Co-written and produced by The-Dream, the R&B ballad was serviced to radio as the album's second single on May 15, 2013, and was released for digital download on May 21, 2013, through Republic Records.

Critics praised the sparse piano-led melody, as well as Rowland's openness about her jealousy of Knowles and the inspiring message about leaving an abusive relationship.

Following the chart success of her Lil Wayne-backed single "Motivation" (2011), Rowland started to work on her upcoming fourth studio album soon after.

[4][5] Rowland officially began the campaign for Talk a Good Game with the release of its lead single, the Mike Will Made It-produced "Kisses Down Low" in February 2013.

[4][5] On May 9, 2013, Rowland released a teaser for "Dirty Laundry", the minute-long clip features a scene from a laundromat set to an instrumental of the song.

[15][1] It details a "frank and often poignant commentary" on Rowland's life, particularly focusing on her time following the release of her debut album, Simply Deep, in 2002.

According to the Billboard it took Rowland "nearly a dozen takes to lay down her vocals without crying" and that during the recent album listening sessions for Republic Records, she "had to leave the room before the song was played".

[8] According to Pitchfork's Renato Pagnani, "Rowland's voice drips with a hard-earned wisdom, the kind that only crystallizes after processing dark things and coming out the other side bearing the scars of experience".

Rowland's peer, fellow R&B artist Tiffany Foxx, said "It takes a lot for a woman to go deep inside and talk about things like that... We all kinda wondered with that situation if they are really good friends or is it just business or do they just have history with each other.

"[20] Gerrick Kennedy from the Los Angeles Times also praised Rowland's openness, calling "Dirty Laundry" a "stunningly candid single".

In her review, Penn said "We applaud Rowland’s courage, and hope the message in her music resonates with any woman who has ever experienced or been touched by a domestic violence situation.

"[18] Renato Pagnani from Pitchfork Media was also complimentary of the song saying that "it achieves the tricky balance of pulling the curtain back to let the public see you at your most vulnerable and still sounding fierce and defiant.

[27] Halfway in the video, the boyfriend leaves the table and spills a glass of wine on Rowland's dress with the guests feeling shocked.

[28] On June 15, 2013, Power 105 FM unveiled the radio remix of "Dirty Laundry", which features American singer-songwriter and producer, R.

"[30] Kelly, who previously remixed Rowland's "Motivation", then takes the song's direction on to speak of those in industry who have copied his style, "See the truth of the matter is everybody can’t do this/ And that’s why I got these shit talkin’ R&B singers on my hit list".