You're standing in the middle of Sam’s Club, staring at a giant 196-ounce jug of blue liquid. It’s sitting right next to the Tide. The price tag on the Member’s Mark Laundry Detergent is basically half of what the name brand wants, and honestly, you're wondering if you’re buying a high-quality cleaner or just blue-tinted water. We’ve all been there. The big question—who makes Member's Mark laundry detergent—is one of those retail mysteries that Sam’s Club tries to keep under lock and key.
Retailers like Walmart and Sam’s Club don’t own detergent factories. They aren't in the business of mixing surfactants and enzymes in giant vats. Instead, they partner with massive manufacturing conglomerates that specialize in "private label" production.
The Big Secret: It’s Probably Henkel
If you want the short answer, most industry insiders and historical data point directly to Henkel.
Wait, who is Henkel? You definitely know them, even if you don't think you do. Henkel is the German powerhouse behind Persil, All, and Purex. For years, the paper trail of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) has linked Member’s Mark liquid detergent to Sun Products, a company that Henkel acquired back in 2016 for a cool $3.6 billion.
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When Henkel swallowed Sun Products, they didn't just get the brands; they got the massive contracts to supply private labels for retailers like Sam's Club and Costco. It’s a win-win. Henkel keeps their factories running at 100% capacity, and Sam’s Club gets a "pro-grade" formula they can slap their own label on.
Does P&G Have a Hand in This?
There’s a lot of chatter on Reddit and laundry forums about Procter & Gamble (P&G)—the makers of Tide—secretly making the Member's Mark stuff.
Honestly? It's highly unlikely.
P&G is notoriously protective of its formulas. They spend billions on R&D to make sure Tide is the "gold standard." Selling that exact formula to a competitor for half the price would be corporate suicide. While Sam’s Club and P&G have a massive distribution partnership, most experts agree that P&G sticks to its own name brands while companies like Henkel or private-label specialists handle the store brands.
The New "Made Without" Standards for 2026
In early January 2026, Sam’s Club made a massive announcement that actually sheds some light on how these products are changing. They reached a milestone where all Member’s Mark food items met their "Made Without" standards—cutting out artificial flavors and high-fructose corn syrup.
But they didn't stop at food.
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Sam’s Club is currently pushing those same standards into the laundry aisle. They’ve been working with their suppliers to remove over 40 specific ingredients from their household products. This includes certain dyes and parabens. If you’ve noticed the Member's Mark detergent smells a bit different or looks slightly clearer lately, that’s why. They are moving toward "cleaner" formulations, likely keeping pressure on their manufacturer (Henkel) to evolve the recipe to stay competitive with brands like Seventh Generation or All Free Clear.
Is the Quality Actually the Same?
People love to say, "It's the same thing in a different bottle."
Is it? Sorta.
When a giant like Henkel makes a private label detergent, they don't usually just pour Persil into a Member’s Mark jug. They create a "tier" system.
- Tier 1: The premium name brand (Persil/Tide). This has the highest concentration of enzymes like proteases and amylases that eat through grass and chocolate stains.
- Tier 2: The "Mid-tier" (All/Purex). Very effective, but maybe missing one or two high-end stain fighters.
- Tier 3: The Private Label (Member’s Mark). Usually built to mimic the mid-tier performance but optimized for bulk value.
Recent testing and member reviews in 2025 and 2026 suggest that the Member’s Mark Ultimate Clean formula performs remarkably close to Tide Original. In fact, many users claim it’s better at removing grease stains because it uses a slightly different surfactant blend often found in commercial-grade cleaners.
The Pods vs. Liquid Mystery
Here’s where it gets weird. Some evidence suggests the Member's Mark Power Pacs (the pods) might come from a different source than the liquid. Pod technology is actually pretty difficult to manufacture because the film has to dissolve perfectly in cold water without sticking together in the tub.
While Henkel is a leader here, there are smaller, specialized private-label firms like Vi-Jon or Accupac that sometimes handle these niche formats. However, given the scale of Sam's Club, the smart money stays on Henkel for the majority of the lineup.
Why the Manufacturer Stays Hidden
You won't find "Made by Henkel" on the back of the bottle. Instead, you'll see "Distributed by Sam’s West, Inc."
Why the secrecy? It’s all about brand protection. If Henkel admitted they made a detergent that was 90% as good as Persil for 50% of the price, they’d cannibalize their own sales. Sam's Club likes the mystery because it adds to the "treasure hunt" vibe of the warehouse.
How to Tell if It’s Right for You
Buying bulk detergent is a commitment. You're basically stuck with that 150-load jug for the next three months.
If you have sensitive skin, look closely at the "Free and Clear" version. Interestingly, the SkinSAFE ratings for the 2026 Member’s Mark formulations are incredibly high—scoring an 82% "Top Allergen Free" rating. It’s free of common irritants like lanolin and nickel, making it a legitimate competitor to the more expensive dermatologist-recommended brands.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Trip
- Check the Scent: The "Fresh Scent" is notoriously strong. If you’re sensitive to smells, the 2026 "Made Without" version is better, but the Free and Clear is the safest bet.
- Watch the Dosage: Because these are "Ultimate Clean" concentrates, people tend to over-pour. Using too much in an HE (High Efficiency) machine will actually gunk up your washer and make your clothes smell sour over time.
- The "Oxi" Factor: The Member’s Mark versions with Oxi-Clean additives are consistently rated higher for whites but can be slightly harsher on delicate fabrics compared to the standard blue liquid.
- Check the Date: If you find a jug with a "Made Without" seal on it, grab that one. It's the newer, 2026-standard formulation with fewer synthetic dyes.
Basically, while we can't force Sam's Club to hand over the contract, the chemical DNA and corporate history point to Henkel. You're getting a German-engineered cleaning formula at a Bentonville, Arkansas price.