Let’s be honest—nobody grows up dreaming of comparing laundry detergents. And yet here I am, living the glamorous life, hunched over a washing machine debating whether my socks deserve the prestige of Persil or the practicality of Purex. Spoiler alert: socks don’t care. But my skin does, my nose does, and apparently, my sanity does too.
Let’s start with the polite, sensitive soul of the group: all® free clear Mighty Pacs. This one’s basically the dermatologist-approved child your mom wishes you were. No dyes, no perfumes, no drama—just a pac you toss in the machine that promises to banish 99% of allergens without leaving behind an itchy chemical hug. If you’ve ever broken out in hives from a detergent that smelled like a potpourri factory exploded, you’ll appreciate all Free Clear’s commitment to being the Switzerland of laundry soap. It even dissolves nicely in cold water, which is convenient when you’re too impatient to wait for the “hot” setting that takes an eternity to fill.
Then there’s Persil Original Liquid Detergent. If all free clear is the quiet kid with straight A’s, Persil is the overachiever who reminds the teacher about homework. It deep cleans, it keeps colors bright, and it practically files your taxes for you. My clothes actually looked newer after a wash, which made me suspicious—were they always this vibrant, or has Persil figured out a way to reverse my questionable life choices? Either way, if you like your T-shirts to survive more than two spins through the machine without turning into faded rags, Persil delivers. It’s basically laundry detergent with a superiority complex, but at least it earns it.
And finally, Purex Oxi Power + Odor Fighter Pacs. These are the tough guys of the bunch—the ones you want when your clothes smell like you just lost a wrestling match with a gym bag. They come loaded with Oxi brightening power and some mysterious “odor-fighting technology” that I can only assume involves sorcery. I threw in towels that had been sitting in the washer overnight (yes, I’m that person), and they came out smelling fresh instead of like a swamp. For that alone, Purex deserves a medal—or at the very least, a permanent spot under my sink.
So which one’s the best? That depends. If you have sensitive skin and enjoy not itching through dinner, opt for all Free & Clear. If you want your clothes to look like you didn’t just crawl out of a thrift bin, Persil is your snobby but effective friend. And if your laundry habits resemble an episode of “Dirty Jobs,” Purex will cover your tracks. Personally, I’m just thrilled I’ve reached a point in life where detergent variety excites me more than Netflix suggestions.