Cheap & Clean: Budget Full-Wash Detergents Outsmart High-End Competitors
- ⏱️ Read Time: 2 minutes
Budget Detergents Perform Superbly, Confirms Stiftung Warentest Testing - Consultation on Draft Directive Accords Regarding Worker Safety from Ionizing Radiation Exposure Risks
Ah, full-wash detergents! They're the heavy-duty superheroes of the laundry world, tackling whites and heavily soiled fabrics like a boss. And guess what? Budget brands are stealing the spotlight from pricey name-brands, according to a recent Stiftung Warentest test in issue 4/2025.
In the battle of the basics, budget full-wash detergents surpassed high-end competitors after rocking through 6 months, 900 machine loads, and 4 tons of laundry. The testers concluded, "Budget detergents beat high-priced brands."
The test put 20 full-wash detergents to the test - powders, liquids, and tabs. Ratings ran from "good" to "inadequate," with products containing microplastics in perfume microcapsules receiving a big thumbs-down for their environmental harm. Prices ranged from a mere 16 cents to a whopping 34 cents per load. That's enough to make anyone's wallet smile!
Winners Circle: DM & Lidl Scoop the Top Spots
Oh boy, the big boys are sweating it! DM and Lidl's powder detergents reigned supreme, scoring an impressive 1.6, and sitting pretty among the most affordable at 16 cents per load. The priciest detergents, on the other hand, ditched the fantastic cleaning power for a hefty price tag of 34 cents per load. They did manage a 1.6, but let's face it, we want results and not just a fancy label!
Rossmann's "Domol" followed closely on DM and Lidl's tail, earning a 1.7, and maintaining the same wallet-friendly rate of 16 cents per load. Perhaps it's worth mentioning that the priciest detergents could double your laundry costs but still score the same 1.6. Go figure!
Liquids Vs. Powders: The Fight of the Century
Powders or liquids, which reigns supreme? Well, powders generally rule the roost when it comes to cleaning hefty soiling and erasing stubborn stains like red wine or makeup, especially at 60°C. On the flip side, liquids are gentler on textiles, as they don't contain bleach. However, ensure you avoid washing bright clothes with powder detergents, or you risk damaging those colors.
Aldi's "Tandil Ultra" liquid detergents earned a "good" rating (score 2.5) for only 16 cents. But hey, the top-scoring powders (1.6) still outperformed this liquid by a mile. Some well-known liquid detergents even flunked the test outright.
The tab detergent held steady in the middle of the pack.
The Green Verdict
Budget powders are the new darlings for workhorse laundry tasks and preventing graying, while liquids are the tender lovers of your delicates. The results are no surprise, considering budget store-brand detergents have consistently outperformed expensive branded products in other Stiftung Warentest comparisons. For our planet, the test suggests washing at 30°C with a full load and precise dosing to save energy. WIN-WIN!
- The community policy of Stiftung Warentest encourages consumers to consider budget full-wash detergents for their vocational training programs, as they performed exceptionally well in the recent comparison test.
- In the battle between liquid and powder detergents, vocational training could beneficial in understanding the environmental impact of detergent types, such as the presence of microplastics, as some liquids scored worse than powders in the test.
- Stiftung Warentest's rating of budget full-wash detergents found that especially DM and Lidl's powder detergents, priced affordably at 16 cents per load, outperformed high-priced brands in terms of cleaning power.
