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With billions of dollars spent annually on laundry detergents in many households, the cleaning aisle of your local grocery store is probably lined with several options. Making a choice can feel particularly overwhelming, especially when you add confusing terms like Turbo Clean, Simply Clean, or Ultra Stain Release.
When it comes to the history of laundry detergent types, we’ve noticed a narrowing of available products over the years. Washing powders have slowly lost their dominance to liquid and pod detergents with some products. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that liquid is better than powder.
Nevertheless, knowing the difference between these terms is crucial if you want to get the best value out of the laundry detergent of your choice. While all laundry detergents have the same function, they don’t all work the same.
Most people’s detergent preference is determined by what they want their clothes or laundry to smell like, what features they like, or, let’s face it, what’s on sale. But there is so much more to think about when you choose a laundry detergent, especially if you want to get your clothes as clean as possible.
For example, what cycle should you use? Do you prefer cold or hot water? In our research, the Cleaning King team found that not all laundry detergents are equal. Some definitely clean much better than others. This difference in cleaning powers means some products will wipe away all the stains, and others will leave dirt behind.
In this article, we are going to examine two of the most popular detergents available on the market. Persil and Tide are top-rated products that have thousands of satisfied users across the globe.
Tide has been on the market in the U.S since 1946 and is owned by world-renowned Procter & Gamble (P&G). On the other hand, Persil was launched in 1907 in Germany but only hit the U.S market in 2015.
Although Tide is the leading laundry detergent in the U.S market, Persil is slowly gaining traction in many households. So we are going to walk you through a direct comparison of the two products. We dive deep into each brand’s cleaning power, scent, product offerings, and price. Without further delay, let’s dive in!
Before we start our review, let’s give you a comprehensive buyer’s guide. There are pros and cons to each type when it comes to the most effective kind of laundry detergent. Ultimately the type of detergent you pick will depend on your personal preference and what you find convenient for your lifestyle and cleaning needs.
Below is our take on the three most popular types of laundry detergents:
Powder detergent
Like we’ve mentioned before, this type of detergent was the most dominant in the market. While powder detergents are slowly declining, they are still quite popular because they tend to be cheaper than their counterparts.
Powder detergents cost less because it takes less chemistry to build them. They also perform better on outdoor stains like clay, grass, and mud. So those soccer game stains or dirt from your garden can easily be removed with powder detergents. Another great advantage of powder detergent is that it has a longer shelf-life, meaning you can buy in bulk.
Just remember to store your powder in a dry area to avoid it clumping and make sure the powder you use is suitable for cold water washing. Suppose you use the wrong powder for a cold water cycle. In that case, some detergents may not dissolve completely and leave residue on your clothing.
Liquid detergent
Liquid detergent is slowly becoming widely used in most homes across the world. There are many advantages of liquid detergents. One particular benefit is that it performs really well against oil and grease stains. If you have difficult stains, liquid stains are great for spot treatments.
Ensure to always use the right amount of or the recommended amount of detergent to prevent creating too many suds. If you do, you run the risk of the soap not rinsing out properly when the cycle ends, and it can even damage your machine. You have to strike the right balance because your clothes won’t get clean if you use too little.
Pods
The new kids on the block are single-dose packets. They are highly convenient because they come in pre-measured pods that cater to one load of laundry. So if you have a busy lifestyle, these pods come in very handy. Newer washing machines now come with dispenser drawers with pod sections that allow the machine to dissolve the pods better using less water.
One major drawback is that they do cost more than the average detergent. Nevertheless, pods are very convenient. For safety reasons, always store the pods away from children or pets who might ingest these pods.
There are several factors you need to think about when you are buying laundry detergent. Some elements are more critical, and others may affect you more than others. The most crucial thing is that you purchase a laundry detergent that’s right for you.
The Type Of Machine
If you have a washing machine, this is the first thing you need to think about. Picking the wrong detergent can damage your washing machine in the long run. For example, if you have a high-efficiency (HE) machine, then look for a suitable detergent. HE machines cannot handle detergents that produce too much foam. If you have a regular machine, then a standard detergent will work fine.
Water Temperature
This is also extremely important because different water temperatures produce different results. The best way to know which water temperature is suitable is to read the clothing label. These labels come with lots of valuable information about how to care for your clothing and which washing cycle you should use.
Several cold water laundry detergents on the market won’t clamp up or leave residue on your clothing. If you’re not going to use hot water, then ensure that you pick the suitable detergent for the right water temperature.
Skin Sensitivity
If you have any skin issues or small children or babies, you can’t use any detergent. There are many types of detergents that are specifically designed for sensitive skin. These kinds of detergents are dye-free, fragrance -free and hypoallergenic.
The Cleaning King team recommends that you use these natural detergents to avoid strong chemicals that might cause irritation and trigger allergies.
Eco-Friendly
We all need to make better choices and ensure that our purchases are environmentally conscious. There are now several eco-friendly detergents that are entirely free from synthetic chemicals. They are safe for the environment and for sensitive skin too.
Scent
This is an essential factor because ultimately, you want your clothes to smell pleasant to you. There are so many options scent-wise, so the choice is entirely up to you.
Shelf life
Does laundry detergent expire? This is a pretty common question and one you’ll need to think about. The best detergent for you depends on how often you do laundry in your home. While most detergents do not necessarily “go bad,” it is possible that they do lose some of their cleaning efficiency and stability during storage. Let’s take a closer look at the stability and shelf life of each type of detergent.
Liquid detergent:
Some liquid detergents have a “best used by” date. After this date, the formula will start to break down, and the ingredients will separate and form clumps. For products that don’t come with this date within nine to twelve months if unopened and six months if opened.
Powder detergent:
Powdered laundry detergents have a long shelf life and don’t lose their effectiveness unless they have been exposed to moisture. If you notice that your powder detergent has become hard or clumpy, it’s best to discard it. The detergent will no longer be able to dissolve correctly or will leave soap deposits on your clothes.
Single-dose/ pod detergent:
Single-dose detergents are manufactured to dissolve quickly once they come into contact with water. So even wet hands can kick start this process. Pod detergents don’t have a long shelf-life; even if you store them correctly in an airtight container, they are bound to last for six months only.
Read the labels
As dull or unnecessary as this sounds, this is a very crucial consideration. The difference between maintaining the quality of your clothes and ruining them depends on whether you use the correct detergent. We at Cleaning King have gathered up some pointers for you below.
At the end of the day, there are many brands to choose from; it is essential that you take your time in selecting the right one. So, without further delay, let’s dive into our reviews.
Persil is one of the best stain-fighting laundry detergents currently on sale. It delivers an exceptional deep clean leaving behind an intense fresh scent. This product is great for everyday laundry use and offers a deep clean for those tough stains that refuse to budge.
The formula used has been optimized for excellent performance in all types of machines, including HE. It is available in two forms: liquid detergent and discs, which are pre-measured detergent capsules that also deliver a deep clean.
Persil has a high level of enzymes and other cleaning agents that are needed to get rid of tough and protein-based stains and soil. It comes equipped with a formula that helps loosen dirt, gunk, and stains from the fabric.
Although Persil has only recently entered the U.S market, it has been the number one selling laundry detergent in Europe. Persil liquid formula is safe to use in all types of water temperatures as well as standard and high-efficiency washers. It is safe for use with septic systems; you can find it in several scents, including fragrance and dye-free options.
Persil is one of the best laundry detergents you can purchase, especially if you need a tough stain removal on a regular basis. The price point is worth it.
Tide is the best-selling detergent on Amazon for a reason. It continuously outshines its competitors, making it a popular choice for millions of households. The story of Tide starts as far back as 1946, when Procter & Gamble invented a formula for a heavy-duty laundry detergent designed for household use.
Since then, Tide has continued to evolve its formulas, adding stain-fighting enzymes and color-safe bleach to boost its effectiveness. Tide is now a household name with a very distinct smell.
The product has also evolved to include a wide range of products to satisfy any kind of customer. From powders and liquids to pods, Tide has it all.
The product uses a compound called Sodium citrate, which works as a water softener, losing tough stains and dirt off from fabric. It’s also formulated with a long list of enzymes that make it effective against protein-based stains like sweat.
What we love the most about Tide is the fact that it works straight out of the container. You rarely have to pretreat your laundry. There is no mixing or addition of other detergents and laundry boosters to successfully remove tough stains. Unfortunately, this feature makes Tide a bit too harsh for sensitive skin prone to rashes or allergic reactions from detergent residue.
Aside from this drawback, Tide is an extremely great and versatile product. It has really good reviews and has been named the #1 laundry detergent in America. With a competitive price point, you really won’t go wrong with any Tide product.
So how do Persil and Tide measure up against each other? Which detergent removes stains, eliminates odor better? Which product will give you a fresher clean? The great news is that both products perform exceptionally well in all areas. So the winner depends on who you ask.
The Cleaning King team understands how making a choice between these two powerful detergents can be confusing. So we’ve compared and rated the performance of the Persil laundry detergent versus the Tide laundry detergent. Below is a detailed comparison to help you make the best decision.
The primary consideration when thinking about cleaning power is the ability of the detergent to penetrate water and absorb or lift away stains. This is done by compounds that soften the water and the addition of natural water softeners.
Both products seem to perform well when it comes to cleaning efficiency. However, Persil appears to be the best overall product; it offers a deep clean without causing irritation to the skin like Tide.
Neither Persil nor Tide is King when it comes to fragrances. That title belongs to Gain, which we’ve spoken about in a previous comparison article. However, Tide offers 6 types of scents while Persil only has two; original and intensely fresh.
The Cleaning King Team found that most customers were satisfied with the smell of both products. However, there were some reviews that felt that Persil had an overpowering smell. If you are particularly sensitive to scents, both brands have products with no fragrances or dyes. These are Persil ProClean Sensitive Skin and Tide Simply Free & Sensitive.
Tide’s six total scents include:
The stark difference between Persil and Tide is in their product varieties. Tide has over 40 different detergents for sale, while Persil offers only 7.
The wide product varieties that Tide has caters to every cleaning need. It has quality products, ranging from liquid detergents to powders, stain removers, laundry boosters, machine care, and pods. You can get a detergent for odor defense, cold water wash cycles, heavy-duty stains, hypoallergenic, and high-efficiency washing machines.
Tide’s most popular collections include Plus Ultra OXI, Sport Odor Defense Collection, Plant-based collection, Plus Febreze Freshness collection, and many more.
On the other hand, Persil has kept it’s offering simple, focusing more on cleaning power and skin sensitivity. Their formula is designed to work in all types of washing machines. Persil’s products range from powders, liquids, tablets, capsules to non-bio and color protection.
Tide’s liquid detergent range is expansive; in total, they offer the following:
Unlike Tide, which focuses on making different products for all types of machines, Persil is designed to work with any kind of washing machine.
Here’s what Persil has on offer:
Both Tide and Persil are considered premium products and cost more than other brands on the market. Generally, they cost about the same, so this might not be a significant factor when determining which product to buy.
If you want to get value for your money, try to purchase the bigger containers, which are cheaper per load.
Both the Persil and Tide laundry detergents can be used on standard, front-loading, top-loading, and high-efficiency washing machines. However, while all Persil products can be used on all these machines, you will need to purchase a Tide product for HE appliances.
From performing our own tests and trawling through hundreds of customer reviews, the Cleaning King team have reached the following conclusions:
The Cleaning King team values efficacy over scent in our laundry detergent, and are confident our readers will feel the same way. For that reason we are happy to conclude that Persil is the superior product..
Persil ProClean is made by the same company that makes Persil in Germany and many European countries. Persil ProClean delivers exceptional cleaning power regardless of where it is sold.
Yes, all Persil ProClean detergents have been formulated for great performance in all machine types, including HE.
Persil is considered a premium laundry detergent. This is due to its superior cleaning power and other specially formulated ingredients. That’s why it tends to cost a little more than other detergents on sale.
This is dependent on a lot of things, including how dirty your clothes are and how much laundry you have to wash in a load.
Using too many Tide Pods is just overkill. You will also damage your clothes from the residual chemical leftover since the detergent won’t have rinsed out entirely during the wash cycle.
A 100 oz of concentrated Tide detergent can wash up to 64 loads. So it all depends on the type of bottle you purchase.
This is a common occurrence and nothing to be ashamed about. Suppose you find yourself running a wash cycle without adding laundry detergent. In that case, it’s best to redo the cycle with a laundry detergent because your clothes will still be dirty. Water alone is not sufficient to clean dirty clothes.
Persil is formulated using deep clean technology, which can remove tough and stubborn stains. Some tests have revealed that Persil’s stain-fighting technology is far superior.
Depending on your laundry needs, Persil might be too expensive as the cost can add up annually. If you’re on a tight budget or you have no need for an extremely tough stain remover, then look for cheaper options.
Tide is a concentrated detergent that tends to be very acidic. To preserve your clothes, avoid pouring them directly on them.
Most of the Persil range does have enzymes. Persil has a non-bio product which does not contain enzymes.
Persil Non-Bio does not contain bleach.