Sheets
Small but mighty, Clean People Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent Sheets are a great addition to your laundry room. These sheets don't contain any of the bad stuff like dyes, parabens, phosphates, or chlorine. Instead, they're formulated with safe, clean ingredients that lift stains and odors.
These sheets work great in all washing machines, including HE and standard models. Clean People Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent Sheets are also septic tank safe!
8. Molly's Suds Laundry Powder
Enjoy fresh and clean laundry with Molly's Suds Laundry Powder. This powdered detergent is just what you need if your home has hard water. Each batch is made with natural, biodegradable ingredients that effectively clean and remove stains.
With an ultra-concentrated formula, you don’t need a lot to clean even the toughest of messes. Molly's Suds Laundry Powder is safe for sensitive skin and delicate fabrics, as it’s made without dyes, harsh chemicals, and synthetic fragrances.
9. Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Booster
Tackle your laundry with all natural ingredients with Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Booster. This bio enzyme laundry booster contains a 4-in-1 stain and odor remover that tackles the dirtiest laundry with ease. It even gets rid of yellow stains caused by sweat and oil that naturally occurs on the skin.
When paired with the company's laundry detergent, you can have total peace of mind that your clothes will smell great and look more vibrant than ever before.
10. Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent Plus OxiClean
Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent Plus OxiClean is a powerful choice for your hard water laundry needs. This detergent combines the trusted cleaning power of Arm & Hammer with the stain-fighting capabilities of OxiClean. It effectively removes tough stains, brightens whites, and revitalizes colors.
With a highly concentrated formula, a little goes a long way in tackling the toughest laundry problems.
11. Dropps Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent
Dropps Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent offers a convenient and eco-friendly way to tackle your dirty, smelly laundry. These pre-measured detergent pods are highly concentrated, ensuring optimal cleaning power in each load. They’re compatible with all washing machines and work effectively on a variety of fabrics.
Dropps Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients like dyes or phosphates.
12. Purex Dirt Lift Action Concentrated Detergent
Purex Dirt Lift Action Concentrated Detergent is a great choice for tackling dirt and stains. Its powerful formula contains Dirt Lift Action technology, which effectively lifts and removes tough stains from any and all fabrics.
The Mountain Breeze scent is refreshing and long-lasting, keeping your clothes smelling fresh between washes.
13. All with Stainlifters Free Clear Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent
If you have sensitive skin but need a detergent that works well in hard water, check out All with Stainlifters Free Clear Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent. This dermatologist recommended detergent is safe for sensitive skin and effectively removes 99% of everyday and seasonal allergies. Formulated without dyes and perfumes, this detergent is hypoallergenic.
Though gentle on the skin, All with Stainlifters Free Clear Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent contains an advanced Oxi formula with powerful stain fighting power.
14. Capri Blue Volcano Concentrated Laundry Detergent
Enjoy a fresh clean with each load by using Capri Blue Volcano Concentrated Laundry Detergent. This non-toxic, vegan laundry detergent is specially formulated with tangerine and grapefruit essential oils that leave your clothes smelling naturally amazing. Aside from the unforgettable fragrance, this detergent is made with natural ingredients, which means you never have to worry about exposing your clothes or your skin to parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or synthetic colors.
15. Seventh Generation EasyDose Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent
Laundry can be such a hassle, especially when you have to lift a heavy container and pour just the right amount into the washer. Make washing your clothes feel like less of a chore with Seventh Generation EasyDose Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent. With an innovative design, all you have to do is flip, squeeze, and start your washer!
Not only is Seventh Generation EasyDose Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent convenient, it’s made with natural, safe, and highly effective ingredients. Your clothes will not only be stain-free, they’ll smell great.
16. Attitude Laundry Detergent
Attitude Laundry Detergent is a conscientious choice for clean and eco-friendly laundry. This detergent is made with plant-based ingredients and doesn’t contain any harmful or toxic ingredients. It effectively removes stains and odors but is gentle enough for those with allergies and skin sensitivities.
Attitude Laundry Detergent is available in many great scents, including pink grapefruit, wildflower, summer berries, and citrus zest.
17. Tide Ultra OXI Liquid Laundry Detergent
Tide Ultra OXI Liquid Laundry Detergent is a powerhouse solution for tackling tough stains and odors. Its innovative formula combines the power of OXI and detergent, delivering exceptional cleaning performance. Wine, dirt, and grease are no match! This detergent will have them gone in no time.
With its reliable stain-fighting abilities, Tide Ultra OXI Liquid Laundry Detergent leaves your clothes fresh, clean, and looking their best.
18. Zuma Nutrition Organic Laundry Detergent Concentrate
Zuma Nutrition Organic Laundry Detergent Concentrate is a natural and eco-friendly option to clean everything in your laundry basket. This detergent is made with organic ingredients that are gentle on fabric but powerful against stains and stink.
The concentrated formula means that you don’t need a lot to get clean, fresh clothes. Zuma Nutrition Organic Laundry Detergent Concentrate is biodegradable and suitable to use on all fabrics.
19. Thymes Mandarin Coriander Concentrated Laundry Detergent
Thymes Mandarin Coriander Concentrated Laundry Detergent offers a luxurious and aromatic laundry experience. Infused with the refreshing scents of mandarin and coriander, this detergent not only smells great, it offers a concentrated formula that effectively removes stains and eliminates odors.
Made with plant-based enzymes, you can have total confidence that this detergent will get rid of the toughest messes and odors.
20. Grove Co. Ultra-Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent
Grove Co. Ultra-Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent is an eco-friendly choice for your laundry routine. This detergent features a highly concentrated formula, allowing you to use less product per load. It effectively removes stains and odors while being gentle on all fabrics.
Grove Co. Ultra-Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent is free from harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, making it suitable for sensitive skin while providing the gift of clean and fresh laundry.
What causes hard water?
Hard water is characterized by its high mineral content, specifically calcium and magnesium. These minerals are naturally found in water sources and can cause the water to be classified as "hard" when their concentrations surpass a certain limit.
Hard water not only ruins your clothes over time, it can lead to other problems like scale buildup in your home’s plumbing system.
Why do my clothes still smell after washing them?
Hard water decreases the effectiveness of soaps and detergents. This means that your clothes may come out of the washing machine not smelling or looking the best. To counteract the effects of cold water and to ensure your clothes look and smell clean, add more detergent to each load.
You can also add Borax laundry powder to help boost the effectiveness of detergent.
How do I fix hard water?
The most effective way to treat your home’s hard water is to have a water softener installed. This type of water filtration system filters out all of the minerals in your water, including magnesium and calcium. The minerals are trapped and then replaced with sodium ions, making your water more laundry- and skin-friendly.
Final thoughts
The combination of hard water and the wrong detergent can spell big problems when it comes to keeping your laundry clean, fresh, and looking its best. With this 20 best hard water laundry detergent guide, you can make a more informed choice the next time you visit the laundry aisle.
