Our Recommendation
Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry Detergent dissolves quickly, eliminates tough stains, and leaves a subtle scent. However, it’s not as effective on greasy stains compared to our liquid recommendations.
Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry Detergent proved to be the best powder detergent in our tests, effectively removing a wide range of stubborn stains such as blood, grass, dirt, and body oil. It even managed to eliminate challenging stains like egg and turmeric, though it may struggle with greasy stains and is packaged in a hefty box.
Our Recommendation
Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent, free of fragrance and dyes, was the top liquid detergent in our study, effectively handling various stains and odors.
Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent impressed with its ability to eliminate stains, especially grease and oil-based ones, and its wide availability compared to other free and clear options.
In stain-specific cases like red wine and tea removal, some detergents outperformed it, but Tide Free & Gentle was consistently excellent overall.
Runner-up
Persil ProClean Original Liquid Laundry Detergent excelled in stain removal, especially for tea, cocoa, and chocolate-based stains, but its potent scent lingers post-drying.
Persil ProClean Original Liquid Laundry Detergent performed admirably against various stains, but its strong aroma may not be to everyone’s liking. An unscented version is available but may not clean as effectively.
Another Great Option
Tide Pods Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent pods, though convenient and potent, lack the same stain-fighting prowess as our top contenders and cannot be used for pretreating stains.
Editor’s note: Procter & Gamble has voluntarily recalled about 8.2 million bags of laundry detergent pods, including Tide Pods Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent. The company issued the recall due to packaging defects that could pose risks of accidental ingestion and injuries. Refunds and replacements are available for affected packages.
Tide Pods Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent effectively cleaned grass and blood stains, however, it did not match the stain removal performance of our top powder and liquid recommendations.
The convenient, concentrated pods offer simplicity in dosage but lack flexibility for precise adjustments based on load size or stain pre-treatment.
These fragrance-free pods are ideal for users seeking an easier and mess-free laundry experience.
Another Great Option
Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent Free & Clear, a highly potent liquid detergent, excels in stain removal with eco-friendly packaging, though it comes at a higher price point.
Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent Free & Clear offers exceptional stain removal performance similar to well-known brands, featuring a concentrated formula housed in recyclable aluminum packaging.
This dye and fragrance-free detergent, packaged in a reusable silicone measuring beaker, provides an alternative to common irritants found in traditional detergents.
