As one of the staple house cleaning products to have on hand at all times, laundry detergent is one of those things you just pick up and don’t think too much about.
Unless you’re specifically shopping for your baby or to find sensitive skin-safe ingredients to be extra cautious, the process for restocking your laundry room seems to be simple: buy the laundry detergent that’s on sale.
However, not all laundry detergents are made equal, especially if you prioritize eco-friendly purchases. You want to choose one fit for your washer-dryer combo, too.
RELATED: Best natural laundry detergents
Post Wanted consulted cleaning experts and washed loads of laundry in 2024 to narrow down the formulas to the 18 very best laundry detergents. Plus, we put together an in-depth FAQ section highlighting more laundry care tips.
- Best Laundry Detergents Overall: Tide Original Liquid Laundry Detergent; Persil ProClean Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Best Value Laundry Detergents: Arm & Hammer Clean Burst Liquid Laundry Detergent; Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Laundry Detergent
- Best Liquid Laundry Detergent: Gain Aroma Boost Original Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Best Laundry Detergent Pods: Tide PODS 3-in-1 Laundry Detergent; All Mighty Free Clear Mighty Pacs Laundry Detergent
- Best Powder Laundry Detergents: Tide Powder Laundry Detergent; Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder
- Best Laundry Detergent Sheets: Tru Earth Eco-Strips Laundry Detergent Sheets; Breezeo Laundry Detergent Strips
- Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents: Seventh Generation Free & Clear Concentrated Laundry Detergent; Biokleen Free & Clear Laundry Liquid
- Best Organic Laundry Detergent: GreenShield Free & Clear Organic Laundry Detergent
- Best Laundry Detergents for Sensitive Skin: All Free & Clear Original Liquid Laundry Detergent; Dreft Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent
- Best Laundry Detergents for Babies: Dreft Stage 1 Newborn Liquid Baby Laundry Detergent; Babyganics 3X Baby Laundry Detergent
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Best Laundry Detergent Overall: Tide Original Liquid Laundry Detergent
Amazon “Renowned for its superior cleaning power, Tide is a go-to for many households,” Ahmed Mezil, CEO at Hellamaid with eight years of experience in the cleaning and maintenance industry — who has garnered extensive knowledge on the best practices for laundry care, ensuring both effectiveness and sustainability of the brand’s cleaning practices — told the New York Post. “It effectively removes stubborn stains and leaves clothes smelling fresh.”
Not to mention, the Tide Original Liquid Laundry Detergent continues to be one of the best I tested. It’s a household name for a reason and its powerful clean and fresh scent continues to be one I crave for all of my clothing items.
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Persil ProClean Liquid Laundry Detergent
Amazon The Persil ProClean Liquid Laundry Detergent is another top-notch option. Though I haven’t reviewed this particular formulation quite yet, Mezil recommended it as his top overall, along with Tide.
“It offers exceptional stain-fighting capabilities, especially on tough stains, making it a favorite for those with high laundry standards,” he said.
Additionally, it boasts more than 8,000 gleaming reviews on Amazon for its ability to make your clothes gleaming as well. It’s compatible with high-efficiency (HE) washer-dryer combos and laundry machines, too, and is said to double as a wonderful stain remover.
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Best Value Laundry Detergent: Arm & Hammer Clean Burst Liquid Laundry Detergent
Amazon The Arm & Hammer Clean Burst Liquid Laundry Detergent is a staple in my laundry rooms, much ado to its powerful cleaning power and value-based formula. It lasts on my shelf for a good while, which makes sense given its ability to power through close to 105 loads.
“Known for its baking soda formula, it cleans deeply at a lower price point, offering great value without compromising on quality,” Mezil said. For less than $15, you can’t beat the price, either, and it’s concentrated to help fight strong and unpleasing odors.
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Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Laundry Detergent
Amazon Sure, you’ll be spending close to $40 on a tub of the Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Laundry Detergent but, because these one-and-done pods amount to 120 inside, it’ll last you for up to two years — assuming you tend to your hamper at least once a week.
“Available at Costco, it delivers strong performance at a fraction of the cost of leading brands,” Mezil said. They’re ones I pick up with my Costco membership as well, thanks to its fresh scent and easy toss-in nature.
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Best Liquid Laundry Detergent: Gain Aroma Boost Original Liquid Laundry Detergent
Amazon For the price, the Gain Aroma Boost Original Liquid Laundry Detergent is excellent. It has one of the best scents I tested, with more than 90,000 laundry-doers feeling the same.
“It provides an excellent clean with a lasting, pleasant scent,” Mezil shared, recommending the formulation as a suitable liquid laundry detergent. It’s also HE-compatible and good for around 61 loads.
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Best Laundry Detergent Pods: Tide PODS 3-in-1 Laundry Detergent
Amazon Tide pods are coveted for a reason, and it’s because their fresh scent and easy-to-use design makes them especially appealing to beginner laundry users (or, those who detest the laundry process altogether).
“These pods offer a convenient, mess-free option with detergent, stain remover and color protector all in one,” Mezil said. Tide has a variety of pods to choose from, though its Spring Meadow scent is lovely, one of the best-smelling among all laundry detergents I tested and will remind you of spring-cleaning season, despite your climate.
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All Mighty Free Clear Mighty Pacs Laundry Detergent
Amazon I haven’t yet tested the All Mighty Free Clear Mighty Pacs Laundry Detergent, though Mezil adores the drop-and-go individual pacs for their conscious ingredients and for being HE-compatible.
“Free of perfumes and dyes, these are great for sensitive skin while still providing a strong clean,” Mezil highlighted. They’re also dermatologist-recommended, another checkmark in this detergent’s favor for appealing to a variety of skin types and concerns.
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Best Powder Laundry Detergent: Tide Powder Laundry Detergent
Amazon As far as powder laundry detergent goes, the Tide Powder Laundry Detergent is another well-formulated option from a tried-and-true brand. They’re said to dissolve easily, are HE-compatible and is especially perfect on all of your brights and whites.
“This powder laundry detergent delivers the same cleaning power as the liquid version but in a concentrated powder form,” Mezil shared. Not to mention, they’re fit for 113 loads or so.
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Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder
Amazon Not only is the Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder budget-friendly at less than $15 per bag but the detergent is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and septic safe. The ultimate trifecta, to say the least.
“This is an eco-friendly option that’s effective in all water types and safe for even the most sensitive skin,” Mezil said. Though only lasting up to 50 wash loads, it’s fitting if you wish to try a new detergent brand that’s compatible on all machines.
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Best Laundry Detergent Sheets: Tru Earth Eco-Strips Laundry Detergent Sheets
Amazon The Tru Earth Eco-Strips Laundry Detergent Sheets are another less-than-$15 buy that works for up to 64 wash days. They’re paraben-free and especially perfect for travel. No liquid, no heavy tub containers.
“This is a zero-waste option that dissolves completely, leaving no residue behind, Mezil noted. Moreover, the individual strips are HE-compatible, boast a lovely fresh linen scent and gentle on sensitive skin.
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Breezeo Laundry Detergent Strips
Amazon “The Breezeo Laundry Detergent Strips are lightweight and convenient, these strips pack a powerful clean with less packaging,” Mezil said, recommending these as another pack of laundry detergent sheets to buy. They’re USDA-certified and HE-compatible, so they’re good for the planet and your washing machine.
For a product that’s so thoughtfully designed, we can’t believe the 48-strip bundle is only $10, either. Its space-saving design is appealing, as well as its easy-to-use operation; simply tear off one strip (or two for large loads), place strip(s) in washer drum before adding clothes, place clothes in the washer and begin the desired wash cycle. Voilà.
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Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent: Seventh Generation Free & Clear Concentrated Laundry Detergent
Amazon Among a variety of laundry detergents I tested, the Seventh Generation Free & Clear Concentrated Laundry Detergent is one we turn to for gentle loads that smell like your clothes have received the best wash they’ve ever tumbled with. Not to mention, the brand has epic all-purpose cleaners.
“Made with plant-based ingredients and free of dyes and fragrances, it’s gentle on the environment and on skin,” Mezil shared, recommending the product. It’s budget-friendly at less than $25 on Amazon, and its ability to quality-treat 53 loads of laundry for your household is quite impressive.
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Biokleen Free & Clear Laundry Liquid
Amazon If you’re keen on shopping for sustainable laundry detergent, the Biokleen Free & Clear Laundry Liquid is an expert-recommended pick that’s worth the investment. Though more of a splurge than most, its 100% plant-based concentration is unscented yet ultra-concentrated.
“Concentrated, biodegradable and made with renewable energy, it’s tough on dirt but gentle on the planet,” Mezil said. Additionally, nearly 10,000 are obsessed with tis scent and efficacy, how it’s void of harsh ingredients and its compatibility with HE-advised machines.
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Best Organic Laundry Detergent: GreenShield Free & Clear Organic Laundry Detergent
Amazon The GreenShield Free & Clear Organic Laundry Detergent is fairly priced for an organic laundry detergent formula and another that’s HE-compatible and USDA-certified. Suitable for around 66 wash loads, it’s a brand I’ve also tested and loved with a fresh scent that’s not too goopy when dispersed.
Additionally, this detergent works well for those with extreme allergies as it’s one of the most gentle I’ve used.
“USDA-certified-organic, it’s free from synthetic fragrances, dyes and enzymes, Mezil highlighted.
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Best Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin: All Free & Clear Original Liquid Laundry Detergent
Amazon The All Free & Clear Original Liquid Laundry Detergent hails from an epic brand in the laundry space and is revered for its value-driven capacity. Great for 110 loads on HE-compatible machines, its original scents is one of my favorites and acts as a wonderful spot-cleaner, should you want to hand-wash some delicate pieces.
“Dermatologist-recommended for sensitive skin, it’s free of dyes and perfumes,” Mezil said.
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Dreft Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent (2-Pack)
Amazon “Gentle enough for babies but effective for the whole family, the Dreft Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent is a trusted choice for those with sensitive skin,” Mezil said. From my experience using Dreft on my nieces’ clothing, I agree; the scent shouldn’t be devoted to babies only; I’m beyond obsessed!
Plus, you can snag two for the price of one on Amazon. I find its Stage 2 option to be a versatile choice because of its scent and stain-removing power. Overall, it should be a staple in your household — with or without a baby you’re caring for.
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Best Laundry Detergent for Babies: Dreft Stage 1 Newborn Liquid Baby Laundry Detergent
Amazon Speaking of babies, there’s no better laundry detergent than the Dreft Stage 1 Newborn Liquid Baby Laundry Detergent. It’s an option I purchased in bulk for my nieces once they were born and has a smell that smells like the perfect marriage of baby powder and linen. It’s divine.
“Specifically, designed for newborns, it’s gentle and effective,” Mezil said. It’s also a top pediatrician-recommended pick. For more options, check out our expert-backed guide to the best baby laundry detergents.
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Babyganics 3X Baby Laundry Detergent
Amazon Listen, I used to work on Babies ‘R Us in high school (oh, the days), and Babyganics was a brand that flew off the shelves, whether for detergent or baby sunscreen. Now, its 3X Baby Laundry Detergent is one of the most popular, thanks to its fragrance-free formulation, ability to target 60 loads and efficacy.
“Formulated without optical brighteners, 1,4-dioxane, chlorine, phthalates, phosphates, sulfates, fragrances or dyes,” Mezil listed.
An FAQ on Laundry Detergents
Ahead, Ek from the American Cleaning Institute answers more commonly asked questions on what to look for in a laundry detergent when shopping for one, how to effectively do your laundry and more.
“Always read cleaning product labels before using them and store these products in their original containers, up and out of reach of children,” Jessica Ek, senior director of digital communications at the American Cleaning Institute, told the New York Post.
What is the best laundry detergent?
With so many on the market, this question is more common than not.
“A good laundry detergent is one that works for you and helps keep your clothes clean,” Ek added. “If you tend to get food stains on your clothes, a detergent with enzymes will help to remove those stains. If your clothes tend to get heavily soiled, look for a detergent with more than one surfactant for more cleaning power.”
There are also specialty detergents that may be a good choice for you. “For instance, if you like to wear a lot of dark clothes, there are detergents formulated to reduce fading,” she added. In general, your best bet is going to be to look for a brand you trust.
What are the different types of laundry detergent?
When doing laundry, selecting a detergent that suits your preferences can make a world of difference. As for types, laundry detergents come in powder, liquid and single-use packets.
“Powder tends to be the least expensive,” Ek noted. “Liquid gives you the flexibility to use exactly the amount you need based on the size of the load of laundry. Packets are convenient because they take up little space and no measuring is required.”
Ahead, Mezil gave us the 411 on the different types of laundry detergents you’ll find on the market:
- HE Laundry Detergent: HE laundry detergents are designed for high-efficiency washing machines. These detergents produce fewer suds, rinse out more easily, and help in conserving water. It’s essential for HE machine owners to use these to prevent damage and maintain efficiency.
- Eco-Friendly Detergents: A laundry detergent is considered eco-friendly if it contains biodegradable ingredients and is free from harsh chemicals like phosphates, which can harm aquatic life. Packaging also plays a role, with recyclable or compostable materials being preferred.
- For Sensitive Skin: Look for detergents that are fragrance-free, dye-free, and hypoallergenic. AVOIDING harsh chemicals like sulfates can also minimize skin irritation.
- For Babies: Similar to those for sensitive skin, baby laundry detergents should be free from fragrances, dyes, and allergens. Gentle, hypoallergenic formulas are best to protect a baby’s delicate skin.
- Organic and Natural Detergents: These detergents are made from natural, plant-based ingredients, and to be considered organic, they must meet specific standards for organic production and processing.
- Powdered Detergents: Work by dissolving in water to release cleaning agents. They’re especially effective for ground-in dirt and can be more environmentally friendly due to their lightweight and reduced packaging.
- Expiration: Yes, laundry detergents can expire. While they don’t spoil like food, their effectiveness can decrease over time. It’s generally recommended to use liquid detergents within 6 months to a year and powders within six months to ensure optimal performance.
What should I keep in mind when shopping for a laundry detergent?
Long story short — bigger isn’t always better.
“Keep an eye on how much detergent you will need per load (check the label) because concentrated products can give you the same clean while being more sustainable since they’re shipping less water,” Ek suggested.
A step-by-step laundry process, according to our expert
The ideal cleaning routine has been unlocked. Follow the following order to ensure you’re going about your laundry process in the most effective way possible.
- Read the detergent instructions. Then check the labels on your clothes to see what can be cleaned in the washer and dryer and how. For delicate items, you can either hand wash them or, if they can be machine washed, you may want to put them in a mesh wash bag for added protection.
- Sort laundry by color, level of soil and any specialty fabrics, like delicates.
- Inspect clothing for stains and pretreat them. The American Cleaning Institute’s stain guide has instructions for a wide variety of stains.
- Determine if you need any additional laundry products and when they should be added in the process by reading the label instructions. These can include things like laundry sanitizers, scent boosters, dryer sheets and optical brighteners.
- Put laundry in the washer with the detergent and choose the washer settings. Depending on your washer, this can include load size, water temperature (cold is usually sufficient) and cycle setting (this usually depends on the delicacy of the fabric). Start the washer and wash your hands.
- Move clothes from the washer to the dryer. If any item still has a stain, send it back to get rewashed before drying. Be sure to follow the fabric care label when it comes to dryer temperature.
- Remove clothes as soon as the dryer is done. Remove any wrinkles, either with a wrinkle spray, steamer or iron.
- Fold and put away.
How to separate your laundry, according to our expert
No more mixing in red clothes with your whites. Below, take a look at how to properly separate what’s in your hamper to ensure maximum results.
- Check each fabric care label: Put clothes needing to be hand washed in a separate pile.
- Sort them by color and soil: Wash all whites separately, then wash pastels and medium colors together and brights and darks by themselves.
- Sort the heavily soiled items from the lightly soiled ones: These should be washed separately since lightly soiled items can pick up the extra soil from the wash water.
- Sort out specialty fabrics: This includes separating delicates from regular wash loads so you can wash them on a gentle cycle and washing flannel, terry cloth and other lint losers away from things like corduroy that tend to pick up lint.
When to use fabric softeners and wrinkle sprays
“Fabric softeners soften clothes, reduce static and help prevent wrinkles,” Ek explained. “They also can protect color and prevent stretching, helping clothes last longer. Wrinkle sprays are typically used after garments come out of the dryer to reduce or eliminate the need to iron.”
These products should be used whenever you want these benefits. However, be sure to check the label on these products as some may not be intended for a particular fabric.
How does baby detergent different from traditional ones?
According to Ek, baby detergents tend to be milder and designed for sensitive skin.
What’s the best laundry detergent for sensitive skin?
Interestingly enough, if you have sensitive skin, there isn’t one particular ingredient to look out for. A laundry detergent made without harsh parabens and one that’s designed with sensitive skin in mind is recommended by Ek.
How we tested
Ahead, find our expert approved testing criteria we kept in mind for testing and reviewing laundry detergent for one year. The brands above are either expert-recommended or individually tested here at Post Wanted, and we’re continuing to update this guide with top picks:
- Efficiency: Look for detergents that effectively remove stains and odors.
- Ingredients: Opt for detergents with skin-friendly and eco-friendly ingredients.
- Sustainability: Eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging is a plus.
- Compatibility: Ensure it’s suitable for your washing machine type, especially if you have a high-efficiency (HE) machine.
Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted.