CR Tests Tide powder

[lakewebsterkid]

After being MIA in Consumer Reports testing, powders are being tested. Tide Powder is once included again.

Tide Original Powder: 64
Tide plus Oxi powder: 63
Arm and Hammer plus OxiClean: 53
Gain: 50
Ariel Powder: 40
Ariel touch of Downy: 32
Molly's Suds: 26

Both Tides rated excellent in body oil removal, very good in dirt and grass removal as well as water hardness performance, good in salad dressing and coffee. Original did better with blood removal as excellent versus very good. Oxi did better with chocolate as good versus fair.
Not shocked to see poorer performance with Gain as it lacks TAED and Amylase, but does contain Lipase unlike Tide versions.
Now just imagine the scores versus liquids if these were tested in true warm water washes.

 

[agiflow]

Thanks for posting this.

Been using Tide original powder for years along with it's liquid version. Right now using Gain powder but will switch back to Tide powder. I can't keep up with all the various formulations of Tide. I just need the original and it handles everything fine.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

powders

I pray that powders are making a comeback once again. I like choices.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Agiflow

I completely agree! I do not use Gain powder because of lack of performance compared to Tide powder. Though, the gap in scores is fairly narrow likely due to using cold water for testing.

 

[combo52]

Powder detergent, cleaning tests

My business partner Jason wrote consumer reports couple months ago and asked them to test powder detergent because we were curious as well.

It’s pretty much as I expected. I like powder still but I’ve always known they don’t clean as well especially with common food stains and such they do a pretty good job with ground and dirt. If you’re a gardener I guess.

I’m sure it would help if they used warmer water with the powders for the testing But you can see why liquids are going to win this battle. the Mexican detergents Just do not work well I’ve got a number of them and they’re almost useless. I use them for washing the car or something not serious for cleaning clothing.

My typical laundry load is washed in about seven grains hardness water. I wash between 100 and 120°. I use a half a dose of powdered tide and a half a dose of a good liquid been using Aldi premium and it works really well. I’ve always mix liquid and powder together. I almost never wash any load of clothing with just one kind of detergent in it, and I also switch around constantly to get the best benefits of different detergents. I always dose on the high side because the loads are very large and dirty, with top loading machines. I usually use the water twice either the suds saver Kenmore, or just dump it into the next washer for another load of clothing.

When I have occasionally taken apart one of my machines that I’ve used for many years, the outer tubs, and the outside of the inner wash baskets are always spotless, no buildup of any kind, no corrosion, even though I tend to wash very large, dirty loads always use cold rinses Always use fabric softener in clothing, not in towels and sheets.

John L

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>Always use fabric softener in clothing, not in towels and sheets.</blockquote> That's opposite my usage of softener in sheets/bedding, not in towels or clothing ... except the instances of washing shirts with sheets.

I've been using HEB (house brand) Bravo lavender softener since Snuggle lavender is no longer to be found in town.  Bravo is less thick/goopy so that's a plus.

 

[launderess]

Gain detergent long has been more about scent than anything else. Thus, it isn't surprising to one at least powder version (or liquid for that matter) have same cleaning oomph as most versions of Tide.

Tide is and long has been P&G's top shelf bread and butter. Nothing P&G sells laundry detergent wise in USA will ever be allowed to touch it overall performance wise, especially if said product costs less.

 

[launderess]

Liquid versus Powder...

Time was and or maybe still is where liquid laundry detergents had it over powders was former could and did contain solvents and or better surfactant blends. This made them better on oily soils and dirty such as body muck (think Wisk and "ring around the collar). Liquid detergents also were better as pre-treating agents than mixing water with powder to make paste and...

That being said P&G along with others have cracked it to some extent to make powder more on even footing with liquid laundry detergents.



One issue with liquid products is one is paying for what could be substantial amounts of water. Pods and various gel formulas are in aid of reducing amount of water, but never the less there you are.

P&G seems not to have taken liquid detergent as a threat, well that was until Dynamo (recommended by women who used to use powders)forced the issue.[this post was last edited: 5/13/2025-15:56]

 

[agiflow]

Reply # 7

I always thought powders were generally better than liquids overall ?? In any case I like to use both. Mix it up a little. I like the Tide liquid original because it does have a nice smell to it. Leaves the clothes with a pleasant scent.

Other than getting a water softener how does one soften the water with a liquid ? Powders you can generally tell because they make the water slick but liquids don't do that, I guess unless I dump half a bottle in..lol. Not only that, doesn't better brands like Tide powders have ingredients that protect washer parts ?

 

[dermacie]

I was very impressed with Ariel powder and I am surprised at the low rating. I always have and use Tide Powder and I really miss Persil pearls they were awesome. Oh well.

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>Other than getting a water softener how does one soften the water with a liquid ?</blockquote> Are you not aware of STPP?  It has been discussed here for 20+ years.

<blockquote>Powders you can generally tell because they make the water slick but liquids don't do that, I guess unless I dump half a bottle in..lol.</blockquote>I get "slick" wash water with liquids when dosed sufficiently + STPP.  Typically 1.5 to 3 tbsp STPP, 2 to 5 tbsp detergent ... varies per the fill level.  Bottle caps and scoops included with powders aren't easy to view and aren't marked/accurate to a standard unit-of-measure.

The scoops included with some powder additives such as oxi are typically 29.6cc which is equivalent to two tablespoons/1 oz.  I have another 50cc (3-1/3 tbsp) scoop saved from something.  Also consider those measure-cups included with Pepto Bismol and such.

 

[agiflow]

Reply # 10

I've heard of STPP but knowing it's phosphates I don't want to take chances.

I was just talking about liquid use.I generally use quality detergents anyway and run mostly warm and hot washes.

 

[agiflow]

Reply # 10

I've heard of STPP but knowing it's phosphates I don't want to take chances.

I was just talking about liquid use.I generally use quality detergents anyway and run mostly warm and hot washes.

 

[launderess]

" I always thought powders were generally better than liquids overall ?? "

Overall at top shelf powder with activated oxygen bleaching system (TWB, Tide "Professional", Persil (German/Henkel version), Ariel, etc... will out perform liquid detergents, this is especially true for whites and colourfast laundry.

Liquid laundry detergents cannot contain oxygen bleach if they have enzymes. What has happened over years is formulas have beefed up surfactants, enzyme cocktails, solvents and other bits to point some top shelf liquid format products will do a decent to good job as powders. Some marks however simply won't shift without some sort of bleach. That's why P&G, Henkel and others all have various "boosters" which are nothing more than oxygen bleach (maybe with activators) along with other bits. One can save all that bother by simply buying a powder with AOBS.

German consumer testing group consistently ranks powder detergents higher than liquids when it comes to total stain removal and also keeping whites "bright".

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>I've heard of STPP but knowing it's phosphates I don't want to take chances.</blockquote> Are you on city sewer service?  My understanding is that municipal/city wastewater/septic systems typically are equipped to treat for phosphates.  Your choice of course but more phosphates surely are in there from human poop than from laundry.

I've been adding STPP to laundry 16+ years, dishwasher for 13+ years.  My private aerobic septic system treats the wastewater with chlorine and sprays it on the far area of the back yard.  The system is 21 years, tank(s) have not needed cleaning/pumping.  The installer/service checks it every 4 months (required by county regulations), says it's among the cleanest they see.  One of the route guys once made the effort to knock at my door to tell me so.

All IMO.

 

[agiflow]

Reply #12,13

Thanks Launderess for that detailed response. Want to give the Tide professional a shot to see how effective it really is. I tend to get cooking grease on my clothes so we'll see how effectual it is.

Glen I happen to be on sewer where I am. Does that make a difference? I would like to just get some of that STPP and try it out. I'll get in touch with my sewer facility and see what they say about it.