In this comparison of Tide vs. Tide Simply, you’ll learn how these two detergents differ in cleaning power, ingredients, fragrances, price, and more.
I also reveal what Procter & Gamble, the company that owns Tide, says about both options.
By the end, you’ll have all the key facts to decide which detergent is best for your needs.
Tide vs. Tide Simply: Comparison Chart
If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick, side-by-side comparison of Tide vs. Tide Simply.
Tide Original | Tide Simply | |
---|---|---|
Ingredients | Over 25 ingredients (contains more cleaning enzymes) | 14 ingredients |
Strength | Thicker, more concentrated formula. Handles strong stains like dirt, oil, grass, and blood | Thinner, less concentrated formula. Effective on minor stains and everyday wear |
Product Types | Pods, liquid detergent, powder detergent, to-go wipes, to-go pen, laundry booster, washing machine cleaner, antibacterial spray | Pods, liquid detergent |
Formulas | Original, Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10X, Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10X Free, Plus Febreze, Plus Downy, Free and Gentle, Oxi, Coldwater Clean, Bleach Alternative, Ultra Stain Release | Free and Sensitive, Clean and Fresh, Clean and Sensitive, Odor Rescue, With Bleach, With Oxi |
Fragrances | Original, Mountain Spring, Clean Breeze, Spring Meadow, Lavender, Botanical Rain, Fresh Coral Blast, Febreze, Febreze Sport | Line Dry Fresh, Fresh Linen, Refreshing Breeze, Daybreak Fresh, Berry Blossom, Clean and Fresh, Cool Cotton |
Price | $$$ (view on Amazon) | $ (view on Amazon) |
The most notable difference between Tide and Tide Simply is the ingredients. As its name suggests, Tide Simply is a simpler formula containing fewer ingredients than Tide Original. In fact, Tide Simply has about half as many ingredients.
Tide Simply contains fewer enzymes, odor removers, process aids, and sud reducers.
To view the ingredients of any Tide product, go to Tide.com, navigate to the product, and click on the SmartLabel link.
The chart below lists the ingredients for Tide Original liquid laundry detergent and Tide Simply Clean & Fresh liquid laundry detergent.
Ingredient | Tide Original | Tide Simply |
---|---|---|
Water | ✔ | ✔ |
Sodium And MEA Laureth Sulfate | ✔ | ✔ |
Sodium And MEA C10-16 | ✔ | ✔ |
Alkylbenzenesulfonate | ✔ | ✔ |
C10-16 Pareth | ✔ | |
Polyethyleneimines Alkoxylated | ✔ | |
Propylene Glycol | ✔ | ✔ |
Sodium And MEA Citrate | ✔ | ✔ |
Alcohol | ✔ | ✔ |
Sodium Borate | ✔ | ✔ |
Sodium And MEA Salts Of C12-18 Fatty Acids | ✔ | |
Sodium And MEA Lauryl Sulfate | ✔ | ✔ |
Pentasodium Pentetate | ✔ | ✔ |
Fluorescent Brightener 71 | ✔ | ✔ |
Phenylpropyl Ethyl Methicone | ✔ | |
Sodium Formate | ✔ | ✔ |
Calcium Formate | ✔ | |
Sodium Cumenesulfonate | ✔ | |
Hydrogenated Castor Oil | ✔ | |
Subtilisin | ✔ | |
Ethanolamine | ✔ | |
Simethicone | ✔ | |
Mannanase Enzyme | ✔ | |
Trimethylsiloxysilicate | ✔ | |
Amylase Enzyme | ✔ | |
Diethylenetriamine, Methyl Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate | ✔ | |
Polyoxyalkylene Substituted Chromophore (color) | ✔ | ✔ |
Fragrances | ✔ | ✔ |
Another significant difference between Tide and Tide Simply is their cleaning power. Simply put, the original Tide is tougher on stains and odors than Tide Simply.
Why? Because Tide Original is a thicker, more concentrated detergent containing more cleaning enzymes.
Let’s look at how Tide Original compares to Tide Simply in terms of performance, according to independent tests.
This Consumer Report’s study didn’t have great things to say about Tide Simply’s cleaning performance. It said Tide Simply is “no match for common stains.” They do not recommend Tide Simply, saying, “[You can] find much better options.”
However, experts at The Spruce gave Tide Simply a “Very Good” rating. The reviewer gave Tide Simply high praise for leaving clothes soft, fluffy, and pleasant smelling. They also mentioned that Tide Simply is an affordable laundry detergent for large families. The reviewer tested the detergent with a marinara sauce stain, and while Tide Simply did clean the mark, there was evidence of the stain leftover. The remaining stain was not obvious but still showed in certain lighting.
Good Housekeeping put several detergent brands to the test against 20 different stains like oil, coffee, and wine. The reviewers praised Tide Original, naming it the Best Single Dose Laundry Detergent, Best Powder Laundry Detergent, Best Deep Cleaning Laundry Detergent, and Best Liquid Laundry Detergent with Bleach Alternative. They highlighted its superior stain-removing ability. Tide Simply was not mentioned in the review.
Reader’s Digest reviewed the “17 Best Laundry Detergents” and applauded several Tide Original products. A total of four detergents made the list, including Tide Free & Gentle, Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release, Tide Plus Bleach Alternative, and Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10X Power Pods. Tide Simply did not make the rankings.
USA TODAY network website, Reviewed, covered the best laundry detergents, and listed Tide Original as one of the top picks. It was ranked second of nine, with “great cleaning power.” The review says that Original is easy to find and widely trusted by consumers. Although it is a more expensive brand, people trust the Tide name and are willing to pay the difference. The one con mentioned was that Tide Original is not ideal for people with sensitive skin.
Difference 3: Product Types
Tide Original and Tide Simply vary drastically in the number of available products.
The Original line offers a wider variety of products. It’s available in liquid, powder, pods, and specialty items like wipes and pens.
The Simply line is available in liquid, and Tide Simply Odor Control and Tide Simply Plus Oxi are available in pods. Nothing in the Simply line comes in powder form.
Another key difference between Tide Simply and Tide Original is the formula variety. Formulas vary in strength and additional ingredients.
Tide Original is available in ten formulas, including:
- Original
- Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10X
- Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10X Free
- Plus Febreze
- Plus Downy
- Free and Gentle
- Oxi
- Coldwater Clean
- Bleach Alternative
- Ultra Stain Release
Tide Simply is available in six formulas, including:
- Free and Sensitive
- Clean and Fresh
- Clean and Sensitive
- Odor Rescue
- With Bleach
- With Oxi
Only Tide Original provides special formulas for heavy-duty messes and cold water wash cycles. Both offer formulas for sensitive skin.
Both Tide Original and Tide Simply have a wide array of fragrances. Here are the options (note: these change often).
Tide Original:
- Original
- Mountain Spring
- Clean Breeze
- Spring Meadow
- Lavender
- Botanical Rain
- Fresh Coral Blast
- Febreze
- Febreze Sport
Tide Simply:
- Line Dry Fresh
- Fresh Linen
- Refreshing Breeze
- Daybreak Fresh
- Berry Blossom
- Clean and Fresh
Tide Original is more expensive than Tide Simply because it’s a more robust formula with extra stain-fighting enzymes.
Procter & Gamble launched Tide Simply to appeal to budget-conscious shoppers. Tide Original is a top-selling detergent, but the one criticism is that it’s too expensive.
Prices vary by product and form (liquid, pods, specialty formulas, etc.). Both detergents are available on Amazon (Tide Original, Tide Simply), where you can compare their current prices.
Tide Simply vs Tide Simply Oxi | Review S3 E8
FAQ
What is difference between Tide and Tide Simply Clean?
Is Tide Simply high efficiency?
What is the best laundry detergent compared to Tide?
Why is Tide original more expensive than tide simply?
Tide Original is more expensive than Tide Simply because it’s a more robust formula with extra stain-fighting enzymes. Procter & Gamble launched Tide Simply to appeal to budget-conscious shoppers. Tide Original is a top-selling detergent, but the one criticism is that it’s too expensive.
Is the tide simply clean & fresh (refreshing breeze) better than the original formula?
I’m sorry but the Tide Simply Clean and Fresh (Refreshing Breeze) in its original formula was Great, but now that you’ve brought about the 2 and 1 formula, it is nasty. It doesn’t clean any better and the smell is too overbearing. Please go back to the original formula, or at the very least, market both formulas giving us a real choice.
Which is better Tide original or tide simply?
Bottom line — Tide Original costs more, but it’s a stronger, more concentrated formula with additional stain-fighting enzymes. If you don’t mind paying more for extra cleaning power, go with Tide Original. If you’re trying to save money and looking for a budget-friendly alternative, pick Tide Simply.
Is the tide simply clean & fresh a good laundry detergent?
It’s available in multiple scents. The Tide Simply Clean & Fresh is part of the Laundry detergents test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Laundry detergents models like the Simply Clean & Fresh are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. Body oil Indicates how well a detergent removes body oil or “Sebum”.