Top-rated laundry detergents revealed
We took 74 laundry detergent formulas — 49 liquids, 19 powders, and six single-use tabs — for a spin to see how well they removed 20 common stains (oil, coffee, mascara...) from polyester and cotton. Surprise: Powders packed the most power. Unless noted, package size for powders is 48 to 56 ounces; for liquids, 50 to 64 ounces. Cost per load is based on our large, heavily soiled test load. Introducing our stain-busters: A very close second: Gain Dazzle & Shine With Bleach Alternative ($7; 49 cents per load*). |
Prefer to pour? The liquid versions of the top powders, Tide Plus Bleach Alternative ($8, amazon.com; 41 cents per load*) and Tide With Acti-Lift ($8, amazon.com; 43 cents per load*), proved best in their class, too. Also superb: 2X Ultra Era ($5, amazon.com; 24 cents per load*). |
Fragrance-free Ecover Laundry Powder Zero ($11.84, amazon.com; $1.52 per load*) scored up there with the top powders. One quibble: It lacks a scooper. |
Essential oil-scented Caldrea ($16, amazon.com; 63 cents per load*) erased many stains as well as the best liquids did, leaving behind some wine and tea in hot water and blood, mud, and grass in cold. |
Ultra Tide Coldwater powder ($8; 52 cents per load*) removed more stains in cold water than other detergents got out in hot--great news for delicate fabrics and for your water-heating bill. |
As for liquids, the test-winning Tides cleaned best in cold, and Gain Original($7, amazon.com; 29 cents per load*) did nearly as well — all three scored higher than liquids specifically formulated for cold-water washing. |
Target's Up & Up 2X HE liquid ($8.38 for 150 ounces), just 11 cents per load,* zapped most stains but came up short of our top performers on mascara in the hot-water wash and wine in cold. |
Walmart's Great Value Powder ($11.47 for 156 ounces), also 11 cents per load,* rated among the best powders, but missed some ketchup and mascara in hot water and oil, crayon, and grape juice in cold water. |
Neater to use, lighter to tote and store. But do they work? Yes! And the convenience won't cost much more than comparable liquids. Two to try: Tide Pods ($16 for 62 pods, amazon.com; 52 cents per load*) and Arm & Hammer Toss 'N Done Power Paks ($10 for 60 "paks", amazon.com; 33 cents per load*). |