How to Choose Between Liquid Laundry Detergent, Powder or Sheets

Some of the first mass-produced laundry detergents were soap bars that were used with the washboard and laundry trough. Powders and liquids became the detergents of choice for modern washing machines, which became increasingly popular in the 1950s.

Today, we have seemingly endless possibilities for cleaning our clothes: powders, liquids, capsules, sheets, do-it-yourself compounds and, yes, bar soap (including one that has been around since 1894). But how do you choose the one that suits your laundry needs? Experts from Consumer Reports (CR) recently ran some tests to find out. Based on their results, here’s what they recommend.

How was the detergent tested?

Different detergents have different strengths, so to find out what it is, CR experts washed fabric samples soaked in things like blood, body oil, chocolate, coffee, dirt, grass, and salad dressing. When the samples are out of the machine, the lighter the stain, the better the detergent.

How to choose the right detergent for the job

After testing dozens of laundry detergents , here’s what the CR experts recommend :

For grease stains and body dirt

If you’re not familiar with the term, “body dirt” refers to the combination of skin oils, dead skin flakes, and sweat that gets transferred to our clothes when we wear them. CR testers say it’s best to use liquid detergent to remove this grime, as well as greasy stains.

For outdoor stains

The powder is most effective at removing dirt, clay and mud stains.

For washing in cold water

Not surprisingly, liquid detergent dissolves more easily in cold water than other forms. But, if you’re an avid powder fan, there’s a workaround : mix the powder with a little warm water before adding it to your cold wash.

For sustainability

Overall, laundry was found to be the least effective of all the products tested when it came to removing stains. However, they are the most environmentally friendly. So if you have loads that aren’t heavily soiled, sheets should do the job.

For dual purpose work

Liquids can be not only a normal detergent, but also a pre-treatment agent.

For comfort

Detergent pods are not only effective at removing stains, but also the most convenient, according to CR testers. Just be prepared to pay more for this convenience.