Every year, Americans spend billions of dollars on laundry detergents. Most consumers will purchase a detergent that smells good, has features they want, or, let's face it, is on sale. Everything is GOOD as long as you don't care about getting your clothes as clean as possible. Some liquid detergents clean far better than others, according to our lab testing. This additional cleaning power can mean the difference between a garment being pristine and having subtle stains left behind. To find the best laundry detergent, we compared the top-selling liquid cleansers to see which one is the most effective.
The detergents in this guide were put through a series of testing, including stain removal, smell assessments, and cost analysis. Persil ProClean (available on Amazon) came out on top in the end. ProClean has the best stain-removal capabilities for stubborn stains.
(If you want more environmentally friendly laundry detergents, we also tested and assessed those and determined that Tide Purclean (available on Amazon) is the best eco-friendly laundry detergent.) If you're concerned about the chemicals included in optical brightening products, plant-based alternatives are a terrific option.
The best laundry detergents we tested are ranked in the following order:
Our favorite picks:
Other detergents:
Persil Proclean (best overall) – Price: $11.97 at Amazon
Persil has been a best-selling laundry detergent in Europe for years, even though it has just been available in the US since mid-2015. Persil eliminated an average of 2% more stains than Tide detergents across all of our tests, according to our photo spectrometer. While the difference isn't evident to the naked eye, it adds up over time—and that's how Persil beat out a long-time favorite.
Unfortunately, Persil is more expensive at most outlets than Tide, which, despite its reduced price, works just as effectively. While the price difference isn't significant, it can build up over the course of a year of washing with Persil ProClean power liquid.
Many consumers believe Persil smells "sweet," which could be a turnoff, according to our in-house survey and review of web opinions. Persil, on the other hand, is the obvious winner when it comes to stain removal.
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Tide Original (best value) – Price: $18.29 at Amazon
For 68 years, Tide has been the best-selling laundry detergent in the United States. While it trailed Persil in our stain-fighting test, it matched or outperformed it in every other category.
The Tide we used was Tide Original, which is designed for use in high-efficiency washers. It's the best-selling liquid laundry detergent on Amazon right now. Not a fan of Amazon? It's easy to find: it's accessible at almost every big retailer. Other detergents may be less expensive, but Tide outcleans them by up to 14%. Tide pods are also unbeatable in terms of convenience.
Tide's aroma has become imprinted in the fabric of American life as a result of its widespread use. "When I think of clean clothes, this is the smell that springs to mind," one poll respondent remarked. Tide is well-known for its cleaning ability and offers the greatest value among laundry detergents currently available in the United States.
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Persil ProClean Sensitive Skin (best for sensitive skin) – Price: $11.97 at Amazon
In our cleaning testing for sensitive skin detergents, Persil ProClean Sensitive Skin came out on top. We were not surprised by the results, considering normal Persil is presently ranked first in this guide.
In fact, the perfume of this version is far superior to that of standard ProClean. We were relieved to find a very light aroma when we opened the Sensitive Skin container. We also like the fact that it's designed to work in cold water. Those who enjoy cooking will appreciate the fact that Persil performed best against red wine and protein stains in our tests.
While testing revealed that it is an excellent cleaner, we were concerned about some of the chemicals. The use of Sodium Borate, often known as borax, which can cause skin irritation, was particularly remarkable. Propylene Glycol is also a source of worry, as prolonged exposure can lead to contact dermatitis.
Persil Sensitive Skin is a hybrid of hypoallergenic and traditional laundry detergents that we've been using for years. You receive a better clean in exchange for having more harsh chemicals than most free-and-clear detergents.
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Tide PurClean (best eco-friendly) – Price: $17.99 at Amazon
When it comes to the best smelling natural laundry detergent, the eco-friendly detergents Tide Purclean came out on top in our testing, eliminating the most spots.
Tide Purclean is a fresh-new detergent with a well-known brand name and a lower environmental footprint. It claims to wash just as well as regular Tide, and our testing backs up that claim completely. In fact, it's by far the most efficient eco-friendly detergent we've tried.
There are, however, two disadvantages: expense and content. Purclean is similar to Tide in terms of being a well-known brand. We can tell that it's one of the more expensive detergents we've tested by tracking its pricing on Amazon over time.
Purclean is a hybrid detergent since only 75% of its ingredients are plant-based, while part of the rest is petroleum-based. Purclean is the finest solution for clean laundry if you want to do a tiny favor for Mother Earth without sacrificing performance.
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All of the detergents were put through their paces in the Maytag MVWC565FW top-loading washer on a Normal cycle with warm (not hot) water, not hot. We employed mechanically colored swatches that were covered in typical household items, including sweat, oil, pig's blood, red wine, and chocolate, to guarantee that our test results were consistent. All stains are sourced with care; for example, all red wine is produced in the same vineyard, and all blood is derived from the same pig breed.
We made our own stains in addition to the ones created automatically. We dragged a coworker through dirt and grass, resulting in soiled t-shirts, and then added tomato sauce and fresh red wine to the mix to make things even worse for the shirt.
Our stain swatches were placed in standardized loads of laundry, each weighing eight pounds and containing pillowcases, towels, and bedsheets. The process was again repeated, except this time, the swaths were placed in specific areas inside the washing machine.
After running the Normal cycle, we took each strip and dried it overnight before analyzing it with a photo spectrometer–a device that detects color changes. This allowed us to provide a numerical value to how much each stain was lifted by the detergent.
Using too much detergent may seem paradoxical, but it will actually make your laundry unclean. This is because the detergent's base components work in certain concentrations. Bad washing disasters can arise when those concentrations are too high.
There will be more suds if you use more detergent. Sensors in newer washing machines check for any lingering dirt in the suds. Smart washers include programming that assumes you applied the appropriate amount of detergent.
If you use too much detergent, you'll end up with a lot of suds. These extra suds will not pick up dirt and will hide the fact that there are still stains to be cleansed. When the sensors detect just clean suds, the machine will conclude that the wash is complete and halt the cycle prematurely.
Using too much detergent can also harm your washing machine. Detergent residue builds up inside your machine if it isn't rinsed away. Overuse of detergent leads to the accumulation of residue, which eventually leads to obstructions. As a result of the blockages, water backs up into places it shouldn't, such as the control panel or your floor. More significantly, when your washer breaks down, you won't be able to efficiently wash your clothing, which means they'll stay dirty.
In a nutshell, stick to the instructions on the soap bottles, as they'll provide you with the most particular advice for the detergent you're using. Beyond that, we recommend never filling the cap more than a third of the way for a normal load of laundry. Up to half-point on the cap should suffice for larger loads.
HE laundry detergent, also known as high-efficiency laundry detergent, is created specifically for washing machines that use less water—up to 60% less—and can clean in these machines better than ordinary soap. It produces fewer suds and disperses faster.
Regular detergent should not be used in a high-efficiency washing machine. You can, however, use HE laundry detergent in a non-high-efficiency machine. You have to utilize a little more of it only.
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Laundry detergents do not have the same expiration date as food. Laundry detergents, on the other hand, have a "best use by" date. Liquid detergents have a lot of water in them, which can evaporate over time, leaving a sticky, clumpy mess behind.
In the case of powder detergent, moisture can convert the detergent into a difficult-to-use rock if it gets in.
Laundry detergents do not destroy germs on their own. Although there are products like laundry sanitizers and chemicals such as bleach that are meant to kill germs in the wash, most laundry detergents do not do it on their own.
Sanitize cycles in many washing machines have been shown to be effective against common infections, including the flu and E. coli. Washing your hands frequently, on the other hand, is a better way to avoid getting sick.
The short answer is no, but being cautious is necessary.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides a detailed scheme for indicating chemical dangers. Laundry detergents are made up of a variety of ingredients. The majority assist with cleaning, while others provide color and aroma. Some components irritate the skin or eyes, and if swallowed, they might be hazardous. Toxic substances, even on small levels, cause serious injury. Laundry detergents aren't harmful under this criterion.
If liquid detergent is splashed on the skin or eyes, it might be irritating, but rinsing typically clears it up. Long-term consequences are unlikely. We've all had soap in our eyes; the difference is that laundry detergent is more concentrated than shampoo or body wash.
Unsurprisingly, few individuals drink laundry detergent, and those who do are usually children. The most common symptoms you can see are diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, which are generally relieved by drinking enough milk or water.
With the introduction of detergent capsules, things got a little odd and riskier. They contain a high concentration of detergent, and their vivid colors enticed some younger children to consume them. There was even some pod-eating that was done on purpose! Serious sickness was uncommon, even with the higher intense detergent.
So, don't drink your laundry detergent, keep it out of the reach of children, and handle it carefully.
Manufacturers are not obligated by law to list the ingredients in their scents on their labels. Result? Knowing whether or not you are allergic to certain goods might be challenging. Even fragrances can be found in "unscented" items.
Companies like P&G, on the other hand, have pledged to be more open about the processes that go into creating their products' smells. Look for products that bear the EPA's Safe Choice seal if you're concerned about fragrances.
There are multiple laundry detergents available on the market for persons with sensitive skin. "Free-and-clear" and "hypoallergenic" are two terms they use. On the surface, hypoallergenic products are those that are low in allergens.
The FDA, on the other hand, claims that these phrases have no legal significance. According to a study conducted by Northwest University, 83 percent of the top-selling moisturizers labeled "hypoallergenic" included potential allergens. While this isn't the same as detergents, we found that our investigation into the various chemicals in the detergents in our collection produced similar outcomes.
"Free-and-clear" usually refers to the absence of colors and perfumes, both of which can irritate the skin. It also usually signifies that there are no optical brighteners in the detergent. Optical brighteners are not recommended because they employ a light trick to make clothes appear cleaner without actually eliminating any stains.
Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Liquid Laundry Detergent – Price: $16.99 at Amazon
Kirkland and Tide were neck-and-neck in the contest for our top value option. Beyond the science, Tide won us over since it can be purchased almost anywhere, whereas Kirkland products are only available at Costco stores and sometimes online.
Our tests indicated that their detergent strikes a good combination between price and performance, with a scent that's fresher and lighter than Tide... however, you'll notice that less of it remains on your clothes after washing than Tide or our top selection. Kirkland's detergent cleaned 6% fewer stains than Persil and 4% fewer stains than Tide. We appreciated the container design, which includes a no-mess dispenser. In terms of aroma, we thought it was average.
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Gain HE Original – Price: $27.88 at Amazon
Gain is most known for its invigorating aroma. Gain had the best aroma and lasting power of all the detergents we tested, with its bouquet transferring powerfully to our washing.
While we found Gain to be superior to low-cost detergents, it fell short of our top picks. It was approximately 10% less effective than Persil. Gain, on the other hand, will leave you with a more pleasant-smelling laundry experience if you're an average city dweller who doesn't get too dirty.
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Arm & Hammer Clean Burst – Price: $15.22 at Amazon
The only detergent on our list that isn't made by Henkel (Persil and All) or Procter & Gamble is Church & Dwight's Arm & Hammer Clean Burst (Tide and Gain). It tied for third place in the stain-fighting category and distinguished out for its low price.
While this detergent appears to be a good value, we didn't think it was a good buy after using it—because it doesn't remove stains as effectively as the other detergents in this guide, you may have to wash a garment numerous times before it's clean. Furthermore, this detergent produced a distinct, lemony odor on laundry that some people may find unpleasant.
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Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent – Price: $19.99 at Amazon
Purex is well-known for its low cost. With this super product, you get what you pay for, according to our testing. In stain removal testing, it came in second to last. We were surprised by this outcome because Purex is made by the same people that created Persil, our top performer. Purex has a good price-to-performance ratio, in our opinion. We'd recommend Purex to anyone on a tight budget who needs a good cleaning detergent.
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All Free & Clear – Price: $6.97 at Amazon
All Free & Clear, a fragrance- and dye-free detergent, tied for third place in our cleaning competition. While it is fragrance-free, it does have an odor: we found that it has a strong medical scent, which is a result of the lack of additional smells to conceal the natural smell of its contents. Fortunately, the stink does not transfer to the clothes.
This may be a disadvantage if you're attempting to get rid of an odor from your laundry, but it's still a common choice among people who are allergic to dyes and scents. We tried a few perfume-free detergents and found that they only cleaned slightly better than using no detergent at all. All Free & Clear outperformed all other perfume-free alternatives. It has an average price of roughly 25 cents for each load when it comes to pricing. That's not bad, given that this detergent is aimed at a more specialized market of persons with sensitive skin.
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Verified
Persil capsules I understand is child proof but you have not considered how someone who has a disability with their hands they cannot use them so this is discrimination by not taking into account all human beings
Verified
My mrs accidentally spilled persil im her eye and she came up greeting all I said was better persil than could have have been me
Verified
Persil UK made by Unilever isn't the same as the original Persil made by Henkel in several other countries, Persil UK is the same thing as Omo. Persil UK/Omo is brilliant for cleaning whilst taking care of not damaging garments. Persil powder and Persil Tablets are the best for everyday laundry and are heavy duty cleaners. Persil Silk and Wool is not only ideal for silk and wool but for dark and deep colours which are likely to fade, it's also brilliant for sensitive skin. The difference between Persil Silk and Wool and products is that it contains no bleach.
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