A new analysis suggests consumers may be able to save money-and protect thier health-without sacrificing clean laundry. A comparative test of 24 liquid and capsule detergents by 60 Millions de consommateurs found that store brands are now rivaling, and in some cases surpassing, leading national brands in performance while offering a safer chemical profile. The rankings are based on a new “Ménag’Score” system, mirroring nutritional labeling, that penalizes potentially harmful ingredients and is prompting a re-evaluation of the laundry detergent market.
A recent comparative analysis of 24 liquid and capsule laundry detergents revealed a surprising outcome: budget-friendly brands are outperforming their more expensive, well-known counterparts. The shift in rankings is due to a new evaluation parameter that considers the potential health and environmental impact of ingredients.
As consumers face a wide array of choices, they are increasingly prioritizing product safety alongside cleaning performance. This growing demand for transparency and reduced exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is driving changes in the laundry detergent market. The latest comparative test by 60 Millions de Consommateurs, evaluating 24 different products, went beyond simply assessing how well detergents remove stains or protect fabrics; it focused on the potential toxicity of their ingredients. The goal was to identify the laundry detergents least toxic to both health and the environment.
A New Scoring System Impacts Results
To differentiate between products, the organization utilized the Ménag’Score, a rating system that classifies products from A to E. Inspired by the Nutri-Score food labeling system, it penalizes ingredients considered risky. A product receiving an E rating has its overall score capped, regardless of its cleaning effectiveness. The strict application of this system explains the results of the comparative test, which favored store-brand detergents, often outperforming market leaders.
This scoring system highlights a key issue: some complex formulations contain a variety of chemicals that can be harmful to aquatic ecosystems and potentially irritating to users. Like the Nutri-Score, the Ménag’Score is not mandatory; for some products, the association relied on data provided by manufacturers to calculate it.
Store Brands Gain Ground
The findings challenge the common assumption that a higher price tag guarantees better quality. Store brands are proving competitive, offering products that are both affordable and aligned with these new safety standards. In the liquid detergent category, Epsil (E.Leclerc) and Apta (Intermarché) ranked among the top four products, while Xéor (E.Leclerc) and Auchan capsules took the top two spots! These detergents provide satisfactory cleaning power, even when used at half the recommended dose, while boasting a healthier composition than many national brands.
The lower rankings of established brands are linked to a high concentration of potentially problematic ingredients. An analysis of the chemical composition of major brand detergents revealed some formulations contain up to 52 components. These include allergenic preservatives from the isothiazolinone family, irritating enzymes, and persistent pollutants like silicones or poorly biodegradable polymers.
Liquids vs. Capsules: A Closer Look
The study also sheds light on the debate between liquid and capsule detergents. The analysis showed that the Ménag’Score had a more positive impact on capsule detergents compared to liquids. Capsules are less prone to bacterial growth, requiring fewer strong preservatives. However, this benefit comes at a cost: the per-wash price remains higher.
Below, you’ll find a slideshow highlighting the 7 lowest-rated detergents from the 60 Millions de Consommateurs comparative test, including both liquids and capsules. It’s important to note that 22 of the tested detergents were deemed effective at cleaning, regardless of their score.
