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Tide vs Arm & Hammer | What’s the Better Detergent?

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With all of the possible laundry detergents on the market today, you may be wondering which brand is better: Tide vs Arm & Hammer. While both of these brands have a lot to offer, you are likely seeking a product that is going to consistently clean your clothes the first time, load after load.

So, what’s the better detergent, Tide or Arm & Hammer? When it comes to cleaning power, Tide typically comes out on top, though Arm & Hammer has a lot to offer in terms of its budget-friendly price point and other product offerings, such as toothpaste and cat litter.

But how many different laundry detergents are offered by both of these brands, and what can you expect out of their products? In this article, we will do a deep dive into both Tide and Arm & Hammer so that you can get a full picture of both of these brands. You’ll likely know which product is right for you by the end of all this. Let’s get started now!

What’s the Difference Between Tide and Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent?

There are a number of differences between Tide and Arm & Hammer laundry detergent. For example, Tide contains more chemicals and dyes compared to Arm & Hammer, which is GMO and dye free. Additionally, the standard formula for Arm & Hammer is fragrance-free, while Tide’s standard formula includes fragrance.

When it comes to cleaning power, Tide tends to perform better than Arm & Hammer overall, though Arm & Hammer still maintains a powerful clean, all without using added chemicals and preservatives like Tide does. However, there’s much more to these two brands besides their signature laundry detergents. Let’s talk more about Tide and Arm & Hammer in detail now.

Overview of Tide Detergent

tide detergent liquid photo

Curious to learn more about Tide as both a laundry detergent manufacturer and a brand name? Let’s do a deep dive into this popular brand now!

History of Tide

Tide has been popularized since the 1940s, though the proprietary blend was originally developed as early as the 1930s. It was a formula that was developed primarily in secret, but once it was released to the public, it became a top product nationwide.

By the 1960s, Tide laundry detergent utilized enzymes, and was the first detergent in the nation to do so. And by the 1980s, Tide introduced their signature liquid laundry detergent, and the rest is history. Given the fact that Tide has been around for so long, it really has become a household name!

Tide Products:

Curious to learn more about all of the product offerings from Tide? Let’s go over all of their unique laundry detergent and laundry boosters now.

Liquid Laundry Detergents:

Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent Soap Original  Tide Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap, High Efficiency (HE), Original Scent, 64 Loads

The original and proprietary blend dating back to the 1980s, Tide liquid original is a fantastic product and one of the top detergents recommended by washing machine manufacturers. You can get the original formula in an original scent, mountain spring, or clean breeze scents. Plus, this comes in multiple sizes, including an eco-friendly boxed packaging option.

Tide with Downy Tide with Downy Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap, High Efficiency (HE), April Fresh Scent, 59 Loads (92 Fl Oz)

Different from the original formula in that it has Downy added, Tide with Downy is the right choice for those of you looking for an extra softness added to your laundry. You can get Tide with Downy in their original formula or in their Free & Gentle formula for soft clothes and fewer additives.

Tide Ultra Oxi  Tide Ultra Oxi Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap, High Efficiency (HE), 59 Loads

If you find that most laundry detergents just don’t get the job done in terms of cleanliness and fresh smelling solutions, you should definitely check out Tide Ultra Oxi. This product boasts the ability to clean without pretreating, as well as keep your clothes smelling fresh, day after day. They make this product in a standard formula, as well as one for HE machines.

Tide Free & Gentle Tide Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap, 64 loads, 92 fl oz, HE Compatible

An extremely popular Tide product has to be their Free & Gentle line. This product offers Tide’s fantastic cleaning ability without any added dyes or perfumes, making it a hypoallergenic option for sensitive skin. You can get their Free & Gentle line combined with a few other cleaning solutions already mentioned, as well as an even more sensitive option known as Tide Free & Sensitive.

Tide purclean Tide Purclean, Plant-Based Liquid Laundry Detergent, Unscented, 46 Fl Oz 32 Loads, 46 Fl Oz

Tide isn’t just harsh chemicals and preservatives. Their purclean lineup is plant-based and made using renewable energy. You can get the purclean detergents in multiple sizes of plastic bottle, or you can keep things eco-friendly and get it in their cardboard box packaging. Plus, the purclean lineup comes in unscented and honey lavender scents.

Tide Simply Tide Simply +Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent, Refreshing Breeze, 74 Loads 115 Fl oz

Tide’s solution to their higher price tag is their Simply line. This product line-up is vast, and set at a less expensive price than the rest of their products. You can get Tide Simply with a bleach alternative, a sensitive skin option, as well as odor rescue and Oxi solutions. Plus, their original Simply formula comes in multiple scents, including refreshing breeze, daybreak fresh, and berry blossom.

Tide Plus Febreze  Tide HE Liquid Laundry Detergent, Spring & Renewal, 46 Ounce

If you know you have consistently stinky clothes, then you may want to check out Tide Plus Febreze. These products boast the ability to rid your clothes of gross smells, even after a week or more of sitting. Plus, the scents offered by these products are fantastic, including Spring & Renewal, Botanical Rain, and Sport Odor Defense. And you can get them in multiple sizes, just in case you don’t like the way one smells!

Tide Hygienic Clean Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy 10x Duty Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap, Original Scent, He Compatible, 59 Loads, 92 Fl Oz

Capable of cleaning and sanitizing up to ten times more than Tide’s original formula, their Hygienic Clean line is extraordinarily powerful. This is the heaviest duty cleaner that Tide has to offer, and it comes in their original scent, spring meadow, and even a version that is free from dyes and fragrances. It comes in large bottles, so keep this in mind as you shop.

Tide PODS:

Tide PODS Original Tide Pods Laundry Detergent Soap Pods, Original Scent, 42 Count

Identical to their original formula but just in a convenient pod form, Tide PODS are one of the most popular detergent offerings on the market today. You can get these pods in Tide’s original scent as well as coral blast, spring meadow, and clean breeze. These come in a convenient plastic tub to prevent any damage to your pods, though there are multiple amounts that you can get.

Tide PODS Free and Gentle Tide PODS Free and Gentle, Laundry Detergent Soap PODS, HE, 96 Count - Unscented and Hypoallergenic for Sensitive Skin, Free and Clear of Dyes and Perfumes

Just like their liquid detergent, Tide PODS come in a Free and Gentle option. These pods are extremely popular, recommended by dermatologists for those of you with skin allergies. Free and Gentle pods have no added perfumes or dyes, making them ideal for those of you who are worried about that sort of thing.

Tide PODS 4-in-1 with Downy or Ultra OXI Tide PODS 4 in 1 with Downy, Laundry Detergent Soap PODS, April Fresh Scent, 73 Count, Packaging May Vary

Offering a superior clean with additional perks, Tide PODS 4-in-1 can be boosted with Downy or OXI cleaning and softening powers. Available in packs of 63, 71, or fewer, you can get these cleaning pods in multiple scents, including a free and clear option. These are compatible with high efficiency machines and keep your clothes clean, week after week.

Tide PODS Hygienic Clean Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy 10x Duty Power PODS Laundry Detergent Soap Pods, Original, 41 count, For Visible and Invisible Dirt

With ten times the cleaning power as Tide’s original formula, their hygienic clean pods are a fantastic option for those of you seeking an even more comprehensive clean. You can get these pods in an original scent, a spring meadow scent, or pods that are free of any excess perfumes.

Tide PODS Simply Tide Simply Pods Odor Rescue Liquid Laundry Detergent Pacs, 3 in 1 Powerful Detergent, Fresh Scent, 55 Count

Just like their liquid detergent option, Tide has a more affordable pod selection known as Tide PODS Simply. You can get these affordable pods in multiple sizes, and they currently offer an odor busting option as well as one with OXI cleaning capabilities.

Tide PODS Coldwater Clean Tide PODS Laundry Detergent Soap PODS, High Efficiency (HE), Original Scent, 81 Count

Looking for a pod based laundry detergent that still performs well in cold water washes? Check out Tide’s Coldwater Clean line, available in multiple sizes and scents. You can get their original scent, spring meadow, clean breeze, and a free and gentle option in this format.

Tide Powder Detergent:

Tide Powder Original Tide Powder Laundry Detergent Original 102 Loads, 143 Ounce

If you prefer powder detergents and easy to recycle packaging, you can get the original Tide in powder form as well. It cleans deeply and comes in a variety of sizes and scents, including mountain spring and clean breeze.

Tide Free and Gentle Powder Tide Free & Gentle HE Turbo Powder Laundry Detergent, 68 Loads, 95 Oz

You guessed it: Tide also has a powdered option of their fantastic free and gentle blend, making it ideal for those of you with allergies or skin sensitivities.

Tide Powder Plus Bleach  Tide Plus Bleach Powder Laundry Detergent, Original, ( 144 Ounce ., 80 Loads Each), 2 Count

Seeking a more powerful clean that contains acti-lift crystals to help you remove stains? Tide has a powdered detergent option with bleach to help keep your whites brighter and your laundry cleaner!

Tide Ultra OXI Powder 4SGM Tide Plus He Ultra OXI ACTi-Lift Crystal Powder Laundry Detergent 39 oz. (22 Loads Total), Multicolor

With 6 times the cleaning power compared with other oxygen based cleaners, Tide Ultra OXI is a great choice for those of you who enjoy powdered detergents but what something with a potent cleaning ability.

Other Tide Products:

Washing Machine Cleaner by Tide Washing Machine Cleaner by Tide for Front and Top Loader Washer Machines, 5ct Box (Packaging May Vary)

Our washing machines get dirty too! You can get a washing machine cleaner from Tide to help keep your machines just as clean as your clothes.

Tide to Go Stain Remover Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover, 3 Count

The popularity of Tide to Go pens is unmatched, simply because there are very few other products like it on the market. A powerful and compact stain remover inside of a pen? It’s a must-have for many customers, especially those on the go! You can also get Tide to Go in wipe form here.

Tide Rescue with Oxi Tide Laundry Stain Remover with Oxi, Rescue Clothes, Upholstery, Carpet and more from Tough Stains (21.5 Fl Oz, Pack of 4)

Even though Tide advertises that there’s no need for you to pre-treat your clothes, Tide Rescue with Oxi is there to help you with any stains that seem particularly stuck into your clothes. Just spray, let the product sit, and wash your clothes as you normally would for a potent clean!

Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray Tide Fabric Spray, 2 Count, 22 Fl Oz Each, 2 Count

Interested in killing germs without needing to wash all of your clothes all over again? Tide created an antibacterial fabric spray for your clothes and household fabrics, including upholstery. This is a great product that is capable of killing 99% of germs!

Tide is Focused on Laundry

Unlike other manufacturers or brands on the market today, Tide focuses solely on the laundry side of things, including dryer sheets and stain removal pens. They do not manufacture anything else, which is important to note. Many people see this as a good thing since it means that Tide is committed to laundry products, though some people may find it odd that Tide doesn’t diversify their products.

Overview of Arm & Hammer

Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent,Clean Burst Dual HE, 459oz 340 Loads

Now that we’ve discussed Tide as a company, let’s take a look at what Arm & Hammer is like, both in their company history and an overview of the many products that they have to offer!

History or Arm & Hammer

While it originally began producing baking soda, the Arm & Hammer company has existed since the 1840s. From the very beginning, Arm & Hammer focused on reusability and our environment, even back then. The founders of the company began recycling programs for their products, all the way back in the 1800s!

It wasn’t until the 1970s that Arm & Hammer created their very first laundry detergent, but it was worth the wait. Arm & Hammer was the first corporation to create a nationally-distributed, phosphate-free laundry soap, and they did so to protect our nation’s waterways. They continue their commitment to our ecosystems and environment today.

Arm & Hammer Laundry Products:

While Arm & Hammer is so much more than just laundry soap, let’s take a closer look at all of their laundry products now.

Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent

Arm & Hammer Original Liquid Formula  Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent, Clean Burst Dual HE, 144.5oz 107 Loads

Available in multiple sizes including one for 170 loads, Arm & Hammer’s original formula is made to get your clothes clean with a pleasant, fresh scent. You can rely on Arm & Hammer’s formula for multiple fabric types, and you can get their original formula in Clean Burst and Tropical Paradise scents.

Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Clean Meadow, 75 Loads Liquid Laundry Detergent, 118.1 Fl oz

Available in both standard and bulk sizes, Arm & Hammer has a partnership with OxiClean in order to bring you a detergent with even more cleaning potential than their original formula. You can get this style of detergent in a Fresh Scent, an Odor Blaster with Fresh Burst scent, Clean Meadow, and you can even get it with Fade Defense technology.

Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin  Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear, 107 Loads Liquid Laundry Detergent, 144.5 Fl oz

Like all other laundry detergent brands on the market today, Arm & Hammer has a proprietary blend for sensitive skin. It is free of dyes, preservatives, and harsh chemicals. You can also get a version of this that has been boosted for hypoallergenic customers, as well as a version that is perfect for babies.

Arm & Hammer Power Paks

Arm & Hammer Original Power Paks Arm & Hammer 4-in-1 Laundry Detergent Power Paks, Fresh, 58 Count (Pack of 4)

With a 4-in-1 cleaning technology, you should have no trouble cleaning your clothes with Arm & Hammer’s classic detergent in a convenient pack form. While they only come in a Clean Burst scent, these packs can be found in multiple sizes, including bulk options.

Arm & Hammer 5-in-1 plus Oxi Arm and Hammer Plus Oxiclean Power Paks, 5in1 (4x42ct), 168 Count

Just like their liquid detergent options, you can get Arm & Hammer’s fantastic partnership with OxiClean in a convenient pod form. These pods offer a 5-in-1 cleaning technology, including ones with extra odor blasting technology.

Arm & Hammer Sensitive Scent 5-in-1 Arm & Hammer Sensitive Scent 5-in-1 Laundry Detergent Power Paks, 17 Count

With just as much cleaning potential as its fellow packs, the sensitive option from Arm & Hammer has 5-in-1 cleaning power. It is free of dyes and preservatives as well as any harsh scents, making it convenient and ideal for those of you who have hypoallergenic households.

Arm & Hammer Powder Laundry Detergent

Arm & Hammer Original Powder  Arm & Hammer 33200-01001 Powder Laundry Detergent, Crisp Clean, 18lb Pail

One of the best things about Arm & Hammer’s original powdered formula is that you can get it in up to 20 pound-buckets at a time. You can buy their original formula in powdered form, and in multiple scents including Clean Burst and Alpine Clean.

Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Stain Fighters Fresh Scent Powder Laundry Detergent, 8.86 lbs (1)

It’s not just the original formula from Arm & Hammer that you can get in bulk. You can also get their OxiClean boosted detergent in multiple sizes and scents. Some of these scents include Fresh Scent and Tropical Burst.

Arm & Hammer is Focused on Much More than Laundry Products

One of the primary differences between Tide and Arm & Hammer has to be the fact that Arm & Hammer manufactures so much more than just laundry detergent and cleansers. For example, Arm & Hammer produces the following types of products:

  • Baking soda
  • Deodorant
  • Nasal solutions
  • Other deodorizers (for carpets, fridges, etc)
  • Pool maintenance products
  • Cat litter
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrushes

As you can see, Arm & Hammer is far more than laundry products, even though their laundry detergent and dryer sheets are also fantastic options for the average homeowner. Having a manufacturer that isn’t solely focused on laundry products may be a plus or a minus in your eyes, so it’s important to touch on this fact briefly!

Comparison Questions (Tide VS Arm & Hammer):

Curious to see in even more detail how Tide and Arm & Hammer compare to one another? Let’s take a look at some commonly asked questions regarding these two products now!

Which Laundry Detergent is More Expensive?

As a general rule, Tide tends to be much more expensive compared to Arm & Hammer. While it will depend on the specific products that you are comparing, Tide tends to cost more than many other laundry detergent brands on the market today.

Which Laundry Detergent Has More Cleaning Power?

Tide tends to outrank other laundry detergent options in terms of cleaning power. With its proprietary blend of enzymes and chemicals, Tide has more capability than Arm & Hammer when it comes to dirt, food, and sweat stains.

How Many Fragrance Options Does Tide Offer?

With their collaborations with Downy and Febreze, Tide offers a number of different fragrances, including:

  • Original scent
  • Fresh coral blast
  • Spring breeze
  • Honey lavender
  • Clean breeze
  • Refreshing breeze
  • Berry blossom
  • Daybreak fresh
  • Mountain spring
  • Spring meadow
  • Spring & Renewal
  • Botanical Rain
  • Sport Odor Defense
  • Unscented

How Many Laundry Fragrance Options Does Arm & Hammer Offer?

Arm & Hammer has a few different laundry detergent scents to offer, though not nearly as many as Tide. They include:

  • Clean burst
  • Fresh scent
  • Fresh burst
  • Clean meadow
  • Sparkling waters
  • Tropical burst
  • Alpine burst

The Verdict – Which Laundry Detergent Should You Choose?

When it comes to cleaning power, Tide beats out Arm & Hammer again and again, along with many other laundry detergent brands. However, Arm & Hammer products use less chemicals and additives overall, and they tend to have a more budget friendly price point.

Either way, both Arm & Hammer and Tide have fantastic cleaning qualities as well as a robust product lineup. Depending on what you’re looking for, both of these brands likely have exactly what you need!