10 Best Laundry Detergents

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Composite of best laundry detergents — Photo:
Courtesy of Earth Breeze, Attitude, Walmart

Laundry detergent is arguably one of the most essential household supplies—we just can't feel clean without it. It'll brighten your clothes, remove pesky stains, and eliminate lingering odors, but in order to accomplish these laundry tasks, the formula you choose needs to live up to its promises. And considering how many options there are to choose from, a detergent that truly does it all can be hard to find.

To help make the decision easier, we asked Melissa Maker, a cleaning expert and the founder of Clean My Space, and Melissa Poepping, the founder of The Chemical Free Home, to share their thoughts on the best detergents on the market. From pods and powders to liquids and sheets, these expert-approved options will leave your clothes looking (and feeling!) noticeably cleaner—that's a promise.

Melissa Maker is a cleaning expert with over 15 years of experience and the founder of Clean My Space; she has been virtually teaching people how to clean more effectively since 2011.
Melissa Poepping is the founder of The Chemical Free Home, a natural cleaning blog, and the author of The Chemical Free Home for Housekeeping.

01 of 10

Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty Liquid Laundry Detergent

Looking for a detergent that stands up to stubborn stains? This detergent from Tide will be your new go-to. "It's been designed to remove the dirt and soils we can and cannot see," says Maker. With 10 concentrated cleaning actives, this perfume- and dye-free detergent was clinically tested to be gentle on sensitive skin.

Price at time of publish: $13

Buy on Target

02 of 10

Young Living Thieves Ultra Concentrated Laundry Soap

This lemony fresh detergent is formulated with pure essential oils and powerful enzymes to clean your clothes—it's also one of Poepping's favorite options for sensitive skin. "Thieves Laundry Soap by Young Living leaves clothes smelling incredibly fresh and clean without the use of conventional harsh chemicals, and is ideal for infants, as well," she says.

Price at time of publish: $48

Buy on Amazon

03 of 10

Attitude Home Essentials Laundry Detergent

Formulated with naturally sourced ingredients, this refillable laundry detergent is vegan, cruelty-free, and contains zero irritating enzymes. "I have been a longtime fan of the Attitude brand and what they do," says Maker. "They have a fantastic refillable product line and their products are gently scented with essential oils. Their refills come in cardboard boxes with dispensers and for every product purchased, they plant a tree."

Price at time of publish: $30

Buy on Attitudeliving.com

04 of 10

Molly's Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder

With just five earth-and-plant derived ingredients (which is an important consideration if you have sensitive skin), including sea salt and essential oils, this option from Molly's Suds is free of potentially irritating additives.

Price at time of publish: $23

Buy on Mollyssuds.com

05 of 10

Tru Earth Platinum Hypoallergenic Detergent Sheets

While some detergent sheets don't perform as well as liquid, powder, or pod iterations, there are a few options on the market that clean clothes effectively. "I have had a good experience with Tru Earth Platinum laundry detergent sheets and am happy to recommend those for someone looking for a sheet," says Maker. The hypoallergenic squares are biodegradable, so they break down in the washing machine as they clean your clothes.

Price at time of publish: $30

Buy on Amazon

06 of 10

Persil Universal Powder Laundry Detergent

When it comes to powder detergent, Persil is widely recognized as the go-to brand. "Persil has a terrific reputation and [delivers] great results," says Maker. The highly rated detergent is great for whites and colorfast fabrics, but shouldn't be used for delicate fabrics, like wool or silk.

Price at time of publish: $60

Buy on Amazon

07 of 10

Tide Power Pods Laundry Detergent Soap Packs

Tide power pods remove both visible and invisible dirt from your garments, leaving you with clothes that feel as clean as they look. "Power pods are large enough to handle a medium load and deliver incredible stain and odor-fighting results," says Maker.

Price at time of publish: $27.24

Buy on Walmart

08 of 10

EarthBreeze Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets

These laundry detergent sheets dissolve within seconds in hot or cold water and can even be used when hand-washing your garments. They're free of irritating ingredients, like parabens, dyes, fragrances, and phosphate, so they're ideal for people with sensitive skin. The sheets comes in an eco-friendly cardboard package that is biodegradable and conserves space in your laundry room.

Price at time of publish: $12

Buy on Earthbreeze.com

09 of 10

Tide Powder Laundry Detergent Original

The classics are classics for a reason, and this original powder detergent from Tide is a testament to that fact. Formulated with special technology, this detergent gives you more cleaning power in the quick cycle compared to some other brands.

Price at time of publish: $20

Buy on Amazon

10 of 10

Persil ProClean Stain Fighter Liquid Laundry Detergent

Eliminate stains in one wash with Persil's liquid detergent, which has a power-boosted formula designed to fight tough stains. This detergent is commonly used for kids' clothes, exercise clothes, cleaning rags, and other items that typically encounter stains like sweat and oil.

Price at time of publish: $13.62

Buy on Walmart

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