Great Value Premium Clean Original Laundry Detergent

A robust, enzyme-rich detergent formulated with synthetic surfactants and optical brighteners for deep cleaning, but preserved with strong allergens.

Performance Rating: 4.5

This formula represents a high-performance detergent capable of handling heavy soils. It utilizes a powerful surfactant blend (Sodium C10-16 Alkylbenzenesulfonate, SLES, and Ethoxylated Alcohols) effective against grease and particulates. Crucially, it includes a triple-enzyme system (Protease, Amylase, Mannanase) to specifically target protein, starch, and food stains. The addition of Polyethyleneimine Alkoxylated acts as a strong anti-redeposition agent to prevent dirt from settling back onto clothes, and Fluorescent Brightener 28 ensures whites appear vibrant.

Safety Rating: 2.1

The safety rating is lowered primarily due to the presence of Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), which are effective preservatives but are also known skin sensitizers and allergens that can cause contact dermatitis. The formulation also contains Ethanolamines (MEA, TEA), which are associated with respiratory irritation and potential aquatic toxicity. Furthermore, generic Fragrances and Colorants increase the risk of allergic reactions for those with sensitive skin.

Final Rating: 3.5

This is a conventional heavy-duty detergent designed for maximum cleaning efficacy rather than natural safety. While it will likely offer excellent stain removal and fabric care results due to its enzymes and brighteners, the chemical profile is aggressive. It is not recommended for baby clothes or individuals with sensitive skin due to the specific preservatives and synthetic fragrances used.

Verdict

This liquid laundry detergent is formulated as a heavy-hitter for tough stains, prioritizing cleaning efficacy over chemical gentleness. The backbone of the formula consists of strong anionic and nonionic surfactants, including Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium C10-16 Alkylbenzenesulfonate. These are highly effective degreasers that create the rich lather consumers often associate with cleanliness. To augment this chemical cleaning power, the formulation includes a sophisticated enzymatic system featuring Protease, Amylase, and Mannanase. This triple-enzyme approach targets specific biological stains like blood, sweat, starch, and food gums, making the product particularly useful for families or individuals dealing with varied food and outdoor stains.

Furthermore, the inclusion of Fluorescent Brightener 28 indicates a focus on aesthetics, ensuring that white fabrics absorb UV light and re-emit it as blue light to mask yellowing. However, the chemical profile suggests significant potential for skin irritation. The product relies on Fragrances and Colorants which serve no functional cleaning purpose and are common triggers for sensitivities. More concerning is the preservative system: the combination of Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT). These agents are extremely effective at preventing bacterial growth in the bottle, but they are also well-documented contact allergens known to cause dermatitis in sensitized individuals.

The presence of Triethanolamine and Ethanolamine acts as a pH adjuster and buffering agent, but these can also contribute to irritation and respiratory concerns in high concentrations. While Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate offers a slightly more biodegradable chelating option compared to older phosphates, the overall formula is heavily synthetic. Ultimately, this detergent is a powerhouse for whitening and stain removal, but it is chemically aggressive. It is likely too harsh for baby clothes or delicates, and it poses a tangible risk for anyone with a history of skin allergies.

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Ingredient Evaluation

๐Ÿ“ Solvents / ๆบถๅ‰‚

๐Ÿงช WATER / ๆฐด

Purpose: Solvent; provides a liquid base for the detergent.

Concerns: None.

Notes: The primary ingredient in liquid detergents.

๐Ÿงช ETHANOL / ไน™้†‡

Purpose: Solvent and viscosity stabilizer.

Concerns: Flammable in high concentrations; generally safe in detergents.

Notes: Helps ingredients mix together and prevents the formula from freezing.

๐Ÿ“ Surfactants / ่กจ้ขๆดปๆ€งๅ‰‚

๐Ÿงช C12-15 ALCOHOLS ETHOXYLATED / C12-15 ้†‡่š้†š

Purpose: Non-ionic surfactant; removes oily stains and grease.

Concerns: Potential for contamination with trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane (a carcinogen) during manufacturing.

Notes: Effective in hard water.

๐Ÿงช SODIUM C10-16 ALKYLBENZENESULFONATE / C10-16 ็ƒทๅŸบ่‹ฏ็ฃบ้…ธ้’ 

Purpose: Anionic surfactant; primary cleaning agent for lifting dirt.

Concerns: Can be irritating to skin in concentrated form.

Notes: A very common and effective workhorse surfactant.

๐Ÿงช SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE / ๆœˆๆก‚้†‡่š้†š็กซ้…ธ้…ฏ้’ 

Purpose: Anionic surfactant; provides foaming and cleaning.

Concerns: Potential for 1,4-dioxane contamination; skin irritant if not rinsed.

Notes: Milder than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).

๐Ÿงช C8-18 FATTY ACID AMIDE MEA / C8-18 ่„‚่‚ช้…ธ้…ฐ่ƒบ MEA

Purpose: Surfactant and foam booster/stabilizer.

Concerns: May contain trace amounts of free amines.

Notes: Helps maintain suds and improves cleaning efficiency.

๐Ÿ“ Builders, pH Adjusters & Chelators / ๅŠฉๆด—ๅ‰‚ใ€pH่ฐƒ่Š‚ๅ‰‚ๅ’Œ่žฏๅˆๅ‰‚

๐Ÿงช TETRASODIUM IMINODISUCCINATE / ไบšๆฐจๅŸบไบŒ็ฅ็€้…ธๅ››้’ 

Purpose: Chelating agent; binds metal ions in water to boost cleaning.

Concerns: Low concern; generally biodegradable.

Notes: An eco-friendly alternative to EDTA.

๐Ÿงช TRIETHANOLAMINE / ไธ‰ไน™้†‡่ƒบ

Purpose: pH adjuster and surfactant neutralizer.

Concerns: Potential respiratory allergen; can form nitrosamines (carcinogens) if combined with nitrosating agents.

Notes: Helps keep the product stable.

๐Ÿงช ETHANOLAMINE / ไน™้†‡่ƒบ

Purpose: pH adjuster and buffer.

Concerns: Can be irritating to skin and respiratory tract in high concentrations.

Notes: Commonly used to neutralize fatty acids.

๐Ÿงช SODIUM CITRATE / ๆŸ ๆชฌ้…ธ้’ 

Purpose: Builder; softens water by sequestering calcium and magnesium.

Concerns: None; very safe.

Notes: Derived from citric acid.

๐Ÿงช MEA-CITRATE / MEA ๆŸ ๆชฌ้…ธ็›

Purpose: Buffer and builder formed from the reaction of Monoethanolamine and Citric Acid.

Concerns: Low concern.

Notes: Helps maintain pH stability.

๐Ÿ“ Polymers & Anti-redeposition Agents / ่šๅˆ็‰ฉๅ’ŒๆŠ—ๅ†ๆฒ‰็งฏๅ‰‚

๐Ÿงช POLYETHYLENEIMINE ALKOXYLATED / ็ƒทๆฐงๅŸบๅŒ–่šไน™็ƒฏไบš่ƒบ

Purpose: Cleaning polymer; keeps soil suspended in water to prevent it from settling back on clothes.

Concerns: Low concern for consumers; aquatic toxicity varies by specific structure.

Notes: Specifically targets tough stains like clay or mud.

๐Ÿงช SODIUM POLYACRYLATE / ่šไธ™็ƒฏ้…ธ้’ 

Purpose: Dispersant and anti-redeposition agent.

Concerns: Not biodegradable.

Notes: Helps suspend dirt particles in the wash water.

๐Ÿ“ Enzymes / ้…ถๅˆถๅ‰‚

๐Ÿงช PROTEASE ENZYME / ่›‹็™ฝ้…ถ

Purpose: Breaks down protein-based stains (blood, grass, food).

Concerns: Can cause respiratory sensitization if inhaled (mostly an occupational hazard).

Notes: Essential for biological stain removal.

๐Ÿงช AMYLASE ENZYME / ๆท€็ฒ‰้…ถ

Purpose: Breaks down starch-based stains (pasta, potato, gravy).

Concerns: Potential respiratory allergen.

Notes: Works in conjunction with other enzymes.

๐Ÿงช MANNANASE ENZYME / ็”˜้œฒ่š็ณ–้…ถ

Purpose: Breaks down mannan-based stains (guar gum, food thickeners, ice cream).

Concerns: Potential respiratory allergen.

Notes: Targets specific food gums.

๐Ÿ“ Optical Brighteners / ่งๅ…‰ๅขž็™ฝๅ‰‚

๐Ÿงช FLUORESCENT BRIGHTENER 28 SODIUM SALT / ่งๅ…‰ๅขž็™ฝๅ‰‚ 28 ้’ ็›

Purpose: Absorbs UV light and emits blue light to make fabrics appear whiter.

Concerns: Can bioaccumulate; potential skin photosensitization.

Notes: Does not actually clean, but alters visual perception.

๐Ÿ“ Preservatives / ้˜ฒ่…ๅ‰‚

๐Ÿงช METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE / ็”ฒๅŸบๅผ‚ๅ™ปๅ”‘ๅ•‰้…ฎ

Purpose: Preservative; prevents bacterial and fungal growth.

Concerns: Known skin sensitizer; can cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Notes: Often referred to as MIT.

๐Ÿงช METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE / ็”ฒๅŸบๆฐฏๅผ‚ๅ™ปๅ”‘ๅ•‰้…ฎ

Purpose: Preservative.

Concerns: Strong skin sensitizer; often used in combination with MIT.

Notes: Often referred to as CMIT.

๐Ÿ“ Stabilizers & Aesthetics / ็จณๅฎšๅ‰‚ๅ’Œๆ„Ÿๅฎ˜ๆทปๅŠ ๅ‰‚

๐Ÿงช CALCIUM CHLORIDE / ๆฐฏๅŒ–้’™

Purpose: Enzyme stabilizer.

Concerns: Irritating to eyes in pure form.

Notes: Helps enzymes maintain their structure in liquid formula.

๐Ÿงช FRAGRANCES / ้ฆ™็ฒพ

Purpose: Adds scent to the detergent and laundry.

Concerns: Common cause of skin allergies and irritation; specific ingredients often undisclosed.

Notes: Subjective appeal.

๐Ÿงช COLORANTS / ็€่‰ฒๅ‰‚

Purpose: Aesthetic; gives the liquid its color.

Concerns: Some dyes can be irritating or sensitizing.

Notes: No cleaning function.