The detergent aisle is loud: “stain-busting,” “color-boosting,” “odor-blowing.” Figuring out the best laundry detergent for your machine, your water, and your stains doesn’t have to mean guessing from the bottle. Independent testing names names—Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release, Persil ProClean, Seventh Generation Free & Clear—and also calls out the formulas that barely beat plain water. A few clear rules can narrow the field and keep your clothes and washer in good shape.

Here’s the short version: Consumer Reports tests detergents on tough stains (blood, body oil, chocolate, coffee, dirt, grass, salad dressing) and finds that the best liquids and pods really do clean better, while the worst—including some powders and most laundry strips—are barely better than water. How much you use matters as much as which one you pick: overdosing causes residue, stiffness, and musty towels. Below is a calm, brand-specific way to choose the best laundry detergent for you—without the hype.

Laundry detergent bottles on a clean shelf in soft natural light, calm and minimal

What actually makes a detergent “best”

“Best” depends on your machine (HE vs regular), water (hard vs soft), stain types (everyday dirt vs blood, oil, grass), and preferences (scent-free, eco, budget). CR washes stained swatches in controlled conditions and measures how much stain is left; their ratings and buying guide separate strong performers from weak ones. You can use those results to pick a top-rated formula in the form you like (liquid, pod, or powder), then pair it with the right dose and a washer that cleans well.

Best (and worst) by form: liquid, pod, powder, sheet

Liquids

CR’s testing consistently puts liquids at the top for overall stain removal. Standouts include Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release (best for most tough stains in CR’s 2026 roundup) and Persil ProClean and Persil Advanced liquids, which often rival or slightly edge Tide on stain removal in independent tests. For value, Tide Original and Kirkland Signature Liquid (Costco) often score well for cost per load. For free-and-clear and sensitive skin, Seventh Generation Free & Clear and Tide Free & Gentle are among the top-rated options that still clean effectively. Use the cap; don’t free-pour—and you can pre-treat stains with liquid before washing.

Pods

Tide Hygienic Clean and Persil ProClean pods are frequently among CR’s top pod performers. Pods give a fixed dose per load—handy for full loads, but for small or lightly soiled loads that can be more detergent than you need, leading to residue and washer odor. Reserve pods for bigger loads when you use them.

Powders

Powders are less common now but still available (e.g. Tide Ultra Oxi, Ariel 2x). CR’s testing shows powders excel at blood stains—often better than many liquids and pods—so keeping a powder on hand can pay off for blood-tinged sports gear or period-stained items. Overall stain scores for powders tend to lag behind the best liquids and pods, and CR calls out Ariel With a Touch of Downy and Molly’s Suds Original Unscented as among the worst-performing powders in their ratings; even those two still removed blood effectively. Use the scoop and scale down for small loads.

Sheets / strips

Laundry strips (e.g. Tru Earth, Earth Breeze) cut plastic and are easy to store, but in CR’s tests they underperform so much that CR doesn’t recommend them—they lack the concentration or ingredients to match liquids and pods. If you use them anyway, reserve strips for light soil and expect to need a stronger option for tough stains.

Takeaway: For most people, a top-rated liquid (e.g. Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release, Persil ProClean) or pod plus correct dosing is a reliable “best” choice. Powders are worth considering for blood and heavy soil; skip or minimize strips if you care about max stain removal.

Hard water and HE machines

Hard water (high minerals) can reduce detergent performance and leave clothes stiff or dingy. CR tests detergents in hard water; their ratings show which formulas hold up. If you have hard water, pick a detergent that scores well in those tests and stick to the recommended amount—more detergent doesn’t fix hard water and can add buildup.

HE (high-efficiency) washers use less water and need low-sudsing, HE-formulated detergents. Use the line or cap for HE loads; overpour and you get residue, odor, and stiff or musty fabrics. Same idea as our detergent dosing guide: measure, don’t guess.

Stain type and “Oxi” vs bleach

Detergents are formulated for different soils. Enzyme-based formulas help on protein stains (blood, grass, food); oxygen bleach (“Oxi”) brightens and helps with many stains and is gentler than chlorine bleach. CR notes that “Oxi” on the label (e.g. Tide Ultra Oxi, many Persil lines) usually means a color-safe oxygen bleach that can help with dirt, odors, and brightening—without the damage chlorine can do to fabrics and colors. For stubborn stains, pre-treat with liquid detergent or a stain product, then wash with a detergent that matches the stain type.

Eco and “Safer Choice” options

If you care about ingredients and certifications, the EPA’s Safer Choice program labels products that meet its criteria; you can search for laundry detergents there. CR has tested eco and free-and-clear options too: Seventh Generation Free & Clear and All Stainlifters Free & Clear have stood out for cleaning well without certain chemicals. Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme is often cited for sustainability-minded buyers who still want strong performance. Pair a solid performer (eco or not) with the right amount so you’re not overusing.

Worst performers: who to skip (or use only for light duty)

CR identifies four worst-performing detergents in their tests—one from each category (liquid, pod, powder, sheet). The worst powders they name are Ariel With a Touch of Downy and Molly’s Suds Original Unscented; both still did well on blood but lagged overall. Laundry strips as a category test so poorly that CR doesn’t recommend them. In broader ratings, Branch Basics, Purex, ECOS, Zum, and similar formulas often land at or near the bottom for stain removal—barely better than water on many stains. Check CR’s full ratings for the complete worst-in-category list and use that to avoid the true duds.

One rule that beats the aisle

Ignore the marketing and focus on performance and dose. Pick a proven performer—Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release, Persil ProClean, Seventh Generation Free & Clear, or another top-rated liquid or pod from CR’s ratings—then use the cap or scoop and scale down for small or light loads. That combination—good formula plus right amount—gets you the “best” laundry detergent for your setup without the hype.

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