Updated: 3:49 PM CST Jan 15, 2021 Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping Institute Director, Home Appliances & Cleaning Products Lab
We took liquid, powder, and single-use pack formulas for a spin to see how well they removed 20 common stains from polyester and cotton in hot and cold water. Meet the top picks for every kind of messy situation you can imagine.
Here is a quick breakdown of the basic types of detergents we included in our test:
Powder detergent was the first type of laundry detergent to come about and it is typically cheaper compared to its liquid and single-dose counterparts. Detergents in this category tend to perform well on outdoor stains like mud, clay or grass, so it s great for little one s soccer uniforms, gardening clothes and more. Keep in mind, powder must be stored in a completely dry area to avoid clumping. Also note, if you like washing in cold water, some powders may not dissolve completely and as a result, unwanted residue may set