High Efficiency Laundry Detergent Tips and Buying Guide

When it comes to a great all-around detergent and stain fighter, you'll want to reach for the Tide 3-in-1 pods. This super-concentrated formula works in hot and cold washes to clean, remove stains, and protect color. And you don't have to worry about trying to measure it out. You simply throw in 1, 2, or 3 pods, depending on the size of your load. And with a deeper clean comes that fresh, lasting scent with a satisfaction guarantee.

The pros of this powerful high efficiency detergent are pretty hard to overlook. But, there are a few things you to keep in mind before dropping your hard-earned dimes on this product. The convenience of just dropping in 1 of the 81 pods comes at a hefty price tag for HE detergent. The pods can also get stuck together and leave a nasty mess in your laundry room if you try to cut them apart. However, I always just use the stuck-together ones in a larger load.

Seventh Generation Free & Clear is a natural high-efficiency detergent you can use without worrying about chemicals and skin reactions. It uses plant-based ingredients and doesn't include any dyes or perfumes. You can also get a whopping 99 loads out of the 140 fl. oz. container. And, it doesn't need harsh chemicals to get things clean. In fact, it can lighten and completely remove baby food and formula stains.

While Seventh Generation doesn't have a smell to it, clothes can come out smelling a bit musty if you have hard water. It has nothing to do with the formula but the water itself. You're also going to have to use a stain fighter like white vinegar or peroxide for tough stains like blueberries or pasta sauce.

When you have a large family, laundry can get expensive. But it doesn't have to be. Arm & Hammer HE Laundry Detergent works on both high efficiency and normal machines. This comes in various sizes, but the 213 fl. oz. bottle can clean 142 loads of laundry. That's a load of laundry for less than 10 cents. What a steal!

The power of clean comes with a rather powerful scent some can find overbearing. But, if you like scented clothes, then this is for you. You also need to follow the instructions carefully to make sure you get the most bang for your buck. It can be easy to use too much if you don't use it carefully.

The strong signature fragrance of Gain HE Original Liquid Laundry Detergent in the 100 fl. oz. bottle is hard to miss. It's a fresh scent that I often associate with clean laundry. So, when it comes to one of the best scented HE detergents, Gain makes the list. It also has a powerful cleaning agent and can remove embedded dirt and grime without deflating your bank account.

While Gain does have a fresh scent, the power of the detergent weakens on gentle cycles. Since Gain is formulated for cold water, this is when it works to its full potential.

If you are looking for a laundry detergent to help you live a sustainable lifestyle, Biokleen is the laundry soap for you. This detergent clearly states all the ingredients included within the HE detergent and comes with a compostable outer shell and a recyclable plastic bag holding the detergent. This eco-friendly brand uses no artificial colors or preservatives to make the detergent, and it's not tested on animals.

Biokleen is also a powerful detergent that can remove most everyday dirt and messes. Big messes like jelly will need a pre-treater to eradicate the stain. And it does have a slight fragrance, which can irritate those sensitive to smells.

A laundry detergent with an effective stain fighter is a must for families. Persil ProClean takes the cake when it comes to stain-fighting power. It even beat out Tide in a side-by-side comparison. Not only is this good for your clothes, but it can keep them looking new longer. The Persil Liquid Laundry Detergent, ProClean Scent, is made for HE and regular washers and can be found in multiple sizes, including the 82.5 fl. oz.

The main complaint about Persil ProClean is the smell. The detergent has a strange sweet smell that turns some people off. The fragrance is also pretty strong, so it's unavoidable if you don't like it.

You can't have a detergent laden with harsh chemicals, perfumes, and dyes when you have sensitive skin. All Free and Clear doesn't have any of that. In fact, it leaves no smell at all on your clothing. It's also rated for people with sensitive skin, according to the disclaimer on the bottle.

Since the formula is missing the softeners and perfumes, clothing comes out stiffer with no smell. You also need to use pre-treaters on clothing with tough stains to remove them completely. But for a detergent for sensitive skin types, the 82.5 fl. oz. bottle is a steal for families on a budget.