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Discover if Arm & Hammer Deep Clean Stain Formula lives up to its name in our hands-on tests. We break down its performance on tough stains like blood and wine, compare it to top rivals like Tide Pods, and reveal the best picks for spotless laundry. Affordable but limited—see our recommendations for superior cleaning power.
Tackling stubborn stains from everyday mishaps like coffee spills, greasy dressings, or muddy clothes is a common laundry battle. The Arm & Hammer Deep Clean Stain Formula, a liquid laundry detergent, promises targeted deep cleaning at a budget-friendly price. In our lab and real-world tests at Review Atlas, we evaluated its effectiveness across 12 common stains, brightening power, and value. With an overall performance score of 62/100, it's solid for basic soils but falls short on the toughest challenges. Read on for detailed insights, comparisons, and our top recommendations to upgrade your laundry routine.
Quick Pick
Tide PODS Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent Soap Pacs, 112 Count
For unbeatable stain removal without harsh scents, grab the Tide PODS Free & Gentle. It aced our tests on blood, wine, and grass stains. Check current price.
We pitted Arm & Hammer Deep Clean against leading alternatives in key categories. Scores are out of 100 based on our standardized tests simulating 50+ loads with varied fabrics and stains.
| Feature | Arm & Hammer Deep Clean | Tide PODS Free & Gentle | Gain Flings Laundry Detergent Pacs | Dreft Stage 1 Newborn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 62 | 85 | 78 | 70 |
| Everyday Stain Removal (oils, dirt) | Good (80) | Excellent (95) | Very Good (88) | Good (82) |
| Tough Stain Removal (blood, wine, grass) | Poor (45) | Excellent (92) | Good (75) | Fair (65) |
| Brightening/Whitening | Fair (55) | Very Good (85) | Good (78) | Fair (60) |
| HE Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cost per Load | 17¢ | 20¢ | 18¢ | 25¢ |
| Scent Profile | Mild | Unscented | Moonlight Breeze | Original Baby |
| Best For | Budget daily use | All-purpose tough stains | Fresh scent lovers | Baby & sensitive skin |
See Tide PODS on our product page for the current deal.
Priced at just 17¢ per load, this liquid formula leverages baking soda for odor neutralization alongside enzymes for stain breakdown. Here's how it stacked up in our controlled tests using cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics:
Overall tough stain score: 45/100. It brightens whites to a fair 55/100 level and whitens poorly at 48/100, leaving dingy fabrics after repeated use.
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Our Verdict: A decent budget pick for light stains, but upgrade for laundry disasters. Compare with Gain Flings for better all-around power.
If Deep Clean doesn't cut it, these standouts from our tests deliver superior results.
Unscented pods dissolve fully in cold water, removing 92% of tough stains like wine and blood. Score: 85/100. Perfect for sensitive skin.
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Ready to banish stains? Check current price on Tide PODS.
Moonlight Breeze scent lingers fresh for days. 78/100 score with strong performance on oils and food stains (88%).
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Gentle on baby clothes, good for milk/formula stains (82%). 70/100 overall.
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Our protocol mirrors real life: We soil 20 swatches per product with lab-grade stains (sebum, blood, wine, etc.), wash at 40°F-140°F in HE/front-load machines, and measure removal via spectrometry (color change delta E). We run 200+ cycles, track fabric wear, and survey 500 users on scent/residue. Brightening uses UV reflectance; cost based on 100-load tubs.
Pro Tip: For max stain removal, pre-treat 30 mins and use hot water on cottons.
Enhance drying with the Honey-Can-Do Collapsible Laundry Drying Rack—holds 50lbs, folds flat.
Poorly in our tests (32% removal). Pre-treat with salt and opt for Tide PODS instead.
Yes, fully compatible with high-efficiency washers.
About 17¢, making it one of the cheapest liquids.
Fair performance (55/100)—better for colors than whites.
Tide PODS Free & Gentle excels with 92% removal rates. Check it out.
Pair your detergent with space-saving tools:
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Upgrade today for cleaner clothes and less hassle.
