Best Handwash & Delicates of 2025

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When it comes to keeping our clothes and linens clean, it's important to use products that are gentle yet effective. Handwash and delicates detergents are designed specifically for delicate fabrics and items that require extra care. These products are typically free of harsh chemicals and are formulated to protect colours and prevent shrinkage. Whether you're washing silk, lace, or cashmere, using a handwash or delicates detergent can help ensure that your items stay looking and feeling their best.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Handwash & Delicates
Dettol Lemon Washing Machine Cleaner, 6-Pack
The Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner offers 5-in-1 protection against bacteria, odours, limescale, dirt, and enhances freshness. By killing 99.9% of bacteria, it ensures a hygienic wash for your laundry. The cleaner also acts as a descaler, effectively removing limescale to improve your machine's performance. It reaches hidden areas, eliminating bad odours and leaving a long-lasting freshness. For optimal results, simply use it every two months in an empty machine.
Stergene Handwash for Delicates 500ml (Pack of 3)
Stergene Handwash Delicates is a gentle, non-biological liquid designed for washing wool, silk, and other delicate fabrics. This product helps you maintain the beauty of your delicates, ensuring they look like new for longer. Its rich, silky formula cleanses and refreshes while protecting the fibres, leaving your fabrics beautifully soft and fresh. Plus, it has been dermatologically tested, making it safe for your skin. With Stergene Handwash Delicates, you can care for your treasured items with confidence.
Ecover Hand Wash Refill with Citrus Scent
The Ecover Hand Wash Refill offers a gentle cleansing experience, perfect for keeping your hands happy and healthy. Its dermatologically tested formula is pH-neutral, ensuring your hands remain soft and silky without any overwhelming fragrance. The delightful Citrus and Orange Blossom scent adds a refreshing touch to your handwashing routine. Made with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients, this refill is an eco-friendly choice that aligns with your values while providing effective hand hygiene.
Method Hand Wash Refill with French Lavender
The Method Hand Wash Refill offers a caring formulation that leaves your hands beautifully soft while effectively removing dirt and germs. By washing your hands thoroughly for at least 30 seconds, you can significantly reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses in your home, promoting a healthier living environment. Enjoy a burst of refreshing fragrance with its rich, creamy lather, transforming your hand wash routine. With non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients, this hand wash delivers a powerful clean without harming the planet.
Granny's Fragrance Free Soap Flakes 425g
Granny's Soap Flakes are a gentle yet effective cleaning solution, perfect for those with sensitive skin. These vegan-friendly, fragrance-free flakes are made without bleach or allergens, making them ideal for delicate fabrics like wool and silk. You can confidently use them for handwashing or in your washing machine, ensuring your laundry remains fresh and clean. Additionally, they are excellent for general home cleaning, suitable for various surfaces, including wood and marble, providing a versatile and safe cleaning option for your home.
Cashmere, Wool & Delicates Shampoo Detergent 475ml
The Lona Scott Delicate Detergent is perfect for caring for your cashmere, wool, and other delicate fabrics. With its highly concentrated formula, it provides up to 40 washes, ensuring long-lasting value for your laundry needs. Whether you prefer hand washing or using a machine, this detergent is versatile and user-friendly. Its nontoxic, biodegradable, and allergen-free composition means you can clean your clothes without worrying about harmful chemicals, making it a safe choice for you and the environment.
The Lab Co. Eco Laundry Detergent Strips
The Lab Co. Detergent Strips offer an eco-friendly and convenient option for your laundry needs. With one sheet equating to two strips, you can enjoy pre-measured doses, eliminating waste and mess. These strips dissolve completely in both hot and cold water, ensuring effective cleaning regardless of your washing preferences. They are also gentle on the skin, providing a soothing fragrance that enhances your laundry experience.
Elm Valley Soaps Buttermilk White Soap Bars
Elm Valley Soaps offers a pack of 12 x 70g bars of traditional buttermilk soap, perfect for general household use. Made in Yorkshire, these soaps are lightly scented and enriched with conditioning buttermilk, ensuring your skin feels soft and nourished. They are trusted by vets, hospitals, and farmers, highlighting their effectiveness and reliability. You can use them for various cleaning tasks around the home, making your laundry and handwashing routines simpler and more pleasant.
Stergene Gentle Care Detergent for Delicates
Stergene Gentle Care Detergent is specifically designed for handwashing delicate fabrics such as cashmere, wool, and silk. This 500ml bottle provides enough detergent for 15 washes, making it a practical choice for those who want to maintain the quality of their delicate items. By using this detergent, you can ensure that your cherished fabrics receive the gentle care they deserve, preventing damage and prolonging their lifespan. This product makes washing delicate items easy and effective, giving you peace of mind while caring for your wardrobe.
Soak Laundry Soap – No Rinse, Plant Derived
Soak Laundry Soap offers a convenient no-rinse formula, perfect for washing delicate items by hand. Originating from Canada, this plant-derived detergent allows you to care for your favourite garments without the hassle of traditional washing methods. With a bottle size of 375 ml, you can expect over 75 washes, making it a cost-effective choice. Its compact packaging, measuring 8.35 cm in length and width, fits easily in your laundry space, ensuring you always have it on hand for those delicate washes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is hand wash and delicate the same?
A delicate wash cycle (or “delicates”) is the washing machine equivalent to handwashing. The difference between hand wash vs delicate cycle is that this setting uses cold water with low agitation or slow spin and is the shortest and most gentle cleaning cycle.
2. Can handwash items be washed on delicate?
Always wash hand wash garments in cold water or on a delicate cycle. Cold water is less likely to shrink your clothing or alter the colors. The delicate cycle offers less agitation, even in machines with a central agitator.
3. What is handwash on washer?
Hand washing involves manually removing soils with water, detergent, and a gentle squeezing action. A care label that calls for machine washing in a delicate or gentle cycle indicates soils in the garment can be removed with water, detergent or soap, slow agitation, and reduced time in a washing machine.
During our handwash & delicate research, we found 104 handwash & delicate products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 34,856 customer reviews through our big data system to write the handwash & delicates list. We found that most customers choose handwash & delicates with an average price of £12.19.
The handwash & delicates are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of handwash & delicates, including Dettol, Stergene, Ecover, Method, Granny's. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 10,693 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Kiera Browne served as chef and caterer in Purslane Restaurant for three years before establishing her restaurant. Kiera now owns two restaurants and a culinary school all over the United Kingdom. Kiera has featured in magazines and editorials, providing recipes for various dishes. Using her skills and knowledge in the culinary field, Kiera has published few pamphlets on preparing various cuisines.