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The Best Laundry Detergent | 2023

Last updated on May 8, 2023

We looked at the top 22 Laundry Detergents and dug through the reviews from 107 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Laundry Detergents.

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Our Picks For The Top Laundry Detergents

Show Contents
Our Take
Experts Included
Pros
Cons
  1

Tide Pods 3-In-1 Meadow Scent Laundry Detergent, 81-Count

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Tide

Pods 3-In-1 Laundry Detergent, 81-Count

Overall Take

No Measuring RequiredThis laundry detergent comes in pod form, which means you won't have to take the time to measure the detergent before you start the wash.

Experts Included
DWYM Home Experts plus The New York Times, BestReviews, The Spruce, French Garment Cleaners, HomelyVille, Good Housekeeping and 2 more. Along with user reviews from Amazon, Walmart, Target and Home Depot.
Pros
" Tide Pods were very good at removing oil stains."
Cons
"Pods must be put in washing machine prior to clothes or they may not completely dissolve."
  2

Earth Breeze Easy Dissolve Laundry Detergent Sheets, 30-Pack

Earth Breeze

Easy Dissolve Laundry Detergent Sheets, 30-Pack

Overall Take

Safe for Septic SystemsFor medium loads, you'll only need a half a sheet of this laundry detergent.

Experts Included
DWYM Home Experts plus . Along with user reviews from Amazon.
  3

Gain Eco-Box Phosphate-Free Laundry Detergent

Gain

Eco-Box Phosphate-Free Laundry Detergent

Overall Take

Two High-Efficiency DetergentsTry this two pack of great-smelling, high-efficiency laundry detergent.

Experts Included
DWYM Home Experts plus Product Review. Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Pros
" Enjoy 6 weeks of freshness from wash until wear. Works in all washing machines even in cold water"
  4

Grab Green Chemical-Free Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Pods, 60-Count

Grab Green

Chemical-Free Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Pods, 60-Count

Overall Take

Best for the EnvironmentYou'll find this laundry detergent is available in a choice of scents, including lavender vanilla, gardenia and vetiver.

Experts Included
DWYM Home Experts plus . Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
29

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the laundry detergents available to purchase.
22

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

107

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Live About, Best Reviews Info, Kid Savers Network, Wiki EZ Vid.

528,504

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 22 Laundry Detergents and also dug through the reviews from 107 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Laundry Detergents.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Overall

Tide Pods 3-In-1 Meadow Scent Laundry Detergent, 81-Count


Our Expert Score

6.2
8 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.9
50,071 user reviews

Our Take

With 10 times the cleaning power, you can't go wrong with this laundry detergent. Your brights will stay bright and you're whites will stay white. It also comes in pod form, so all you need to do is pop one in the wash and you're good to go.

What other experts liked

Tide Pods were very good at removing oil stains.
- The New York Times
These pods prevent a mess and are convenient to pop in your washing machine, boasting a pre-measured amount of detergent. These come in a convenient bucket with a twist-off cap. Accompanied by a fresh and clean scent. One pod cleans...
- BestReviews
Smelly clothes can get the best results by using just one pod. Tide pods remove dirt by using a 3-in-1 breakthrough technology that dissolves in hot and cold water and dissolves the toughest stains and suds.
- The Spruce
Because it’s mainly active ingredients, it’s also capable of delivering up to ten times the cleaning power of standard liquid detergents.
- French Garment Cleaners
Doses of detergent are pre-measured. Thus, the risk of overdosing is eliminated and ease of use is assured.
- HomelyVille
They earned the most perfect scores, removing mud, chocolate, gravy, grass and more from cotton and polyester in warm and cold water.
- Good Housekeeping
Powerful formula really gets clothes clean and stain-free, childproof container
- Business Insider
These particular laundry pods scored “very good” for removing body oil and dirt and “good” for grass and other stains.
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet

What other experts didn't like

They can also stain clothing if not dissolved properly.
- The New York Times
Pods must be put in washing machine prior to clothes or they may not completely dissolve.
- BestReviews
If you use certain machines, like HE machines, Tide Pods may be more difficult for you to use.
- The Spruce
Pretreatment is not an option with pods. They need to be put directly into the drum of the washing machine. So, if you’re like me and have a tendency to spill things all over your clothes, maybe pods are not...
- HomelyVille
Fragrance is quite strong, so not suitable for those with sensitive skin, dangerous if ingested, not for homes with young kids
- Business Insider

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Gain Eco-Box Phosphate-Free Laundry Detergent

Our Expert Score

9.7
1 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.6
3,160 user reviews

Our Take

This two-pack of high-efficiency laundry detergent works in all washing machines and boasts a clean, fresh scent. Enjoy up to six weeks of freshness, thanks to the included AromaBoost, as well as amazing dirt removal properties.

What other experts liked

Enjoy 6 weeks of freshness from wash until wear. Works in all washing machines even in cold water
- Product Review

What other experts didn't like

Like any household detergent, keep away from children.
- Product Review

Overall Product Rankings

1. Tide Pods 3-In-1 Meadow Scent Laundry Detergent, 81-Count

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 15

3. Gain Eco-Box Phosphate-Free Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 2

6. Arm & Hammer OxiClean Dirt Removing Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 13

7. all Free & Clear Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

8. TYLER Diva Glamorous Wash Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

9. Persil ProClean Odor Fighting Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

12. TYLER Glamorous Wash Phosphate Free Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 7

14. Gain flings! Original Liquid Laundry Detergent, 81-Count

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 15

15. All Liquid Free & Clear Dye Free Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 15

16. Gain + Aroma Boost Lift & Lock Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 5

17. Tide Original Scent HE Turbo Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 11

18. Tide Pods Liquid Laundry Detergent, 96-Count

Overall Score: 7.9
Reviews Included: 12

19. Presto! Sensitive Skin Plant-Based Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 7.8
Reviews Included: 5

20. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Cruelty-Free Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 7.2
Reviews Included: 13

22. Tide Plus Sport Brightening Laundry Detergent

Overall Score: 7.0
Reviews Included: 7

Our Laundry Detergent Findings


Tide Pods 3-In-1 Meadow Scent Laundry Detergent, 81-Count

What We Liked: With 10 times the cleaning power, you can’t go wrong with this laundry detergent. Your brights will stay bright and you’re whites will stay white. It also comes in pod form, so all you need to do is pop one in the wash and you’re good to go.


Earth Breeze Easy Dissolve Laundry Detergent Sheets, 30-Pack

What We Liked: Free of bleach and harmful parabens, this laundry detergent is an excellent choice for individuals with sensitive skin. The box contains 30 sheets, which take up much less room than a giant bottle of liquid detergent. The sheets are designed to dissolve easily, while also providing you with the clean and stain-fighting power you’re used to from traditional detergents.


Gain Eco-Box Phosphate-Free Laundry Detergent

What We Liked: This two-pack of high-efficiency laundry detergent works in all washing machines and boasts a clean, fresh scent. Enjoy up to six weeks of freshness, thanks to the included AromaBoost, as well as amazing dirt removal properties.


Arm & Hammer OxiClean Dirt Removing Laundry Detergent

What We Liked: This laundry detergent uses a low-suds formula that rinses clean. It’s designed to clean over 101 stains, which is important if you have little ones at home that are still learning how to careful with foods and liquids. Of course, the real star of this detergent is the baking soda, which removes foul odors, so your clothes smell fresh and clean.


Seventh Generation Fragrance Free Natural Laundry Detergent, 2-Pack

What We Liked: If anyone in your household has allergies to added fragrances, you’ll want to use this laundry detergent. This fragrance-free detergent features a powerful triple enzyme formula that removes even the toughest stains. It’s EPA Safer Choice Certified and can be used in both standard and HE washing machines.

Our Laundry Detergent Buying Guide

Keeping your clothes clean, bright and free of dirt and grime not only extends the life of your garments but also boosts your confidence as you get ready to tackle a busy day. In other words, you’re going to need a laundry detergent you can rely on to look and feel your best. There are a few things you need to look for when choosing the best detergent for your family.

Perhaps the biggest and most important feature is the laundry detergent’s cleaning power. Will it get out your child’s grass stains after soccer practice or the ketchup that they accidentally spilled on their favorite dress? Tide Pods 3-In-1 Laundry Detergent, 81-Count is an excellent example of a detergent that does just that. Tide uses 10 times the cleaning power to get clothes cleaner than other brands.

Next, determine how well the detergent fights strong odors and how long it keeps clothes and linens smelling fresh. Consider a bottle that contains baking soda, an ingredient that is known for its ability to tackle unpleasant smells. Then there’s Gain, which leaves your laundered items smelling fresh for as long as seven weeks.

Check to make sure that the detergent works with your traditional or high-efficiency washer. Then look to see if it minimizes the amount of suds, as too many suds make it harder for your clothes to rinse clean.

Once you have a winning detergent, you’ll need to pick a scent. Of course, you can always change the scent to match the season. You may opt for a burst of citrus or a hint of lavender. Some brands even offer that “fresh off the line” smell.

DWYM Fun Fact

Up until World War I, traditional soap was used to clean clothes and linens. During the war, soap became scarce. This led to the invention of laundry detergent. It wasn’t until the first washing machine was manufactured in the 1940s, however, that laundry detergent became a regular item on household grocery lists. In fact, by 1953, the United States sold more laundry detergent than it did soap. Laundry detergent has undergone many changes over the years with the most recent changes leading to the replacement of harsh chemicals with more environmentally friendly ingredients.

The Laundry Detergent Tips and Advice

  • Pay attention to the “best used by” date on the detergent container. While most laundry detergent doesn’t expire, it can lose its effectiveness. That means it may not remove tough dirt and stains or leave your clothes smelling as fresh as it once did.
  • Store powder detergent in a dry location, as it is highly susceptible to moisture. Liquid detergent, on the other hand, is sensitive to high temperatures, so you’ll want to store that type in a room with temperatures that range between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Always place any form of laundry detergent on a high shelf or lock it in a cabinet where children can’t access it. Some ingredients within the laundry detergent are toxic when consumed.
  • Be careful not to get any of the detergent in your eyes. The detergent contains chemicals that may irritate your eyes. In the event that you do get some in your eyes, it is recommended that you rinse your eyes with water for 15 minutes.
  • Check to see if the detergent you like in the scent you desire has a matching fabric softener or dryer sheet in the same scent. Competing scents may or may not combine well.
  • When comparing the price of laundry detergent, you’ll need to divide the cost by the number of loads. Tide Pods 3-In-1 Laundry Detergent, 81-Count is on the higher end at approximately $.25 per load. In the middle, you’ll find detergent packs that cost $.17 a load. On the lower end are detergents that cost just $.10 per load.

About The Author

Alicia Bodine 

Alicia Bodine is a New Jersey-based writer specializing in gardening. She enjoys spending time learning about the latest gadgets that make designing, planting and maintaining a garden a breeze. With more than 15 years of experience, her work has appeared in leading home improvement publications. When she's not writing, you'll find her gardening, spending time with her kids, cooking in the kitchen or playing with her two kitties, Flitter and Otter. Alicia loves researching the latest and greatest gadgets, products and items that help her save time, energy and money.