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Tide Vs Gain Laundry Detergent
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Table of Contents
How We Compared Tide Vs Gain
Customer Reviews
Product Testing
Team Experience
Tide Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap, High Efficiency (He), Original Scent, 64 Loads
Gain Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap Plus Aroma Boost, Original Scent, HE Compatible, 96 Loads Total, 75 Fl Oz (Pack of 2)
$12.97
$32.50
Best for sensitive skin
Best for tough stains
Best lingering fragrance
Best for odor control
Budget Pick
Cleaning Kings' Top Choice
Tide Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap, High Efficiency (He), Original Scent, 64 Loads
$12.97
Best for sensitive skin
Best for tough stains
Best lingering fragrance
Best for odor control
Budget Pick
Cleaning Kings' Top Choice
Gain Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap Plus Aroma Boost, Original Scent, HE Compatible, 96 Loads Total, 75 Fl Oz (Pack of 2)
-
$32.50
Best for sensitive skin
Best for tough stains
Best lingering fragrance
Best for odor control
Budget Pick
Cleaning Kings' Top Choice
Introduction
Grocery store shelves are filled with so many laundry detergent powders, bottles, and pods. The choices are endless. Maybe your choice of laundry detergent has always been what you saw your mother use? Or you ventured out on your own and discovered a new favorite. Maybe you aren’t loyal to a specific brand, and you always pick whatever is on sale.
Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, the goal is to have a detergent that thoroughly cleans your clothes. On the surface, all laundry detergents can get the job done. However, there are minor differences you need to be aware of.
The Cleaning King team knows that top-performing laundry detergents can guarantee clean and fresh-looking clothes. Maintaining the color and getting rid of tough stains and bacteria are also extremely important. This is where our two products come in.
In this article, we are going to examine two of the most powerful detergents available on the market. Tide and Gain are top-rated products that have stood the test of time. 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.
We will discuss what we like and what we don’t like about each product. We’ll also talk about the factors you’ll need to consider and finally give you our opinion on which detergent we believe is the best choice.
While choosing a brand of laundry detergent isn’t one of the most significant decisions you make for your home, it is still quite significant. So, without further delay, let’s dive in!
Buyers Guide
How do laundry detergents work?
Laundry detergents are made up of two components; surfactants and builders. Surfactants (short for surface active agents) are the most crucial component of any cleaning detergent.
Surfactants have great water and grease absorbing molecules, and it’s these molecules that lift dirt off any surface. They are great at reducing the surface tension of water so that the cleaning formula can penetrate the material better. The different types of surfactants found in laundry detergents are:
- Synthetic
- Mineral-based
- Plant-based
Builders, on the other hand, are meant to enhance the efficiency of the surfactant. They work to reduce the hardness of the water and maintain alkalinity. This function is extremely important because it helps to remove acidic, fatty, and oily stains and keeps these stains from re-attaching to the clothes during washing. Additionally, most liquid laundry detergents use enzymes that are effective at tackling protein stains line blood or eggs.
What to Consider When Buying Laundry Detergent
You’ve probably never put much thought into this. Still, there are several factors you should consider when you are looking for a laundry detergent. Let’s take a look at them below:
- Active Ingredients
Sometimes your laundry needs a thorough clean to get rid of tough stains, dirt, or odors. Other times, however, your clothes will get a deep clean with a light wash. If you’re someone who spends most of their time outdoors exposed to a lot of dirt, then your laundry detergent needs to have powerful active ingredients. If, on the other hand, you aren’t exposed to as much dirt, then you can get away with a laundry detergent that has mild active ingredients.
- Washing Conditions
Not all detergents are effective in every type of wash cycle. For example, some detergents won’t fare well in cold cycles; other detergents work best with certain kinds of clothing material. If you own a high-efficiency washing machine, you might also want to pay attention to the detergent you buy. Why? Because not all washing machines work well with such machines.
- Scent
How your laundry detergent smells is a completely subjective and personal choice. A lingering fragrance on your clean clothes can be a love it or hate it option. Some people might prefer stronger scents, others might have issues with certain types of scents. Suppose you’re allergic or sensitive to chemicals in the perfume or fragrances. In that case, you might want to opt for the unscented options. Luckily most brands, including Tide and Gain, do have unscented product lines.
- Versatility
While it’s nice to have choices, it might be wise to not clutter your laundry room with a laundry detergent for every type of wash cycle or clothing material. The best laundry detergent to buy is one that is effective in all temperatures and wash cycles without sacrificing cleanliness or damaging your clothes.
While researching this topic, the Cleaning King team found that cold water detergents are great for saving energy. They also prevent shrinking and fading, keeping dark clothes from bleeding, and can be used in both hot and cold water. They are the most versatile detergent types and are generally available at the same price point.
- Price
The average home washes up to 400 loads of laundry a year. While laundry detergent is never going to break the bank, how much you spend on your detergent is a crucial factor. By switching to a cheaper, more versatile product, you can save a significant sum of money a year. The bigger your household, the more you’ll likely save.
Liquid vs. Powder detergent: Pros and Cons
So which is better, liquid and powder detergents? They both do the job. However, there are some pros and cons for each type. Let’s take a look at them below.
Liquid detergent has several pros and cons.
Pros:
- They can dissolve easier in both warm and cold water
- They are more energy sufficient
- They work well on tough stains like grease, oils, and food
- They are great for pretreating stains
- They have fewer chemicals than powdered detergents, making them better for the environment.
Cons:
- They are generally more expensive
- They tend to limit the effectiveness of other cleaning properties
- They have a short shelf life (six months)
Powder detergent has several pros and cons.
Pros:
- They take up less space in storage
- They are generally more stable than liquid detergents because the formulations make surfactants more stable
- They are perfect for use in areas with hard water
- Most brands use fewer dyes
- They have a longer shelf life
- They are especially effective at tackling ground-in dirt
Cons:
- Powders work better with warm water than cold, so they aren’t very versatile
- They usually contain sodium sulfate, which is not great for water systems
- They have to be pre-dissolved in water to create a paste for pretreating spots
- They tend to leave behind residue in the washing machine
Our Reviews - Tide Vs Gain
When we talk about laundry detergent, there are no two brands as famous as Tide and Gain. Both products are made by Procter & Gamble (P&G) and have been dominating the laundry detergent category for decades. Let’s take a look at each product in detail.
Tide Review
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 dubbed the #1 laundry detergent in America. With a competitive price point, you really won’t go wrong with any Tide product.
Stand-out features include
- A potent formula that works great on tough stains
- High concentration product will last for several wash cycles
- Effective against any type of stain
Tide Range
Gain Review
Gain was launched in 1969 by Procter & Gamble as a powerful stain-fighting detergent. A few years later, the Gain brand introduced its first scented detergent, which has since become its trademark.
Gain is well-known for producing amazing and fresh-smelling fragrances. This decision has proven highly lucrative for the brand. In the U.S, this detergent comes second only behind Tide. It has a lower cost per load and has a brilliant cleaning performance that leaves behind a refreshing Gain Original scent.
If you love a laundry detergent that packs a powerful scent, then Gain is your best choice. The product line is very versatile. It has a product line of liquid, powder, and single-dose detergents, scent enhancers, dryer sheets, and fabric softeners.
The formula works well to remove light body soil and stains. Laundry will always be highly scented, but the product is not as powerful as it leaves some traces of stains. It does not contain strong enough enzymes to remove heavy stains like oils, dyes, and proteins. If you don’t want to compromise on the scent, then you might need to buy an additional enzyme-based stain remover.
Gain laundry detergent works in both HE and regular machines. What we love the most about this product is that it gently lifts away dirt and locks in the fantastic scent to keep your laundry smelling great even after two weeks. The Perfume Microcapsules gradually break and release scent while you wear your clothes, so you’re always getting bursts of fragrance as you move.
Stand-out features include
- Two weeks of long-lasting fragrances from wash until wear.
- Highly concentrated formula that lasts up to six weeks.
- Extremely affordable, great value for money.
Gain Range
Tide Vs Gain Laundry Detergent–Detailed Comparison
If you want to make the switch from your usual detergent and you’re failing to decide between Tide and Gain, you’ve come to the right place. We know difficult it is to know the exact distinctions between the two pretty similar products.
For you to get a better understanding of the two products, the Clean King Team has compared and rated the performance of the Tide laundry detergent and the Gain laundry detergent. Below is a detailed comparison to clear any confusion you might have.
Cleaning efficiency:
The most crucial aspect of any laundry detergent is its ability to remove stains and odors from clothes effectively. There is no official rating system that we can use to compare the strength of each detergent, so cleaning power is somewhat subjective.
However, very few products do it better than Tide and Gain. Of the two products, Tide is ranked higher than Gain when it comes to effectiveness against tough stains. Despite this fact, Gain is still a pretty strong laundry detergent, and it’s well-known for having reliable cleaning efficiency.
Both products are quite effective at cleaning towels, bedsheets, and clothes due to their highly concentrated formula. Unfortunately, the formula can cause the color to fade quicker. They can be harsh on the material resulting in faster wear and tear. Additionally, Tide is known to irritate sensitive skin, so this is a significant drawback.
Packaging & Product Varieties:
Both Tide and Gain laundry detergent come in various forms, such as liquid, powder, and pods. Depending on which form you choose, you are likely to get a few cycles’ worth, so a little goes a long way.
Product Varieties:
Tide
Both brands with several other products. Tide is known for focusing on laundry detergents. Still, they also have completely different product lines that offer laundry boosters, instant stain remover pens, machine cleaners, and fabric sprays. Over the years, Tide has constantly improved its formula incorporating new techniques such as color-safe bleach and enzymes that boost cleaning power and fights stains.
Below is a quick breakdown of what to expect from the Tide Range:
- Liquid laundry detergent has 30 different product lines. 14 are for standard machines, and 16 for high-efficiency machines.
- The laundry packs or pods line has 10 products.
- Powder detergent comes in 5 product varieties.
- They have 1 stain remover.
- Laundry boosters come in 2 product varieties.
- They have one machine cleaner product.
- They also have one fabric cleaner.
Tide has also made an effort to design products for specific cleaning needs. Let’s take a look at some of their most popular offers:
- The Tide Plus Coldwater Clean is designed for use in cold water cycles. It’s been proven to be very budget-friendly.
- Tide Plus Febreze Sport Odor Defense is specially formulated to work on tough odors. This product is great for use in sports gear.
- The Tide Simply Plus OXI works on odors deep within the fabric and has double the strength of leading detergents with baking soda.
Gain
On the other hand, Gain is best known for its product line that includes a lot more than just laundry detergent. Gain makes a variety of dryer sheets, scent boosters, fabric softeners, and dish detergents.
Below is a quick breakdown of what to expect from the Gain Range:
- The liquid laundry detergent line has 11 products.
- Laundry packs or pods have 5 different products to choose from.
- Powder detergent comes in 8 varieties.
- They have 6 fabric softeners.
- The scent booster category has 4 products.
- The dryer sheets line comes in 6 different products.
- The dish detergent category offers 10 products.
In addition to these core products, the Gain brand has been known to infuse its trademark fragrances into other brands manufactured by Procter & Gamble. For example, you’ll find signature Gain scents in several products such as Swiffer, Mr. Clean, Glad, Cascade and Febreze.
Gain has also made an effort to design a wide range of products for specific cleaning needs. Let’s take a look at some of their most popular offers:
- Gain Blissful Breeze fabric softener is specially formulated to leave a long-lasting fragrance on your clothes.
- Gain Honey Berry Hula Liquid Dish Soap will leave your dishes spotless and smelling amazing.
- Gain Midnight Bloom Fireworks scent booster perfume capsules release this delightful Gain scent from sunrise to sunset and keep your clothes fresh for up to 12 weeks from wash to wear.
Price:
Price is definitely an important factor when comparing the two products. The Cleaning King team found that Tide costs more than Gain most times. In fact, Tide is more expensive than most brands on the market. This is because it is considered to be on the premium side of the spectrum due to its superior cleaning efficiency and highly concentrated formula.
You might, however, bump into a deal where the two products are sold at the same price. It depends on several factors, such as the quantity you buy and where you shop.
Shelf life:
Both Tide and Gain have a shelf life of 18 months, making them equal in that regard.
Types of machines that can be used:
Depending on the type of product line you buy from, either Tide or Gain, you have different options on offer. Some are designed for cold water use, others for standard or high-efficiency washing machines.
Environmental Factors
Bleach is a great antibacterial detergent, but it is not very good for the environment. Luckily both products do not contain bleach. Although they do have other products that do contain non-chlorinated bleach, which is a great alternative. So we like that both brands have made an effort to be environmentally conscious.
Summary
There are two main things you need to consider when purchasing a laundry detergent. These are the cleaning efficiency and skin sensitivity. The Cleaning King team knows how important it is to have a detergent that’s tough on stains but not on your skin.
Both these products are a good option for you in terms of their cleaning efficiency. They both work pretty well to get rid of the dirt on your clothes, and they are not made from harmful ingredients. For the most part, both products seem to be at par with each other.
However, in our opinion, Tide wins the war when it comes to cleaning efficiency. It is the superior detergent because of its reasonable price tag and versatility. You’ll get better value for your money, especially when you weigh the pros and cons.
However, Tide loses the battle when it comes to skin sensitivity. It isn’t that great for people with sensitive skin or for children. If this applies to you, then Gain will be the better choice. Just remember to add a booster so you can remove the more stubborn stains.
FAQ's - Tide Vs Gain
Yes, Tide is extremely safe for household use. The company uses all applicable safety standards. However, the formula Tide uses has been known to irritate sensitive skin and cause allergic reactions. If you fall under this category, then look for a Tide product that doesn’t contain synthetic additives.
Gain does not contain additional enzymes that are effective in removing tough protein-based stains. This is why the detergent isn’t as effective against these types of stains when compared to other enzyme-containing products. If you love everything else about the Gain detergent, then you can fix this issue by buying a booster.
No, we don’t advise using regular laundry detergents in high-efficiency washers. This is because common detergents create too many suds, even at low doses. This interferes with the machine’s tumbling action by creating a buffer and reducing the friction necessary for effective stain removal.
Gain laundry detergent does not contain bleach, so it will not cause your clothes to fade or fall apart.
No, it will not damage your clothes as long as you use them properly and follow washing instructions.
Gain is an excellent laundry detergent. It may not be as strong as other products in some areas, but it’s definitely not weak. It performs really well when placed against other cleaning laundry detergents, especially if you use it with a booster.
You can purchase Tide anywhere where there are laundry supplies. Tide can be bought virtually anywhere you can find laundry supplies. It can be found in stores or online.
Because Gain does not contain enzymes, it is generally very gentle on the skin. This includes baby skin which is more sensitive than adults. Gain does have products specifically created for babies, so you purchase them just to be on the safe side.
If you are looking for a detergent with tough stain removal properties, then Tide is really the better detergent. Although some detergents can remove certain stains better, Tide seems to perform better overall.
You can mix brands, but avoid mixing High-efficiency detergents with non-high-efficiency detergents. There are, however, some big differences between types, brands, and ingredients in laundry detergent. Combining them is not a good idea but probably won’t hurt anything.
