Types Of Japanese Laundry Detergent | 2022

2.8K

Keep your clothes always smelling fresh and soft with these best Japanese laundry detergents! Check it out below!

We may maintain cleanliness everywhere in and around you, but pollution and our fast-paced life can take a toll on our clothes and make them dirty. To help you out, we have brought to you the best Japanese laundry detergents to help you clean your clothes and ensure proper hygiene. The best laundry detergents help you remove everything from dirt, stains, and odors without damaging your clothes. 

• Related: Japanese Washing Machine
• Related: Japanese Stain Remover
• Related: Japanese Clothes Disinfectant Spray

With so many products available, here are some top-performing options for you, with the guarantee that it will give you the level of cleanliness that you need. In this article, you will find some of the must-have laundry detergents that are absolutely wonderful. 

Types Of Japanese Laundry Detergents

Japanese Powder Detergent

As the name suggests, this is your typical laundry detergent in powder form. This is usually the cheapest of all the Japanese laundry detergent types. It comes in plastic containers, most of them which can be recycled. Japanese powder detergents are great for stain removal and it does a good job at brightening and whitening clothes. Most Japanese powder laundry detergents contain oxygen bleach that helps get rid of stains easily. 

Some cons that come with choosing a Japanese powder laundry detergent – Sometimes the powder detergents can leave a film residue in the clothes. It is also possible that the powder detergent may not completely dissolve in a cool cycle and get on your clothes which would mean you would have to wash it again. 

Japanese Laundry Detergent Liquid

Today, Japanese laundry detergent liquids are the most popular choice of laundry detergent type. Since it’s in liquid form it easily dissolves in water even in cool cycles so it’s great for washing irrespective of the water temperature. It’s very effective on greasy stains and also very easy to use when removing stains before the washing cycle. 

The only con I can probably think of is that most detergent liquids don’t come with a measuring unit so it can be difficult to measure how much liquid to use for different loads. 

Japanese Laundry Detergent Pods

This type of Japanese laundry detergent is the most convenient to use and is great to take along with you when you’re traveling. It comes in pod form and is pre-measured. It doesn’t get messy at all and has a long shelf life. 

You can’t use a Japanese laundry detergent pod to pretreat a stain before washing. Laundry pods are the most expensive option. 

Japanese Laundry Soap Bar

This type of Japanese laundry soap bar is great for hand washing your clothes. If there’s a particularly tough stain you want to remove then pre washing the area using a Japanese Laundry Soap Bar can help remove the stain more effectively. 

Japanese Laundry Soap Bar are usually gentler than other detergents types which is great to use for hand washing lingerie or any other clothing that you don’t want to machine wash 

Japanese Laundry Tablets

Japanese laundry tablets are kinda like the Japanese detergent pods but come in different forms. They are very portable and are great for when you are traveling. You can’t pre-treat stains before the machine wash and the tablet may not fully dissolve in a cool cycle. 

How to Choose a Laundry Detergent: Buying Guide

• Ingredients: Look for ingredients like surfactants and enzymes in your laundry detergent that will help in easy cleaning of the clothes. Make sure the ingredients are gentle on the skin as sometimes they can touch your skin and cause allergic reactions. Look for plant-based ingredients other than surfactants that work as cleaning agents. 

• Fragrance: Nice-smelling laundry detergent go a long way and are widely appreciated lately. Look for detergents that have plant-based or natural fragrances in them. Avoid synthetic fragrances as it can cause skin irritation. 

• Machine friendly: Look for machine-friendly detergents that can easily go into a washing machine as not all detergents are washing machine-friendly. Look for a label on the detergents themselves to find it out.

How to Air-Dry Laundry Without It Smelling

You’ll find lots of odor-blocking, antibacterial laundry detergents in Japan, especially since it’s so humid here. But none of that matters if you don’t air-dry your laundry in the right way. 

If you let your laundry dry inside the house, it takes longer to dry giving odor-causing bacteria to flourish pon the clothes. The best way to avoid this is to quickly and effectively air dry your laundry. 

Step 1: Hang the laundry up as soon as the wash cycle is over

Step 2: Give enough space between each item of clothing so that air can circulate freely 

Step 3: For items like towels or any long piece of clothing, hand it in such a way that there’s very little overlap 

Step 4: If you have a dehumidifier, air purifier, or fan in the room then directly exposing the laundry to air will help circulate the air and dry quicker. 

Best Japanese Laundry Detergents – Quick Summary

Best Japanese Laundry Detergent	Type	Link
Saraya Arau Baby Laundry Detergent	Liquid	Check it out on Amazon!
Attack BioEX Laundry Detergent	Powder	Check it out on Amazon!
Ariel Laundry Detergent Powder	Powder	Check it out on Amazon!
Ecover Zero 2x Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergent	Liquid	Check it out on Amazon!
Ecover Delicate Laundry Detergent	Liquid	Check it out on Amazon!
Pigeon Baby Laundry Detergent	Liquid	Check it out on Amazon!
P&G Bold Fresh Clean 3D Gel Laundry Detergent	3D Gel Ball	Check it out on Amazon!
P&G Bold Blossom 3D Gel Ball Laundry Detergent	3D Gel Ball	Check it out on Amazon!
Sarasaty Lingerie Detergent	Liquid	Check it out on Amazon!
Pigeon Liquid Laundry Detergent	Liquid	Check it out on Amazon!

Our Top Picks For Best Japanese Laundry Detergents

1. Saraya Arau Baby Laundry Detergent – Gentle detergent, perfect to wash your baby’s clothes – Get it here!
2. Attack BioEX Laundry Detergent – Most affordable laundry detergent – Get it here!
3. Ariel Laundry Detergent Powder –  Removes the most stubborn stains – Get it here!

Which is the best Japanese detergent?

My team and I tested 20+ detergents on the basis of ingredients, fragrance, and machine-friendliness. We found Attack BioEX Laundry Detergent Powder to be the best Japanese fabric conditioner. 

Attack BioEX Laundry Detergent Powder effectively helps in getting rid of mud and oil stains. It does not leave behind a nasty detergent odor, allowing you to dry your laundry indoors. The package comes with a measuring spoon so that you can easily measure the desired amount of detergent. The laundry detergent is pretty affordable and has a soft floral scent, which is definitely very pleasing. It’s available on Amazon for sale. 

Arau Baby Laundry Detergent

The first best Japanese laundry detergent on this list is priceless, especially if you have little ones around or simply have sensitive skin that reacts to strong detergents. Arau baby liquid detergent comes in a cute bottle and is known to be one of the gentlest laundry detergents in the market. 

I love how this laundry detergent leaves your baby’s clothes feeling soft and snuggly, without the use of fabric softener. I also really like the pleasant fruity smell it leaves on your clothes that you don’t require to wear perfume. Arau baby liquid detergent can be used on adult clothes and other washable items as well.

If by chance you wash your clothes with your hands, don’t worry about allergies on your palms as this detergent contains no chemicals. It has a unique formula that dissolves and rinses away quickly.

Key Features:

• A gentle softener that is perfect for your babies’ clothes
• If you have sensitive skin, you may want to give this detergent a try
• Leaves clothes soft and snuggly, without any fabric softener
• Dissolves and rinses away quickly
• Cleans well and leaves behind a pleasant and light scent of herbs and fruit extracts

Editor’s Ratings:

• Cleansing power: 8.5/10
• Fragrance: 9.5/10
• Price: 8.5/10

Attack BioEX Laundry Detergent Powder

The next best Japanese laundry detergent is one of the most popular and common laundry detergents in Japan, Attack BioX Detergent. It is one of the highly-rated detergents for its cleaning power; it effectively helps you get rid of mud and oil stains.

I remember to have stained my white shirt once and I tried everything to get rid of it. Attack BioX was the only solution that make it clean and crisp. Another reason that makes this laundry detergent my favorite is that it does not leave behind a nasty detergent odor, allowing you to dry your laundry indoors. 

The package comes with a measuring spoon so that you can easily measure the desired amount of detergent. It is also said that one spoon of this detergent is enough to bring out amazing whiteness in your clothes.

The laundry detergent is pretty affordable and has a soft floral scent, which is definitely very pleasing.

Key Features:

• Most popular and common laundry detergents in Japan
• Highly-rated for its cleaning power
• Helps get rid of mud and oil stains
• Does not leave behind a strong odor, so you can dry your laundry indoors
• One spoonful is enough to bring an amazing whiteness 
• Affordable 
• Has a soft floral fragrance

Editor’s Ratings:

• Cleansing power: 9.5/10
• Fragrance: 9.5/10
• Price: 9.5/10

Ariel Laundry Detergent Powder

Ariel is one of the most well-known brands. Of course, it had to make this list of the best Japanese laundry detergent. This detergent powder contains W Bleach. I really appreciate the power of this laundry detergent, one wash, and the stains are off.

If you like fragranced laundry detergents, this might not be the one for you but it’s definitely good for cleaning your clothes. I also liked the fact that it’s environment-friendly and biodegradable.

The seven effects of this laundry detergent are excellent and help you remove excessively stubborn stains and dirt too. No matter what kind of stain you are dealing with, you can sit back and relax and this Ariel detergent powder helps get rid of them all. It claims 99.9 percent eradication of stains. 

Key Features:

• Well-known brand with an excellent reputation
• Contains W Bleach
• Helps you remove stubborn stains
• Claims that it can eradicate 99.9 percent of stains easily

Editor’s Ratings:

• Cleansing power: 9/10
• Fragrance: 7.5/10
• Price: 9/10

Ecover Zero 2x Fragrance Free Laundry Detergent

This is yet another one of the best Japanese laundry detergent that is highly rated. It is a fragrance-free laundry detergent, which is great for people who are sensitive to the strong scent left behind by laundry detergents. It has excellent cleaning power and can get rid of most stains and dirt.

This is an ideal laundry detergent for people who care about the environment, like me. It didn’t cause any allergy to my sensitive skin and hence, is hypollergic. All the ingredients used in this Japanese laundry detergent are safe and plant-based.

Ecover Laundry Detergent is also dermatologically tested and declared safe so you can even wash clothes of your kids with this detergent. However, if you’re allergic to methylisothiazolinone, beware as this detergent contains that ingredeint.

Key Features:

• Highly-rated laundry detergent
• Fragrance-free, which is great for people who are sensitive to strong scents
• Excellent cleaning power
• Gets rid of most stains and dirt
• Eco-friendly laundry detergent 

Editor’s Ratings:

• Cleansing power: 9.5/10
• Fragrance: none
• Price: 8.5/10

ECover Delicate Laundry Detergent

Yet another best Japanese laundry detergent by Ecover is this delicate laundry detergent that is ideal for all types of fabrics. It works very well on wool and silk fabrics and can be used in a hand wash as well as a machine wash. It maintains the softness of the fabrics and helps retain the colors.

The laundry detergent has non-petrochemical, plant, and mineral-based ingredients that are safe for sensitive skin. In fact, this laundry detergent can be safely used on your baby’s fabrics. 

Key Features:

• Ideal for all types of fabrics
• Works on wool and silk fabrics really well
• Can be used both in handwash and machine wash
• Maintains the softness and color of the fabrics
• Non-petrochemical, plant, and mineral-based ingredients
• Safe for sensitive skin and baby’s clothes

Editor’s Ratings:

• Cleansing power: 9/10
• Fragrance: 5/10
• Price: 6.5/10

Pigeon Baby Laundry Detergent

The Pigeon Baby laundry detergent is specially formulated to wash away all kinds of dirt and stains. Since it is for the laundry of little ones, the ingredients are non-irritating, anti-bacterial, as well as paraben-free.

One of the best Japanese laundry detergent, it is a highly efficient laundry detergent that will help you get rid of your little baby’s mishaps such as food, urine, and other tough stains. Despite its high efficiency, we cannot doubt its gentleness. 

Key Features:

• Specially formulated to wash away the toughest of the stains
• Non-irritating, anti-bacterial, and paraben-free ingredients
• Safe for sensitive skin
• Keeps your baby’s clothes soft and clean
• Gentle formula

Editor’s Ratings:

• Cleansing power: 8/10
• Fragrance: 8.5/10
• Price: 8.5/10

P&G Bold Fresh Clean 3D Gel Laundry Detergent

The 3D detergent gel by P&G is a pretty great buy, especially if you are looking for a fun product that does its job efficiently and effectively. The blue gel has a fresh and cool fragrance that we love. It lingers on the clothes, which is a plus point for the product.

Apart from the brilliant fragrance, the 3D gell also works well at its cleaning job. It can help you get rid of even the toughest of the stains quite easily. It’s definitely the best smelling Japanese laundry detergent.

Key Features:

• Fresh and cool fragrance that lingers on
• Does a great job at cleaning fabrics
• Gets rid of even the most stubborn stains and dirt

Editor’s Ratings:

• Cleansing power: 9.5/10
• Fragrance: 9/10
• Price: 8.5/10

P&G Bold Blossom 3D Gell Ball Laundry Detergent

This is an excellent product that leaves the clothes feeling softer and with fewer wrinkles. This pink one has an exquisite scent that lingers on your clothes. It takes away most of those stubborn stains and dirt, without being harsh on your fabrics. It is also quite a popular product amongst the Japanese. It’s amongst the best Japanese fabric conditioner.

Key Features:

• Leaves the clothes feeling softer
• Does not cause wrinkles
• Comes with an exquisite scent that lingers on your clothes
• Gets rid of stubborn stains and dirt

Editor’s Ratings:

• Cleansing power: 9/10
• Fragrance: 9/10
• Price: 8.5/10

Sarasaty Lingerie Detergent

While it is essential for us to get the best Japanese laundry detergent for our clothes, our lingerie demands equal love, care, and attention. The Sarasaty Lingerie Detergent takes special care of your lingerie and helps maintain softness and cleanliness. It is a gentle formula that does not damage the underwear. 

All you need to do is soak your lingerie in this soap for about 30 mins before rinsing and cleaning. The detergent rinses off easily without leaving behind residue. The formula is also safe for your skin. The cleaning power is excellent and it leaves behind a fresh and floral scent. It’s one of the top Japanese laundry soap.

Key Features:

• Great detergent specifically for lingerie
• Maintains softness of the fabrics
• A gentle formula that does not damage the underwear
• Rinses off easily without leaving behind residue
• Safe for skin; it does not cause irritation
• Excellent cleaning power
• Leaves behind a fresh floral scent

Editor’s Ratings:

• Cleansing power: 8.5/10
• Fragrance: 9/10
• Price: 9.5/10

Pigeon Liquid Laundry Detergent

Yet another safe and gentle laundry cleaning option for your little ones, this Pigeon liquid detergent ensures that your baby’s clothes remain clean and soft. It thoroughly cleans the fabrics and helps remove stubborn food stains as well as other types of stains.

The detergent is phosphate and fluorescent-free, making it safe for the gentle skin of the baby. It’s the gentlest laundry detergent in Japan.

Key Features:

• Safe and gentle cleaning option for your little ones
• Keeps clothes soft
• Helps remove stubborn food and other stains
• Phosphate and fluorescent-free, so it is safe for the baby

Editor’s Ratings:

• Cleansing power: 8.5/10
• Fragrance: 9/10
• Price: 9/10

Other Japanese Laundry Products 

Bleach 衣料用漂白剤

If you’re shopping at a Japanese store then you’ll most probably find the Japanese bleach bottle around the Japanese detergent bottle. It may seem confusing to figure out which is which so look for the word 衣料用漂白剤 on the bottle. Also, the color and design of the bleach bottle will be much more minimalistic when compared to the Japanese laundry detergent bottle and fabric softener bottle. 

Japanese Fabric Softener 柔軟剤  /  柔軟仕上げ剤

Japanese fabric softener bottles look a lot like detergent bottles so don’t get confused. Look for 柔軟仕上げ剤  on the Japanese fabric softener bottle. The colors, flowers, fruits designed on the bottle is the scent the fabric softener is going to be. So pick one that suits you best!

Best Japanese Laundry Detergent: FAQs

How do you use Japanese detergent?

Measure the amount of detergent required in a single load washing and put it on the machine. Start the washing machine and load it beforehand. The machine will wash your clothes itself and remove the detergent after washing.

Do Japanese use laundry detergent?

Japanese people do use laundry detergents to wash their clothes. Most of them use washing machines to wash their clothes by loading their washing machine and putting in the required amount of detergent. Attack Washing detergent is the most selling one in Japan

Clean and Fresh Laundry always

These were some of the best and our most favorite Japanese laundry detergents that seriously make doing the laundry job so much easier. These detergents are effective and efficient, helping us get rid of stubborn and tough stains as well as mud and dirt without too much effort. Be sure to give these laundry detergents a try, you sure will be thanking us later. 

Also Read:

1. Best Japanese Clothes Disinfectant Spray