Consumer Reports Selects Top Detergents

Consumer Reports’ latest tests of laundry detergents revealed in their July issue show that using top-rated detergents like Tide 2X Ultra for Cold Water in cold water cycles, can save people up to $140 per year. At 19 cents per average load, it costs roughly $80 per year less than the priciest detergents, and using cold water can trim another $60 in energy costs.

Tide’s 2X Ultra for Cold Water, a CR Best Buy, vanquished grass, wine, and other tough stains almost as well as its top-scoring brandmate, Tide 2X Ultra with Color Clean Bleach Alternative, which costs 32 cents per load, among conventional detergents.

CR’s new tougher tests of more than 40 laundry detergents also reveal that you’ll save as more brands price low-sudsing, high-efficiency detergents designed for front-loading and high-efficiency top-loading washers comparably with those for top loaders. But the tests of almost 1,600 stained cotton swatches show that several detergents struck out at cleaning including Xtra New 2X Concentrated Lasting ScentSations Spring Sun Shine, lowest-rated among conventional detergents; and Purex Ultra Concentrate HE After The Rain, lowest-rated among high-efficiency detergents.

Buyer beware. Win High Performance Sport Detergent, 64 cents per load, is claimed to remove odors and stains. This pricey detergent worked on odor but was unimpressive on stains. Tide promises its TotalCare, which costs 45 cents per load, protects colors and fights stains, among other things. It did well at protecting the color of several cotton dresses after 30 washes. But Tide’s 2x Ultra for Cold Water detergent protected color comparably and cleaned better for far less.

Is it really green? Simplicity Hypoallergenic Non-Toxic 2X and Seventh Generation Natural Powered HE are among the detergents said to have more plant-based ingredients than petroleum. Both cleaned well and claim to be hypoallergenic. But manufacturers can make those claims without any checks or federal standards.