A review of the best eco-friendly laundry detergent brands that are safe for people and the planet – including natural laundry detergent powders, liquids and pods, plus plastic-free laundry detergent options, to meet all your laundry cleaning needs.
If there is one cleaning product we use the most in our homes it’s got to be laundry detergent. Anyone with a family can probably relate – Always.Doing.Laundry!! Am I right?
When I hear people say they want to make a commitment to being a more conscious consumer and creating a natural, eco-friendly home environment, swapping out laundry products is usually the first place I suggest starting. Eco-friendly laundry detergent is such an easy and inexpensive change to make – it’s really a no-brainer!
Table of Contents
Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
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So today we’re going to do a deep dive into eco-friendly laundry detergent. We’ll be answering questions like:
- Why you should stop using conventional laundry detergent immediately
- Which toxic chemicals should be avoided completely
- Why natural laundry detergent is healthier for YOU and the planet
- What are the best eco-friendly laundry detergent brands?
- How to find the best green laundry detergent for your personal needs and preferences
Let’s dive in!
Why Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Matters
There are a couple of big reasons why switching to non-toxic, natural laundry detergent is important and they both have to do with health. (If you don’t geek out on science and chemical info they way I do, feel free to jump right down to the product recommendations – I won’t judge!)
Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent for Your Family’s Health
It’s sad to say, but the manufacturers of most laundry detergent don’t have the health of your family in mind. They have profits in mind. Conventional laundry detergent contains powerful chemicals and strong fragrances – even when they have been linked to negative health effects – so companies can sell more products and make more money.
Some of chemicals that are harmful to human health include:
- 1,4-Dioxane – classified as a probable human carcinogen and has been detected in a number of brand-name liquid laundry detergents (you won’t find it on the label, as it is a byproduct of other ingredients)
- Artificial fragrances – may contain endocrine-disrupting phthalates and other possible allergens
- Artificial colors and dyes – skin irritant
- Chlorine bleach – can burn skin and irritate eyes, nose and throat
- NPEs (nonylphenol ethoxylates) – imitates the hormone estrogen which impacts fetal development and reproductive health
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) (used to soften fabrics) – linked to reproductive problems
Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent for the Health of the Planet
Think about all the wastewater that drains out of your clothes washer every week. Even if you use a high-efficiency washer, that’s still a lot of water. Where does that water go? Well it probably goes to a water-treatment facility BUT that is not a magic disappearing act for all the chemicals found in the water. When water is released back into the environment, many harmful chemicals still remain.
Some of most environmentally toxic chemicals in laundry detergent include:
- NPEs (nonylphenol ethoxylates) – toxic to fish and wildlife
- Chemical surfactants – cause deformities in fish and frogs
- Optical brighteners – not readily biodegradable and post a potential hazard to aquatic life
- Phosphates (mostly gone in laundry detergents) – promotes algae growth which leads to dead zones in rivers and lakes
Your laundry detergent is just one step – Get the full 5 steps to a green laundry routine here.
What to Look for in an Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
So how do you know if a laundry detergent is safe, non-toxic and environmentally friendly? Here’s what to look for:
Must have’s for eco-friendly laundry detergent:
- Biodegradable laundry detergent formula (phosphate-free)
- Natural fragrances or unscented (*see note below)
- No chlorine bleach
- No NPEs
- No optical brighteners
- No artificial colors
- Septic safe
- No animal testing
- Concentrated formula (3x to 4x concentrated is most common but there is no standard)
- Recyclable packaging
*A note about fragrances: fragrance is a complicated and evolving subject and some safer synthetic (phthalate-free) fragrances are now available. Still, my personal preference is for fragrances from natural, essential oils.
Nice to have’s for eco-friendly laundry detergent:
- Made in USA – all the brands in this post are manufactured in the U.S. but some ingredients are globally sourced
- Plastic-free packaging – One of the reasons I like powdered laundry detergent is because it comes in a recyclable cardboard box – no plastic necessary!
- EWG rating of “A” or “B” – Not every brand and product is listed on EWG so it can be hard to compare
- “Sport” formula – Some brands offer “sport” formulas to tackle extra stinky odors and stains. As a mom of 2 teenage boys – I appreciate this!
Certifications for eco-friendly laundry detergent:
- EPA Safer Choice – meets requirements for safer chemical ingredients
- USDA Certified Bio-Based – indicates percentage of biobased material in product
Leaping Bunny – no animal testing of finished product or ingredients- EcoCert – certifies natural & organic products and ingredients
- B-Corp – indicates a socially responsible company
Laundry detergent formats:
- Powder – usually the cheapest option and available in large plastic-free boxes
- Liquid – great for doing hand-wash and some people just prefer liquid
- Pods – premeasured so you don’t use more than you need but can be more expensive per load. (Note: pods go directly in washer not in soap dispenser)
Don’t forget the stain removers – find out how 6 eco-friendly stain removers performed in my test!
Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Brands
Given all the great eco-friendly laundry detergent options available today, I just don’t see a good reason to keep using toxic, conventional laundry products at all.
All the natural laundry detergent brands listed here are ones that I have tried and that have worked well for me. Not that I have tried every single product from every single brand – that would be impossible! But this will give you a good baseline of the safest laundry detergents to choose from.
Rest assured that all of these eco-friendly laundry detergent brands are free from petrochemicals, formaldehyde, phosphates, 1,4 dioxane and optical brighteners.
A note about prices: Because prices change frequently and brands offer so many choices, I am not going to list prices in this post. However, for a regular sized HE load, prices typically ranged from $.10 per load to $.40 per load. Pods are generally more expensive than liquid or powder.
P.S. You might notice I’ve left 2 very popular “eco” brands – Mrs. Meyers and Method – off of this list. That’s because personally, I’m not a fan of strong fragrances in my laundry detergent. If you prefer a scent that lingers, go right ahead and try them. But first, check out Grab Green in my list below – I really like their fragrances and they rate better on EWG than the others. I’ve also left soap nuts off this list – I have tried them, and they just weren’t a good fit for me.
Biokleen
Why I recommend Biokleen laundry detergent:
Best for: Family sized container
- 3x concentrated formula uses extracts of citrus and grapefruit seed to combat stains and odors
- Biokleen laundry powder is one of the lowest cost per load options
- Love that the powder comes in a low-waste cardboard box
- Sports liquid with extra odor neutralizing enzymes available
- Small family run company
- The powder has been my go-to laundry detergent for years!
- EWG rating: A (free & clear), B (citrus scent)
- Format: Powder or liquid (I’ve used and recommend both)
- Best for: Family size (75 loads per box)
Shop: Biokleen Citrus Essence Laundry Powder and Biokleen Sport Laundry Liquid
Molly’s Suds
Best for: Stinky clothes
Why I recommend Molly’s Suds laundry detergent:
- Laundry powder is made with only 5 earth-derived ingredients
- Sodium carbonate is sustainably sourced from the Green River Basin in Wyoming
- Scented with organic peppermint oil (unscented version available)
- All Sport Laundry Wash is specially formulated for synthetic & technical fibers (I use for my kids sports jerseys!)
- Small women-owned business (I’ve met the founder – she’s awesome!)
- EWG rating: A
- Certifications: Leaping Bunny Certified
- Format: Powder or liquid
- Best for: Stinky clothes
Shop: Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder and Molly’s Suds All Sport Laundry Wash (Take 15% off with code MINDFULMOMMA at checkout)
Worried about stinky laundry? I’ve got some laundry freshening tips for you!
Dropps
Why I recommend Dropps laundry detergent pods:
Dropps laundry pods are shipped in a compostable cardboard box that reduces plastic use, making this a great low waste laundry detergent option- Laundry detergent formula is plant-based, dye-free, npe-free, chlorine-free, phosphate-free, and animal cruelty-free
- The pod membrane is a water soluble film made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH). It is engineered to completely dissolve in your washer, even in cold water temperatures.
- Proven stain fighting powers via third party testing
- Available in unscented, clean scent, lavender, sensitive skin and baby laundry detergent
- Dropps also makes an Active Wash laundry detergent pod formulated for activewear and synthetic fabrics. This works well on my kids athletic jerseys!
- If you are looking for the best eco-friendly laundry detergent pods, I recommend Dropps. Dropps has become my favorite laundry detergent because the pods are so easy to use and they work great!
- EWG rating: B
- Format: Pods
- Best for: Pod lovers
Shop: Dropps Get 15% off your first order with code DROPPS15 at checkout.
Thrive Market
Why I recommend Thrive Market laundry detergent:
Best for: Value brand
- Made from 7 eco-friendly ingredients
- Formula uses natural enzymes to clean stains
- Each bag washes up to 70 loads
- Scented with lavender essential oil
- Company is a B-Corp
- EWG rating: N/A
- Format: Powder
- Best for: Value brand ($0.11 per load) If you are looking for the cheapest eco friendly laundry detergent, this is it!
Shop: Thrive Market Laundry Detergent (Get 25% off + a FREE gift on your first order)
Better Life
Why I recommend Better Life laundry detergent:
Best for: Essential oil lovers
- 4x ultra concentrated formula uses plant and mineral derived cleaning agents
- Lovely essential oil scent (unscented also available)
- Independently owned business
- EWG rating: A
- Format: Liquid
- Best for: Essential oil lovers
Shop: Better Life Lavender Grapefruit Laundry Detergent
RELATED: 4 Good Reasons to Buy Natural, Non-Toxic Products for Your Home & Life
Cleancult
Best for: Low waste, refillable option
Why I recommend Cleancult laundry detergent:
- Cleancult laundry detergent is made using the natural superpower of saponified coconuts and is scented with essential oils
- Laundry detergent is dispensed from a reusable glass bottle and refills come in cardboard boxes, making it a low waste laundry detergent
- Cleancult is a subscription service delivering laundry detergent and other cleaning products monthly
- Scented and fragrance free options available
- EWG rating: Not listed
- Format: Liquid
- Best for: Low waste, refillable
Shop: Cleancult Get 20% off when you use code MINDFULMOMMA at checkout.
Seventh Generation
Best for: Fragrance-free
Why I recommend Seventh Generation laundry detergent:
- Quadruple-enzyme formula great for stain fighting
- No synthetic fragrances used and a fragrance free (Free & Clear) option is available
- Easy to find at Target and other local stores
- Seventh Generation is a B-Corp
- EWG rating: A (free & clear powder and packs), C (liquid detergents)
- Certifications: All laundry detergents are USDA Certified Biobased Product and many are EPA Safer Choice Certified
- Format: Liquid and pods (they call them packs)
- Best for: Fragrance-free
- Note: Liquid versions contains the preservative methylisothiazolinone, which is a potential endocrine disruptor and can be a skin irritant to some people – so I recommend the powder if you think you might be sensitive to methylisothiaolinone. However, Seventh Generation stands behind the safety of their liquid formulas.
Shop: Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Packs
Meliora
Why I recommend Meliora laundry detergent:
Best for: Plastic-free laundry detergent
- Simple formula is free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, preservatives, brighteners and palm oil
- Unscented or scented with essential oils only
- Shipped in metal container instead of plastic jug
- A great plastic-free laundry detergent option – especially if you skip the scoop!
- Small family owned business
- EWG rating: A
- Certifications: MadeSafe Certified
- Format: Powder
- Best for: Plastic-free
Shop: Meliora Laundry Powder
Grab Green
Why I recommend Grab Green laundry detergent:
Best for: Good smelling laundry
- 3-in-1 formula combines deep-cleaning concentrated detergent, stain remover, and brightener, all in one
- Outperformed Tide Pods in stain removal (including grass ink, blood and chocolate)
- Combination of essential oils and safe synthetic scents mean fragrance will linger longer on clothes (if that is something you like)
- Fragrances are very nice but not too strong (my favorite is Vetiver)
- EWG rating: A (fragrance free), B (scented)
- Format: Pods
- Best for: Good smelling laundry
Shop: Grab Green 3-in-1 Laundry Detergent Pods
What is your favorite eco-friendly laundry detergent? Leave a comment!
P.S. – Looking for more green cleaning brands? I’ve got you covered!
Prisd says
I personally loved Country Save, especially since it was in a purely cardboard container without the plastic liner like Biokleen does. Unfortunately, they stopped selling it at Sprouts here in San Diego, the only retailer who used to stock it. Now I have to decide if buying it on Amazon makes sense or not. Sprouts also said they could order me a 4-box package (would probably last me over a year).
Micaela says
I’ve never heard of Country Save – hope you can find it again! And yes, I forgot about the plastic bag with Biokleen powder – I guess it’s not totally plastic-free after all!
Louise says
I’ve been using Molly’s Suds unscented for a couple of months and so far I love it. I bought it on Amazon but am looking for a local place to buy it. I recycle the bag it comes in with my grocery plastic bags. It uses 1 Tbs of the powder per load, I have a front loader and I put it in the dispenser and have not had any problems. My clothes are really clean! For scent I put a couple of drops of essential oil on my wool dryer balls and that does the trick.
Micaela says
Glad to hear that Molly’s Suds has been working well for you! I add essential oil to my wool dryer balls too! It leaves a nice subtle scent – I usually use lavender.
Denise Gagliardi says
Please make sure dryer balls are from a humane family farm! Thanks for sharing your experience:)
Amanda says
Have you tried soap nuts/berries? Thinking about trying those.
Micaela says
I did try soap nuts years ago. I think they work fine but I just couldn’t get into the groove of using them regularly. One issue is that they last for a few loads but it is hard to tell when they are spent and you should start using new ones. Many people love them – so probably worth a try if you are intrigued enough!
Angie Ringler says
Great article! When I saw your post I got excited. Showcasing the Laundry Room as a place to be green is important. So much waste comes from there…think about how many laundry containers we’ve tossed (aka -trash, aka recycling) in just the past 12 months – no less our lifetime!
What would have made me more excited would if my company’s product would have made your list 😛
I invented Tangie Laundry Paste, a zero-waste, plastic-free laundry soap concentrate. We are A-rated @EWG and in 100% compostable packaging.
-It comes to you as a paste.
-You drop it into a gallon of water and it dilutes to make a gallon of liquid laundry soap.
-Add to your machine as usual and use between 1/2 oz and one oz per standard load.
-Up to 264 loads per gallon.
I know many choose powder products over liquid as the least packaging option (a cardboard box is less waste than the big ole plastic jugs). I’ve taken liquid laundry soap to the next level. Refilling your own container forever means you will never toss away another laundry container. I’m happy to mail you a sample that dilutes to wash 6-12 loads… if this sounds like a product you would like to try.
Thanks for sharing easy green living with the masses! Doing more with less benefits us all, for healthy oceans and a healthy planet. gratefully, Angie.
Micaela says
I’m intrigued Angie! I’d love to give Tangie laundry paste a go!
Regina muskeyvalley says
I would love to try this!
Kate says
I really love the powder from Meliora Cleaning Products – they offer both cardboard canisters (with a no-scoop option to make it plastic free) and they also have paper refill bags, which are even cheaper and lower waste!
Micaela says
I tried Meliora years ago and it was great! I should try it again – love that they are plastic-free!
Suzanne Liazuk says
I tried Meliora and it doesn’t dissolve in tray. It clumps and clogs up soap dispenser.
Micaela says
Oh no – sorry to hear that! That didn’t happen for me. I would reach out to the company and explain what happened – maybe they have a tip for you.
Sharon says
I am using FIT laundry detergent right now. It is a liquid. I buy it from Amazon. Satisfied.
Katie says
Pure Haven
Christina says
which one would be the most cost effective per load for a standard washer?
and be able to buy in bulk?
Have you tried Nellie’s Laundry Soda? what is your opinion on that if you have?
also do you know any good all natural DIY laundry detergents?
this post was very helpful, just had a few questions!!
Micaela says
Hi Christina – I have not tried Nellie’s yet but I’ve heard of it. I’m pretty sure powdered laundry detergent is usually the most cost effective – the Biokleen powder is awesome! I have yet to make my own, homemade laundry detergent – maybe I’ll do some experimenting with that soon!
Vicki Norwood says
I am looking for a low sudsing, safe for sensitive skin and effective laundry detergent for my new he washing machine, does Seventh Generation check all those boxes?
Micaela says
Yes definitely! Seventh Generation Free & Clear would be a good option – it is made for HE washers.
Vicki Norwood says
thank you – I’ll give it a try 😊
Meghan says
It’s what I’ve been using for years (7th gen unscented) on my kiddos laundry. My oldest has sensitive skin and gets rashes with other brands. I’ve wanted to switch to a product with lighter packaging but so far- Mollys gave him a rash.
Vicki says
I personally use the Seventh Generation laundry detergent for sensitive skin: it washes the clothes very well, has low suds for the he machines, and is unscented. I would recommend it.
Micaela says
So glad to hear you like the Seventh Generation!
Vicki says
It works as you all said it would and I’ve not had to re-rinse my clothes bcz of too many suds since I started using it.
Mia Cooperman says
Hi there, what an outstanding article and very helpful information included. THANK YOU! There is a innovative green laundry product were not mentioned in this article – Dreambly laundry sheets. What I like about dreambly is #1 it works amazing but its everything you need for laundry is in just one sheet. I was a bit skeptical at first as I couldn’t believe you can actually do this but sure enough what they claim actually works. But best part is each sheet is 100% organic and biodegradable in just 10 days so its a true eco-friendly product which I am all about 🙂 What i do is put two sheets in the wash for the best results and drop a couple drips of my fav organic essential oil (Lavender) and then take same sheet out of wash drip oil on the sheet again and toss in the dryer. Clothes come out clean and smelling great… it is so simple…
Desiree says
I almost did the happy dance in the aisles yesterday. Target, even our dinky downtown City Target, now sells Biokleen detergents and they have them at a very reasonable price. Woohoo!
Micaela says
Just heard about that recently too! Love that Biokleen will be available to a wider audience!
Tom says
Hi –
I’m really grateful for this article. Knowing what goes into my home & personal care products is important. The one thing it looks like you haven’t addressed is how well these products clean. If I missed that, somehow, please point it ut, but otherwise, can you tell me which of these products does the best job of cleaning clothes, while hopefully leaving them undamaged and soft?
Thanks!
Micaela says
I’ve used all of these laundry detergents and find that they work very well!
Akshara Uppaluri says
Hi,
I would love to know your opinion about dropps laundry detergent.
Thanks,
Akshara.
Micaela says
From what I can tell they are pretty good.
Lia says
I discovered Dropps this year and I absolutely love this detergent. It’s a subscription service and they have plant-based pods. The pod itself is also plant based. They have scented and unscented. The company also has dishwasher pods although I have not tried them yet. I spend about $.19 per load. I find that to be very economical.
Jennie says
I use Dropps dishwasher pods and will continue using them. My dishes, even pans, are clean. As I write this, I realize my glasses and silverware don’t have a soap residue! I was using the very expensive Cascade and think my dishes are cleaner with Dropps.
Micaela says
Glad to hear you love Dropps! Do you use the laundry pods as well as the dishwasher pods?
Rebecca Lamvol says
Great article!! Have you looked into MyGreenFills at all?
Micaela says
Yes, I have used MyGreenFills and I love their refill pouch system! I need to add them to this review when I have a chance!
Marie S. says
I’ve been using My green Fills for about a year, and I’ve got to say it is THE best product I’ve ever used. It even takes out old, set in stains. Their other laundry products are also very good.
Christina says
Thank you for this we’ve been on the search for alternatives to what we currently use
Barbara says
What a great list! I need to switch to an all natural laundry detergent and I’m going to try Meliora. Looking it up in the EWG website, it sounds exactly what I’m looking for. I have respiratory issues, and this one doesn’t list anything in it that could irritate my lungs. Thank you so much for this article!
Micaela says
Hope it works well for you!
Lu says
Thank you for the list. I’ve been searching for a replacement. Of the products above, which one would you say is the most effective? Especially in cleaning food and dirt/mud stains.
Micaela says
My favorites are the Biokleen laundry powder and Dropps laundry detergent pods. For dirt/mud stains I usually soak with some oxygen bleach before washing and/or rub in some stain remover. Hope that helps!
Alice says
Thank you for sharing all this useful info! I personally recently shift to TrueEarth and I truly enjoy it: it comes in carton box and it doesn’t take much space in your cabinet at all. Available with fragrance or not. Maybe a bit more expensive than other options out there, but at the end of the day I feel great at being part of the solution rather than the problem in polluting our waters. Have a great rest of the week:)
Micaela says
That one’s on my list to try! Thanks for sharing Alice!
Erika Nair says
I’ve tried quite a few of the above and also like them. I live in New England where the water is very harsh on clothes and the naturally high iron content in our water can keep clothing from looking white after it’s washed even with industrial detergents. My faves are Ecos and Better Life. They seem to work best with our water.
Micaela says
Glad you found a couple eco-friendly laundry detergents that work for you!
Alison says
What about the laundry soap sheets, how do they do and what is the best?
Micaela says
Great question! I haven’t tried any laundry soap sheets yet, but I’m going to buy some to check out. Any particular brands you want me to try?
Marisa Herrera says
Thank you for this informative and helpful post!
Are all these soaps in your post suitable for HE washing machines?
Thanks!
Micaela says
Yes they are!
Joanne T Healey says
I use Seventh Generation and I also use their dishsoap. I am looking for an alternative because I do not like companies that make their bottle sizes slightly smaller and charge the same price. It is a disceptive way to raise the price. I also remember when I used them for years, I only needed a small amount of dishsoap. Now I need way more – it seems to be watered down. Again, it feels like a deceptive way to increase prices.
So between them changing the bottle size slightly smaller and yet keeping price the same or more, and watering down liquid, I am very unhappy with the company and thank you for investigating good alternatives.
Lynda C Rudesill says
What do you think of Clean People? I have been using it recently and really like it. Is it good for the environment? What about fabric softner? Is there something I can use that is OK for the environment?
Micaela says
I am still testing out Clean People so I’ll have to get back to you on that one. I don’t use fabric softener myself but ATTITUDE makes one that rates well on the EWG cleaning database. https://mindfulmomma.com/ATTITUDE