How We Tested

Guests on Earth Laundry Detergent was evaluated by 12 judges and consumer testers, including experts in personal care chemistry, packaging and sustainability. Guests on Earth shipped the Green Hinoki scent directly to each participant, as coordinated by Best of the Year.

Testing took place in August. Participants used the detergent according to its directions for several loads of laundry, washing garments ranging from physicians’ white coats to jeans and gym clothes. They assessed cleaning performance, ease of use, scent, how garments felt after washing, overall quality and likelihood of recommending the product.

Expert judges also considered the detergent’s formulation, packaging, sustainability attributes and the support for its performance claims. Best of the Year analysts used the detergent in their own laundry and reviewed the completed scorecards and written feedback. They also reviewed confidential performance data provided by the brand under a nondisclosure agreement, including comparisons to a leading conventional detergent and a “clean” detergent, before reaching a decision.

What Experts and Consumer Testers Said

Reviewers kept coming back to how little detergent they needed. After washing several loads, one consumer tester said, “This is so concentrated, it cleans really well, and the clothes seem brighter.” She also loved the subtle fragrance, despite usually avoiding scented detergents, and found that the pump made measuring easy and mess-free.

“This is so concentrated, it cleans really well, and the clothes seem brighter.” -Best of the Year Consumer Tester

The detergent handled some memorable laundry jobs, too. One tester said a small amount cleaned a badly soiled white coat well. Another had left a load of whites in the washer for more than a day, long enough for them to smell musty. “I rewashed them with this detergent and all of that musty smell was removed,” she said.

“I rewashed them with this detergent and all of that musty smell was removed.” -Best of the Year Consumer Tester

Our judges appreciated the formula as well as its performance. One said, “It worked super well at cleaning my clothes with very little amount of product,” and liked its enzymes and biosurfactants. Another found its cleaning and whitening comparable to the eco detergent she regularly uses. She also called the ingredient transparency “exceptional for this category”: Every ingredient is listed directly on the bottle.

The design made an impression of its own. One judge praised the reusable metal bottle’s sleek shape and soft sage-green finish, calling it “something you would be happy to have out on your washing machine.” Reviewers generally liked the precise pump, though a couple encountered leaks or drips, including one during shipping.

“Something you would be happy to have out on your washing machine.”
- Best of the Year Judge & Product Innovation Expert

Results depended on the laundry at hand. While one tester had success with that soiled white coat, another reviewer found the detergent better on everyday laundry than on a few heavily stained items. Green Hinoki’s scent was subtle enough to win over a tester who normally dislikes fragranced detergent, but others wished more of it lingered on their clean clothes. An unscented version is available, too.

The brand also shared independently conducted comparative stain-removal testing with our analysts. We appreciated the chance to examine it alongside the hands-on feedback. The results lent further support to the cleaning performance our reviewers experienced at the recommended small dose, while showing that results vary by stain.

Best of the Year Bottom Line

Guests on Earth gives the humble laundry detergent a luxe makeover, with cleaning performance to match. Just two pumps cleaned everyday loads well, and several reviewers noticed brighter clothes. The precise pump makes dosing easy, the sage-green aluminum bottle is worth keeping and refilling, and Green Hinoki’s subtle fragrance even won over a tester who usually avoids scented detergent. At about $45 for up to 75 standard loads, it’s a premium buy. The ratings and raves from our testers impressed us, and the brand’s willingness to share independent comparative stain-removal data with our team helped seal its Best of the Year win.

Why Trust Us?

The Best of the Year Media team comprises award-winning editors, analysts, subject-matter experts and consumer specialists who have spent their careers helping people make smarter, more confident decisions. With deep expertise across consumer lifestyle categories, our team brings decades of experience evaluating products, brands and services. Our recommendations are grounded in rigorous evaluation combined with expert judgment and consumer insights, giving readers trusted guidance on products, services, and experiences worth bringing into their lives.

P.S. We use affiliate shopping links where possible. We may make a couple bucks if you click through to purchase. It’s one of the reasons we're able to give you a calmer site experience, with fewer ads and distracting pop-ups.