Best laundry detergent on Reddit

382 reviews from r/laundry, r/beyondthebump, r/Frugal and 34 more subreddits

382 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Tide

4.6

(73)

"Tide comes in a *sanitizer* formulation that costs the same as all the others."

"Tide, it works every time."

"2 tbsp of liquid tide in your laundry is the best."

"Worked a treat in my front loader with cold water."

"It gets the smell out."

"They occasionally have it at Costco in liquid or pod form."

"I always wash my clothes In Tide."

"You don't need to use nearly the suggested amount."

"Tide just cleans so much better."

"I use about 2 tbsp per load."

Persil

4.6

(22)

"Persil unscented."

"PERSIL."

"Persil sensitive is the best one."

"Persil works for us."

"I use way less soap, and my clothes are soooo clean."

"Grew up on Tide, switched to Persil 20 years ago, never looked back."

"I switched from Tide to Persil- I just wish I had done it sooner."

"Persil has been the best liquid detergent for my sensitive skin."

"Still sticking to persil"

"I really like Persil but in theory, any enzymatic detergent will work."

Arm & Hammer

4.3

(23)

"This is fragrance free, essential oil free."

"I use arm and hammer sensitive skin to the 'B' line on the cap (doesn't matter the size of load)."

"I've had really good luck with Arm & Hammer Odor Blasters liquid detergent and OxyClean."

"Arm and Hammer does an excellent job."

"I use Arm&Hammer, cheap at costco and has oxibleach."

"I only use sensitive skin arm & hammer. Best one out there for the best price!"

"It's cheaper than dreft, smells nicer, and is good for sensitive and eczema prone skin."

"My go to has been arm & hammer, I get it on sale at dollar general usually."

"I think I paid $9 for a tube with 100 loads."

"A local grocery store has it on sale once or twice a year as buy one, get two free."

All

4.4

(22)

"All comes out on top."

"Switched to All Free and Clear and his flare up are almost zero."

"Stock up when on sale."

"It's the only one that doesn't make me break out."

"All Free and Clear would be my best recommendation."

"All Free and Clear doesn’t bother my family’s sensitive skin."

"I was so happy I only used a free and clear to wash all her clothes."

"We use All Free and Clear (no fragrance)."

"Always, we use all free and clear for ourselves and used that for her as well."

"Always used All Free and Clear!"

Kirkland

4.8

(17)

"Kirkland & Tide are the 2 best."

"We switched from Tide to Kirkland Free and Clear because it’s the highest rated sensitive detergent."

"Costco’s Kirkland. Also it’s v good."

"You can use about half of the recommended amount, it works great and lasts forever."

"One jug lasts me a year or more."

"Honestly, Kirkland detergent from Costco has been amazing for us."

"Kirkland Free and Clear. We don't like scents on our clothes."

"We just use the Kirkland free and clear brand on all of our clothing."

"Immediately. We use Kirkland and haven’t had any issues."

"Almost from the beginning. A Kirkland brand I think."

Vinegar

5.0

(10)

"White vinegar ,works great."

"I also use white vinegar in the wash."

"Use 1 cup white vinegar as your detergent."

"Vinegar with your laundry soap gets out smells."

"The people saying vinegar are correct."

"Add some vinegar. It helps with tough smells."

"Adding white vinegar like you would add bleach also helps eliminate the funk."

"I add vinegar to the wash for any sort of smells"

"Soak at least 24 hours in cheap distilled vinegar that doesn't damage the clothes, then wash them as you normally would do"

"Mix a little white vinegar in the fabric softener. Takes the smell out really good."

Unscented Laundry Detergent

4.6

(8)

"You are purposefully choosing to create an emotionally toxic relationship. Go wash the kids clothes using her detergent on the last day/evening you have them."

"For the kid’s clothes you need to use the scent free detergent."

"Even if you use the soap she offered the kids are still going to stink of that stuff."

"Just wash the clothes that they’re going to wear back home with unscented laundry detergent."

"Recommendation: keep clothes separate between houses. Wash a set of clothes in the special detergent specifically for custody swap day."

"I sometimes throw a little vinegar in. I have to use unscented laundry detergent and fabric softener since my husband is allergic to all the others."

"I've always used regular unscented/sensitive laundry detergent for everyone's laundry."

"I do like scented laundry detergent and softener but I have eczema and I had to switch to scented free because I was getting outbreaks of hives all over my body."

OxiClean

4.6

(8)

"Add in free and clear oxiclean and my clothes get super clean."

"Oxyclean really helps with smells!"

"I always use oxiclean. Works wonders especially for my husband as he does a lot of outside work."

"I use oxyclean spray for all stains and discolorations and it works fantastically."

"OxiClean or borax."

"Stack up on the oxiclean!"

"I use Oxiclean because its good at removing stains."

"I've never used as much Oxiclean to soak clothes in as I did when my spud was a baby."

Gain

4.4

(8)

"I like gain moon light breeze and their odor shield dryer sheets."

"Gain. I put a little more than the recommended."

"I use Gain laundry pods (Moonlight Breeze), scent beads, and dryer sheets."

"We use gain and he’s been fine."

"Back to normal scented Gain."

"I use Borax, Oxi clean and gain detergent."

"I’ve used our regular Gain detergent."

"I've found Gain leaves the most powerful perfume-like smell."

#10

All Free and Clear

4.1

(8)

"All free and clear when on sale for you"

"All Free and Clear."

"I experience less dermatitis with this detergent."

"I use all free and clear and it's always worked."

"I use All free and clear and it works great for us."

"I like "Free and Clear" detergents in white jugs."

"All Free and Clear or Ecos."

"All free and clear or Dreft."

#11

Charlie's Soap

4.6

(7)

"Charlie's Soap Powder is awesome."

"Charlie’s Soap... cleans so well and will actually dissolve the residues."

"Charlie’s Soap! Charlie’s Soap really is the best thing ever."

"Would recommend the following: Charlies Soap Laundry Powder."

"Try Charlie’s Soap."

"For eco friendly options I recommend Charlie’s soap laundry powder. I found it to be really good at neutralizing stubborn odors."

"Charlie's Soap"

#12

Ecos

4.1

(7)

"I just used our normal detergent (ECOS) plus washing soda."

"If you like Ecos, use it with warm or hot water."

"I use Ecos for delicates."

"I’m happy with how my kitchen towels and normal every day stains come out with ECOS detergent."

"Costco has a really good generic ecos brand that goes on sale for like 10-12 dollars for the gallon."

"Ecos isn’t bad."

"I like Ecos"

#13

Dreft

3.0

(9)

"Dreft (which is good for babies sensitive skin)."

"Try Dreft or Tide Simply( yellow bottle) both are for sensitive skin."

"We switched to Dreft as our main laundry detergent for the whole family."

"I genuinely think it's a marketing scam."

"For my first I used Dreft. It wasn't necessary at all to buy special."

"We had to switch to Dreft for his laundry."

"Dreft. It’s for babies"

"I made the mistake of washing a few baby clothes in a free sample of dreft when I was pregnant and the smell never came out."

"Dreft etc are just marketing gimmicks."

#14

Free & Clear

4.2

(6)

"I use a free and clear detergent for everything and it works great!"

"Free and gentle is best!"

"I use free and clear but it doesn’t always get the smell out."

"I'm just going to use free and clear for the whole family as soon as my regular detergent runs out."

"I used free & clear detergents already"

"We just use free and clear detergent, the “baby” marketed stuff isn’t that great."

#15

Nellie's

4.6

(5)

"Cleans better than the All free and clear that we used for years!"

"Use Nelly’s!"

"The Nellies is great and goes on sale on the 27th."

"I can tolerate Nellie’s and attitude easily."

"I have to boost regular detergent like nellies."

#16

Nikwax

4.6

(5)

"The jacket is back to new and I couldn’t be happier."

"One wash with Nikwax got it right away."

"I do use Nikwax Direct Wash-In when needed to restore water repellency and breathability."

"But I recommend the version for down. It can clean your down garments and it’s also approved for gore tex."

"Regular detergent messed up my DWR, so I stick to nikwax tech wash."

#17

Dirty Labs

4.4

(5)

"Dirty Labs has been great for my family."

"I switched to dirty labs and my clothes have never been cleaner."

"Wirecutter recommends Dirty Labs."

"I use dirty labs detergent plus their powder booster."

"I really enjoy dirty labs and have been using it for a while now."

#18

Dawn

4.0

(5)

"For grease, fat, or cooking oils I use Dawn."

"I pre treat oil stains with Dawn Dishwashing liquid."

"Dawn works great on baby stains."

"Borax and or Dawn dish soap added to detergent"

"Have you tried Dawn?"

#19

unknown

5.0

(4)

"The baby detergent is all marketing."

"We just use an odorless détergent from an eco friendly brand."

"I use a very hypoallergenic non-scented type for sensitive skin."

"Since he was 3 months old and I learned that baby detergent doesn't actually clean anything."

#20

Tide Free and Clear

4.8

(4)

"Tide free and clear is what I use for all things that touch my skin."

"I use free and clear. My son doesn't get rashes from his diapers."

"I use tide free and clear for everything except my fiancé’s work clothes."

"I just use tide free and clear with oxy in my first wash."

#21

Borax

4.8

(4)

"BORAX. Hands down."

"Borax helps a lot especially if you have hard water."

"*second the need for Borax if you have hard water. I've also had success adding vinegar to the rinse cycle."

"Try adding borax"

#22

Lysol

4.8

(4)

"Adding an enzyme eater will help."

"I use the free and clear version of Lysol laundry sanitizer."

"I use the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer with my laundry detergent and fabric softener."

"Lysol Disinfectant Laundry Sanitizer & Scent Boost."

#23

Seventh Generation

4.8

(4)

"It's fragrance-free and lasts a while."

"I’ve always used Seventh Generation free& clear in the easy dose bottle."

"I switched everyone to 7th generation free and clear."

"Seventh Generation concentrated liquid laundry soap."

#24

All Free & Clear

4.5

(4)

"I use All Free & Clear, Arm & Hammer Free & Clear, Woolite Delicates Hypoallergenic."

"I use All Free & Clear or Ecos brand version of free and clear."

"Any detergent labeled free and clear. No perfume or dyes."

"I’ve got All free n clear right now."

#25

Unscented Detergent

4.5

(4)

"Unscented detergent, free of harsh chemicals for us and baby."

"I've always used unscented detergent."

"We always used unscented detergent anyway because I have a very sensitive nose."

"We didn't even have to buy new detergent when I recently had my first baby because ours is already completely unscented."

#26

Molly Suds

4.5

(4)

"Molly suds or Attitude. Both works great."

"I’ve made the switch to Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder for 2024, and it’s been a game changer."

"Mollies Suds has clean ingredients and a free and clear option."

"You could try and research Molly Suds."

#27

Biokleen

4.5

(4)

"I use Biokleen Free & Clear for my baby."

"Free & clear is the way to go."

"Cheapest if you can find it in store."

"We've just continued using the Biokleen detergent that we've used for our clothes for years."

#28

Ariel

4.3

(4)

"I use Ariel biblically, I love that stuff and it's quite literally the best detergent from all brands that I've tried."

"Ariel for me."

"I use Ariel. For those paint, pen etc marks I rub a bit of Ariel liquid into the stain."

"We just use Ariel for the whole family."

#29

Woolite

4.0

(4)

"Woolite. I wash everything every wear."

"Definitely woolite, every 3–4 wears."

"Woolite was always my go-to for my brooks shirts."

"The Woolite for darks does make a different for dark clothing."

#30

Rockin' Green

5.0

(3)

"Rockin Green detergent Active. Put it on high water temp and that stank is gone!"

"Seconding Rockin’ Green. It’s enzyme-based and seems to help."

"Rockin green dirty diaper and their funk rock ammonia bouncer additive!"

#31

Surf

5.0

(3)

"Gamit ko at downy sunrise fresh na fabcon ambango ng labahin."

"We alternately use Surf Cherry Blossom or Ariel Lavender liquid detergent."

"Surf Blossom fresh gamit nmn kc mabango tas sinasabayan ng Zonrox Colorsafe bleach."

#32

Tide Pods

3.5

(4)

"Use unscented or "free and clear" so no scents or dyes, etc."

"Have some “stock” of tide pods from Costco/BJs sale."

"Tide pod for the gi. Tide pod plus white vinegar for the fighter shorts."

"Don't use tide pods they r made of microplastics and pollute our waterways."

#33

Tide Free and Gentle

4.7

(3)

"We use Tide Free and Gentle."

"I hate the smell of laundry detergent and it works well!"

"When things need a little more clean, I do clean it with tide in the pre wash."

#34

Odoban

4.7

(3)

"Not technically a laundry detergent, but still works really well. Odoban, you can buy it in gallon jugs."

"I swear by odoban! I put it in with my towels every time."

"I would use any detergent and Odo-Ban (green label)."

#35

White Vinegar

4.7

(3)

"White vinegar. Done."

"Use white vinegar as fabric softener. It removes any odor from clothing and makes everything smell amazingly fresh when it's out of the dryer."

"I use white vinegar in the wash cycle to get the smell out of smelly."

#36

Tide Free & Clear

4.3

(3)

"We’ve just always used tide free & clear without any issues."

"Tide Free & Clear would be fine."

"Anything free and clear (all, tide, arm&hammer etc)."

#37

Defunkify

4.3

(3)

"Defunkify"

"I recommend Defunkify."

"I think it works very well!"

#38

Scent Beads

2.0

(5)

"Personally, I love scent beads. I like to get the same scent in laundry detergent, beads and fabric softener."

"I personally can’t use scent beads in my laundry, or laundry softener."

"Those scent beads will RUIN your appliances."

"These chemical scents are extremely toxic - can cause a myriad of problems and are endocrine disrupters."

"Those scent beads are horrible for you. You're putting chemicals right next to your skin."

#39

Truly Free

5.0

(2)

"I use trulyfree but Attitude is also top rated."

"I use truly free! Available on Amazon, Walmart (online, I haven’t seen it in my store) and directly through their website."

#40

Fairy

5.0

(2)

"I’ve used Fairy for the last 44 years."

"Fairy along with fairy softener."

#41

Hex

5.0

(2)

"Hex laundry detergent for odors."

"I use Hex laundry detergent, you can find it on Amazon."

#42

Pure

5.0

(2)

"I use Pure detergent. Both my kids have really bad eczema."

"I use Pure detergent."

#43

Charlie's Soap Unknown

5.0

(2)

"We eventually made the switch to Charlie's Soap and that was my all time favorite!"

"I love using Charlie’s soap, they are natural without all the chemicals."

#44

Laundry Sauce

5.0

(2)

"Switched from Kirkland to Laundry Sauce a while back and honestly its been such a game changer!"

"It’s been a total game-changer for me."

#45

Grangers

5.0

(2)

"I use Graingers for my waterproof clothing. It’s great with goretex when paired with the Nikwax spray."

"Always wash technical clothing especially goretex and other membranes with techwash. Grangers or gear aid revive x are the best options."

#46

biokleen Free & Clear

4.5

(2)

"We use Biokleen Free & Clear for all of our laundry."

"Our clothes always feel clean, more so than when we used Tide/Arm&Hammer."

#47

Free and Clear Detergent

4.5

(2)

"Any free and clear detergent is fine for the whole family."

"We have always used free and clear detergent."

#48

Tide Unknown

4.5

(2)

"I did 30 months of cloth diapers in an apartment complex and Tide was the champ for me."

"Haven't used Nellie's but Tide always scores high in home tests."

#49

Mrs. Meyers

4.5

(2)

"Meyers is our household favorite. Safe on my baby's skin too."

"We started using Mrs. Meyers."

#50

Dropps

4.5

(2)

"Obsessed with this brand “dropps”... they do make a baby and sensitive skin one!"

"Dropps were fine with my eczema."

#51

Soap Nuts

4.5

(2)

"We changed to using Soap nuts. Love them & would never go back."

"Soap nuts."

#52

non bio

4.5

(2)

"I’ve always used non bio (which were recommended for babies)."

"I always use non bio anyway because my husband has sensitive skin."

#53

Branch Basics

4.5

(2)

"I definitely think “baby detergent” is a scam."

"Branch basics."

#54

Tide Oxi

4.5

(2)

"I like Tide with Oxi."

"Tide oxi with some borax thrown in there."

#55

Baby Detergent

2.7

(3)

"Unless your child has specific sensitivities I wouldn’t pay extra for baby detergent personally."

"I only bought one bottle of the “baby” stuff and once that was all gone I just started using regular detergent."

"I didn’t like how our baby detergent smells after his clothes dried up."

#56

Scent Free Detergent

4.0

(2)

"Scent sensitivity is a real thing and it’s a fair request from her."

"She paid for it, you only have to use it in the kids clothes and you’ll be saving her from migraines."

#57

biokleen Powder

4.0

(2)

"Biokleen powder."

"So far I’ve tried Puracy, Esembly and Biokleen powder and have had the most success with the Biokleen."

#58

Method

4.0

(2)

"Method has a nice lingering scent."

"I like Method."

#59

Persil Free and Sensitive

4.0

(2)

"It’s hypoallergenic, fragrance and dye free."

"I suffer from eczema so their free and sensitive formula was always great - but it has always been difficult for me to find and now i am not as much of a fan of it ever since their repackaging."

#60

Attitude

4.0

(2)

"Attitude all the way! Use the Yuka app to assess products."

"Attitude. They also make a great stain remover!"

#61

Era

4.0

(2)

"I was advised Era by a friend with incredibly sensitive skin."

"I have used Era for years, in fact it was what we used growing up."

#62

Laundry Sheets

5.0

(1)

"Way better bang for your buck and take up far less space."

#63

Foca

5.0

(1)

"Switching to powder has been a lifesaver for me."

#64

Fluff Love University

5.0

(1)

"There’s a site called Fluff Love University (and I think a FB group) where they’ve done tests/reviews on all kinds of detergents to find which ones are most effective for cloth diapers."

#65

Dr. Bronner

5.0

(1)

"It is biodegradable, ethical, and rinses out real easily."

#66

Clean People

5.0

(1)

"I buy Clean People sheets online."

#67

Bosisto's

5.0

(1)

"Bosisto's Sensitive Laundry Liquid"

#68

Forever New

5.0

(1)

"My primary laundry detergent is the soft scent powdered one by a company called forever new."

#69

Sal's Suds

4.0

(1)

"I do use Sal's Suds on my more intense laundry."

#70

Myni

4.0

(1)

"I use Myni with warm water and have no complaints!"

#71

Blueland

4.0

(1)

"Blueland with oxygen booster."

#72

Biz

3.0

(1)

"I’d get a laundry booster like Biz to add in!"

#73

Scented Products

1.0

(2)

"I go into anaphylaxis with scents or my blood pressure tanks so much I pass out."

"Scented things are extremely bad for you and as one of the many people allergic."

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