Why I Went Back to My Mom’s Favorite Laundry Detergent — It Actually Works Better Now

My family has been a Tide household for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my mom always used the classic powdered detergent, and later made the switch to the liquid version. It was just the default in our home. As an adult, though, I started experimenting with different detergents over the years. But the older I get (and the more laundry I do) the more I’ve realized that not all detergents actually clean the same way.

Between workout clothes, skincare products that transfer onto pillowcases, and cooking oil splashes, I began noticing that some of my clothes looked clean but still felt slightly coated or had a dull appearance. And while they smelled fine right out of the washer, that fresh feeling didn’t always last. That’s when I decided to give Tide another go, which was the perfect timing as the brand just upgraded its original liquid detergent to its most advanced formula yet. 

Tide’s Original Laundry Detergent got its first major formula upgrade in 20 years — which started replacing the old formula in September 2025. This upgraded formula is designed to deliver what the brand calls “6x Boosted Clean.” It has a 25% increase in cleaning surfactants for stain removal and 40% more nonionic surfactants to combat odors. This was tested against “22 different stains across a wide range of fabrics, machines, and wash conditions to ensure superior performance,” according to a press release on the site.

It’s also a concentrated liquid detergent, which means there’s less water per drop, so you’re getting more cleaning power in each dose rather than paying for diluted detergent. It works in all machine types (high-efficiency included), across every cycle (even cold and quick washes) and is safe for all machine-washable fabrics. Each 32-ounce jug provides about 25 loads and carries the classic Tide Original scent.

What sold me on this “boosted” version of Tide is how noticeably clean my clothes feel after every wash. It lifts everyday dirt and sweat incredibly well, leaving fabrics soft, bright, and truly refreshed. I especially notice the difference with workout clothes, which can easily trap oils and odors.

That said, I’ve learned that heavy product buildup (from hair products or skincare) sometimes needs a little extra help. For items that look discolored, I’ll pretreat with a little bit of the detergent or run a deeper clean cycle. Once I do that, Tide keeps everything smelling fresh for days. It’s easy to see why Tide has always been a go-to in my family for years.

Buy: Tide Original Laundry Detergent (125 fl oz), $19.94