Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser Fresh Cotton 1.5 L
Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser Fresh Cotton 1.5 L, Pack of 4
Kills 99.9% of bacteria for hygienically clean laundry, even at 20°C!
Disinfect your laundry in an eco-conscious, cost-effective way with Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser.
Bacteria can survive when washing with detergent alone and at a temperature below 60°C, but Dettol Laundry Cleanser kills it — even at 20°C — so you can be confident that your laundry’s hygienically clean every time!
Suitable for all fabrics, our non-bio liquid eliminates odour-causing bacteria and leaves your laundry with 12 hours of freshness, even when left damp in the washing machine!
Disinfect your baby’s clothing and blanketsIf you wash your baby’s clothes (excluding nappies) together with your regular household laundry, add our disinfecting laundry cleanser to ensure your washing is hygienically clean!
” data-position=”triggerHorizontal” />Prevent illnesses from spreadingIf a family member is unwell, wash their clothes separately with Dettol Laundry Cleanser to minimise the risk of spreading infections. Kill viruses by soaking for 15 minutes (see instructions below).
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How can Dettol kill 99.9% of bacteria?
Our disinfectant products contain active substances which have bactericidal activity. In order to confirm the level of active substances, all products are tested according to European standards.
Will Dettol Laundry Cleanser protect my family from viruses?
Yes. Our non-bio liquid formula is laboratory test on influenza H1 N1; RSV and Herpes Simplex Type 1, giving you and your family lasting protection from viruses! Kill viruses by soaking for 15 mins, see instructions before use.
How many washes will one bottle of Dettol Laundry Cleanser provide?
Each 1.5 litre bottle gives you at least 50 washes, based on our usage guidelines of two capfuls per wash.
Will my laundry smell if I leave it in the washing machine after a wash?
Dettol Laundry Cleanser gives odour-free freshness for up to 12 hours, so you needn’t worry about leaving a damp load in the washing machine! Dettol doesn’t just cover up malodour but eliminates odour-causing bacteria at source.
Laundry CleanserCompare Dettol products
Removes bacteria | ||
Removes viruses | ||
Removes limescale | ||
Removes malodours | ||
Laundry | Cleans | Washing machine |
Every wash | Usage frequency | Every 2 months |
<30°C with laundry | Washing temperature | 60°C without laundry |
Removes bacteria | ||
Removes viruses | ||
Removes limescale | ||
Removes malodours | ||
Laundry | Cleans | Washing machine |
Every wash | Usage frequency | Every 2 months |
<30°C with laundry | Washing temperature | 60°C without laundry |
- Washing Machine Cleanser
- Washing Machine Cleanser
| Brand: | Dettol |
| Origin: | United Kingdom |
| Volume: | 6000 Millilitres |
Value for money
I was very happy with my purchase of the Dettol Laundry Sanitiser. It was packaged very carefully and arrived in perfect condition. The delivery was quick, and I was especially pleased with the price, which was cheaper than buying it from the supermarket. Overall, excellent service and great value for money. I would definitely recommend and use this service again.
Dettol Laundry
I love the scent and bottle size. Had these on subscription for a while. Unfortunately a few times the bottles have leaked. That aside, exactly what I wanted to keep clothes clean and gives me peace of mind, especially if there’s been a sick bug
I’ve been buying this product for around 5 years now, and that says a lot on its own. It has been a reliable part of my laundry routine for a long time and I keep coming back to it because it works well.
It gives clothes a fresh, clean smell and adds that extra feeling of hygiene, especially for items where you want more than just a normal wash. The Fresh Cotton scent is pleasant without being too strong, and the large pack size is very practical as it lasts well.
What I like most is the consistency. Some products are fine at first and then you switch, but this is one I’ve kept buying over the years because it does exactly what I need it to do. Having the larger multi-pack is also convenient and good value if you use it regularly.
Overall, a very reliable laundry product that I’ve trusted for years and would happily keep buying — definitely 5 stars.
If you’ve ever pulled a “clean” load of laundry out of the machine only to find it still has a faint, lingering musty smell, you need this. The Dettol Laundry Sanitiser in Fresh Cotton has officially become a permanent staple in my laundry room.
Why I’m obsessed:
* Actually Kills Bacteria: I do a lot of cold washes to save energy and protect my clothes, but cold water doesn’t kill germs. Adding this gives me peace of mind that my gym clothes and towels are actually sanitized, not just “scented.”
* The “Fresh Cotton” Scent: It’s light, crisp, and smells like clean luxury. It’s not overpowering or “chemically” like some disinfectants—it just smells incredibly clean.
* Goodbye, Lingering Odors: It works miracles on those stubborn smells in synthetic fabrics (looking at you, yoga leggings) that regular detergent seems to miss.
* Easy to Use: You just pour two caps into the fabric softener drawer. It’s a seamless addition to the routine.
* Gentle on Fabrics: I’ve used this on everything from delicate bedsheets to heavy towels, and I haven’t noticed any fading or damage to the fibers.
My Routine: I pair this with a fragrance-free detergent. This way, the Fresh Cotton scent really shines through without competing with other floral or soapy smells.
I originally bought Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser for basic hygiene peace of mind, but it’s become one of the most versatile and quietly effective products in my entire cleaning setup. I’ve tested it extensively for over a year across dozens of everyday and off-label scenarios—especially anything involving sweat, bacteria, or damp fabrics—and I always keep it in stock. I primarily use the Fresh Cotton version, which leaves behind a clean but not overpowering scent that’s suitable even for gym clothes or more sensitive skin.
My most frequent use is gym-related: I’ll drop gym shorts, trunks, gloves, and even socks into a bucket with a diluted solution—about a capful to 2.5 litres of cool water—and let them soak for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. It’s a lifesaver for trainers and swim gear. Even when left damp overnight in a sealed bag, the clothes come out completely fresh, without that humid mildew smell you often get from sweaty synthetics. I’ve done soak tests at temperatures as low as 5C in the garage during winter, and up to 20C indoors in summer. Impressively, even at those low temperatures, it still kills odour-causing bacteria—confirmed through sniff tests and the total absence of lingering smells after air drying.
The bottle claims 99.9% bacterial kill from 15C onwards, but based on my testing, it’s performing even below that. I ran informal swab-and-culture tests using basic agar plates and found Dettol-treated fabrics had notably fewer bacterial colonies than untreated ones washed with detergent alone. The product is bleach-free and safe on colours, which means I’ve used it without hesitation on dark cottons, synthetics, sportswear, and even wool blend socks with zero fading or texture change.
It’s not just laundry, either. I’ve used it to sanitise travel pouches, canvas tote bags, pillowcases, hand towels, and even reusable nappies and kitchen cloths. When I want to stretch its value, I reuse the soaking solution once or twice for similarly dirty loads (like socks or gym towels), replacing the liquid after two rounds. This way, a 1.5L bottle goes a long way—at 2.26/litre, it’s cheaper than running hot washes and better for delicate items too.
I’ve tested Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser across a wide range of real-life scenarios, and it consistently proves itself as one of the most versatile hygiene products in my routine. It’s been especially reliable with gym shorts made from synthetic or polyester materials, which often hold onto odours. I also regularly use it for swimming trunks and Speedos—items that are frequently damp and stored in sealed bags. Trainer liners and shoe insoles benefit from a soak as well, coming out noticeably fresher even after just 30 minutes.
Cotton socks and bamboo socks, which can get particularly sour after long days or workouts, respond well to both short and overnight soaks. My work shirts, especially under the arms, also come out fresher and less prone to developing lingering smells over time. Pillowcases and duvet covers used during colds or flu are another prime use—Dettol gives added reassurance that everything’s properly sanitised. I also use it on cotton boxers and briefs without worrying about damaging the fabric.
For travel and gym routines, it handles laundry bags and tote bags excellently. Even wipe-clean canvas pouches that gather sweat and grime respond well to a quick soak. Sweat-drenched running tops and yoga towels get deodorised and disinfected easily. Kids’ uniform polo shirts, which can carry that musky scent after a long day, come out noticeably cleaner too. Kitchen dishcloths and face towels left damp in baskets for a day or two lose their funk entirely. Fabric shower caddies that build up mildew over time are another great use case.
Finally, Dettol is especially effective with reusable baby wipes and reusable nappies (particularly the outer wraps). These are the kinds of items where sanitisation really matters, and this product handles them gently yet thoroughly.
From these experiences, the pros are clear. It genuinely works at low temperatures—I’ve tested it between 5C and 20C, and it still cuts through bacteria and smell. It doesn’t fade colours or damage delicate fabrics. It’s incredibly versatile—you can use it in a machine, for a hand soak, or even leave items in a bucket overnight. The “fresh cotton” scent is clean and subtle, not chemically or artificial. You can reuse the soak solution once or twice for similarly dirty items, which adds a cost-effective edge. One bottle stretches surprisingly far when using 1–2 capfuls per cycle or soak.
That said, it’s not perfect. Cons include the fact that bulk bottles can sometimes leak slightly if stored on their side. There’s also no child safety cap, which is something to consider if you’re soaking items in open buckets. It’s not a replacement for detergent—it sanitises, not cleans—so you still need to wash properly. If you use it for daily soak routines, you’ll go through bottles quicker than expected. Also, repeated exposure can mildly dry your skin, especially if you’re soaking things by hand often without gloves.
Bottom line: this is a practical solution for anyone dealing with sportswear, kids’ clothes, work uniforms, or just wants to reduce bacteria and odours without blasting everything at 60C. If you’re a gym-goer, traveller, cyclist, or anyone who sweats a lot and washes on cold, this is a staple. If you only wash at 60C+ and don’t have odour or hygiene issues, you likely don’t need it—but even then, it’s a nice insurance policy during flu season or post-illness.
Overview
The Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser is an essential addition to any household’s laundry routine, particularly for those who prioritize hygiene and freshness. This review focuses on the Fresh Cotton Fragrance variant, which comes in a convenient multipack of four.
Packaging and Presentation
The packaging is straightforward and functional, with each bottle designed for easy pouring and storage. The multipack offers great value for money, especially for families or individuals who do a lot of laundry. The clear labeling provides all necessary information, including usage instructions and safety precautions.
Performance
The Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser excels in its primary function of sanitizing laundry. It claims to kill 99.9% of bacteria, even at low temperatures, which is a significant benefit for those looking to reduce energy consumption by washing clothes in cold water. The product lives up to this claim, providing peace of mind that clothes are hygienically clean.
Fragrance
The Fresh Cotton Fragrance is subtle yet refreshing, leaving clothes with a pleasant, clean scent. It’s not overpowering, making it suitable for those who are sensitive to strong smells. This fragrance is particularly good at masking and eliminating any lingering odors in clothes, such as those from sweat or cooking.
Ease of Use
Using the cleanser is simple: add it to the fabric softener drawer of the washing machine. There’s no need to use it in every wash; adding it to loads with heavily soiled items or those requiring extra sanitization is enough. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, making it user-friendly for all household members.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser is impressive. Clothes come out of the wash smelling fresh and feeling clean. It’s particularly useful for washing gym clothes, baby clothes, and bedding, where additional hygiene is often needed. Additionally, it helps to maintain the hygiene of the washing machine itself, reducing the buildup of bacteria and mold.
Value for Money
The multipack of four bottles provides excellent value, particularly for households that require frequent laundry sanitization. Given its effectiveness and the added benefit of being able to use it at low temperatures, it’s a cost-effective addition to the laundry routine.
Pros
– **Effective**: Kills 99.9% of bacteria, even at low temperatures.
– **Pleasant Fragrance**: Leaves clothes smelling fresh without being overpowering.
– **Value**: Multipack offers good value for money.
– **Easy to Use**: Simple addition to the laundry process.
– **Versatile**: Suitable for all types of laundry, including delicate fabrics.
Cons
– **Extra Step**: Requires an additional step in the laundry process, which might be a minor inconvenience for some.
– **Price**: Although it offers good value, it’s an additional expense compared to regular detergents alone.
Conclusion
The Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser in Fresh Cotton Fragrance is a highly effective and convenient product for anyone looking to enhance the cleanliness of their laundry. It offers a perfect balance of hygiene and freshness, making it an excellent choice for households with high hygiene standards. The multipack is particularly economical, ensuring that you always have a bottle on hand. Overall, it’s a reliable and worthwhile addition to any laundry routine.
The subscribe and save option is exceptional value.
I use this in every wash, partly because my washing machine has some fairly unsavoury demands made of it, I have animals and I was their bedding and towels frequently, this is usually more than a light wash… Using this sanitiser reassures me that all the washing and the machine are hygienically clean, even at cooler temperatures… This four pack works out more economical than buying at the supermarket… Recommended.
5.0 out of 5 stars Clothes feel fresh and clea
I was initially worried all clothes would smell of dettol but after the first load i was reassured. Every came out fresh and clea
If you are not using this on the regular then you may miss out on extra quality for your garments. The product eliminates any bacteria that causes bad odour in case your clothes may be sitting for too long in the wardrobe or when seasonal clothes are packed away. When used it has a pleasant discrete smell and it’s almost undetectable after wash. Can’t recommend this enough. Very friendly to colours and skin as well also for houses with pets.
5.0 out of 5 stars A good buy.
Many places to buy this but buying in bulk does make it simpler than single items.
Great for refreshing clothes
I never used laundry sanitiser before trying this one from Dettol, I was a little worried because I can sometimes react to some laundry products. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised! This product is easy to use, just two caps in the softener dispenser. Clothes that previously started to smell musty or sweaty even after washing have since stopped smelling. The cotton scent can sometimes be a bit strong, but it’s not unpleasant, it just smells clean.
Marks clothes?
Seems to work perfectly well, and smells very nice. The only issue I think I’ve had (can’t be sure its the culprit), is I’ve had mysterious marks on my clothes after use. No marks when I haven’t used it. Only use it for pets stuff now
5.0 out of 5 stars Wouldn’t do laundry without i
Use every wash perfect for all laundry especially bedding and towels
5.0 out of 5 stars Would buy agai
Good to have something that kills germs at low temperatures for sensitive ski
I can’t use anything else anywhere near my skin, especially underwear. I don’t know why manufactures have to load smelly chemicals into everything we use to clean things. I have to buy through Amazon as it is not available in stores near me. I always get this product delivered to me very quickly. Ideal for very sensitive skin.
5.0 out of 5 stars Clean!
Best value on the web! Great delivery and well packaged to avoid leaks
4.0 out of 5 stars Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Deterge
Great value for money.
Altogether have around 7L worth of it for a good price too!
5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I’d been looking for!
Working in a hospital I need to make sure my clothes are properly disinfected, this appears to do the job and smells good!
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good produc
Used for a while, but whist I’m pleased, would not continue .
4.0 out of 5 stars Good value for money
I use this regularly and assumed it does what it says
Ok
Have been buying this product everytime I run out but this delivery one bottle was leaking due to the top not being screwed on properly just thought you should know
Does the job
I thought I’d try this instead of fabric conditioner all the time. It came in a sealed bag which was lucky as it leaked a bit, so the labels peeled off. It’s kept my families clothing soft and helped with some of the baby food stains. I’d definitely buy agai
Great Value for money
Well priced bundle.
This item smells great and makes my clothes lovely and soft i also feel it cleans my clothes very well and am confident that id illuminates germs better.
Perfect for gym gea
I go to the gym a lot and this is one of the best finds I’ve found for making sure gym gear is clean and smells nice.
Although (most) gym gear is made to be washed at 30 degrees, over the weeks and months bacteria will inevitably build up even with washing after 1 use, so this helps kill that. Just use your usual gym clothes detergent and pop 2 caps of this in the conditioning draw.
Can be purchased at a really good price on offer.
Excelle
Little bottles of dettol laundry, easy to lift, pour for dosing and store. Great to buy on Amazon as don’t have to carry it home from the shops. Peace of mind knowing laundry is sanitised even in cold wash.
Detmold laundry sanitise
I always use the Dettol sanitiser in my washer. Putting my washing on 20 degrees I know even on this wash my clothes will be properly sanitused and smell fresh. I even use the washing machine on cold for some things and in goes the dettol sanitiser for that too. It goes in the compartment you would normally use for softener. I have it on subscribe and save with amazon prime and wouldn’t be without it, especially as the energy prices are sky high.
Lovely fresh sce
Overall I am very satisfied, however one of the bottles was leaking in the box, see attached photos, so I only received 3.5 bottles that I could use.
I use the product in every wash load I do. It leaves my laundry smelling fresh and lovely!
Lovely smell and my laundry seems softe
This is my first purchase of Dettol antibacterial laundry. With the cost of electricity going up I have started putting all my washing on a 20 or 30 degree wash cycle, so I thought I would give it a go. I have used it on all my clothing, bedding and towels. My laundry comes out smelling amazing the scent seems to last quite a while. Its not an overwhelming scent it is mild and very pleasant. All my laundry feels softer especially things like bath towels. It hasn’t made any clothing feel itchy while wearing either. I am happy with this product so far.
No more whiffy washing machines
I’ve been using this product for some time now and occasionally using Tesco’s equivalent. I put it in the fabric conditioner section of my Zanussi washer/dryer as I don’t like the chemicals in fabric conditioner and never found one that left a perfume. There was, however, a bit of an unpleasant smell from the machine’s drum. This was caused by bacteria lining the outer (fixed) drum. Bacteria can feed on detergent residues.
After using the laundry disinfectant, there is absolutely no smell from the drum and the washing produced by the machine is also completely odourless. Before using this product, I found that otherwise odourless hand towels, for example, if used and left damp where they hung, soon took on a slightly sour smell. Bacteria again! Laundry disinfectant has stopped that completely. The only downside was I occasionally forget to change towels because there’s no sour smell on them when wiping my face. Now I’ve introduced a regular towel changing system and all is well.
I’m happy now the washing and the machine are free from bacteria and there are no unpleasant whiffs any more. Perhaps Dettol could consider introducing a nice, floral scent to their product at some stage? Whatever they do, I wouldn’t be without laundry disinfectant.
Ah, the good old days of washing clothes at 60C knowing they’re clean are well and truly gone, unless of course you like your jumpers etc coming out of the machine the size of a facecloth and fitting your child’s barbie or action man perfectly.
So here I am, more and more of my clothes state 30C, even my new underwear! So along with this and an increasing scummy mould problem in the door seal and detergent drawer, believe me, I even took ‘professional’ advice and bought sachets of which I was promised work, hard to find but they’re so worth it and religiously used them as advised. But the problem was just getting worse as the years went by.
So I thought to myself what to do next? Ah, go on amazon and scour the reviews. As much as it galls me to buy not only washing detergent but a cleanser too where a good old 60C wash used to do the trick for the clothes AND the machine, I succumbed and bought the dettol cleanser. All I can say is…
WOW, it actually works!
Firstly to tackle the machine issues I used a bottle of dettol machine cleaner, well I was so pleasantly surprised with this and a few weeks down the line there’s still no mould growing back. Secondly I add only 1 capful of the cleanser in with the softener, and yes, this too works & doesn’t take away from the softness of ones clothes.
After reading other reviews and advice from dettol, the liquid is to be used ONLY in the softener drawer as putting it in the detergent drawer will diminish the action of the cleanser, can’t fit 2 capfuls in AND the softener? Hence why I only put one cap in with softener.
Genuinely, I’m gobsmacked! The machine cleaner has given my machine a new lease of life and I no longer dread having to clean scum from the door seal or spending ages scrubbing the detergent drawer and it’s casing most weeks.
Although I’m still rather cross at not being able to do a hot wash like the old days, as although it says that it’s to save money on electricity and the environment, I still believe that a hot wash is more environmentally friendly than buying even more detergent to battle the ‘low temp mould issues’ which itself needs a factory, more chemicals, thousands of litres of water to dilute it, and more plastic manufacturing in which to store the cleanser, not to mention the fuel and traffic congestion to get said cleanser to the shops etc.
Sure I don’t have to buy it, but then I’m fighting mould issues, fusty smelling clothing and a smelly machine….. it’s only 6 years old, plumbed in the kitchen so shouldn’t have these issues, it’s all down to temp.
So for that reason only, I’ve reluctantly converted to the dettol cleanser, and I’m in no way disappointed, it’s smashing and I believe it’s also helping to keep the machine mould threat at bay as when I wipe round the door seal and check the detergent drawer there’s absolutely NO mould and the washing smells naturally fresh, there’s no distinct ‘in yer face’ detergent smell, only that of your softener.
All that said, I highly recommend this cleanser and used with the dettol machine cleaner I no longer have mould and frousty smells emanating from my machine, so a huge thumbs up from me.