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As one of the staple house cleaning products to have on hand at all times, the best laundry detergents are 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, finding some of the right laundry detergent isn’t an easy feat, given that all are certainly not made equal. You want to choose one fit for your washer-dryer combo, too. Sustainable-minded shoppers may be interested in the best natural laundry detergents, especially.

Post Wanted consulted cleaning experts and washed loads of laundry to narrow down the formulas to the very best laundry detergents. Plus, we put together an in-depth FAQ section highlighting more laundry care tips. Don’t forget to also read our best cleaning products roundup.

“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.

Size: 84 ounces | Load size: 64

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.

Size: 82.5 ounces | Load size: 110

The Arm & Hammer Clean Burst Liquid Laundry Detergent is a staple in my laundry rooms, thanks 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.

While it’s an excellent value and is a better option for those with sensitive skin, in comparison to Tide and Persil, its ingredient lineup makes it a better match for warm water.

Size: 105 ounces | Load size: 105

For the price, the Gain + Aroma Boost 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 107 loads.

Size: 154 ounces | Load size: 107

Tide PODS are coveted for a reason, and it’s because their fresh scent and easy-to-use design make 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.

Size: 6 pounds | Load size: 112

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 its HE-compatibility. It also is lauded for being versatile, working well at different wash temperatures. So, if you constantly switch up your wash cycle, these are a constant.

“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.

Size: n/a | Load size: 60

The Nature Clean Laundry Detergent Strips (32-Count) are the easiest way to tackle laundry day. With a strip — yes, a strip — you can wash your entire hamper’s worth in a hypoallergenic, biodegradable way.

Void of plastic and equipped for HE washing machines, Nature Clean is only $10 and will last you for 32 loads of laundry.

Additionally, this product is one of the best for travel. Simply pack it into your duffle bag or luggage and voilà — no worrying about liquids spilling or pods taking up too much room. They dissolve quickly, too, and are even efficient for hand-washing. For a new natural laundry detergent brand, try Nature Clean, the mainstay box on your laundry shelf.

Load size: 32 strips | Scent: Fragrance-free

Looking for a suitable laundry detergent for your baby that’s naturally derived? We recommend the ATTITUDE Baby Laundry Detergent. The formulation is well-received by more than 2,000 happy purchasers on Amazon and, impressively, comes in a wealth of scent notes — including a fragrance-free option.

Void of dyes, irritating enzymes and known allergens, this hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested laundry detergent is the real deal — hands down.

Size: 35.5 ounces | Load size: 35 | Scent: Soothing Chamomile

With the selection of natural laundry detergents, thinking about one that’ll really tend to deep, set-in stains is often overlooked. Trust me, while I haven’t used the Puracy Laundry Detergent, this brand works. Its Stain Remover ($12) is sent from above and has completely eradicated spilled olive oil on my upholstered bar stools and even pen marks from my bed sheets.

Its efficacy boils down to the four plant-powered enzymes that are part of its design. Together, they eliminate the most stubborn stains and odors on any type of fabric. I’m unsurprised that more than 1,000 shoppers have flocked to the laundry solution in the past month as its tagline is “tough on stains, gentle on skin.”

Besides its stain-fighting power, this Puracy natural laundry detergent features an unscented finish, yet is void of natural fragrance. It’s giving hotel cotton but with a good-for-you feel.

While this is a refill only, you can purchase a standard laundry detergent dispenser bottle on Amazon for fairly cheap. Hey, it’s good to have on hand as well.

Size: 48 ounces | Load size: 192 | Scent: Free & Clear

The Meliora Unscented Laundry Powder contains minimal ingredients (that are all transparently written on its label, BTW) and will withstand 64 standard loads. Its formulation is void of both dyes and fragrances and is 100% biodegradable. It’s the best clean laundry detergent if you’re specifically sourcing a powder version.

Additionally, many reviewers say it’s a “natural laundry detergent that really works!”

Size: 35 ounces | Load size: 128 | Scent: Unscented

“I’ve been using this detergent ever since my brother recommended it to us a few years back and it’s honestly just a hack for apartment living as well as sensitive skin,” Michelle Moezam, senior commerce social media marketing manager, shared. “My husband has eczema and we always struggled with finding something scent-free and ‘clean’ that actually gets rid of odor and makes our clothing and linens feel really fresh.”

Plus, the convenience of it being in a smaller bottle is an added bonus for space-saving in her “tiny railroad apartment,” per Moezam.

Size: 23.1 ounces | Load size: 66 | Scent: Free & Clear

Enter Branch Basics, a coveted brand in the natural laundry detergent space. Its trio of nontoxic and biodegradable formulations — including The Concentrate, Oxygen Boost and Laundry Bottle — is worth the investment. The Concentrate will keep your garments smelling fresh up to 192 loads, while its reusable and recyclable bottle is made from BPA-free plastic that washes 64 loads per bottle.

The Oxygen Boost is used for pre-treating stains, whitening and brightening and deodorizing laundry. More, its formula is gentle enough for the skin but effective enough to conquer dirt and grime. Branch Basics uses plant- and mineral-derived ingredients that are all fragrance-free and non-GMO, too.

Size: 33.8 ounces | Load size: 64 | Scent: Fragrance-free

Just shy of $10, the Purex Natural Elements Linen & Lilies Laundry Detergent is perfect for the budget-conscious consumer who wants to do better for the planet. Specifically, this liquid formulation will last up to 57 loads of laundry in its fresh-scented aroma.

This laundry detergent is also hypoallergenic and dye-free, a checkmark in its favor for those with sensitive skin or who are more conscious about the formulation of their detergent in general.

This particular laundry detergent is applauded by nearly 8,000 users, thanks to its natural and plant-based ingredient blend. Rest assured that this laundry detergent is also hypoallergenic and dye-free.

Size: 75 ounces | Load size: 57 | Scent: Linen & Lilies

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

“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.

According to Ek, baby detergents tend to be milder and designed 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.

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:

This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist. Victoria tests the latest and greatest cleaning products to compare the best results from household cleaners, appliances and vacuums (yes, she’s reviewed and ranked nearly every Dyson). Armed with expert recommendations and FAQs, she evaluates formulas, functions and features to determine the very best items on the market – and goes the extra mile to find them on sale. Victoria has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.

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