Consumer Reports Names The Worst Powdered Laundry Detergent Brands For 2026
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While liquid laundry detergent is a favorite of many users, powdered versions do have their place. Sometimes, you just need a product that consistently removes even the toughest of stains. Unfortunately, while there are many kinds of powdered detergent, not all are great. It's easy to get burned by a product that claims to be amazing, but doesn't actually do much to make sure your laundry is clean. Thankfully, Consumer Reports tested several powdered detergent brands to find the ones that you may want to avoid. Molly's Suds Original Unscented Laundry Detergent Powder and Ariel With a Touch of Downy were the two powdered detergents that ranked the lowest for 2026. To test out the different products, Consumer Reports tried washing laundry with stains ranging from dirt and body oil to coffee and blood. The scores were based on how effective each dealt with the problem areas.
Consumer Reports mentioned that the right cleaner can easily remove common and tricky messes, while others are "barely better than water when it comes to removing stains from your laundry." However, Consumer Reports stressed that, even though these were the worst powders, they still outcompeted a majority of liquid, pod, and sheet detergents tested, despite many of the most popular laundry detergents being liquid. While you should avoid them when possible, even these two powder detergents can be decent options in an emergency.
What reviews say about these laundry detergents
On Amazon, both products are available and highly rated. Molly's Suds has 4.6 stars and nearly 23,000 reviews. The positives mention that the product contains safer ingredients and is great for sensitive skin. "This soap lasts me forever and I have four kids! I love that it has clean ingredients especially with kids with sensitive skin," said one 5-star reviewer on Amazon. However, other users have concerns. "After consistent use I have started to notice that my clothes consistently had a dingy smell to them. Straight out of the washer and dryer they don't have a scent, but after a few hours of light use (no sweat), they have a dingy, non-clean, smell to them," said a one-star reviewer.
As for Ariel with a Touch of Downy, the product has 4.8 stars with nearly 4,000 reviews. One five-star review reads, "Not only is it available at a reasonable price, but it also offers exceptional cleaning power. With every wash, I notice that my clothes come out looking fresh, vibrant, and free of stains." However, not everyone liked the Ariel. Some low reviews mentioned that the product doesn't suds up. The odor was also a problem. "You can barely smell it while the clothes are washing ... and they smelled like crayons, not soap," said a one-star review on Amazon.
Factors that affect your laundry detergent efficiency
If you're looking for suggestions on what powdered laundry detergents to use, Consumer Reports recommends Tide. Whether you're looking for powder, sheets, or liquid, this is a brand that regularly comes out on top as one of the best options. But while having the right laundry detergent makes a world of difference, it's not the only determining factor as to how clean your laundry gets. Hard water can lead to dingy or stiff fabrics after continuous loads. You also want to include the right amount of product, as using too much laundry detergent causes more problems than you think, such as leaving soap on your clothes and damaging your washing machine.
Additionally, you need to make sure you understand how to use powders correctly. Powders, for example, should usually go into the detergent drawer in front loaders or the drum before you add clothes in top-loading washers. Double-check the instructions on your detergent, though, as some products may have different requirements.
If you're not sure if you're using a good brand, look out for signs that you're not working with a quality laundry detergent, such as lingering odors, stiff clothing, or the fabric feeling itchy. These all signal that the laundry detergent isn't cleaning your clothes properly. However, it can also mean that your washer isn't working right, so take the time to clean it well, to make sure everything is doing its best to keep your clothes fresh.