The 10 Best Laundry Detergents on the Market, According to Experts

We’ve tested a few perfume-free detergents that barely cleaned better than no detergent at all. All Free and Clear proved to be leagues better than other perfume-free options. Also, its price per load isn’t bad considering this detergent is meant for a more niche market of people with sensitive skin.

The Best Laundry Detergents of 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Persil ProClean

Across all tests, Persil removed, on average, 2% more stains than Tide. While not clearly visible to the eye, it makes a difference over repeat washing, eking out a win over a longstanding favorite. Read More

Pros

Cons

• Expensive
• Sweet smell may be a turnoff

Tide Original

The best-selling detergent in the U.S. for decades. It performs like a champ in most cases, but isn’t the best with sensitive skin. Read More

Pros

Cons

Persil ProClean Sensitive Skin

Persil ProClean Sensitive Skin contains many possible irritants like borax, but it is a superior stain remover. Read More

Pros

• Superior stain remover
• Neutral scent

Cons

Tide Purclean (Scent Free)

Tide Purclean offers similar cleaning power to regular Tide but with a 75% plant-based formula. Read More

Pros

• Powerful performance
• Excels at stain removal

Cons

All Free and Clear

A perfume- and dye-free detergent that tied for third in our cleaning tests. In spite of a strong medicinal scent in the bottle, it left virtually no scent behind, as promised. Read More

Pros

Cons

Written by
Jonathan Chan, senior manager of lab operations with a decade of experience testing products.
David Ellerby, PhD scientist with two decades of research and testing experience.

Updated November 7, 2023

Americans spend billions of dollars every year on laundry detergent. Since we’re here for you and don’t want you to waste any of your hard-earned cash, we embarked on a testing adventure to find the best laundry detergent out there on the market. We pitted the top-selling liquid laundry detergents against each other to see which reigns supreme over heavily soiled laundry.

Ultimately, Persil ProClean (available at Amazon) was the best laundry detergent of the bunch, because it had the best stain-removing prowess, especially over the tough stuff. For even more of a deal, our Best Value winner is an old favorite: Tide.

If you prefer more environmentally-friendly laundry detergents, we tested and evaluated those, too, and found Tide Purclean is the best eco-friendly laundry detergent.

On average, Persil removes an average of 2% more stains than Tide detergents—and that’s why it’s our top-ranked liquid laundry detergent.

Persil has been on sale in the U.S. since mid-2015, but it has long been a best-selling laundry detergent in Europe. Our photospectrometer revealed that—across all our tests—Persil removed an average of 2% more stains than Tide detergents. While that difference isn’t clearly visible to the naked eye, it does make a difference over repeated washings—and that’s how Persil eked out a win over a longstanding favorite to become our current pick for best laundry detergent.

At most retailers, however, Persil is more expensive than Tide, our value pick. While the gap isn’t extreme, over a year’s worth of washing with Persil ProClean power liquid, it can add up.

Our in-house survey and review of online opinions also show that many consumers think Persil smells “sweet,” which may be a turnoff. Still, if stain removal is critical, Persil is indisputably the best laundry detergent for the job.

Pros

Cons

• Expensive
• Sweet smell may be a turnoff

Sometimes instead of the absolute best laundry detergent, you’re more in the market for the best value laundry detergent. Tide has been one of the go-to brands in this space since it launched in 1946. While this more modern formulation lagged slightly behind Persil in our stain-fighting test, it stood toe-to-toe or bested it in all other categories.

We tested Tide Original, a product that’s for high-efficiency washers. Tide out cleans other detergents by as much as 14%. Because of Tide’s ubiquity, its scent has become ingrained in the fabric of American life. Tide is widely known for its cleaning power and provides the best value among laundry detergents available today.

Pros

Cons

Persil ProClean Sensitive Skin removed the most stains.

Persil ProClean Sensitive Skin came out on top in our cleaning tests for detergents for people with sensitive skin. The results did not surprise us as regular Persil currently holds the No. 1 spot in this guide.

We prefer the aroma of this version more than the regular ProClean. When we popped open the Sensitive Skin bottle, we mercifully found a very mild scent.

We also appreciate the fact that it is formulated to work in cold water. Those who like to cook will enjoy that our testing showed Persil did best against red wine and protein stains.

While testing showed that it’s a great cleaner, we did have some concerns about some of the ingredients. Most notable was the usage of sodium borate, also known as borax, which can cause skin irritation.

There is also some concern about prolonged exposure to propylene glycol, which could cause contact dermatitis.

Persil Sensitive Skin sits on the fence between hypoallergenic laundry detergents and the standard set we’ve been familiar with for years. In exchange for having more harsh chemicals than most free-and-clear detergents, you’re getting a superior clean.

Pros

• Superior stain remover
• Neutral scent

Cons

Tide Purclean is the best eco-friendly laundry detergent you can buy.

When it comes to the best eco-friendly laundry detergent, our testing showed that Tide Purclean came out on top, removing the most amount of stains.

Tide Purclean claims to clean as well as conventional Tide, and our tests proved that claim to be 100% true. In fact, it’s far and away the best-cleaning eco-friendly detergent we tested.

Purclean can be described as a hybrid detergent—only 75% of its ingredients are plant-based, and some of the rest are petroleum-derived. If you want to do Mother Earth a small favor without sacrificing performance, Purclean is the best choice for clean laundry.

Pros

• Powerful performance
• Excels at stain removal

Cons

Perfume-free means less risk of irritation.

All Free and Clear is a perfume-and-dye-free detergent that tied for third place in our cleaning contest. While it might be perfume-free, it does have an odor: we noticed that it has a strong medicinal smell—a side effect of having no added scents to mask the natural odors of its ingredients. However, this odor does not transfer onto laundry.

The scent might be a detriment if you’re trying to eliminate an odor from your laundry, but for consumers with sensitivities to dyes and perfumes, this detergent remains a popular choice.

We’ve tested a few perfume-free detergents that barely cleaned better than no detergent at all. All Free and Clear proved to be leagues better than other perfume-free options. Also, its price per load isn’t bad considering this detergent is meant for a more niche market of people with sensitive skin.

Pros

Cons

Other Laundry Detergents We Tested

Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Liquid Laundry Detergent

The race for our best value pick was neck-and-neck between Kirkland and Tide. In the end, Tide won us over, as it can be bought most anywhere, while Kirkland products can only be found in Costco stores and occasionally online.

Our tests revealed that the detergent combines a great balance of affordability and performance, with a scent that is fresher and lighter than what you’ll get with Tide, although you’ll notice that less of its scent will remain on your clothes after awash than when they’re washed with Tide or our main pick.

The Kirkland detergent removed 6% fewer stains than Persil and 4% fewer than Tide. We really liked its container design—it comes with a no-mess dispenser. As far as scent goes, we thought it to be average.

Pros

Cons

• Limited availability with best deals available only at Costco

Gain is best known for its fresh scent. It’s also decent at removing stains: Of all the detergents we tested, Gain had the most liked scent and staying power, with its bouquet transferring strongly to our laundry.

While we found Gain to be superior to bargain-priced detergents, it lagged behind our winners. It was roughly 10% less effective than Persil. However, for the average urbanite who doesn’t get that dirty, Gain will leave you with a more pleasant-smelling laundry experience.

Pros

Cons

Purex is well-liked for its affordability. Our testing showed that you get what you pay for with this product. It came in second to last in stain removal testing. We found that result surprising, since the same people that make Persil, our top performer, makes Purex. As for its price-to-performance ratio, we think Purex is on the mark. We’d recommend Purex to anyone on a budget who needs a cheaper detergent with cleaning power.

Pros

Cons

Arm and Hammer Clean Burst, made by Church and Dwight, is the only detergent on our list that isn’t made by either Henkel (Persil, Purex, Kirkland, and All) or Procter and Gamble (Tide and Gain). It tied for third place in the area of stain-fighting and stands out for its affordability.

While this detergent might seem like a good deal, its weaker stain removal abilities didn’t make us feel like it was a good buy once we used it. Because it doesn’t remove stains as well as other detergents in this guide, you may wind up having to wash a garment multiple times with it before it’s clean. Additionally, this detergent left a sharp, citrusy smell on laundry that many may find unappealing.

Pros

Cons

• Weaker on stain removal
• Sharp citrus smell

How We Tested Laundry Detergents

The Tester

Hi, I’m Jon Chan, the senior manager of lab operations at Reviewed. If you use a product to clean your home with, I’ve likely tested it. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of laundry detergents, including eco-friendly detergents and detergent alternatives. When it comes to detergents, I’m most interested in stain removal and cost-effectiveness.

The Tests

To simulate the messes you might encounter in the garden or on the soccer field, we uniformly coated white T-shirts with grass and dirt stains.

To ensure testing is consistent, we use mechanically dyed swatches covered in sweat, oil, pig blood, red wine, and cocoa. We also produce our own stains in addition to the ones that are mechanically created. We use dirt, grass, tomato sauce, and fresh red wine in our testing and even dragged a colleague through dirt and grass!

Once our laundry has been sufficiently dirtied, it’s time to clean! All of the detergents are tested using the Maytag MVWC565 top-loading washer on the normal cycle using warm water, using a standardized load of laundry: eight pounds total of pillowcases, towels, and bedsheets. This ensures we aren’t just running a cycle with a few shirts and a stain strip in there, as underfilling your washer reduces the total scrubbing action present, which affects the results.

After running the wash cycles, we let the swatches and laundry dry overnight.

Finally, we use a photospectrometer—a device designed to detect changes in color—which allows us determine exactly how much of the stain was removed by each detergent. This approach gives us insight into how each detergent is performing on any specific stain, and also how they’re performing in the aggregate sense, which allows us to pick a best overall or a best for any given stain. For the purposes of our testing here, we’re more interested in the all-around best cleaners rather than singling out the cocoa-stain-fighting champion.

How to Choose the Right Laundry Detergent for You

What is the Best Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin?

By law, manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients in their fragrances. So it can be difficult to know if you’re allergic to certain products. Even products labeled “unscented” can contain fragrances.

However, companies like P&G have vowed to be more transparent with what goes into making the scents of its products. If you’re concerned about fragrances, look for products that have the EPA’s Safe Choice seal.

There are many laundry detergents on the market that are marketed for people with sensitive skin. They have phrases like “free-and-clear” and “hypoallergenic.” On the surface, hypoallergenic translates to products low in allergy-causing compounds.

How Much Laundry Detergent Should You Use?

It may sound counterintuitive, but using too much detergent will actually leave your laundry dirty. This happens because the base components of detergent work in specific concentrations. When those concentrations are too high, bad laundry mishaps can occur.

The more detergent you use, the more suds there will be. Newer washing machines have sensors that check for remaining dirt in the suds. Smart washers have programming that makes the assumption that you used the correct amount of detergent.

If you use too much detergent, then you’ll get too many suds. These extra suds won’t pick up any dirt and will obscure the fact there are more stains to be removed. When the sensors see only clean suds, then the machine will think that the wash is done, prematurely ending the cycle.

Using too much detergent can also cause damage to your washer. Detergent that doesn’t get washed away dries up as residue inside your machine. Repeated overuse of detergent causes residue to build up, which eventually leads to blockages.

In a nutshell: Follow the instructions on the detergent bottles, as this will have the best guidance specific to whichever detergent you’re using. Beyond that, we recommend for a normal load of laundry, never fill the cap up more than a third of the way. On heavier loads, up to half way on the cap should do.

Does Laundry Detergent Expire?

Laundry detergent does not expire in the same sense that food expires. However, laundry detergents do have a “best use by date.” Liquid detergents contain water, which can evaporate over time, leaving behind a sticky and clumpy mess.

The opposite is true of powder detergent, if moisture gets in, it can turn the detergent into a difficult-to-use rock.

Is Laundry Detergent Toxic?

The short answer is no, but you should be careful. And you should never intentionally ingest laundry detergent.

OSHA has a detailed scheme to indicate chemical hazards. Laundry detergents are a mixture of many chemicals. Most help with cleaning; others provide color and scent. Some ingredients irritate the skin or eyes and are harmful if swallowed.

Toxic chemicals cause severe harm even in small amounts. By this definition, laundry detergents aren’t considered toxic.

Liquid detergent is irritating if splashed on the skin or eyes, but rinsing usually clears this up. Long-term damage is unlikely.

We’ve all gotten soap in our eyes; it’s basically the same deal, but laundry detergent is more concentrated than shampoo or body wash.

“Free-and-clear” typically refers to a lack of dyes and perfumes, which can cause irritation. It also usually means that the detergent lacks any optical brighteners. We frown on the addition of optical brighteners because they use an actual trick of the light to make clothes look cleaner without removing any stains.

If you want a non-toxic laundry detergent, then minimize your risks by looking for Safe Choice products and using them correctly.

More Articles You May Enjoy

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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Meet the testers

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it’s likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company’s efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he’s a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he’s plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

Dave Ellerby is Reviewed’s Chief Scientist and has a Ph.D. from the University of Leeds and a B.Sc. from the University of Manchester. He has over 25 years of experience designing tests and analyzing data.

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you’re confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we’ll compare notes.

The 10 Best Laundry Detergents on the Market, According to Experts

From powders to pods, these laundry detergents will leave your clothes looking more clean—and are gentle on skin, too.

Madeline Buiano is an associate editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home and pets. She has five years of writing and editing experience in the digital publishing industry.

Laundry detergent is arguably one of the most essential household supplies—we just can’t feel clean without it. It’ll brighten your clothes, remove pesky stains, and eliminate lingering odors, but in order to accomplish these laundry tasks, the formula you choose needs to live up to its promises. And considering how many options there are to choose from, a detergent that truly does it all can be hard to find.

To help make the decision easier, we asked Melissa Maker, a cleaning expert and the founder of Clean My Space, and Melissa Poepping, the founder of The Chemical Free Home, to share their thoughts on the best detergents on the market. From pods and powders to liquids and sheets, these expert-approved options will leave your clothes looking (and feeling!) noticeably cleaner—that’s a promise.

• Melissa Maker is a cleaning expert with over 15 years of experience and the founder of Clean My Space; she has been virtually teaching people how to clean more effectively since 2011.
• Melissa Poepping is the founder of The Chemical Free Home, a natural cleaning blog, and the author of The Chemical Free Home for Housekeeping.

Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty Liquid Laundry Detergent

Looking for a detergent that stands up to stubborn stains? This detergent from Tide will be your new go-to. “It’s been designed to remove the dirt and soils we can and cannot see,” says Maker. With 10 concentrated cleaning actives, this perfume- and dye-free detergent was clinically tested to be gentle on sensitive skin.

Price at time of publish: $13

Young Living Thieves Ultra Concentrated Laundry Soap

This lemony fresh detergent is formulated with pure essential oils and powerful enzymes to clean your clothes—it’s also one of Poepping’s favorite options for sensitive skin. “Thieves Laundry Soap by Young Living leaves clothes smelling incredibly fresh and clean without the use of conventional harsh chemicals, and is ideal for infants, as well,” she says.

Price at time of publish: $48

Attitude Home Essentials Laundry Detergent

Formulated with naturally sourced ingredients, this refillable laundry detergent is vegan, cruelty-free, and contains zero irritating enzymes. “I have been a longtime fan of the Attitude brand and what they do,” says Maker. “They have a fantastic refillable product line and their products are gently scented with essential oils. Their refills come in cardboard boxes with dispensers and for every product purchased, they plant a tree.”

Price at time of publish: $30

Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder

With just five earth-and-plant derived ingredients (which is an important consideration if you have sensitive skin), including sea salt and essential oils, this option from Molly’s Suds is free of potentially irritating additives.

Price at time of publish: $23

Tru Earth Platinum Hypoallergenic Detergent Sheets

While some detergent sheets don’t perform as well as liquid, powder, or pod iterations, there are a few options on the market that clean clothes effectively. “I have had a good experience with Tru Earth Platinum laundry detergent sheets and am happy to recommend those for someone looking for a sheet,” says Maker. The hypoallergenic squares are biodegradable, so they break down in the washing machine as they clean your clothes.

Price at time of publish: $30

Persil Universal Powder Laundry Detergent

When it comes to powder detergent, Persil is widely recognized as the go-to brand. “Persil has a terrific reputation and [delivers] great results,” says Maker. The highly rated detergent is great for whites and colorfast fabrics, but shouldn’t be used for delicate fabrics, like wool or silk.

Price at time of publish: $60

Tide Power Pods Laundry Detergent Soap Packs

Tide power pods remove both visible and invisible dirt from your garments, leaving you with clothes that feel as clean as they look. “Power pods are large enough to handle a medium load and deliver incredible stain and odor-fighting results,” says Maker.

Price at time of publish: $27.24

EarthBreeze Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets

These laundry detergent sheets dissolve within seconds in hot or cold water and can even be used when hand-washing your garments. They’re free of irritating ingredients, like parabens, dyes, fragrances, and phosphate, so they’re ideal for people with sensitive skin. The sheets comes in an eco-friendly cardboard package that is biodegradable and conserves space in your laundry room.

Price at time of publish: $12

Tide Powder Laundry Detergent Original

The classics are classics for a reason, and this original powder detergent from Tide is a testament to that fact. Formulated with special technology, this detergent gives you more cleaning power in the quick cycle compared to some other brands.

Price at time of publish: $20

Persil ProClean Stain Fighter Liquid Laundry Detergent

Eliminate stains in one wash with Persil’s liquid detergent, which has a power-boosted formula designed to fight tough stains. This detergent is commonly used for kids’ clothes, exercise clothes, cleaning rags, and other items that typically encounter stains like sweat and oil.

Price at time of publish: $13.62