What is the most effective laundry detergent? There is no valid answer for every need: one product can be particularly useful for eliminating stains, another for preserving whiteness and yet another for limiting the graying of fabrics.
To understand which ones work best, Altroconsumo compared different laundry detergents, evaluating both their overall performance and specific aspects of their effectiveness. The result is interesting because it shows that the product with the highest overall score is not necessarily the one that excels in every single test.
The best laundry detergent ever
Taking first place in the overall rating is Carrefour Eco Planet Lavatrice lily of the valley and lavender, a liquid detergent with 30 washes. The product obtained an overall rating of 74 points out of 100, the highest result among those considered in the test. Its strong point is not a single exceptional performance, but a good balance between the different characteristics examined.
It is therefore the most interesting product for those looking for a versatile detergent for daily laundry, without having a specific need as an absolute priority, such as removing the most difficult stains or maintaining whiteness.
The most effective detergent against stains
If, however, the priority is to eliminate dirt, the product to take into consideration is Dash Power Extra-Sanitary, a 20-dose liquid detergent.
It scored 63 points out of 100 in the overall rating, so it does not reach the result of the overall winner. In the tests specifically dedicated to the removal of stains, however, it clearly stood out.
In fact, the detergent obtained the best result considering a total of three large categories of dirt: enzymatic stains, greasy stains and oxidizable stains, mainly linked to substances of vegetal origin.
In the tests dedicated to enzymatic stains, Dash Power Extra-Sanitary achieved the highest result. Among the individual tests in which it stood out were those relating to starch and baby food, as well as its ability to combat gray dirt which tends to settle especially on collars and cuffs.
What about greasy spots? Also in this case the product ranked first in the overall rating of the category.
Among the specific dirt on which it obtained the best results are mineral oil, lipstick and mayonnaise, three types of stains that require a different cleansing action compared to dirt of a vegetal or protein nature.
The primacy of Dash Power Extra-Sanitizing is also confirmed in the category of oxidizable stains. Among the individual tests it stood out, in particular, against grass stains.
Best for keeping laundry white
Those who wash mostly white items might instead look at another test result. The best performance in the test dedicated to the degree of whiteness was achieved by Esselunga Per Chi Ama la Natura Caps Lavatrice, in the 20-dose cap format.
However, his overall rating is 54 points out of 100, far from the 74 points of the overall winner. Also in this case, therefore, a distinction must be made between a specific performance and the overall quality of the product.
For those who consider the white of fabrics the most important feature, this product can represent a targeted choice. If, however, you are looking for a detergent that is balanced in all respects, the overall result remains the most significant parameter.
The detergent that best combats greying
Then there is a very common problem after numerous washes: the loss of the original shine of the fabrics, which can progressively take on a duller and greyish appearance.
In the specific test on greying, the best result was obtained by R5 Tabs Lavatrice, in the 30-dose tab format. The product scored 53 points out of 100 in the overall rating. Here too, therefore, its primacy concerns a very specific characteristic.
It should also be remembered that graying does not depend only on detergent. The transfer of color between different items during washing also plays an important role. Washing dark, colored and light fabrics together can therefore contribute to the deterioration of the appearance of lighter garments.
@Altroconsumo
Liquid, caps, tabs or powder: which format to choose?
The test of Altroconsumo it also shows that it is not the format, alone, that determines the effectiveness of a detergent. Among the products that stood out we find a liquid detergent, one in caps and one in tabs. Performance therefore depends above all on the formulation and the specific objective you want to achieve.
The liquid can be practical for those who prefer to dose the product independently, while caps and tabs offer a pre-determined quantity and can be convenient to use. The choice, therefore, can also depend on your habits, the type of laundry and your prevailing needs.
