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Best laundry detergent: Shop the best formulas for cleaning clothes
Say goodbye to dirty laundry once and for all with the best laundry detergents by your side.
If you’re anything like us, you probably dread laundry days.
We’re talking about heavy washing loads, smelly clothes and tough stains.
So, what exactly is the answer to an easy and simple washing day? A detergent that actually works, of course!
Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up the best laundry detergents that tackle stubborn stains head-on, leaving your clothes nice and fresh with just one wash. Read on to find your next household staple right here.
Read more: Top washing machines for every household
Top washing solutions
Top all-rounder
Specifications
• Size: 92 fl oz
• Number of loads: 64
Pros & Cons
Refreshing scent
Great for tough stains
Suitable for colors and whites
Lid can leak if not closed properly
Tide Original Liquid Laundry Detergent is a reliable cleaning partner for all your laundry needs.
As America’s number one liquid detergent, this enhanced formula combats everything from heavily soiled stains and stubborn messes.
The secret to its cleaning power? Smart suds!
Tide's HE Turbo Clean is designed with quick collapsing suds for streamlined cleaning and rinsing, regardless of the water temperature.
But what’s really great about this detergent is that it produces a deep and fresh clean without taking any color off your clothes.
This way, your colorful clothes will stay bright and colorful while your whites stay crispy white, even in cold washes. Buy it now and thank us later.
Suitable for everyday use
Specifications
• Size: 75 fl oz
• Number of loads: 57
Pros & Cons
Budget-friendly option
Removes deep stains
Refreshing outdoor scent
Reviewers claim that the scent doesn’t last long
Looking for a robust, all-purpose laundry detergent that leaves clothes fragrantly fresh and clean? Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent does just that.
Its specialized formula features stain-fighting activators that deeply penetrate fabric fibers to remove ground-in dirt and common stains. Its versatility makes it ideal for daily use, providing a thorough clean without hurting your wallet, too.
But the best part? Its refreshing scent of mountain air and springtime floral blooms leaves your clothes smelling oh-so-good!
So, if you want to bring the freshness of the great outdoors into your laundry routine, this detergent is worth a try!
Perfect for dark clothes
Specifications
• Size: 100 fl oz
• Number of loads: 66
Pros & Cons
Free from bleach or dye
Gently removes stains
Protects clothes from fading
Cap is not secure
Maintaining the freshness of your dark clothes can be challenging. Woolite Darks Defense Liquid Laundry Detergent is designed to make it easier.
This innovative formula keeps your dark clothes, like your favorite jeans, sweatshirts and blouses, looking like new for up to 20 washes. It also effectively protects your clothes from fading, pulling and stretching, too.
But it's not just about protection — this detergent focuses on cleanliness, with a blend of ingredients working together to gently remove stains. And with no harsh optical brighteners or dyes, it's a product you can trust for regular and HE (high-efficiency) washing machines.
With its perfect blend of utility and value, it’s a great pick for anyone looking to preserve the life and quality of their dark clothing.
An eco-friendly option
Specifications
• Size: 45 capsules
• Number of loads: 90
Pros & Cons
Suitable for sensitive skin
Features plant-based ingredients
Tackles stains without using fragrances
No fresh smell
The Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Packs will revolutionize your laundry routine. Made with a powerful quadruple-enzyme formula, this pack tackles every type of stubborn stain without any artificial brighteners or dyes.
Instead, using 94% plant-based ingredients, these powdered laundry packs work just as hard to ensure that your clothes come out of the wash looking as bright and fresh as the day you bought them
Plus, its hypoallergenic and fragrance-free formula also comes in handy for those with sensitive or delicate skin, too.
So, if you’re a household with babies, smaller children or anyone with skin conditions, you can rest assured that this detergent is safe to use come laundry day.
For tough stains
Specifications
• Size: 166.5 fl oz
• Number of Loads: 128
Pros & Cons
Leaves no residues
Tackles tough stains
Suitable for all machines and temperatures
Some reviewers say the scent is very strong
Ready to say goodbye to stubborn stains once and for all? This is the cleaning solution for you.
Designed to tackle over 101 different kinds of stains, this detergent is a complete powerhouse when it comes to laundry care.
Thanks to its highly concentrated five-in-one formula, it does everything from attacking stains, combating odors, whitening whites and brightening colors, all while providing a fresh scent.
So, whether you’ve got a dreaded ketchup stain on your favorite tee, grass stains from playing outdoors or built-up dirt on a pair of expensive jeans, this clean rinsing formula will do its best to get rid of them for good.
Great for odors
Specifications
• Size: 154 fl oz
• Number of loads: 107
Pros & Cons
Removes stubborn odors and stains
Suitable for all machines and temperatures
Scent lasts for up to six weeks
Not suitable for sensitive skin
Easily wash off set-in odors and stains that are weeks old with Gain Plus AromaBoost Liquid Laundry Detergent by your side.
Packed with the cleaning power of Oxi Boost and the odor-removal properties of Febreze, this detergent leaves your laundry refreshingly clean and irresistibly fresh.
But that’s not all. For extra freshness post-washing, each pod is designed with smaller perfumed capsules that activate as you wear your clothing. Simply put, you can enjoy up to six weeks of your laundry smelling fresh even after you wash it!
Whether it's your daily work attire or your beloved linens, you can count on this detergent for cleanliness and a scent that lasts.
Ideal for sensitive skin
Specifications
• Size: 81 capsules
• Number of loads: 81
Pros & Cons
Fragrance-free
Pods dissolve in hot and cold water
Gentle on the skin
Some reviewers say it leaves some detergent residue on clothing
Delicate skin requires a more gentle detergent. Tide’s pods deliver just that.
These hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested pods are free from dyes and perfumes, which makes them suitable for those with sensitive and irritated skin, including those with skin conditions like eczema.
But they don’t compromise on cleaning power either. These 3-in-1 pods include detergent, stain remover and color protector, helping keep your favorite clothes vibrant, fresh and clean. And with 81 pods in a pack, you’ll have more than enough detergent for regular, large or extra-large laundry loads.
If you’re looking for reliable cleaning performance and skin-friendly ingredients, Tide PODs Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent will serve you well in all your laundry endeavors.
What is the best laundry detergent?
Still not sure what type of laundry detergent is best for you? We’ve got you covered.
Out of all of our picks, the Tide Original Liquid Laundry Detergent and Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent earn our highest praise among the best laundry detergent brands.
Tide Original’s reliability in eliminating stubborn stains and catering to various laundry requirements is further complemented by its long-lasting fresh scent.
Purex, on the other hand, brings the invigorating scent of the outdoors to your laundry with its powerful stain-fighting properties and unparalleled cleanliness.
So, grab one of the best laundry detergents today and prepare for a laundry experience like no other, ensuring your clothes aren't just clean but irresistibly fresh, too!
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Prices updated on 11/02/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Written by
Lauren Pascal
A self-proclaimed ‘obsessed TikTok user,’ Lauren Pascal uses her knowledge to help readers shop for trendy new products. Lauren is also an experienced travel writer and recently wrote informative pieces for travellers during the pandemic.
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