The 6 Best Detergents for Wool for 2023

Best Overall

Soak Wash - Scentless

4.9

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When we researched the popular brand Soak Wash, we heard it was known for its ease of use and effectiveness. The no-rinse formula can be used for hand-washing or machine washing—although the recommended steps of diluting with water, soaking (yep, just like the name), and then lying flat to dry are a cinch to do by hand, assuming you have access to a sink, tub, or basin. It's a lot quicker than most machine wash cycles and gentle on your clothes—two ideal traits when you're taking care of wool and other delicates.

Soak also has crossover appeal, meaning that during our research it came up not only as a strong pick for wool, but also as a top choice for undergarments and other delicates. When customers say it washes everything from winter sweaters to lacy lingerie, we knew we needed to give this brand our full attention. The no-fuss process and the variety of scents (hello, Pineapple Grove and Wild Mint!) made it our front-runner. We were also struck by the promise of the 12-ounce bottle handling up to 75 washes.

The one area of caution is that some buyers report issues with the packaging leaking during travel. But this really shouldn't be an issue if you're keeping it for use at home or making it a point to transfer small amounts into your favorite trusted travel container.

Price at time of publish: $21

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 12 fluid ounces | Number of Loads: 75 washes | Scent: Multiple; Celebration, Fig, Lacey, Pineapple Grove, Yuzu, Scentless, Wild Mint}

Best Overall, Runner-up

Ecover Wool & Silk Delicate Laundry Detergent

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Ecover's Wool & Silk Delicate Laundry detergent is another top choice that takes the cake (without spilling any of it on your favorite sweater, of course). It's one of the few brands available in the U.S. that features Woolmark certification, essentially a stamp of approval from an Australian-based non-profit and global wool authority. In other words, it's been tested and trusted to care for merino wool, helping you properly maintain it for as long as possible.

In the case of Ecover, it's an effective and eco-friendly pick with recycled packaging, a vegan formula, and a zero waste factory, too. And the most important part: it'll gently treat the fibers in your favorite sweater or other wool products to keep them comfy and cozy for the long haul. As can often happen with scented products, the fragrance can be polarizing. Expect it to smell like honeydew and waterlilies.

Price at time of publish: $23

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 25.4 fluid ounces | Number of Loads: Approximately 16 | Scent: Waterlily & Honeydew}

Best Budget

Woolite Delicates Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent

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Quick history lesson: Woolite as a brand was founded in the 1950s with the specific intent to care for wool and other delicate fabrics. That's why it's no surprise that their products continue to hold up to the legacy. If you're looking for a tried and true option that won't break the bank, look to this popular, oldie-but-goodie. In addition to a formula that promises to be easy on wool, silk, lace, and other fragile fabrics, it's also hypoallergenic. If you or someone in your household has sensitive skin, this detergent can be a great choice. Take note that there is a light scent, so if that's a deal-breaker for you, then this might not be your best choice.

It's also worth mentioning that in addition to the smaller, 16-ounce bottle that's available, you can buy it in a 50-ounce size that's even more cost-efficient. It's also fine to use on cotton, polyester, nylon, and other materials so you can reach for it for a regular load of laundry, too.

Price at time of publish: $5

_{Type: liquid | Amount: 16 fluid ounces | Number of Loads: 8 | Scent: Delicate}

Best Concentrated

Dirty Labs Hand Wash and Delicates Detergent

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This recent release from Dirty Labs grabbed our attention for its efficient packaging, concentrated formula, and for the brand's signature Phytolase cleaning technology that uses enzymes to fight stains and odors. You can use it with wool, silk, and other delicates, and for both hand-washing and machine washing (use delicate cycle). It's also designed for use with cold water, which is ideal because that's what is recommended for delicate fabrics. The concentrated formula also requires less product with each load, ultimately cutting down on packaging and storage space, too.

We see a lot of promise here, especially when factoring in the brand's commitments to sustainability and green chemistry. We only wish this delicate detergent had more of a track record. Still, we feel it's worth a mention, given the rave reviews we've seen for their other offerings, and for the certifications they've received from the EPA, USDA, and the National Eczema Association.

Price at time of publish: $18

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 8.6 fluid ounces | Number of Loads: 32 | Scent: Unscented}

Best Mild

Outback Gold Wool Wash

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With conditioning ingredients, including lanolin, aloe, tea tree oil, and coconut oil, Outback Gold is another effective choice that not only cleans your wool, but also promises to soften it, too. It also gives you multiple choices for how to wash: you can use your washing machine or hand-wash, and it's also rinse-optional. We were impressed that, in additional to wool, the phosphate-, sulfate-, and bleach-free formula can be used with bedding, bamboo, cashmere, or other delicates, and it's also good for synthetic fabrics, too. We love its versatility, as it'll work well as an all-purpose laundry detergent that you can grab for regular wash days and your delicates.

The ingredient list does include fragrance oils, which we think will be a pro for some and a con for others. If you prefer unscented products, or a blueberry/orchid scent isn't appealing, then it might not be a good fit. But if you love the idea of a light floral smell and soft, clean woolen items, then it's definitely worth consideration.

Price at time of publish: $17

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 16 fluid ounces | Number of Loads: Not listed | Scent: Blueberry/Orchid}