The Ultimate Non Toxic Laundry Detergent Guide (2025 Edition)

Maia James
The Ultimate Non Toxic Laundry Detergent Guide (2025 Edition)
373 comments

I admit it: finding a non toxic laundry detergent that actually works is a challenge. When we had babies in the house, my husband used to joke (more like complain) that he knew we were using the #goodstuff when the bibs came out of the dryer with the spit-up still intact. And every time he came home with a “free and clear” version from the drug store, I would read the ingredients and veto it

But! Things have changed over the last decade. Non toxic laundry detergents work better, there are more environmentally friendly options, and the Sneaky Stuff has gotten less sneaky.

In this updated, comprehensive shopping guide, we’ve reviewed over 40 brands of detergent and found non toxic laundry detergent powders, pods, sheets, and liquid versions that meet our criteria for Good Stuff.

To bottom line it for you, we start with a cheat sheet of the nine brands of non toxic laundry detergent that we deemed Best Stuff. This means that they are:

  • 100% free of synthetic fragrance (including “natural fragrance oils”).
  • Contain no optical brighteners.
  • Use a preservative system that's free of formaldehyde releasers.
  • Is formulated with biodegradable surfactants only (plant-based, no petrochemicals).

This list includes only the cleanest of the clean when it comes to non toxic laundry detergents.

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Best Laundry Products

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1. Mama Suds

2. Christina Maser

3. Tandi's

4. Sonett

5. Meliora

6. Branch Basics Laundry

7. Earthley Laundry Detergent

8. Molly Suds Laundry Detergent

9. Aspen Clean Laundry Detergent

Read on for more about the best non-toxic laundry detergents we love, what to look out for when choosing a detergent, and the 17 “natural” laundry detergent brands we’d advise you to avoid.

Toxins in Laundry Detergent

All laundry detergents leave a residue on clothing, which we then inhale and absorb through our skin. The ill effects of some of the chemicals in detergents range from skin or eye irritation to possibly much more serious, such as endocrine disruption.

The following common laundry detergent ingredients can be harmful to human and/or planet health:

  1. Phosphates: Found in many detergents, phosphates can contribute to water pollution, leading to issues like algal blooms and oxygen-deprived “dead zones” in water bodies.
  2. Surfactants: Some surfactants used in detergents can be derived from petrochemicals, which are non-renewable and contribute to carbon emissions. Others can be immunotoxins.
  3. Fragrances: Almost all conventional detergents use synthetic fragrances, which can contain phthalates and are linked to asthma, allergies, hormone disruption, and indoor air pollution (they off-gas from your clothes for days).
  4. Optical Brighteners: These chemicals, like stilbene and coumarin, are designed to make clothes appear brighter, but they can be irritating to the skin and are not easily biodegradable.
  5. Dyes: Synthetic dyes used in detergents can contain heavy metals and other harmful compounds.
  6. Chlorine Bleach: This common laundry additive can create harmful byproducts when mixed with other chemicals, and its production and use can contribute to environmental pollution.
  7. 1,4-Dioxane: This is a byproduct of the ethoxylation process used to make some surfactants, and it’s classified as a probable human carcinogen.

Do You Need a Special Detergent for Baby Clothes?

When I was pregnant and setting up a nursery that would never be used (Felix slept with us), everyone told me to wash all of his clothes in Dreft. After a bit of research, I decided against it (see below, under “The Bad Stuff”).

I’m sure there are people who separate baby linens from other household laundry–but if you’re using a nontoxic detergent there is no reason you cannot use it to wash all of the family’s clothing, including your baby’s!


More importantly, if my laundry detergent is an irritant for my babies’ skin (or worse), I don’t want to use it on my clothes! My own health aside, when my boys were infants, I spent about 30 percent of my day snuggling their little naked bodies to my clothed one, so I was determined to find a safe, natural laundry detergent.

Best Stuff

Aspen Clean

This EWG-verified laundry detergent is safe in both liquid and powder formulas. Aspen uses decyl glucoside as its primary cleaning agent and contains only essential oils for fragrance.

Price per ounce: $0.46
Price per pod: $0.56

Ingredients: Water / Eau, Decyl Glucoside (sustainable Coconut, Palm Kernel Oil derived / Dérivé de noix de coco et d'huile de palmiste durable), Sodium Chloride (Salt / Sel), Potassium Cocoate, Sodium Citrate, Organic Glycerine (Vegetables derived / Dérivé végétal), Lauryl Glucoside (sustainable Coconut, Palm Kernel Oil derived / Dérivé de noix de coco et d'huile de palmiste durable), Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Gluconate, Coconut (Noix de coco) Acid, Potassium Hydroxide.

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Aspen Clean

Earthley

  • Made with plant-based ingredients
  • free of sulfates, brighteners, fragrances, and dyes
  • It’s also biodegradable and septic safe.

Cost per load: $0.44

Ingredients: Washing Soda Citric Acid Saponified Organic Coconut Oil Saponified Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Saponified Organic Castor Oil Filtered Water Bromelain

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Earthley

Meliora Laundry Powder

Coming in as the most affordable per ounce, Meliora is also a great natural laundry detergent option for those who want to clean their clothes with less of an environmental impact. All scents are free of synthetic fragrances, dyes, and brighteners, and the entire system is 100% plastic-free.

Price per ounce: $0.20

Ingredients: [UNSCENTED]: Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Vegetable Soap [Sodium Cocoate, Glycerin, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Water] [LAVENDER]: Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Vegetable Soap [Sodium Cocoate, Glycerin, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Water], Organic Lavandula Hybrida Grosso (Lavender) Oil [LEMON]: Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Vegetable Soap [Sodium Cocoate, Glycerin, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Water], Organic Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil

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Meliora Laundry Powder

Molly’s Suds

Molly’s Suds line of laundry products is safe and even includes some organic ingredients, such as peppermint oil.

Price per ounce: $0.49

Ingredients: SODIUM CARBONATE (SOURCED FROM THE GREEN RIVER BASIN IN WYOMING); SODIUM BICARBONATE; MAGNESIUM SULFATE (HEPTAHYDRATE); MARIS SAL (UNREFINED SEA SALT)

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Molly’s Suds

Christina Maser Vegan Concentrated Laundry Soap

Christina Maser is a natural laundry soap rather than a detergent, and a perfect alternative for those of you who want a vegan option for your laundry. Find it in the Gimme the Good Stuff laundry detergent section. Start with a glass jar, and then refill with eco-friendly bags.

Price per ounce: $0.96

Ingredients: Laundry soap (coconut oil, water, and lye), oxygen bleach, sodium bicarbonate, washing soda, pure essential oils (unless unscented)

Christina Maser Vegan Concentrated Laundry Soap

Branch Basics Laundry

I love Branch Basics planet-friendly cleaning system, and their Laundry Detergent contains only the surfactants we’ve deemed safe (decyl glucoside and coco-glucoside).

Price per ounce: $0.60

Ingredients: Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Percarbonate, Sodium Gluconate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Metasilicate, TAED, Protease, Amylase, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Poly (itaconic acid-co-AMPS) Sodium Salt

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Branch Basics Laundry

Tandi's Naturals

Tandi’s  is suitable for regular and high-efficiency (HE) washers. Tandi uses tallow as the basis for this soap, which she blends with natural cleaners like baking soda, plus essential oils for a delicate scent. This soap does not contain borax or SLS/SLES, and is a very effective option.

Price per ounce: from $0.35 – $0.52 

Ingredients: Laundry soap (Lancaster County tallow, water, and lye), sodium percarbonate (oxygenated bleach) , sodium bicarbonate, washing soda, pure essential oils (unless unscented)

Tandi's Naturals

MamaSuds Liquid Laundry

MamaSuds is a deep cleaning, all-natural laundry soap that is safe for cloth diapers. This is NOT a detergent, and therefore you will not need a fabric softener when using it. MamaSuds household cleaning products are simple, nontoxic, and eco-friendly. They are also incredibly effective and completely free of the Bad Stuff.

Note: This soap contains borax.

Price per ounce: $0.28

Ingredients: water, potassium olivate (saponified olive oil), sodium carbonate,sodium borate

MamaSuds Liquid Laundry

Sonett Laundry Liquid

This is my favorite natural laundry detergent. Sonett is made in Germany, smells delish (although it’s also available in an unscented Neutral), and gets our clothes super clean. Of course, it contains none of the questionable ingredients listed above.

Price per ounce: $0.26

Ingredients: Aqua, potassium soap*, alkylpolyglucoside C8–16, sodium
C8–14, fatty alcohol sulphate, alcohol, sulphated castor oil, potassium citrate, perfume* (fragrance), linalool*
*certified organically grown

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Sonett Laundry Liquid

Laundry Detergent

We’ve highlighted some of our favorite non toxic laundry detergents above, but a bunch of other brands meet our criteria for Good Stuff. You’ll find those, plus the brands we consider Okay, Bad, and Sneaky in the sections that follow. Here's what to know about these brands of detergents:

  • Good Stuff detergents, unlike those we've called Best Stuff, may use a mild synthetic preservative (like sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate) and/or use biodegradable but lab-synthesized surfactants (like coco-glucoside or sodium cocoyl isethionate). Importantly, Good Stuff brands will never contain PFAS, optical brighteners, or dyes. You can feel confident that the brands in this category are non toxic laundry detergent, just slightly less all natural than the Best Stuff brands.
  • Okay Stuff detergents are much better than Tide or Gain, but might use more synthetics, and/or have less ingredient transparency. Like the Best and Good categories, Okay Stuff never contains any of the truly problematic ingredients like phthalates or optical brighteners.
  • Sneaky Stuff brands include those that are greenwashed, lack transparency, or use PVA/PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) film in pods or strips. Brands market this as “biodegradable,” but wastewater studies show it often passes treatment plants intact and contributes to microplastic pollution.

Good Stuff

9 Elements

  • plant-based, and great for people with sensitive skin or allergies.
  • Biodegradable and does not contain any phosphates or dyes. 

Cost per load: $0.14

Ingredients: Water,Plant Based Cleaning Agent (Citric Acid),Cleaning Agent (C12-16 Pareth),Cleaning Agent (Sodium C10-16 Alkylbenzenesulfonate),Plant Based Solvent (Propylene Glycol),Plant Based Water Softener (Sodium Citrate),Fragrances,Vinegar,Contains Fragrance Allergens (Limonene; Hexyl Cinnamal; Benzyl Salicylate; Linalool)

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9 Elements

Attitude Laundry Detergent

  • This laundry liquid’s formula changed since we last updated this guide, and is now safer.
  • The surfactants used have been changed to sodium coco sulfate and lauryl glucoside, both of which are of low concern.

Price per load: $0.34

Ingredients: 5-15% anionic surfactants / agents de surface anioniques (Sodium Coco-Sulfate), 5-15% non-ionic surfactants / agents de surface non-ioniques (Lauryl Glucoside, Myristyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glucoside). Contains also / Contient aussi : Aqua / Water / Eau, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis (Tea) Leaf Extract.

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Attitude Laundry Detergent

Blueland Laundry Tablets

  • unlike laundry pods, they contain no polyvinyl alcohol.
  • Refills are packaged in compostable paper pouches
  • Ingredients are clean.

Price per ounce: from $0.28 to $0.35

Ingredients: Sodium carbonate, citric acid, microcrystalline cellulose, subtilisin, lauryl/myristyl glucoside, amylase, sorbitan caprylate, mannanase, sodium citrate, cellulase, hydrated silica.

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Blueland Laundry Tablets

Common Good Laundry Detergent

  • Moved from Sneaky to Good since they got rid of almost all of their problematic ingredients–really all that is left is sodium benzoate, and I’m not so worried about that in this case.
  • They even use just essential oils for the fragrance, and I LOVED how my clothes smelled when I used this one.
  • Extra points for the option of a refillable glass bottle!

Price per ounce: $0.81

Ingredients: Water, decyl glucoside, sodium cocoamphoacetate, lauramine oxide, lactic acid, sodium benzoate, sodium gluconate, sodium citrate, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, amylase enzyme, lipase enzyme, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil.

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Common Good Laundry Detergent

Eco-Me Laundry Detergent

  • My favorite liquid natural laundry detergent
  • safe ingredients list
  • works well, and smells nice

Price per load: $0.22

Ingredients: Water, Potassium Cocoate (Coconut Oil Soap), Glyceryl Caprylate Caprate (Vegetable-Derived Thickener), Potassium Olivate (Olive Oil Soap), Potassium Jojobate (Jojoba Oil Soap), Rosmarinus (Rosemary Oil Extract) Officinalis Leaf Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Natural Fragrance Plant Essential Oils Blend.

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Eco-Me Laundry Detergent

Esembly Baby Laundry Detergent

  • Best brand for cloth-diapering moms
  • Works really well on workout clothes. 
  • Made in the USA
  • Ahort list of clean ingredients.

Discount code: GOODSTUFF*10* for 10% off.

Price per ounce: $0.16

Ingredients: Sodium carbonate (CAS # 497-19-8), sodium sulfate (CAS # 7757-82-6), sodium percarbonate (CAS # 15630-89-4), hydrous sodium silicate (CAS # 133-09-8), ethoxylated alcohols c12-13 (CAS # 66455-14-9), ethoxylated alcohols c12-15 (CAS # 68131-39-5)

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Esembly Baby Laundry Detergent

GreenShield Laundry Detergent

  • Main cleaning agent here is saponified organic coconut oil. 
  • Unscented variety is great for even those with the most sensitive skin (like babies).
  • EWG score: A

Price per load: $0.26

Ingredients: Water, Sapindus Mukorissi (Organic Soap Nuts), Cocos Nucifera & Potassium Hydroxide (Saponified Organic Coconut Oil), Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder (Organic Aloe Vera), Glycerin (Organic), Sea Salt, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum (Organic Guar Gum), Alcohol (Organic), Calcium Chloride, Quillaja Saponaria (Organic Soap Bark)

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GreenShield Laundry Detergent

Healthybaby Laundry Detergent Concentrate

  • 100% plant and mineral-based and is safe for a baby.
  • Designed to be neurologically-safe and microbiome-friendly.
  • I also really like how easy Healthybaby laundry detergent is to use. You can pump it directly into your washing machine without any spillage (it’s easy for my kids to do their own laundry with this one!).
  • Barely misses the Best Stuff designation because of sodium benzoate (but I am not worried about it here).

Price per ounce: $1.76 (but you need very little–this lasts forever!)

Use code GIMME15 for 15% off, including subscriptions.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Gluconic Acid, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil*, Linalool+, dI-Limonene+

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Healthybaby Laundry Detergent Concentrate

Hello Bello Organic Laundry Detergent

  • Among my favorite of the celebrity-run clean products brands.
  • Legitimately safe list of ingredients

Price per ounce: $0.22

Ingredients: Water, Sapindus Mukorossi (Organic Soapberry) Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Organic Coconut) Oil & Potassium Hydroxide*, Sodium Citrate, Lonicera Japonica (Organic Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol (Organic), Sodium Chloride, Natural Fragrance, Sodium Carbonate, Glycerin (Organic) *None remains in the finished product

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Hello Bello Organic Laundry Detergent

Truly Free

  • Free of harsh chemicals and contains natural, plant-based ingredients.
  • Helps your washing machine run smoother
  • Cuts down on plastic waste with refillable jugs.

Cost per load: $0.40

Ingredients: Alkyl Polyglucoside,Citral (Citrus) ,Clove Leaf Oil-Plant Based,Eucalyptus Oil-Plant Based,Fir Needle Oil-Plant Based,Lavandin Grosso-Plant Based,Lime Oil-Plant Based,Limonene (Citrus),TetraSodium Salt,Precipitated Silica,Sodium Polyacrylate,Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate,Sodium Carbonate,Sodium Cocoate,Sodium Citrate,Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate,Hypromellose ,Cinnamal (Cinnamon) ,Coumarin (Cinnamon),Eugenol (Clove Leaf Oil) ,Evernia Furfuracea (Treemoss),Evernia Prunastri (Oakmoss),Farnesol (Lemongrass),Geraniol (Geranium),Citronellol,Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange Peel Oil)

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Truly Free

Zum Clean Laundry Soap

  • Almost all of Zum’s formulas are safe, with three primary ingredients: vegetable glycerin, saponified coconut oil, and baking soda.
  • Avoid the Frankincense & Myrrh formula as it contains synthetic fragrance (although it is free of phthalates).
  • EWG score: B-C, depending on the formula.

Price per load: $0.34

Ingredients: water, potassium cocoate (saponified 100% coconut oil), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), fragrance (essential oils) and glycerin (vegetable)

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Zum Clean Laundry Soap

Okay Stuff

365 Concentrated Laundry Detergent

  • Made without phosphates, chlorine, or artificial fragrances and dyes.
  • Designed for HE washing machines, so you only need to use a small amount per load.
  • The reason we call this one just Okay Stuff is that it uses synthetics and preservatives.
  • It's not so different from mainstream “free & clear” detergents.

Cost per ounce: $0.10

Ingredients: Water, Sapindus Mukorossi (Organic Soapberry) Fruit Extract, Potassium Cocoate, Sodium Citrate, Lonicera Japonica (Organic Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol (Organic), Sodium Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Glycerin (Organic).

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365 Concentrated Laundry Detergent

BabyGanics Laundry Detergent

  • We are happy to move this laundry detergent from Sneaky Stuff to Okay Stuff because Babyganics finally ditched the SLES.
  • It doesn't land in Good Stuff because of the benzisothiazolinone and phenoxyethanol, but I'm not especially worried about these in a rinse-out product (versus something you leave on your skin). 
  • Contains more synthetics that other brands we like
  • Historically less transparent.

Cost per ounce: $0.30


Ingredients: water, lauryl glucoside, propanediol, potassium cocoate, oleic acid, sodium citrate, lauramine oxide, protease, amylase, citric acid, sodium gluconate, benzisothiazolinone, phenoxyethanol, sodium hydroxide, calcium chloride

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BabyGanics Laundry Detergent

Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent

  • Plant-based power to clean clothes gently.
  • EWG-verified, meeting strict safety standards.
  • We rate it “Okay Stuff” due to its synthetic fragrance.
  • Transparent about all ingredients, and none are of concern.
  • Dirty Labs does not use PFAS, brighteners, or dyes, either.

Price per load: from $0.30 - $0.50

Ingredients: Lauryl glucoside (110615-47-9), Water (7732-18-5), Caprylyl/Capryl glucoside (68515-73-1), Glycerine (56-81-5), Capryloyl/Caproyl methyl glucamide (1591782-62-5), Coconut fatty acid (61788-47-4), Protease (Subtilisin) (aep) (9014-01-1), Sodium citrate (6132-04-3), Potassium hydroxide (1310-58-3), Propanediol (504-63-2), Alpha-Amylase (aep) (9000-90-2), Cellulase (aep) (9012-54-8), Mannanase (37288-54-3), Pectate lyase (9015-75-2), Sodium hydroxide (1310-73-2), Propylene glycol (57-55-6).

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Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent

Dropps Sensitive Skin & Baby Detergent

  • No dyes, phosphates, phthalates, or optical brighteners.
  • We are calling this just Okay Stuff because the Pods are made of a PVA film (a bioplastic, but not plastic-free).

New customers can use code Gimme25 for 25% off and existing customers can use Gimme15 for 15% off.

Price per load: $0.54

Ingredients: Alcohols, C12-16, ethoxylated (cleaning agent), glycerin (dissolves ingredients)*, water (dissolves ingredients), alkyl glucoside (cleaning agent)*, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate (boosts cleaning power)*, lauramine oxide (cleaning agent)*, myristamine oxide (cleaning agent)*, subtilisin (enzyme), amylase (enzyme), lipase (enzyme), pectate lyase (enzyme), mannanase (enzyme), citric acid (stabilizer)*, polyvinyl alcohol (synthetic water soluble film with bittering agent). *Denotes plant or mineral origin.

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Dropps Sensitive Skin & Baby Detergent

Grab Green Laundry Detergent

  • If you love a detergent pod, this one does the job.
  • Grab Green contains a few mildly concerning ingredients (such as sodium metasilicate, which may have respiratory effects), but only in small concentrations.
  • The EWG score is a B.
  • Okay Stuff because they come in plastic pods.

PLEASE NOTE: Grab Green recently switched to synthetic fragrance (phthalate-free), so we only recommend the unscented natural laundry detergent.

Price per load: $0.31

Ingredients: sodium carbonate peroxide, sodium carbonate, Sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium metasilicate, tetraacetylethylenedidmaine, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, c9-11 pareth-6, hydrated silica, citric acid, protease enzyme blend (subtilisin), lipase enzyme blend, alpha-amylase enzyme blend, polyvinyl alcohol

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Grab Green Laundry Detergent

Nellie’s Laundry Soda

  • We’ve moved Nellies from Sneaky to Okay Stuff, since they removed a few of their most concerning ingredients, and now garner an A from the EWG.
  • We still don’t love alcohol ethoxylates and sodium metasilicate
  • Overall, we like that Nellie's is simply, but it's not as minimal as Meliora, so we prefer that one.

Price per load: $0.27

Ingredients: Sodium Carbonate, Linear Alcohol Ethoxylate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Metasilicate.

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Planet Laundry Detergent

  • Okay choice if you can’t find any of the Good Stuff
  • Contains laureth-7, which contains a bunch of contamination concerns.
  • It's a fairly simple ingredients list, but not quite as minimal as we'd like for Good Stuff brands.

Price per ounce: $0.20

Ingredients: Water (carrier). Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-7 (plant-based cleaning agents). Sodium Chloride (mineral viscosity adjuster). Lauramine Oxide, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (plant-based cleaning agents). Sodium Sesquicarbonate (mineral alkalinity adjuster). Sodium Laurate (incidental ingredient).

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Bad Stuff

Most big name and generic laundry detergents have the same bad stuff in them; if a bottle doesn’t list its specific ingredients on the label, I wouldn’t use it.

Dreft, as we all know, is marketed as being special for babies and recommended by many pediatricians. Amazingly, nowhere on Dreft.com are ingredients mentioned. The closest they come is under their FAQ:

Q: How is Dreft formulated for my baby’s laundry needs?

A: The Dreft® formula is designed to not only help fight tough baby and toddler stains, but also provide a gentle clean for baby.

With a bit more sleuthing, I was at last able to dig up a list of Dreft ingredients. Fragrance, propylene glycol,ethanolamine, ethanol, sodium hydroxide, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol 4000 (which Skin Deep scores as 5-8), and about a dozen other ingredients make up the “gentle” clean of Dreft.  EWG score: D-F, depending on the formula.

Tide has a section of its website devoted to product ingredients, and a quick scan reveals that it’s made up of lots of stuff that the EWG’s Skin Deep Database scores as moderately to highly hazardous—such as benzisothiazolinone, fragrance, FD&C Yellow 3, and laureth-9. EWG score: D-F, depending on the formula.

Sneaky Stuff

Better Life was once a Good Stuff fave for its natural, plant-based formula, but it has taken a turn we can’t support. They’ve added benzisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, preservatives known to irritate skin and potentially cause allergies.

BioKleen uses cocamidopropyl betaine as a surfactant, so I cannot call this Okay Stuff.

Caldrea Laundry Detergent. Also contains neurotoxic methylisothiazolinone and sodium laureth sulfate. EWG score: F.

Charlie’s Soap is the perennial favorite on tons of natural living blogs, and having used their powder formula, I can attest to its effectiveness.

Like other producers, Charlie’s is unwilling to provide their exact ingredients, and would only say this when I probed them further: “Our formulas are what make us special. They have been fully tested for toxicity (Duke University), biodegradability (Japan Food Research Labs), and effectiveness (SGS US Testing Labs). They are unique and (following the practices of Coca-Cola) secret. Their formula is secret too, but that doesn’t keep folks from drinking it.”

Hmmm, comparing themselves to Coke probably isn’t Charlie’s savviest PR move—The Coca-Cola Company is not exactly exemplary when it comes to concern for the health of its consumers. While Charlie’s denies using SLS or SLES, one of the ingredients they disclosed is sodium metasilicate–which Skin Deeps considers moderately hazardous and which the Journal of Reproduction and Fertility found to show reproductive effects in animals at low doses. EWG Score: D

Looks like Charlie's now lists ingredients but C12-16 pareth-9 and theC10-14 alcohol ethoxylate both come with possible contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.

Citra-Suds has also been moved from Good Stuff to Sneaky Stuff. One of my readers suspected that their laundry detergent contains sodium laureth sulfate and I followed up to discover that it does. When doing the initial review, I had an email exchange with a company representative and I asked twice if their laundry detergent contained SLES. I was told that it did not.

I suspect that the woman I talked to was just uninformed, but this is no excuse. In addition, some Citra products (laundry and otherwise) contain limonene, a potential carcinogen, and definite respiratory irritant. I was told they used orange oil for fragrance, which is a misleading answer as orange oil is technically a different (and harmless) ingredient. It also contains neurotoxic methylisothiazolinon. EWG Score: C.

Dapple’s various laundry detergents contain tetrasodium iminodisuccinate (which gets a C from EWG) and benzisothiazolinone, which is a concerning preservative.

Earth Friendly ECOS laundry detergents contain bad surfactants (like cocamidopropyl betaine) and preservatives (neurotoxic methylisothiazolinone).

Ecover gets an A from EWG, but because it contains sodium laureth sulfate, which is known to be contaminated with carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane, I consider it to be Sneaky Stuff.

Grove Collaborative’s Ultra-Concentrated Laundry Detergent has plant-based power and eco-friendly features. But a closer look at the ingredients list reveals benzisothiazolinone  and methylisothiazolinone. 

Melaleuca Mela Power Laundry is going to remain here in Sneaky Stuff until this brand gets back to me with a list of any of the ingredients found in it. 

Method laundry products contain a number of concerning ingredients, from synthetic fragrances to PEG chemicals and preservatives such as methylisothiazolinone, a suspected neurotoxin.

Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Laundry Detergent. Contains synthetic fragrance (though phthalate-free), and preservatives such as methylisothiazolinone, a suspected neurotoxin. EWG Score: F.

Puracy laundry detergent contains borax, which doesn’t worry me, but which I know many of my readers would prefer to avoid. Worse, it uses cocamidopropyl betaine as a surfactant.

Sopadilla Lovely Liquid Laundry Liquid contains cocamidopropyl betaine.

Seventh Generation Liquid Formulas also contain methylisothiazolinone. The powder formulas are okay, but not quite Good Stuff. EWG Score: D.

Tide Free & Gentle contains optical brightener and 1,4-dioxane, a probable carcinogen. (A recent New York Times blog post discussed Tide Free & GentleTide Free & Gentle specifically.) EWG Score: F.

While Trader Joe’s laundry has removed some problematic ingredients (like optical brighteners and synthetic fragrance), they still use cocamidopropyl betaine as their surfactant.

While Grove Collaborative emphasizes its plant-based cleaning power and eco-friendly packaging, it contains benzisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone.

Tru Earth laundry detergent is a popular brand that comes in strips for easy use. While it avoids some harsher chemicals, it contains cocamidopropyl betaine and synthetic fragrance, which doesn’t meet our criteria for the Good Stuff list.

I hope you found this guide helpful in your quest to find the best natural laundry detergent. Please comment below with other brands you’d like us to review–and we will include them in the next update of this guide.

Stay sane,
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Maia, Founder & CEO

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Tags:Cleaning Product Guides, Home & Kitchen

373 comments

Maia James

I don’t know this one but I’ll add it to the list to research.

Maia James

If you want to use a true laundry soap (rather than a detergent), check out MamaSuds: https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/mamasuds-liquid-laundry/

Chelsi poteat

What are your thoughts on "Molly’s suds " laundry detergent ..?

Maia James

In general, I consider Kirkland Bad or Sneaky Stuff, but I have not reviewed their entire line.

Sherry

What are your thoughts on The Pink Solution? It contains sea kelp, vegetable tallow, coconut oil, soda ash & water. It comes as a concentrate and you mix it with warm water. Would it be cloth diaper safe?

Kelly

Any thoughts on Fit Organic detergent? I read thru the posts and didn’t see anyone else ask. Thanks!

Debbie

What other brands from the good stuff list would you recommend for babies with ezcema? I am trying to find a more affordable option than tandi’s.

Thanks!

Maia James

These are the ingredients in Nellie’s products that concern me:
http://www.ewg.org/guides/substances/3124
http://www.ewg.org/guides/substances/5615
http://www.ewg.org/guides/substance_groups/55
http://www.ewg.org/guides/substances/1380

I am sorry, but I am not familiar with Eco Zone Balls—will check them out!

Maia James

Here are the ingredients the concern me in Nellie’s:
ttp://www.ewg.org/guides/substances/3124
http://www.ewg.org/guides/substances/5615
http://www.ewg.org/guides/substance_groups/55
http://www.ewg.org/guides/substances/1380

Shelley

I’m curious if you ever review any of the Kirkland brand products, such as the Environmentally Responsible detergent.

Candice

Ecos is a completely different brand from
Eco-me FYI

Debbie

What makes it sneaky? What do you think about Eco zone balls?

Debbie

What Ingredient in Nellie is considered sneaky? I want to go with tandi but it’s so incredibly expensive for a small amount and I am trying to find a detergent for my ezcema baby ?

Maia James

From the research I’ve done so far, it looks Okay-ish. I don’t like some of the preservatives they use, though. They wouldn’t be my first choice.

Maia James

Three brands that are across-the-board good, in my opinion: Better Life, Eco-Me, MamaSuds.

Alicia

Sorry, that posted twice!

Alicia

I agree with the above comment, it does get to be too much. I stumbled across a brand called Puracy. I haven’t had time to really look into that brand. What are your thoughts on Puracy? Good, bad, sneaky??

Laura

Since Sonett seemed to be your go to for all household items and they are no longer being shipped to the US, is there one particular brand that you would recommend for all household items? Laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, all purpose cleaners, bleach alternatives, bathroom cleaners? Something that is a good bang for your buck? I’m so upset to see that Method sprays and cleaners are not safe as they truly worked for me. $14 for 32oz of EcoMe detergent is a bit ridiculous and Greenshield has reviews where people say it doesn’t clean. It’s quite overwelming and having to pick and chose items from different brands gets to be too much.

Maia James

I don’t know why they rate it an A, as it contains sodium laureth sulfate.

Maia James

Not sure what brand that is—could you provide a list of ingredients?

Pat

Thoughts on Ecover Zero laundry detergent? EWG gave it an “A”.

Maia James

Yes, I do. There is a ton of confusion around borax—mostly people confusing sodium tetraborate with boric acid. The bottom line is that I just cannot find evidence that the former is harmful unless ingested in large amounts. I do plan to write a blog on this soon to provide more detail. Thanks for being vigilant!

Audrey

I need help finding a good cloth diaper laundry soap as well!

Ann

what do you use instead? I am trying to get rid of the ammonia smell in my cloth diapers.

Brie

You don’t like some ingredients listed even though you have it under “good stuff”?

Brie

What are your thoughts on Disney Baby Eco? Also, I see the Eco is on your “good stuff” list but then you explained to someone that you do not like their ingredients.

Brie

What are your thoughts on Eco-Baby?

Lauren

I noticed the newly added liquid detergent, mama suds, contains borax. You still consider this safe?

Mamma B

I’m wondering this too.

Melissa

Any ingredients of concern in Attitude’s BABY LAUNDRY DETERGENT -Fragrance-free?

aqua <100% anionic surfactant derived from coconut <30% non-ionic surfactants derived from corn and coconut <7% sodium citrate <5% sodium gluconate <5%

Alicia

Thank you! I was just looking over your blog again and I see you also have Eco-me dish soap listed and you had commented that their hand soap is good as well! I will be trying these products out! I struggle finding a good liquid hand soap!

Alicia

Great! Thank you so much! Would you consider Eco-me dish soap and liquid hand soap good stuff as well??

Maia James

Everything from Eco-Me is safe. Greenshield has changed their ingredients so I now want to look into them again to make sure they still are Good Stuff:)

Alicia

Hi Maia! I have been looking at the links to Greenshield and Eco-me laundry detergent that you provided. I noticed you only have certain ones pictured, so are all of their detergents safe or just the ones you have pictured under your good stuff list? Thanks is advance! And thank you for providing all of this information!

Miss G

http://www.fluffloveuniversity.com/how-to-wash-cloth-diapers/detergent-index/

For those interested, here’s a good index of laundry detergents and their effectiveness for cloth diapers based on user input.

jennifer

We recently switched from Ecos to Grab Green, and I’m loving their lavender pods. After finding your site, I looked into it a little more, and the package itself it doesn’t list it, but on their website, they list “sodium sulfate” as an ingredient. I’ve emailed the company to understand if that’s SLS or something else. But it’s not even listed on my package so I’m downright confused.

Maia James

My vote is for Tandi’s, and it’s what we use ourselves. I haven’t heard of MyGreenfills but will add it to the list for when we update this guide!

angelina

I am having a baby soon, wondering which detergent I should get to wash all her stuff in and that would be easy to get and supply….

looking at the Tandi’s, the Greenshield, or another company not sure if you have researched them yet, they are fairly new they are called MYGreenfills laundry detergent…. Let me know what you think.. and if any of these or if one you think works better than another.

Maia James

I would call Better Life laundry detergent Good Stuff, despite some surfactants with a lack of safety data.

Maia James

Yes, they work equally well.

Maia James

I THINK Molly’s sent me samples a long time ago and I tried it, but all the samples are bleeding together in my mind, so I can’t promise my memory is accurate! In any event, I do truly love the Tandi’s detergent, and it is the single best seller in our store, so others do too:). The ingredients are totally different from Molly’s (it is tallow-based), so I would say it’s worth a try! My clothes come out of the dryer totally clean.

Phil

do you have any experience with the better life brand? I am becoming a big fan of their’s and wondering how their laundry detergent is.

http://www.cleanhappens.com/products/spin-credible-laundry-detergent?variant=383598258

Kim

I know Molly’s Suds is safe, but have you tried it? I went through 2 bags of it to give it a fair chance but really did not clean my laundry well. I even emailed them asking for tips and they suggested hot water, which shrunk my clothes! Anyway, I’m curious if Tandi’s is similar in cleaning to Molly’s Suds because I am considering trying Tandi’s but want something that works much better than Molly’s Suds. Thanks!

Sal

Is the Sonett laundry liquid lavender as good as the Sonett clear detergent. Thanks.

Sal

Is Sonett laundry liquid Lavender as good as the Clear Sonett.

Maia James

The only ingredient I am not really into is benzisothiazolinone. You can check our glossary for more on why:)

Maia James

Yes Molly’s is Good Stuff:)

Robin

What do you think about Dapple baby detergent. The website list the following ingredients:

Water, citric acid, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate (natural complexing agent), sodium citrate (natural water softener derived from citric acid), glycerin (natural emollient), coconut fatty acid (natural cleaner derived from coconut), sodium lauroamphoacetate (natural cleaner derived from tree oils and glucose), lauryl glucoside (natural cleaner derived from glucose), protease & amylase (natural enzymes to enhance cleaning power), cellulose (natural derived thickening agent), benzisothiazolinone (preservative).

Robin

What are your thoughts about Dapple Fragrance Free Natural Baby Laundry Detergent. According to their website, the ingredients are as follows:

Water, citric acid, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate (natural complexing agent), sodium citrate (natural water softener derived from citric acid), glycerin (natural emollient), coconut fatty acid (natural cleaner derived from coconut), sodium lauroamphoacetate (natural cleaner derived from tree oils and glucose), lauryl glucoside (natural cleaner derived from glucose), protease & amylase (natural enzymes to enhance cleaning power), cellulose (natural derived thickening agent), benzisothiazolinone (preservative).

Maia James

The only good wool cleaner I know is Sonnet, but it is no longer being imported to the US. You could contact Sonett USA http://sonett.us.com/ and see if they have any left in stock that they could send you!

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