Have you ever stood in the laundry products aisle, or been inundated by the results of an online search for laundry detergent, wondering why there are so many different types of detergent — and what they all do? If you have, you’re not alone: Laundry aisle overwhelm is real.
The good news is that pretty much any laundry detergent you buy, whether liquid, powder or pods, will result in your clothes getting clean. “All detergents are essentially the same,” says Wayne Edelman, president of Meurice Garment Care. “However, the delivery methods vary. While powdered detergent was the go-to, liquid detergent has become more widely used and now pods are the new method of using detergents.”
When it comes to choosing the right formula for your household, take both your laundry habits and needs into account. Some factors to consider are budget, sustainability, sensitive skin, stain removal, malodor, brightening colors, protecting darks or whitening whites and, of course, convenience.
To help you sort out the best choice for your needs, we talked to the experts to help break down the differences in the most commonly found types of laundry detergent.
Liquid laundry detergent
The best choice for most people
Liquid laundry detergent, because of its versatility and dosing precision, is the best choice for most people. “Liquid detergents offer consumers a higher level of control over their dosing,” says Jennifer Ahoni, a Tide principal scientist, “making it easier for consumers to adjust the amount they use slightly based on their specific needs per load.”
Tide is one of the most well-known brands of laundry detergent, and for good reason. In addition to your everyday loads, this liquid detergent can also be used for hand-washing delicates and pre-treating stains.
Some people love scented detergents, but a formula that is free of fragrance and dyes will accommodate the broadest number of needs, as it is safe for people with allergies or sensitivities, as well as infants, children and pets.
Powder laundry detergent
The budget- and eco-friendly choice
Powdered detergents have a longer shelf life than liquid detergents, making them the best choice for buying in bulk. Powder laundry detergents will not lose their efficacy over time as quickly as liquid or pod detergents. They also use less water and packaging in the production process, making them a more eco-friendly choice.
While powder detergent is a great choice for sustainably-minded people because of its long shelf life and low water usage in production, it's worth noting that detergent pacs (or pods) are another option for those looking for more sustainable laundry choices.
Detergent pods
The most convenient choice
Kristen Higgins, a consumer product testing expert for laundry at Henkel (the parent company of All), says pods “are all about convenience” — that’s why they are especially recommended for people who do laundry outside the home. “With the detergent being already pre-measured, pacs are super simple to toss in, eliminating the need to measure out liquid detergents or carry heavy bottles around,” says Higgins.
"Laundry pacs contain less water and more cleaning ingredients than liquid detergents, so they deliver a more concentrated clean," Ahoni says. "Compact detergents mean more sustainable cleaning by using a smaller amount of materials, as well as being able to use smaller, lighter packages that can help reduce emissions from transport of the products."
Detergent pods come in many specialty formulas too, including scent- and dye-free options for sensitive skin. All Mighty Pacs are great for those who need the convenience of pods and something that's gentle on the skin.
No-rinse detergent
Best for people who hand-wash clothing
There are plenty of reasons people might opt to hand-launder clothing, such as limited access to a washing machine (like during travel), to protect delicate garments (like lingerie, embellished sweaters or expensive workout clothes) or simply because it’s an easy and convenient way to wash small items that you might want to wear without having to do a full load of laundry.
While regular liquid laundry detergent can be used for hand-washing any type of garment, a specialty detergent like Soak Wash is nice to have if you frequently hand-wash some items. The no-rinse formula is our top choice when it comes to detergents for hand laundering because of its ease of use.
Specialty detergents
For leveling up your fabric care game
“Specialty detergents can be useful for a variety of reasons,” Higgins says, “whether it’s for a certain type of stain, fabric of clothing or personal preference.” While most households will not need multiple detergent formulas, many people do have laundry needs that call for a selection of detergents.
"Detergents for sports clothing will typically require a heavier-duty detergent to help remove difficult stains such as grass, dirt and sweat," Higgins says. "Because these sports stains can be more ground-in and difficult to remove, having a stronger detergent on hand can help streamline the cleaning process and help remove stubborn stains and odors."
"For someone who is focused on getting the whitest whites," Ahoni says, "we have Tide Plus Bleach Alternative which has additional ingredients to specifically target whiteness." It'll help reduce the appearance of yellowing on white clothes.
Do you have a virtually all-black wardrobe, or are you concerned about preserving the color in dark denim? If so, consider getting a darks detergent to prevent fading and color loss in the wash.