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For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
by Editors of Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports tests 34 high-efficiency and conventional laundry detergents against nine common staining agents, including grass, chocolate, red wine and blood. Products are tested in three categories:… cleaning, keeping dirt off and keeping dye off. The list also indicates whether the detergents contain NPEs (nonylphenol ethoxylates), which are toxic to aquatic plants and animals. A ratings chart is included. This is easily the most comprehensive performance review we found.
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
This review tests eco-friendly cleaning products, defined as being biodegradable, free of phosphates and chlorines and deriving ingredients from plant sources. Nine laundry detergents are tested against 15… common stains. The best performer is Arm & Hammer Essentials 2X Concentrated, which is "particularly effective at washing in cold water" and receives top scores for removing stains from ink, mascara, wine, gravy and grape juice. Testers also praise Purex Natural Elements, which works almost as well, but for about half the price per load. The other seven detergents tested are not identified.
by Sarah Van Schagen
Grist.org is a website with articles on environmental issues. Sarah Van Schagen tests six environmentally friendly detergents plus a control by staining cotton T-shirts with ketchup, balsamic vinaigrette,… blueberries, red wine and mud, and then doing load of laundry with each detergent. Van Schagen also lists the price, eco-claims, ingredients, stain instructions and scent of each detergent. She finds that none of the detergents remove all of the stains, but that Seventh Generation Free & Clear does the best job, and so recommends it for "maximum eco-claim and stain removal with the lowest price and least-perfumy scent."
by Editors of Consumer Reports
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
by Editors of Choice magazine
This list of ineffective products compiled by the Australian product review site includes the Life Miracle Magnetic Laundry System, two magnetic balls that are placed in a washer in lieu of detergent.… Testers find that "washing with the balls and plain water had about the same cleaning effect as washing in plain water alone." Testing methodology is not described here, although it did appear in an article that has been removed from the Choice website.
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Amazon.com sells dozens of laundry detergents, both well-known brands and smaller labels. Many of the detergents receive a substantial amount of customer reviews. The most highly rated detergents from more… than a handful of reviewers include Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Laundry Liquid Detergent, Win High Performance Sport Liquid Detergent, Country Save HE Laundry Detergent Powder and Seventh Generation Laundry Concentrate. Amazon.com also lists home dry cleaning kits; Woolite Dry Cleaner's Secret receives great reviews.
by Eliza Truitt
Eliza Truitt conducts hands-on tests of laundry detergents for color fastness, stain removal and odor removal, and doesn't find much different in performance between the name brands. While not… comprehensive, this is a practical and well-documented casual test. However, this review doesn't rank higher among our sources because of its age; some detergents have been introduced, discontinued or reformulated since it was written.
by Contributors to Drugstore.com
by Contributors to RateItAll.com
by Contributors to Green Home
by Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre, the About.com guide to housekeeping, lists her favorite detergents, but little testing is described, so it's unclear how or if her picks were tested. She also doesn't specify the detergent… variety for Tide or All Small & Mighty. Surprisingly, the author includes the OxiClean Detergent Ball, which got poor reviews from expert reviewers -- and was discontinued in 2007. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
by Dianna Zaragoza
In a lengthy user review, Dianna Zaragoza compares Tide detergent with Seventh Generation. Both laundry detergents cleaned equally well, though the wash water seemed to drain cleaner with Seventh Generation… than with Tide. The writer prefers the light scent of Seventh Generation. Tide does not provide a complete list of ingredients, but Seventh Generation does. Seventh Generation does not contain petroleum products, but Tide is much more economical. Zaragoza concludes that both are good choices.
by Amanda Cartwright
The author is a regular user of two at-home dry cleaning kits: Dryel and Dry Cleaner's Secret. According to Amanda Cartwright, the advantage of Dryel is that it has a superior stain remover. Dry Cleaner's… Secret is more convenient because it consists of a sheet that is put into the dryer with the garment, whereas with Dryel, the garment must be placed into a bag that goes into the dryer. The writer also discusses which clothing is best for these kits. This test clearly isn't scientific, but the casual write-up is interesting.
by Steve Helmer
by Editors of Real Simple
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This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.
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Tide with a Touch of Downy 2X Ultra Concentrated Detergent, April Fresh Scent, 72-Load Bottles (Pack of 2)
 from Amazon.com
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Country Save HE Laundry Detergent, Powder, 160-Load, 10-lb Boxes (Case of 4)
from Amazon.com New: $62.15 In Stock.
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Seventh Generation Dish Liquid, Free & Clear, 25-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6)
from Amazon.com New: $16.98 In Stock.
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