Liquid, powder, or pods: which detergent cleans clothes best?
The array of detergent options in your grocer's laundry aisle can be dizzying. In their never-ending quest for greater market share, manufacturers regularly tweak their formulas—to improve performance, make products "greener," or introduce new fragrances. It's no surprise the science behind laundry detergent has become quite complex. What was once a fairly straightforward choice of liquid or powder has morphed over time to include whiteners, brighteners, oxidizing agents, fabric softeners, and all manner of new-and-improved scents. “Cleaning is not just about stains alone,” suggests Geri Lykins, senior scientist for leading detergent brand Tide. “Cleaning is also about whiteness, brightness and freshness.” With so many choices available, what does the savvy shopper opt for? Does one format generally outperform the others? Dr. Charles Crawford, vice president of product development for Sun Products (which makes the detergent All) says finding the best laundr...