The Best Laundry Detergents

Buying Guide for Laundry Detergents

Why buy laundry detergent?

People have been using some laundry detergent since ancient Babylonia, a substance that remains the most effective way to clean fabric. Today it comes in many scents and forms, from liquid detergent to pods to sheets, yet each type works well to remove stains, sweat, smells, and dirt from your clothes. Whether you need to wash a load of delicates, wash your sportswear with a detergent booster, or remove stains on your dish towels, laundry detergent can clean it all.

What should you look for in laundry detergent?

• Format: Laundry detergent comes in various forms, such as liquids, powders, pods, and sheets. Each is effective, but one type might be better for your lifestyle or washing machine. For example, detergent pods don’t require measuring like liquids and powders, so they’re great for busy lifestyles. However, if a pod gets caught in the door seal of front-loading washing machines, it may only dissolve partially. 
• High-Efficiency (HE): High-efficiency washing machines are a particular type, and some will require high-efficiency detergents formulated specifically for them. Know your machine, and get a detergent that works with it.
• Scents/Hypoallergenic: Many people love the fresh smell that many detergents give their clothes. However, these artificial scents may bother those with sensitive skin. If that sounds like you, or if you need a detergent safe for infants, look for unscented or hypoallergenic options that are gentle.

Should you consider specialty laundry products?

Some laundry detergents have unique formulas for particular purposes. Combination detergents that include a fabric softener or bleach/bleach alternatives may enhance the detergent’s effectiveness. Another option is hand wash detergents for hand washing or delicate machine washes. These products are great for lightly soiled or delicate fabrics and are less potent than standard detergents.

Our Picks for the Best Laundry Detergents

Pros: These little liquid soap pacs bring the joy and freshness of a spring garden to dirty laundry. The 3-in-1 pacs include Gain original liquid detergent, Oxi, and Febreze. That’s an army of refreshing scents and stain-busting in a concentrated square. Fling the Gain Flings into hot or cold water in any laundry machine for clean, fresh air-fragrant results.

Cons: The only drawback is that you might not like the scent, and you can only know by trying them.

Bottom Line: Gain Flings make clothes washing as simple and effective as possible. With the pleasant scent of freshly air-dried laundry, we think you’ll be pleased with these soap pacs.

 

Pros: Tyler detergents wash all laundry effectively, but their Glamorous Wash is specially formulated for delicate fabrics. Use it to clean lingerie, fine linens, and those fabrics you might hesitate for a second before you throw in the washing machine or sink for hand washing. Because the USA-made detergent is phosphate-free, we can trust that it’s safer for the environment than most and animal cruelty-free. Where’s the DIVA in all this? You’ll find it in the rich floral and earthy cacao scent.

Cons: It needs to be clarified if this 32-ounce bottle contains detergent concentrate or regular liquid detergent.

Bottom Line: When you want to feel more glamorous as you wash your delicates, try adding a 1/3 cup of Diva to your laundry machine or two teaspoons to a sink full of water. Treat your laundry with the luxurious wash by Tyler.

 

Pros: Tide Original liquid laundry detergent has been a household name for years, mainly for its cleaning and branded scent. The brand name added super powerful stain-fighting ingredients to Tide Original, and voilà—Ultra Stain Release. This detergent removes up to 99% of dirt, grease, and sweat stains, you name it. And there’s more! The detergent cap, Zap!, has scrubbing bristles that you use to pre-treat nasty stains.

Cons: There’s no information provided about the added stain-fighting ingredients.

Bottom Line: If you’ve never tried Tide, it’s time. The Ultra Stain Release formula with the bonus Zap! Cap does it all. Tide says it best: It cleans, freshens, whitens, brightens, and eliminates stains.

 

Pros: This two-pack of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Laundry Detergent is eco-friendly and cruelty-free. It is made of plant-derived ingredients and features an infusion of essential oils. The liquid formula is effective yet gentle on clothes. The ingredients include biodegradable dirt and stain-fighting enzymes, and it’s even biodegradable.

Cons: This detergent doesn’t offer anti-bacterial properties. It may bother those with sensitive skin.

Bottom Line: Each detergent bottle can do 64 loads in high-efficiency (HE) and conventional washing machines. The garden-fresh scent will leave you smelling a clean floral fragrance.

 

Pros: Free yourself from those darn laundry detergent drips and spills in the cabinet, and empty detergent bottles from taking up space in the recycling bin. Earth Breeze Eco sheets contain no liquid and come in a biodegradable box. They relieve household stress and clean laundry with powerful, hypoallergenic ingredients. How do you use them? Load your washer with dirty clothes, toss in a sheet, and run your washer. Simple.

Cons: If you know you like that powerful scent of conventional detergent, you may want to steer clear of these less-intense, fresh-scented sheets. Also, some say that it only sometimes dissolves fully.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for an eco-friendlier laundry detergent, try these detergent sheets. They dissolve in the cycle and lift the dirt without using harsh chemicals. If you’re curious, go to the Eco Sheets website to get a full list of the ingredients.

Final Thoughts

Buying a good laundry detergent makes all the difference in your clothing, bedding and linens, and kitchen towels. Whether you need to boost the scent of your clothes or need strong stain-fighting power, there are plenty of solid laundry detergent options to provide what you need.