The best detergent: test winner from Stiftung Warentest

Stiftung Warentest tested heavy-duty detergents, color detergents and gel pads. In particular cheap brands were able to convince in the test. We present the test winners, bargains and flops of the tests.

Stiftung Warentest: Powder detergent, pods and color detergent in the test

Stiftung Warentest tested a total of around 40 detergents: in 2018, 23 heavy-duty detergents in powder form and as a gel cushion were checked; Color detergents were added in 2019 (all in liquid form or as gel pads). The key findings:

• Good detergents don't have to be expensive. The cheapest brands were among the best in the test for both powder detergents and color detergents.
• Gel pillows disappointed in both tests. None of the brands checked could keep up with the powder or liquid detergents in terms of washing effectiveness.

Color detergent in the test 2019: good liquid detergents are cheap

Stiftung Warentest has found that liquid color detergents generally do not remove stains as well as powder detergents. Nevertheless, ten of the tested products were able to remove the stains well at 40 degrees.

• Four color detergents came first with "Good" (grade 2.3): "Tandil Color" from Aldi Süd, "Tandil Color" from Aldi Nord, "Denkmit Colorwaschmittel" from dm and "Formil Color" from Lidl.
• "Tandil Color" by Aldi Süd and Aldi Nord is one step ahead when it comes to the cleanliness of the laundry. "Formil Color" is more environmentally friendly and has better information on the label. And "Denkmit Colorwaschmittel" scores in the area of ​​"color preservation".
• The good news: All four test winners are also the cheapest detergents in the test with only 14 cents per wash.
• The worst liquid color detergent is "Coral Optimal Color" (5.3 - "Poor"). Main criticism: The laundry does not get clean, even though the detergent is the second most expensive detergent in the test.

Powder detergent: The 2018 test winners are environmentally friendly

The powder detergents were examined to see how clean the laundry gets, but also how gentle it is on textiles and the environment. In addition, it was checked whether the packaging shows information about care.

• Two powder detergents made it to the first place, including "Gut & Günstig Ultra Vollwaschmittel" by Edeka and "Bravil Activ Plus Vollwaschmittel" by Netto Marken-Discount. Both finished with a grade of good (2.0) and were particularly environmentally friendly. They were also able to remove the dirt well and also impressed with the packaging. You pay 13 cents per wash for both powders.
• In second place are "Powder Compact Detergent" by Ariel, "Denkmit Detergent" by dm and "Domol Detergent" by Rossmann. All received the test grade good (2.1). Stiftung Warentest praised, among other things, the good washing effect, but also the environmentally friendly properties. The products from dm and Rossmann each cost 13 cents per wash. Ariel's powder is 27 cents per wash.

Bargain: With this detergent, you only pay 11 cents per wash

The 2018 test winners are already among the cheapest products in the test. However, it is even cheaper with the detergent for 11 cents per wash.

• Four powder detergents are available for this price. These include "Tandil Classic heavy duty detergent" from Aldi Nord (grade: 2.2) and "Tandil Classic heavy duty detergent" from Aldi Süd (grade: 2.3) as well as "Good & Favorable Classic heavy duty detergent" from Edeka (grade: 2.9) and "Bravil Activ Powder Detergent" from Netto Marken-Discount (rating: 2.9).
• All details of the test can be found at Test.de.

Flop: gel pillows cannot convince in the detergent test

Particularly striking: the first place winners are only powder detergents or liquid color detergents. The gel pillows (also called pods or caps) cannot convince at Stiftung Warentest and fall through.

• The "Megaperls" from Spee (rating: 4.4) came in last place, especially when it comes to the washing effect. Here you pay around 16 cents per wash.
• The bottom of the test is "3in1 pods detergent for white water lily" by Lenor (grade: 5.3). The washing effect is poor - although at 30 cents per wash it is the most expensive product in the test.
• Even with the color detergents, the gel pillows were not convincing because they do not wash the laundry properly. "Persil Duo Caps Color" got the grade "satisfactory", but is relatively expensive at 28 cents each. The other color gel pillows tested performed even worse.