Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent, Clean Fresh

Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent, Clean Fresh Scent had the lowest cost per load of any of the detergents we tested, though you wouldn't guess it based on how it performed. We spent a full day in a laundromat testing scented liquid detergents in cold water wash, and Arm & Hammer performed as well as or better than some of the more expensive brands we tried.

In our tests, Arm & Hammer did a better-than-average job of cleaning away challenging stains, especially when we added a bit of detergent to the pre-wash cycle. Grape juice, washable marker, formula and sweet potato puree were all thoroughly washed away. Like all of the detergents we tested, Arm & Hammer wasn't able to fully remove mud, coffee or spaghetti sauce, but it still did a decent job of noticeably fading those stains on the pre-washed, 100-percent cotton onesies we used in testing. The testers who tried out Arm & Hammer in their own homes said it did a good job of removing the stains that occurred during the testing period (pasta sauce, bright-coloured baby foods, dirt, sweat and breastmilk).

Our parent testers said they were happy with how Arm & Hammer cleaned their family's clothes, and that it left them smelling fresh and clean. They were evenly split on whether they enjoyed the scent, and one tester found it overly strong, so you may want to give it a whiff before you buy—or try the same detergent in the "Lavender & Linen" scent.

The instructions for use are clear and the lines on the cap correspond, helping you use the right amount of laundry detergent for each load. This saves you money in the long run: too little detergent, and your clothes aren't getting clean on the first wash; too much, and you could end up with residual soap on your clothes, or your rinse cycle could end up running longer, meaning you're spending more on your water bill.

Final word

Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent, Clean Fresh Scent earned an above-average rating for quality, performance and value from our at-home testers. They said they’d recommend it to other families, and they called out price as a key factor. With a lower-than-average cost per load and good cleaning power, it's a good budget-friendly choice for families. Plus, the strong scent is powerful enough to cut through the smelliest laundry—we're looking at you, hockey moms and dads.