12 Best Laundry Detergents of 2024, Chosen By GH Cleaning Pros (2024)

Even when your clothing and bedding look fresh and clean, body oils and stains may still be trapped deep within the fibers. That's where Good Housekeeping Seal star Tide Hygienic Clean can go to work. It's formulated to better penetrate fibers and dissolve and remove body oils you might not be able to see. It also helps brighten clothes without bleach, so it's safe for even the brightest colors.

To prove its performance, we had a consultation with the manufacturer. UV lighting revealed that Tide Hygienic Clean left garments cleaner than regular detergent. In at-home tests, white T-shirts and bedding washed in this detergent emerged whiter than usual. Each jumbo Power Pod contains as many cleaning ingredients as two regular Pods and did an impressive job zapping stains from our Lab swatches. We recommend this for families with frequent large loads of laundry — and athletes in the house. For smaller washday loads, get Tide's regular-sized pods.

Type: Packs | Number of loads per tub: 63 | Cost per load: 43 cents

Another Good Housekeeping Seal holder, Persil's liquid laundry detergent topped our stain removal tests. It did the best job erasing stains from all of our swatches in cold water. The formula totally chased coffee and beaten egg yolk from all fabrics in all water temperatures, and the bottle had easy-to-follow instructions on the label.

Reviewers online endorse it as a stain pre-treater too. One five-star commenter on the Walmart site said, "No pretreating required for spaghetti or tea stains. That's a win in my laundry basket. I did pretreat a red wine spill with superb results." Caveat: If you prefer a formula with a light scent, this may not be the one for you. It leaves a strong scent on freshly washed laundry.

Type: Liquid | Number of loads per bottle: 50 | Cost per load: 28 cents

Powder detergents have been around for decades, and after years of testing, we find they work just as well, if not better, than many liquid detergents. This powder from Seal-holder Tide cleaned our cotton test swatches just as well in cold water as it did in warm. Tide+ with Bleach contains a color-safe bleach and an activating ingredient to help get and keep whites and colors bright. It's safe for washable fabrics and vivid hues because it doesn't contain chlorine bleach. The powder dissolved and worked in both traditional and high-efficiency washing machines in our tests. Like other powder formulas, store it in a dry area. Moisture can cause clumping.

Type: Powder | Number of loads per box: 89 | Cost per load: 26 cents

This hard-working detergent comes at a great value, and like most items from Costco, it's big. In our recent laundry test, it tied for first place in getting the most stains out of polyester in cold water. It also did much better than most at removing tea (surprisingly stubborn!) from both cotton and polyester fabric swatches. Lay the extra-large 1.5-gallon jug on its side to dispense liquid into the measuring cap. While this Kirkland detergent can be found on Amazon for purchase without a Costco membership, it costs significantly more there.

Type: Liquid | Number of loads per bottle: 146 | Cost per load: 15 cents

Cleancult’s refillable laundry detergent is a great performer, and the eco-conscious refillable glass bottle helps curb plastic waste. The paper-based refill cartons are recyclable. The detergent itself was a top performer in our test of 28 laundry detergents and eight stain removers. It almost completely erased all but one stain on our test fabric. It comes in two pleasant scents (plus unscented) and has clear dosage instructions. One tester said, “A little bit really goes a long way compared to my current detergent.” An online user added, "It works even on previously laundered greasy stains. A tablespoon works well on even a large load."

We found the measurement lines in the bottle's cap a bit hard to decipher. Be sure to rinse the cap after each load to avoid messy drips on the glass. At about 33 cents per regular load, Cleancult is on par with many other liquid detergents on the market, and the automatic refill option saves about 2 cents per load.

Type: Liquid | Number of loads per carton: 64 | Cost per load: 16 cents

Lightweight, compact laundry detergent sheets are convenient for plane and road trips and don't take up much storage space at home. Plus, they're usually single-dose — just toss one in, no messy measuring. When we tested 24 of the most popular detergent sheet brands, EC30 came in first for both stain removal and restoring fabric whiteness. These were the only detergent sheets in our test that even came close to the results we saw with traditional laundry detergent packs.

Use one sheet for a regular load and two for large or heavily soiled loads. Although these were the slowest to dissolve in our Lab tests, they didn't leave any residue on the laundry loads we washed. These sheets cost a lot more per load than any other laundry detergent on this list, but if you subscribe to receive them automatically for one, two or three months, you save about 10 cents per sheet.

Type: Sheet | Number of loads per box: 30 | Cost per load: 97 cents

When we first tested AspenClean’s liquid laundry detergent years ago, we were impressed with its cleaning performance. When we retested it, the formula earned the highest stain removal score out of the 28 brands we tested, especially nabbing chocolate syrup, lipstick and wine stains.

Our consumer testers liked it too, though a few noted that while they would like to continue to use this detergent in their homes, they didn't know if they would because it is not widely available at their usual shopping outlets. The laundry detergent pods from the brand also performed well in our Lab tests and earned a spot in our guide to the best eco-friendly laundry detergents.

Type: Liquid | Number of loads per bottle: 64 | Cost per load: 45 cents

A laundry category winner in a previous round of our Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning Awards, Persil ProClean Discs + Oxi scored a top spot in our tests. They performed well on our Lab-stained swatches and were a favorite with our consumer panel too. One tester said the product removed dried berry and grass stains without pretreating, and another said she was switching to Persil from her regular brand. The colorful discs dissolve easily in all temperatures and the oxi ingredient is safe for colors and whites. In our testing, we found the tub is a bit difficult to open the first time, which is great for keeping children safe but not the most convenient design for adults.

Type: Packs | Number of loads per tub: 38 | Cost per load: 34 cents

A detergent that is safe for sensitive skin should not just be made without dyes or fragrances — it also has to clean well. It should remove soils, visible and hidden, that can irritate and inflame delicate skin. Tide's Hygienic Clean Power Pods Free meets those needs. A champ for cleaning and stain removal in a past Good Housekeeping Cleaning Awards, this Tide beat out all the other formulas at removing stains like ketchup, red wine and grass. It's gentle on skin and recognized by the National Psoriasis Foundation and the National Eczema Association. Like the regular Tide jumbo packs, these can handle extra-large loads but may be too large for small loads.

Type: Packs | Number of loads per tub: 63 | Cost per load: 50 cents

We've tested a range of Caldrea products and love the exotic fragrances and cleaning performance in the Lab. The Countertop Spray Cleaner recently won a 2023 Best Cleaning and Organizing Award, following the line's winning Linen & Room Spray and Dish Soap (in this same Sea Salt Neroli scent). We found the products left a subtle but lingering scent behind.

While we haven’t done a formal stain removal test on this detergent, it has earned hundreds of customer raves online. One five-star Amazon reviewer said, "The product is very high-quality. A little bit cleans quite a bit and will last me a long time." Another consumer said, "It's the best-smelling laundry soap I have ever used and I'm really picky. This smells very clean, not perfumy." The formulas contain essential oils and contain plant-based and readily biodegradable cleaning ingredients.

Type: Liquid | Number of loads per bottle: 32 | Cost per load: 75 cents

To prevent your favorite black tops and jeans from fading to gray after just a few washes, wash them inside out in cold water with a color-preserving detergent like Woolite All Darks. Its targeted formula pulls color-fading ions from the wash water, smooths rough fibers and helps prevent pilling. At just 24 cents per regular load, it's less expensive than other brands we've tested.

The neutral formula removes light everyday soils from all fabrics and is a GH Cleaning Lab favorite for cleaning and protecting delicate fabrics and dark colors from the abrasive effects of washing. For heavily soiled clothing and items with lots of stains, you may need a stronger stain-fighting formula.

Type: Liquid | Number of loads per bottle: 66 | Cost per load: 24 cents

Babies' skin is sensitive but their laundry stains can be tough. New parents look for detergents that clean well but don't leave harsh residues behind, and Dreft is a long-time favorite. It contains enzymes to remove protein stains like formula (or poop!). The rest of the family will also like the beloved "Baby Fresh" scent that Dreft delivers. The brand even launched a sister detergent to this Stage 1 formula for when your new bundle gets more active.

In GH Cleaning Lab tests, Dreft cleaned and erased stains as well as traditional detergents did. And the cleaner clothes are, the less irritating they will be to a baby's soft, delicate skin. Dreft is hypoallergenic, so no skin-irritating residues will remain on those onesies or cloth diapers. If your child's skin is super sensitive, consider plant-based, fragrance-free Dreft Pure Gentleness Liquid Detergent.

Type: Liquid | Number of loads per bottle: 32 | Cost per load: 31 cents

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab, we are in a nearly constant cycle of evaluating detergent brands and formulas. Brands reformulate again and again, and we keep up. Since our last review of 47 detergents, we’ve tested 24 detergent sheets, strips and swatches from 20 different brands. We washed 336 pounds of laundry, applied 480 stains and spent over 48 hours running our Lab’s identical washing machines for fair testing.

For our , we also tested another 37 detergents and stain removers, applying and grading 333 stains. For every new detergent we test, we first review the labeling for clear, accurate directions and dosages and whether it has safety precautions required by law based on ingredients. If we can't test a claim in the Lab, we ask the manufacturers to supply us with support documentation to review. We apply a battery of 20 carefully measured stains (including grease, coffee, red wine and more) to white cotton and polyester woven and knit fabrics and allow the stains to set for 24 hours before washing them. In one test, we applied and rated over 2,500 stains!

Most detergents are fine for white clothes, dark clothes, bedding, towels and most other garments, but consider these factors before choosing a brand.

✔️ Formula: Liquid, powder, packs or sheets? Select the most convenient for you and your lifestyle. Do you walk blocks to the laundromat and can't take a heavy bottle? Do you try to use products that reduce plastic waste? All washing machines now have liquid and powder detergent dispensers and some new ones accommodate individual detergent packs. Most single packs and sheets can be used in front and top loaders. Place in an empty tub before the laundry goes in or wherever the directions recommend. For high-efficiency washing machines, be sure to select a detergent labeled HE. Most of today’s detergents are formulated for use in both high-efficiency and traditional washers but check the label to be sure.

✔️ Load sizes and frequency: If you are training a puppy, doing loads of children's wash or living with a family of soccer players, get a brand with good stain-fighting power.

✔️ Fabrics you wash: Read the product label carefully to see if the detergent (including a single pack or sheet) could damage garments. Even an ingredient like oxi bleach, generally considered safe for most fabrics and colors, may not be recommended if a clothing care label says “No bleach.”

✔️ Scent: Most brands come in multiple scents and unscented formulas. Allergy sufferers and those with sensitivities to strong fragrances generally choose unscented, while other consumers love a lingering product scent, a "baby" fragrance or another signature smell. Scent options under the same brand umbrella usually perform the same as long as all other ingredients (except fragrance) remain the same.

Read on to see if you should pick a liquid, powder, pack or laundry detergent sheet.

✔️ Powder detergent was the first kind, and it's typically more cost-friendly per load than liquids and single packs. Powders tend to perform well on outdoor stains like mud, clay or grass, so they're great for sports uniforms and gardening clothes. Some powders may not dissolve completely in cold water washes and as a result, unwanted residue can settle on clothing.

✔️ Liquid detergent is especially good for oil and grease stains. It can double as a spot pre-treater. But be sure to use the suggested amount, following the measuring cap lines. Too much will cause over-sudsing and the soap may not rinse out when the cycle is over. Use too little, and your clothes won't get clean.

✔️ Single-dose packs are very convenient because they are pre-measured but on average do cost a little more. One pack is usually right for average-size loads and two packs are suggested for large or heavily soiled loads. While a single pack may be too much for very small loads, don't try breaking the pack.

✔️ Sheets and swatches are the newest innovation in the market. Concentrated laundry detergent is packed into thin sheets, which eliminates plastic packaging and takes the guesswork out of how much detergent to use in a regular load (one sheet). But they can be tricky to figure out for other load sizes. Most of the sheets we tested did not come close to the performance of liquid, pack and powder detergents. But the sheets do tuck easily into luggage and can be broken apart for hand-washed loads.

Safety Note: Store single-use laundry packets in their original containers and away from children and pets to avoid the risk of ingesting the product or using it for anything other than laundry. We don't recommend placing packs in unmarked decorative jars to leave on display, and we don't stand by single-dose liquid detergents unless they are sold in child-resistant packaging with safe storage and use directions.

Saving money on laundry detergent is tougher as prices soar. It's supply and demand, and we all want clean, fresh laundry. Our best performers here range from $10 sticker price (the cost of one bottle of Dreft Newborn Liquid Baby Laundry Detergent) to $31 (Tide Hygienic Clean Power Pods Free). But that doesn't reflect the bottom line, your cost per load (CPL).

The number of loads is usually listed on the label. The bigger the bottle, the more loads you generally get, but only if you follow the measuring lines on the cap that the manufacturer recommends. (The scant suggested amount usually hovers between 0.65 and 1.5 liquid ounces. For reference, a tablespoon holds a half-ounce.) To calculate CPL (Amazon often lists it), divide the price of the detergent by the number of loads listed on the package. Keep in mind that the number of loads on the package is based on the amount recommended for a medium load. If you frequently wash large loads, you'll use more detergent, and your cost per load will be higher.

In general, liquids and powders cost less per load than packs and sheets. If you prefer to budget a flat amount of money, such as $10 or under, shop sales. Supermarkets and retail pharmacy chains often discount smaller bottles but still, check CPL for the real value.

Carolyn Forté is a consumer products pro with more than 40 years of experience. With a background in textiles and years of testing both laundry detergents and laundry appliances, she knows all of the secrets to safe stain removal. Carolyn is the Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Home Care & Cleaning Lab and the first person GH staffers come to when they've dribbled some lunch on their shirts. She oversees all lab testing.

Contributing writer Alice Garbarini Hurley has written about home, food, health and style for more than 40 years for Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, Coastal Living, Brain & Life and other magazines. Her first paying job with a real paycheck (the first one totaled $17.76) was at a laundromat and dry cleaner in the New Jersey suburbs.