Smarter: Liquid or Powder Laundry Detergent: Which Is Better?
Are you a liquid or powder detergent person? In our Twitter poll, about 88 percent of participants said they prefer liquid detergent, but powder detergent still has its passionate supporters. So this week I’m looking into the pros and cons of both.
Also in this issue: A showdown between store-brand and name-brand foods, and our tips on how to pick a healthy cereal.
THE BIG STORY:
‘Stain, Stain, Go Away’Growing up, I remember using powder detergents exclusively when washing clothes. But somewhere along the way I switched to liquid detergents because they seemed to be the dominant type offered in stores.
Recently, however, there have been TikTok viewers who have been asking us about the performance of powder detergents. So how do the two actually compare? Is one superior to the other? Here’s what laundry experts told me.
RED ALERT
How TikTok is tracking you, even if you don’t use the app.
And if you do use the app, here are three privacy settings you need to turn on right now.
BON APPÉTIT
Photos: Consumer Reports, Costco Photos: Consumer Reports, Costco
Can a store-brand ketchup ever beat Heinz? And can Walmart’s peanut butter taste as good as Skippy’s?
CR’s expert tasters blind-tested 10 leading name-brand versions of foods such as ketchup, ranch dressing, and peanut butter along with their store-brand counterparts from 10 retailers. Here’s their verdict on which tasted just as good as—or even better than—well-known brands. (Read more here for our full list of tasting results.)
🍅 Ketchup alternatives to Heinz
Ketchup from Aldi and Target tastes pretty good, according to our testers, and costs up to 72 percent less per serving.
🥗 Ranch dressing alternatives to Hidden Valley
Kroger’s has the same flavors as Hidden Valley’s ranch dressing but with a “decidedly cheesy vibe” that makes it taste a bit superior. It’s also half the price.
🥜 Peanut butter alternatives to Skippy
Aldi’s and Walmart’s creamy versions are a little thicker than Skippy’s but have a similar roasted peanut flavor and level of saltiness—and they’ll save you about 50 percent per quarter-cup serving.
MUST-READS OF THE WEEK
🥣 How to Pick a Healthy Cereal
Tip: Look for ones with at least 4 grams of fiber per serving.
🚘 What Does the Check Engine Light Look Like, and What Does It Mean?
Is it a sign of a loose gas cap or a serious engine issue?
📱 Best and Worst Phone Plan Providers (Available to CR members)
Which is better, T-Mobile or AT&T?
💵 Get Big Savings on Your Heating Bill With These Simple Lifestyle Changes
If you don’t properly maintain your fireplace, it might drive up your heating bills.
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Most of the time I don’t pay much attention to the signs I pass by. They’re usually pretty bland until you get lucky and come across a gem like this.
Photo: Claudia McGehee Photo: Claudia McGehee
You can check out our roundup of other funny signs, including ones for a gym with a weird dress code and a hospital that really needs to rethink where it’s placing its cafeteria.
QUICK FACTS
Today I learned that canned fruits and vegetables can technically be “fresher” than what’s in the produce section.
"I am not throwing away my snot."
Thanks for reading Smarter! If you want more tips that will make you a little bit smarter, sign up to have the newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every week.
