Great everyday products from Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble announced today that it was planning to drop up to 100 brands that don't contribute much to the bottom line so it can focus more on those that do. P&G did not list the brands it intends to keep or those it plans to shed. But if their performance in Consumer Reports' tests is any indication, here are some keepers that we've recommended in our tests of detergents, paper towels, tissues, and other everyday products.

Tide laundry detergent
Tide holds the top two spots in our tests of detergents for high-efficiency washing machines and the top spot in detergents for conventional top-loaders.

• Tide Ultra Stain Release (HE), 25 cents per load 
• Tide HE Plus Bleach Alternative (HE), 23 cents per load
• Tide Ultra Free & Gentle (conventional), 28 cents per load
  

Bounty paper towels
Bounty scored the top three spots in our tests of paper towels.

• Bounty DuraTowel, $4.04 per roll
  
• Bounty Extra Soft, $2.62 per roll
  
• Bounty Giant, $2.24 per roll

Puffs facial tissues
Puffs earned three out of five nods in our tests of facial tissues (Kleenex, a non-P&G brand, earned the other two).

• Puffs Ultra Soft & Strong, $1.60 per 100 tissues
• Puffs Plus Lotion, $2.52 per 100 tissues
  
• Puffs Basic, $1.21 per 100 tissues

Vicks humidifier and thermometer
Vicks landed on both our list of top humidifiers and our list of top thermometers.

• Vicks V4500 tabletop humidifier, $70 and a CR Best Buy
• Vicks V977 thermometer, $37
  

Charmin toilet paper
Charmin was second only to a Walmart brand in our tests of toilet paper.

• Charmin Ultra Strong, 41 cents per 100 sheets
  

Cascade dishwasher detergent
Cascade won the top spot in our tests of dishwasher detergent.

• Cascade Complete ActionPacs, 29 cents per load

P&G said it plans to focus more on its core products and develop spinoffs of its most lucrative brands. When it does, Consumer Reports will be sure to test them.

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)