UK Laundry Detergents, Fabric Conditioners and Fabric Care Market Report 2025
2025-11-24T14:02:08+00:00
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Report
en_GB
Short and cold wash cycles have become deeply ingrained in consumer laundry habits, making performance under these conditions an expectation rather than a bonus. As a result, product development must…
UK
Laundry and Fabric Care
simple
UK Laundry Detergents, Fabric Conditioners and Fabric Care Market Report 2025
"A growing desire for clothing longevity will define laundry behaviours, and probiotics are set to shape innovation in the fabric care market."
UK Laundry Care Products Market – Trends and Insights
Short and cold wash cycles have become deeply ingrained in consumer laundry habits, making performance under these conditions an expectation rather than a bonus. As a result, product development must now focus on identifying and meeting additional consumer needs in laundry and fabric care.
Powder detergents are seeing a resurgence in popularity among younger consumers, driven by their cost-saving benefits. This interest could expand further if affordability becomes a greater priority for a broader audience.
Fragrance remains a significant driver in the fabric care category, offering substantial potential for innovation. Understanding preferred scents and consumer expectations from fragrances is key. Addressing common frustrations with scent performance will not only appeal to a wide audience, but also increase the likelihood of repeat purchases.
Emerging no-wash trends, which reduce laundry frequency, may challenge the laundry detergent market. However, they open up opportunities in the fabric freshener category, catering to consumers looking to maintain their clothes between washes.
Key Topics Covered in the Report
Mintel’s predictions for value sales growth in the fabric care category
Use of laundry and fabric care products
Laundry frequency, frustrations and behaviours
Scent preferences in the fabric care category
New product development trends in the fabric care category
Collapse All
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
The outlook for laundry detergents, fabric conditioners and fabric care
Opportunities
Aromatherapy benefits hold potential in fabric care
Support consumers on their slow fashion journey
Revitalise private-label fabric care with detergent powder innovation
THE MARKET
Snapshot – market size and forecast
A decline in financial wellbeing could impact spending
Graph 1: the financial wellbeing index, 2016-25
Energy prices will impact cycle use, and therefore product expectations
With bigger machines come bigger laundry loads
Slow fashion trends present opportunities in the category
Wellbeing benefits can influence the category
Inflation and NPD drive consistent growth in the laundry and fabric care category
Specialist products are contributing to growth
Market size and forecast for laundry detergents, fabric conditioners and fabric care
Graph 2: market size and forecast for laundry detergents, fabric conditioners and fabric care, 2019-30
Fabric care growth powered by laundry reduction trends
Wonder Wash propels Persil’s market share
THE CONSUMER
Laundry frequency and product usage
Family life drives laundry frequency
Graph 3: laundry frequency (daily), by age of children in household, 2025
Cater to parents’ laundry behaviours
Powdered detergents gain popularity
Graph 4: usage of laundry detergent powder, by age, 2025
Lean into affordability and eco-friendliness to improve appeal
Frustrations faced when washing and caring for clothes
Fading frustrations
Dylon’s detergents renew clothing fibres
Offer convenient solutions to creasing
Address scent related pain points
Scent note preferences
Scent is pivotal in fabric care
Take a scientific approach to fragrance innovation
Fragrance habits reveal opportunities for hybrid laundry solutions
Explore more niche elements of gentle formulations
Consumers are opting for shorter cycles
A new spin on laundry cycles
PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Multifunctional detergents drive NPD growth
Short-wash detergents are evolving
smol pushes alternative narrative for shorter cycles
Brands are tailoring laundry products to skin sensitivities
Graph 6: fabric care launches carrying select skin related claims, 2020-25
Probiotics hold potential
Innovation opportunities for fabric refreshers
Explore the taste for gourmand scents
Explore alternative fragrance trends to differentiate
APPENDIX
Market definition
The market
Forecast methodology
Forecast methodology – fan chart
Market size and forecast – at constant and current prices
Market forecast and prediction intervals (value)
Market segmentation
Market share – laundry detergents
Market share – fabric conditioners and fabric care
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
UK generation groups
Other data source methodologies
Mintel Spark
Abbreviations
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A growing desire for clothing longevity will define laundry behaviours, and probiotics are set to shape innovation in the fabric care market. Luke Santos, Household Care Analyst
Market Definitions
This...
In a post-pandemic world where inflationary pressures have impacted affordability, consumers increasingly want products to deliver more during use.
With laundry routines becoming less regular, and budgets tighter, interest...
Brands can support the shift towards sustainable behaviours with proven product efficacy. Innovative product formats that tap into convenience will stand out.
Luke Santos, Household Care and Brand...
Fabric care in India is entering a new phase of expectation-led growth. As usage deepens and routines become more sophisticated, consumers are no longer evaluating products on cleaning...
Shifting demographics and a focus on skin and odour control will drive new avenues for innovation in the category, focusing on convenience and skin health.
Amanda Caridad, Global Household...
Mintel’s Fabric Care Market Dynamics reports pair world-class market size data with in-depth analysis to offer quick insights into the dynamic landscapes of key markets across the world....
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