P&G's Tide HE Plus Bleach Alternative and Ultra HE and Sun Products' Wisk New Stain Spectrum Technology top Consumer Reports' ratings of laundry detergents

Michelle Rivera

YONKERS, New York , September 26, 2011 (press release) – When it comes to overall cleaning, formulas from Tide and Wisk stood out in Consumer Reports' latest test of laundry detergents. Tide HE Plus Bleach Alternative and Ultra HE topped the Ratings of high-efficiency formulas and Wisk New Stain Spectrum Technology exceeded other conventional top-loader detergents. Up & Up HE Fresh Breeze from Target was the only detergent named a CR Best Buy for its combination of performance and cost of 11 cents per load.

The full results of the laundry detergent Ratings are available in the November issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

"We put laundry detergents through rigorous testing to determine how well they perform," said Pat Slaven, a program leader for Consumer Reports. "We pitch each product against seven hard-to-clean stains commonly found in households including red wine, grass, blood, chocolate and ring around the collar."

Consumer Reports expanded its testing to include new types of detergents such as capsules and gels, which join the long lineup of liquids, powders and sheets. While these types tout convenience, results revealed that they don't trump their liquid and powder counterparts in cleaning performance. Of the more conventional liquids and powders tested, neither type was a clear winner.

Among the new detergents evaluated were Dropps 6X Concentrated, a pod sealed in a single-dose dissolving capsule, and two gels from Arm & Hammer – Essentials Power Gel and Power Gel Plus Oxiclean Stainfighters – which all scored fair in Consumer Reports' tests. The Purex Complete 3-in-1 sheet, which contains detergent and a fabric softener that's released in the dryer, performed slightly better but was no match for more traditional liquids and powders.

Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for or using laundry detergent:

* Using a concentrated formula doesn't always result in savings. While consumers will use more per load of a brand's 2X version than the 3X detergent, the price per load is often similar.
* Be wary of laundry detergents that tout a green claim as there are few or no governmental regulations for many of the claims.
* Products labeled "cold water" detergents generally include stain-lifting enzymes that work better in cold water than hot.
* For best performance, consumers should use the right laundry detergent for their machine. Use HE formulas for front-loaders and high-efficiency washing machines and conventional detergents for top-loaders.
* Use the right amount of detergent per load as per indicated on the laundry detergent's instruction label.


Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

NOVEMBER 2011

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