Which ones clean without cleaning out your wallet? Our annual laundry wash-off.(Upfront: news trends advice)(Buyers Guide)

Publication: Consumer Reports

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COPYRIGHT 2004 Consumers Union of the United States, Inc.

Drum roll, please.

Big-name detergents aren't much better cleaners than their competitors, but they can cost two to three times as much per load. You needn't pay that kind of premium. Look first at one of the CR Best Buys from this year's tests. Their costs per load range from 11 cents for Kirkland to 19 cents for All. Some big names cost 30 cents a load or more.

We tested two dozen detergents. Most are regular products for typical top-loaders. Five ore low-sudsers made for high-efficiency machines.

As the Quick Ratings at right show, the majority of detergents were excellent at cleaning, the main factor in overall score. We laundered white cotton swatches stained with coffee, grass, spaghetti sauce, mud, blood,...

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