# Laundry detergent that removes stains

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/home/laundry-detergent/removes-stains/
Category: Home > Laundry detergent. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 199 counted first-hand reports from Target shopper reviews, May 2017 to Sep 2026.

**Question:** Which laundry detergent removes stains?

**Short answer:** Persil ProClean Original Liquid Detergent has the best record for getting stains out: 34 of 35 shoppers said stains came out in the wash, and more shoppers weighed in on it than on any other detergent here. Tide Pods Original (18 of 18) and Tide Original Liquid Detergent (29 of 30) follow close behind. Every detergent here did well on stains, even Persil Oxi Liquid Detergent, which has the weakest record at 28 of 34.

**What stands out:** Leftover residue is the complaint that repeats on the pods and on Method. It comes up in 24% of Tide Pods Original reviews, 38% of Tide Pods Free & Gentle reviews and 17% of Method Ginger Mango Laundry Detergent reviews, even though the stains still came out for nearly every shopper who weighed in.

## Ranking (shoppers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | Stains came out | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Persil ProClean Original Liquid Detergent | 34 of 35 | 97% | yes |
| 2 | Tide Pods Original | 18 of 18 | 100% | yes |
| 3 | Tide Original Liquid Detergent | 29 of 30 | 97% | yes |
| 4 | Method Ginger Mango Laundry Detergent | 16 of 16 | 100% | yes |
| 5 | Persil Oxi Liquid Detergent | 28 of 34 | 82% | yes |
| 6 | all Free Clear Liquid Detergent | 11 of 13 | 85% | yes |
| 7 | Tide Pods Free & Gentle | 7 of 8 | 88% | yes |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. Persil ProClean Original Liquid Detergent

The biggest group weighed in on this one (35), and 34 of 35 said stains came out, with 51% mentioning a pleasant or faint scent. Price is the main complaint at 8%, and Persil's own site is less glowing at 5 of 8, which we show but don't count.

- Praised for: Nice or no scent (51%), Gentle on clothes (10%), Good value (8%)
- Complaints: Too expensive (8%), Leaves residue (5%)
- Reports counted: 39

### 2. Tide Pods Original

Every shopper who weighed in said stains came out (18 of 18), but 24% of reviews say the pods leave residue and 10% find the scent too strong. Tide's own site agrees on stains at 5 of 6, which we show but don't count.

- Praised for: Nice or no scent (21%), Removes odors (14%)
- Complaints: Leaves residue (24%), Scent too strong (10%)
- Reports counted: 29

### 3. Tide Original Liquid Detergent

A large group weighed in (30) and 29 of 30 said stains came out, with 39% mentioning a pleasant or faint scent and 11% saying they had no itching or skin reaction. Complaints are few, including 5% who say it doesn't clean well.

- Praised for: Nice or no scent (39%), No skin reaction (11%), Good value (8%)
- Reports counted: 38

### 4. Method Ginger Mango Laundry Detergent

Shoppers talk about the scent here, with 83% praising it, and 16 of 16 said stains came out. 17% say it leaves residue and 9% find the scent too strong.

- Praised for: Nice or no scent (83%), Good value (13%), No skin reaction (13%)
- Complaints: Leaves residue (17%), Scent too strong (9%)
- Reports counted: 23

### 5. Persil Oxi Liquid Detergent

This one has the weakest record here at 28 of 34, and 16% of reviews say it doesn't clean well. It still gets credit for odors, with 22% saying it got smells out.

- Praised for: Nice or no scent (51%), Removes odors (22%), Gentle on clothes (5%)
- Complaints: Leaves residue (5%), Too expensive (5%)
- Reports counted: 37

### 6. all Free Clear Liquid Detergent

A smaller group weighed in (13), and 11 of 13 said stains came out. 29% say they had no itching or skin reaction and 24% call it good value, while 18% say it doesn't clean well.

- Praised for: Nice or no scent (47%), No skin reaction (29%), Good value (24%)
- Reports counted: 17

### 7. Tide Pods Free & Gentle

Few shoppers weighed in on these pods (8), and 7 of 8 said stains came out. 38% of reviews say they leave residue, and 25% say they had no itching or skin reaction.

- Praised for: No skin reaction (25%), Nice or no scent (13%)
- Complaints: Leaves residue (38%), Too expensive (13%)
- Reports counted: 16

## Questions

**Which laundry detergent removes stains?**

Persil ProClean Original Liquid Detergent has the best record (34 of 35), followed by Tide Pods Original (18 of 18) and Tide Original Liquid Detergent (29 of 30). Persil Oxi Liquid Detergent has the weakest record here at 28 of 34, with 6 of 34 shoppers saying stains stayed.

**Do Tide Pods leave residue on clothes?**

Some shoppers say so. 24% of Tide Pods Original reviews and 38% of Tide Pods Free & Gentle reviews mention residue, even though stains came out for 18 of 18 and 7 of 8. Follow the label for how many pods to use per load.

**Does all Free Clear Liquid Detergent remove stains?**

Usually. 11 of 13 shoppers said stains came out, from a smaller group than the leaders. 29% of its reviews say they had no itching or skin reaction, and 18% say it doesn't clean well. If a rash doesn't go away, it's worth showing to a doctor.

**How should I treat a stain before washing?**

Check the garment's care label first, then test the detergent on a hidden spot, like an inside seam or hem, before you treat a stain. Follow the label for how much to use, and check the stain before the item goes in the dryer, since heat can set it.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/