Consumer Reports Spills the Dirt on Laundry Detergents

March 2012 Cover YONKERS, NY — Using too much concentrated laundry detergent can wash its benefits away. Consumer eports looked closely at products from All, Era, Purex, Tide and Xtra and uncovered unclear instructions and inconsistent cap measurements that make using too much detergent easy to do and can drive up laundry costs.

The full report on concentrated laundry detergents is featured in the March issue of Consumer Reports and at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Consumer Reports found it’s often unclear how much detergent is needed to get the job done right and it can be easy to use too much. For example, the fill line in the cap of one All detergent was only visible extremely close up, and two of the fill lines in a cap from Era were only about one-sixteenth inch apart, making accurate dosing a difficult feat. Using more than the label calls for not only wastes money, but can also prolong the rinse cycle and require more rinse water as some washing machines keep going when the water is too sudsy.

Concentrated laundry detergents – 2X, 3X, and even 8X – have less water and other non-essential ingredients than conventional products. Most consumers don’t realize that the “X” is often tied to a previous formulation of the very same detergent, so 2X would give equal performance as the previous detergent while using half the dose. Also, the “X” does not apply to different models of the same brand or for comparisons across brands. For example, a 50-ounce bottle of Era 2X Ultra doses 32 loads, two more than the same size Tide Plus Febreze, whose bottle makes no Ultra or X claim. And 32 ounces of 3X Ultra All does 28 loads.

Until the measuring lines on laundry detergent caps are well defined, Consumer Reports recommends following the directions on the product’s label. Use a marker to highlight fill lines, and measure, just don’t pour. For a front-loading washer or high-efficiency top-loader, use HE detergents – others may produce too much suds.

For more on concentrated laundry detergents, check out the March issue of Consumer Reports or visit www.ConsumerReports.org.

Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

About Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.

© 2012 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.