1. Tide 3-in-1 Laundry Pods, Spring Meadow Scent, 81 Washes
2. Arm & Hammer OxiClean Fresh Scent Liquid Detergent, 128 Washes
3. Mrs. Meyer’s Lavender Laundry Detergent, 128 Washes
4. All Mighty Pacs Laundry Detergent, Free Clear for Sensitive Skin, 134 Washes
5. Tide Free & Gentle Unscented and Hypoallergenic Laundry Pods, 96 Washes
6. Gain Flings! Liquid Detergent Pods, 81 Washes
7. Tide HE Turbo Clean Liquid Detergent, 64 Washes
8. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Unscented Laundry Detergents, 106 Washes
9. Persil ProClean Power-Liquid Intense Fresh Detergent, 96 Washes
10. Earth Friendly Products ECOS Magnolia & Lily Liquid Laundry Detergent, 200 Loads
11. Amazon Solimo Fresh Scent Laundry Pods, 120 Washes
Laundry Detergent Buying Guide
Features To Look For In Laundry Detergents
Now we've seen some of the best laundry detergents available, it's worth thinking about what makes a good/high-efficiency laundry detergent. From ingredients to types to brands, read on to discover tips to make your selection process easier.
Ingredients - Before going any further, consider the ingredients used in your favorite laundry detergents. Do these contain harsh chemicals or any substances someone in your household might be allergic to? Most detergents these days use artificial enzymes to help target specific types of dirt or to improve performance at cooler temperatures, so keep an eye out for 'special features' and check the ingredients' list contains the right substances to back up claims.
Quantity - Most packs of laundry detergent or washing powder will indicate how many washes you can get out of your purchase. This is only a guideline, however, as some washes may require more/less depending on the size of the wash and how soiled your items are.
Amount Required For Wash - Similarly, consider how much detergent or washing powder you'll need for most washes. If you have children who love to roll around in the grass, you're likely to need more detergent per wash than a professional couple without kids, for example. Liquid detergents usually have lines in the cap to indicate how much you should use for each wash for light, medium, or heavily soiled clothing. We recommend following these guidelines for the best results.
Stain Removing - If your wash load is often heavily soiled, then you're going to want to look out for laundry detergents with stain-removing powers. Mostly, this will be bleach, so you might not want to use a strong stain remover in every wash as this can fade colors. Look out for detergents offering stain removal, check customer reviews and ingredients to ensure these claims are verified.
Scent - Who doesn't love that freshly cleaned laundry smell? Whether you love the scent of pure, fresh linen or prefer a more perfumed option, these days, you can get a whole variety of fragrances to create the perfect wash. That said, some people may be allergic to the perfumes in laundry detergents so that most brands will offer scent-free options. You also want to be sure that your detergent is doing its job, as a clean smell doesn't necessarily mean a clean load.
Types of Laundry Detergents
Below we’ve listed out the most popular types of laundry detergents currently available to purchase.
Powder - Washing powder was the first type of detergent to exist and is usually the cheapest. It's excellent for outdoor stains and is often the most eco-friendly in packaging. The downsides are that it might not completely dissolve in a cold wash and must be stored somewhere completely dry to avoid clumping.
Pods - Laundry pods are increasing in popularity in recent years thanks to the convenience of just being able to throw one into the drum of your machine without worrying about measuring out detergent or making a mess on your countertop. Be careful never to break laundry pods and always keep out of reach of children or pets.
Liquid - Liquid laundry detergents are probably the most popular and perform particularly well on oil and grease stains. You can also use laundry detergent to pre-treat more stubborn stains, which is a great advantage. The lid will usually have measuring lines, although it's easy to forget these or overfill! The downside is that liquid detergent can be guilty of over-sudsing if you use too much and not thoroughly rinse out, so it is worth watching those lines!
Best Laundry Detergent Brands
Below are just a few of the most popular laundry detergent brands in no particular order.
Tide - Introduced in 1946, Tide detergent is the highest-selling detergent brand worldwide thanks to its high efficiency when it comes to stain removal. Using the same base formula across its lines, Tide performs consistently with every wash, although it's also one of the most expensive brands.
Gain - Owned by Procter & Gamble (same as Tide) and introduced in 1969, Gain also consistently ranks highly for stain removal and more widely for reliable cleaning power, making it the #2 best laundry detergent in sales in the US.
Arm & Hammer - Ranked as one of the best low-cost laundry detergents with a strong, clean scent, Arm & Hammer represents an excellent option for households who love a scented detergent without a considerable price tag. The formula contains baking soda, so it shouldn't be harsh on the skin and is compatible with all types of washing machines.
Seventh Generation - Seventh Generation market themselves as offering a more natural solution to laundry without breaking the bank. Its products are usually predominantly plant-based, and reviews have shown little/no irritation on even sensitive baby skin after use. It works efficiently and is non-scented.
Persil - Another laundry detergent giant, Persil, is commonly considered to be one of the best-priced detergents on the market that offers a great balance between effective cleaning power and a clean, fresh scent even in cold water. It's good at stain removal and is a popular choice for families.
