how we tested:
Our Lab logged over 2,600
data points and did 129 wash
cycles to tackle 2,580 stains
and rate the top detergents.
Here’s what we looked at:- Stain removal on cotton
and polyester fabric - Performance in
hot and cold water - Ease of measuring
20 common stains, from coffee to ketchup. These winners
will leave your clothes clean and looking greatSingle-Use Packs Full-Size Liquid
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S You won’t find a more convenient
detergent that performs as well
as this one. Tide earned the most
perfect scores in our tests, easily
removing mud, chocolate, gravy
and grass stains from cotton and
polyester in warm and cold water.This Gain pick proves that
shopping sustainably doesn’t have
to mean sacrificing performance.
It was the most consistent at zapping
20 common stains (including ink
and wine) and among the few that
removed tea stains from every swatch.- Each pod contains a precise
amount of detergent, color
protector and stain remover. - They dissolved in both hot and
cold water.- Measurement marks are easy
to see on the translucent cap. - Comes in fresh scents like
Orange Blossom Vanilla and
White Tea Lavender.
- Measurement marks are easy
- Struggled to remove ink stains
in Cleaning Lab evaluations. - As for all packs, you can’t
pretreat with them or use
less than a full pod.- Scored below average for spaghetti
sauce and crayon stains. - Some online reviewers said the
scent was too strong, while others
felt it wasn’t strong enough.
- Scored below average for spaghetti
best overall
They’re the gold standard of
detergent capsules for a reason:
Tide Pods pack the cleaning
power you’ve come to expect from
the brand in an all-in-one solution.
Plus, they’re backed by the GH
Seal and its limited warranty!*
GH SEAL STAR TIDE PODS
LAUNDRY DETERGENT, TIDE.C O M25 ¢/LOAD 28 ¢/LOAD
SCORED89
This was a standout in our Lab
tests. The formula did especially
well erasing stains from cotton
swatches in cold water — it was
one of only two that completely
removed oil in those conditions (the
most difficult task in our review).- Earned the top performance
score of any liquid detergent
we tested. - Lightened stains others couldn’t
budge, like liquid makeup. - The red cap made it difficult to
see measurement markings. - Like most others, it struggled
at removing lipstick stains.
top performer
If you prefer a classic liquid
formula or want something you can
also use as a pretreater on stains,
collars and cuffs, Persil’s detergent
is for you. This GH Seal star
impressed our pros in every test.
GH SEAL STAR PERSIL PROCLEAN
+ STAIN FIGHTER LAUNDRY DETER-
GENT, PERSILPROCLEAN.COM26 ¢/LOAD*
“Green” Champ
Looking for an eco-conscious
option? Gain’s detergent is 65%
plant-based and is recognized as a
USDA certified bio-based product,
which means its ingredients come
from renewable sources. It’s also
free of dyes and brighteners.
GAIN BOTANICALS LAUNDRY
DETERGENT, ILOVEGAIN.COMGreat for those who wash most
items in cold water, as they worked
better than many others in cooler
temps. They successfully zapped
hard-to-remove summer stains like
ketchup, grass and blood from both
cotton and polyester swatches.- Less expensive than other
single-dose detergents we tested. - There’s also a liquid detergent,
which performed well in our
tests too. - Tea and ink stains were a bit
challenging. - Some online reviewers noted
that packs didn’t fully dissolve,
though we didn’t find this.
SCORED89
20 ¢/LOAD*
cold-water pro
These 365 Everyday Value packs
from Whole Foods Market clean
well and are an option if you’re
concerned about safety. Filled with
white powder, they can be less
tempting to kids and less likely to
burst than colorful liquid versions.
365 EVERYDAY VALUE LAUNDRY
DETERGENT PACKS, AMAZON.COMSCORED91
100
SCORED90
GH
CLEANING
LAB*These prices are for a medium-size load at the MSRP of the detergent tested.GH SEPTEMBER 2019 64I
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