The Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent For Your Family’s Needs

A review of the best non-toxic 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.

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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. Natural and non-toxic laundry detergent is such an easy and inexpensive change to make – it’s really a no-brainer!

Note: There may be affiliate links in this post including Amazon Affiliates. Full disclosure.

Questions to Ask About Your Laundry Detergent

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 ingredients are healthier for YOU and the planet
• What are the best non-toxic laundry detergent brands?
• How to find the best natural laundry detergent for your personal needs and preferences

Let’s dive in! 

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!)

Ingredients to Avoid 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 detergents 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 the harsh chemicals that may be 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 ingredients that lead to skin irritation and allergic reactions. 
• 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

Ingredients to Avoid for the Health of the Planet

Think about all the wastewater that drains out of your washing machine 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 the 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.

Things to Look for in Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent

So how do you know if a laundry detergent is safe, non-toxic and environmentally friendly? Here are a few things to look for in a safe laundry detergent:

Must haves for non-toxic laundry detergent:

• Biodegradable laundry detergent formula (phosphate-free)
• Plant-based ingredients
• 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 to come from natural essential oils or to use unscented laundry detergent. 

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
• EWG rating of EWG-Verified, “A” or “B” – Not every brand and product is listed on the Environmental Working Group’s cleaning database 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 two active boys – I appreciate this!

Certifications for eco-friendly laundry detergent:

These third-party certifications show that the product has met strict requirements for human and environmental health.  

• EWG VERIFIED™ – The Environmental Working Group’s strictest standard for ingredient safety
• MADE SAFE® – Products are screened against an extensive database of known harmful chemicals
• EPA Safer Choice – Meets specific requirements for safer chemical ingredients
• USDA Certified Bio-Based – Indicates the percentage of biobased material in product
• Leaping Bunny  or PETA Certified – Allows no animal testing of finished products or ingredients
• EcoCert – Certifies natural & organic products and ingredients
• ECOLOGO – Products have undergone rigorous scientific testing and auditing for reduced environmental and health impacts
• B-Corp – Indicates a socially responsible company

Laundry detergent formats:

• Laundry Detergent Powder – This is usually the cheapest type of laundry detergent and is available in large boxes that are often plastic-free.
• Liquid Laundry Detergent – Liquid detergent is great for doing hand-wash and some people just prefer liquid over powder. Note: It can be easy to overpour and use too much. 
• Laundry Pods or Tablets – Laundry pods and tablets are premeasured so you don’t use more than you need, but they can be more expensive per load. (Note: pods and tabs go directly in washer not in soap dispenser)
• Laundry Strips or Laundry Sheets – As popular as laundry detergents sheets are, I have not found any that meet my criteria in terms of safe ingredients. I’ll let you know if I find something!

A note about laundry pods, strips and sheets: Laundry detergent pods that are sold in a “dissolvable” pack, and laundry strips or sheets that dissolve in the wash are made using polyvinyl alcohol (also known as PVA, PVOH and PVAI), which is a synthetic plastic polymer. Polyvinyl alcohol is marketed as sustainable because it is water soluble, but while it seems to disappear, it doesn’t actually degrade in real-life scenarios. This means that PVA ends up in waterways and soil, and eventually, in the food chain. Because of this, I personally prefer to use laundry tablets (without any packaging), laundry liquid or laundry powder. 

Don’t forget the stain removers – find out how 6 eco-friendly stain removers performed in my test!

Best Non-Toxic 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. 

And of course you want a non-toxic detergent that actually works! Rest assured that all of these laundry detergents are both effective at cleaning and brightening laundry, and free from harmful ingredients like 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 listing prices in this post. However, for a regular sized HE load, prices typically ranged from $.10 per load to $.50 per load. Pods are generally more expensive than liquid or powder, ranging from $.30 to $.50 each – but if you don’t mind paying a bit more for convenience, they can certainly be worth it!

Here are the best eco-friendly laundry detergents I’ve found:

ATTITUDE

Why I recommend ATTITUDE laundry detergent:

• Biodegradable, plant-based formula with no irritating enzymes 
• Formulated with advanced deodorizing properties for cold water wash
• Purchase a refillable aluminum bottle and refill from low-waste refill box
• Unscented baby laundry detergent available (safe for cloth diapers) 
• Certifications: ECOLOGO Certified, PETA Certified, EWG-Verified
• EWG rating: EWG VERIFIED™
• Format: Liquid
• Best for: Refillable laundry liquid and baby laundry detergent

Shop: ATTITUDE Laundry Detergent Eco-Refill and ATTITUDE Baby Laundry Detergent

Aspen Clean

Why I recommend Aspen Clean laundry detergent:

• Made from plant and mineral-based ingredients
• Powered with oxygen bleach and enzymes
• 99.9% of the ingredients are from natural origin
• Scented with organic essential oils (unscented also available)
• Certifications:  EcoCert® certified, Leaping Bunny, EWG-Verified
• EWG rating: EWG VERIFIED™
• Format: Pods
• Best for: EWG Verified pods

Shop: Aspen Clean Laundry Detergent Pods

HealthyBaby

Why I recommend HealthyBaby laundry detergent:

• A 100% plant, mineral, and water-based baby laundry concentrate
• Dermatologist & Pediatrician tested
• Comes in a glass bottle with a reusable plastic pump
• Certifications:  EWG Verified, MADE SAFE® Certified
• EWG rating: EWG VERIFIED™
• Format: Liquid
• Best for: Babies

Shop: HealthyBaby Our Laundry Detergent

Looking for more non-toxic cleaning brands? I’ve got you covered!

Molly’s Suds

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: All Sport Wash is best for stinky athletic clothes

Shop: Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder and Molly’s Suds All Sport Laundry Wash (Take 15% off with code MINDFULMOMMA at checkout)

Branch Basics

Why I recommend Branch Basics for laundry detergent:

• A plant and mineral based formula that is effective, sustainable and safe for humans
• The Concentrate can be used for all your cleaning needs, including laundry
• Fragrance-free formula
• Laundry kit includes concentrate, a reusable dispenser and oxygen boost powder
• EWG rating: A
• Certifications:MADE SAFE® Certified, Leaping Bunny
• Format: Liquid
• Best for: Multi-purpose cleaning + laundry

Shop: Branch Basics Laundry Kit (choose plastic or glass dispenser bottle) Use code MINDFULMOMMA for 15% off.

Better Life

Why I recommend Better Life laundry detergent:

• 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: Lavender lovers 

Shop: Better Life Lavender Grapefruit Laundry Detergent

Rosey (from Thrive Market)

Why I recommend Rosey laundry detergent:

• Made from 7 eco-friendly ingredients
• Formula uses natural enzymes to clean stains
• Each bag washes up to 70 loads
• Available in lavender, peppermint or unscented
• Certifications: B-Corporation
• EWG rating: N/A but ingredient ratings for powder lean toward an A 
• Format: Powder, liquid or packs
• Best for: Value brand ($0.13 per load for powder, $0.10 for liquid) If you are looking for the cheapest eco friendly laundry detergent, this is it!

Shop: Rosey Laundry Detergent (Get 25% off + a FREE gift on your first Thrive Market order)

Meliora 

Why I recommend Meliora laundry detergent:

• Simple formula that 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

Seventh Generation

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: USDA Certified Biobased Product, EPA Safer Choice Certified, B-Corp
• 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

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
• 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.
• EWG rating: A (unscented), B (scented)
• Format: Pods
• Best for: Pod lovers who appreciate a subscription service

Shop: Dropps Laundry Pods Get a discount on your first order when you sign up for their mailing list. 

Biokleen

Why I recommend Biokleen laundry detergent:

• 3x concentrated formula uses plants, minerals, microbes, and enzymes 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
• EWG rating: B (both free & clear and citrus scent)
• Format: Powder or liquid (I’ve used both and prefer the powder)
• Best for: Family size (choose from 75 loads or 150 loads per box)

Shop: Biokleen Citrus Essence Laundry Powder and Biokleen Sport Laundry Liquid

Worried about stinky laundry? I’ve got some laundry freshening tips for you! 

Cleancult  

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 
• Scented and fragrance free options available
• Note: Cleancult laundry liquid contains the preservative methylisothiazolinone, so if you are sensitive to this ingredient, you should skip this one. 
• Certifications: Leaping Bunny, Certified Plastic Neutral
• EWG rating: Not listed
• Format: Liquid
• Best for: Low waste, refillable 

Shop: Cleancult 

Grab Green

Why I recommend Grab Green laundry detergent:

• 3-in-1 formula combines deep-cleaning concentrated detergent, stain remover, and brightener, all in one
• White powder based pods (not liquid) are less attractive to kids
• 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: Laundry pods
• Best for: Good smelling laundry

Shop: Grab Green 3-in-1 Laundry Detergent Pods

What is your favorite natural, non-toxic laundry detergent? Let us know in the comments!

P.S. You might notice I’ve left two 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 stronger, more lasting scent, go right ahead and try them. But first, check out Grab Green in my list above – I like their unique but subtle fragrances and they rate better on EWG than those other brands.

I’ve also left soap nuts off this list. I have tried them, and they just weren’t a good fit for me – too messy and I didn’t think they cleaned as well as other laundry detergents.