Clean clothes make us feel good and project the right image, so it’s important to select a detergent that is up to the job.
Recently, Consumer Reports analyzed the performance of more than 80 different detergents. The publication discovered that top brands can handle even tough stains like grass and blood.
On the other hand, the worst detergents are “barely better than water when it comes to removing most stains,” according to CR.
When testing detergents, CR staffers laundered fabric swatches saturated with blood, body oil, chocolate, coffee, dirt, grass and salad dressing. They then used a colorimeter to determine how much of a stain remained.
Four detergents took top honors in the Consumer Reports rankings. They are:
- Best Value: Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Liquid
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Free & Clear
- Best for Most Tough Stains: Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release
- Best Laundry Detergent Pods: Tide Plus Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10X Power Pods and Tide Ultra Oxi with Odor Eliminators Power Pods.
After completing testing, CR reached the following conclusion, according to a summary of its findings:
“Our tests also reveal a wide disparity between the performance of the best liquids, pods/packs, powders, and laundry detergent strips.”
CR acknowledges that because strips use less plastic, they are better for the environment. However, it says strips “may lack the strong ingredients or concentration levels to do the job.” As a result, it does not recommend using strips.
In addition, CR says using mineral-rich hard water to wash clothes can result in diminished performance when using laundry detergent.
CR also identified two detergents that ranked especially poorly:
- Worst Liquid Laundry Detergent: Era 3X Oxibooster
- Worst Laundry Detergent Pods: Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean 5-in-1 Power Paks
For more Kirkland Signature products worth considering, check out “7 Big Name Brands Behind Costco’s Generic Products.”
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