How to Test Laundry Detergents

Choosing laundry detergent can be a daunting task. The detergent aisle is filled with numerous choices all claiming to provide the best cleaning product. It is important to select a detergent that fulfills your laundry needs. You may decide you want to test several laundry detergents to see which one you like the best. Decide what factors are important to you and test the detergents with those factors in mind.

• 1

  Make a list of what factors are important to you when it comes to laundry detergent. Some things you may be looking for could include stain removal, scent removal or hypoallergenic formula.

• 2

  Buy a variety of laundry detergents to test. This can include liquid, powder, expensive, cheap, regular formulas, and high-efficiency detergents. It is important to consider what kind of washing machine you have when selecting your detergents. Regular or traditional detergents usually work best with conventional top-loading washing machines. The high-efficiency detergent works best when paired with a front loading or high-efficiency top loading washing machine.

• 3

  Wash identical samples (such as rags) in each detergent. Be sure the samples include the factors you wanted to test, such as stain removal or hypoallergenic formula. Test each detergent with each factor. For example, if one of your important factors involves removing wine stains, wash samples (with wine stains) in each detergent. To save on water and energy costs, hand wash samples with the detergents.

• 4

  Review your results after you have tested all of the detergents. Look at each sample and whether the detergent succeeded in addressing the factors on your list.