Enzymes target protein, starch or biological-based stains such as grass or blood. Different enzymes target different stains. Enzymes are known to cause irritation, so should be avoided by people with sensitive skin.

Optical brighteners coat the fabric with fluorescers that absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as blue light, making the clothes look whiter and brighter even though they don't actually remove any dirt. They help minimise greying of whites. Products with brighteners are best avoided by people with sensitive skin.

Phosphates help soften the water and keep extracted dirt in suspension. But high levels of phosphorus can lead to excessive growth of blue-green algae in inland waterways.

A 'Yes' indicates the detergent is claimed to be safe for septic tanks if used as directed. The claim is usually based on the detergent having no chlorine bleach or phosphates. While detergents generally don't have much of an effect on the septic tank's treatment capabilities, a high sodium load can cause problems with the soil over time as it's released into the subsoil trenches.

This excludes all those that claim they have optical brighteners, enzymes and includes those with low to no phosphate claims.

Differences of seven percentage points or more are visible to the human eye.

General detergency is a measure of how well the detergent keeps soils suspended in the wash water and prevents them from being redeposited on your clothes. It's also a measure of how effective enzymes are at removing protein based stains; and how effectively a detergent removes oil. The 'General detergency swatch' is an 'all-rounder', stained with nut oil, milk and a colour pigment. Differences of 8 percent or more in general detergency and soil removal are visible to the human eye.

Differences of less than one percentage point are visible to the human eye.

Differences of  less than one percentage point are visible to the human eye.

Differences of 10 percentage points or more are visible to the human eye.

Differences of eight percentage points or more are visible to the human eye.

A measure of how well a detergent removes perspiration stains from your clothes. Differences of eight percentage points or more are visible to the human eye.

Differences of four percentage points or more are visible to the human eye.