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.
The Ultimate Non Toxic Laundry Detergent Guide (2025 Edition)
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373 comments
Jason Trama
It’s EWG certified.
Graham Goss
So glad you like them Susan! If you ever decide to subscribe, use code FREESHIPSUBSCRIBE to get free recurring shipping. *$20 minimum subscription amount
bumpdrl
I like sonnet and kind sheets. We are very stinky in our house and those two have been winners for me.
John Goss
Buy this… https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/tandis-naturals-concentrated-laundry-soap-2/
….not Attitude
madmaggie
Any thoughts on Dirty Labs? I feel like I am seeing it everywhere now and touted as non-toxic … Wirecutter even listed them as doing a good job at cleaning which is something we need, but I’m not quite sure about the ingredients…
susanjane222
I recently tried the Attitude laundry detergent and it was terrible! :( I washed one load twice and they still smelled like they did before I washed them (deoderant, etc). I was really disappointed!! Does anyone have a great experience with any of these? I’ve wasted so much money trying different products. Ugh.
bumpdrl
What about hey Sunday. They are a sheets as well. And better at washing than kind sheets. Let me know what you think?
Shirl
It is so frustrating because I have to use non bio laundry detergents – they cannot contain enzymes. I have chronic urticaria and the enzymes in laundry soap is a massive trigger for an outbreak. I have very sensitive skin and also cannot have anything with a fragrance. Not sure why there isn’t at least a few companies that could market non-bio laundry detergent – clearly stating no enzymes!
KP
An understandable position. I imagine most of us here do not have a chemistry degree (I sure as heck don’t) and are filtering through all the “truth†on the interweb attempting to make safer choices for our families.
In your opinion how does a site like EWG stack up?
Are there other resources for those of us bereft in this area?
Coree Mahoney
Wondering about truly free?
Aly
Hi! Do you have any thoughts on the laundry detergent made by Rebel Green? Is it the good stuff? Thank you!
Ana
Hi Maia,
Thanks for your response! I have since reached out to the company by phone and email (they didn’t respond the first time I reached out), and have received a copy of their Safety Data Sheet. Water 70% SLES 22% Sodium Bicarbonate <Less than <1% Proprietary Surfactant <Less than <1% Proprietary Oxidant <Less than <1% Unfortunately, they do contain SLES. 22% seems high to me. As far as the other proprietary ingredients, they said: We keep a section of our ingredients as a trade secret for the surfactant complex but it is based on coconuts.Maia James
we have not, but will add top tehj list for an update!
Anne
Hello—I’m wondering if you’ve reviewed the laundry detergent by Grove Co.?
Renae Hansen
Hi! I noticed that my green fill…now called Truly Free…isn’t on your list at all. I could have sworn I started using after reading an older version of the laundry detergent guide. Did something change? Is it still good stuff?
Alison
We use Attitude for cloth diapering. It is the only natural detergent that we’ve found that gets the job done. The others cause a buildup to happen over time that makes a very distinct stinky smell in the diaper, which caused us to have to strip them. Based on Fluff Love University this is the only one they recommend that I would actually use for something that’s next to my baby’s skin.
Maia James
Hi Ana-
they don’t seem to disclose their ingredients on their website, so I cannot evaluate. Thanks.Ana
Thank you for this very helpful post. Any thoughts on The Ecology Works’ Anti Allergen Solution Laundry Detergent? It claims to be hypoallergenic and does not contain perfumes, dyes, or enzyme. Thank you
Maia James
Hi there-
You’ll see in our latest Guide update that it has been moved to sneaky stuff because of those preservatives.
Maia James
This brand contains cocamidopropyl betaine and synthetic fragrance, so doesn’t make our Good Stuff list.
Vera
We have been using Attitude for some time now for our baby and for us. It works great. Tough on spots and clothes look bright and clean. Also Planet detergent is not bad either but still prefer Attitude. Hope it helps)))
Anne
What about tru earth laundry sheets?
Me
Seriously? Is this still true?! Why can’t this be easier???
Me
No! I wouldn’t use any method or Ms Meyers products.
Veronica
Does anyone have any comments on MollySuds Unscented Delicate Wash? They have various powder detergents but I find that I sneeze terribly when trying to use the powder form. So we opted for the delicate wash.
What about Hello Bello unscented detergent? or HappyNest Concentrated Detergent?Eileen
Better Life laundry detergent has changed their ingredients to include two toxic synthetic preservatives. Why is it still on the good stuff list?
Bertha
Better Life has changed their formula(2021). It now includes methylisothiazolinone and benzisothiazolinone.
Kristie Brasic
What about Method laundry detergent? Is that good to use?
johnlockegoss
I’d give Tandi’s a try.
Jessie
Hello, which of your recommended detergents will work best for hard water, and cold washes?
Thanks!Justina Merdian
What about the Biokleen powder detergent? Is it sneaky stuff too?
John
Bleach is safe? It’s corrosive, may cause asthma, and diminishes lung function. Not gonna use that in our home.
John
Agree.
Suzanne Weaver-Goss
Yes, here is what we wrote about it. https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/whats-wrong-with-sodium-laurylsodium-laureth-sulfate/
LIZ PORTER
Just learned that Sonnett is sneaky and contains SLS
Amanda
Then I’d like to know which detergent you suggest JP…
Tammie Clippert
What about fading? Which soaps are gentle on clothes.? My baby’s 22. I’m no longer washing diapers. I want my work clothes to look bright – not faded. Thanks
JP
I agree with Vic’s comments. I have just stumbled across this site and as a chemist I find the degree of misinformation on here appalling.
I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for years QC testing most of the raw materials in these products. Even the so called “good stuff” contains small amounts of heavy metals(arsenic, lead) residual solvents and potential allergens in essential oil components.
The limits set for these impurities and residues are very strict and are such small amounts. (usually less than a few parts per million) there is very little cause for concern.
This is what happens when you have people with no understanding of toxicology or chemistry blogging whatever they have read on some other fools website.
Blind leading the blind
Vic
My problem with “healthy and natural livingâ€, in principle a good thing, is that it is often, if not always, synonymous of bad science. For example, it is a disservice to give people the impression that natural means safe, and synthetic means potentially toxic. There are too many statements in your blog as to “natural and safeâ€. If you really want to contribute to consumer education, you should dispel this wrong idea. In fact, often natural is more dangerous than synthetic, because natural products are not always tested toxicologically, whereas synthetic ones do, and the bad ones are weeded out or controlled. For example, your favorite detergent contains litsea cubeba, which has oils rich in citral; you know this is a chemical, a strong allergen, and 100% natural, as you say in another section of your blog. There is also misleading information on dioxane, which is contained in Tide at levels that are absolutely no concern. The dose makes the poison. Carcinogen is a misleading word: at what level? Do the math and figure out how silly this concern is. You state that residual detergents can be absorbed through the skin. Can you support these statements with data? Ionic detergents are not absorbed. It takes a lot of mental gymnastics to label decyl glucoside, the typical non-ionic detergent contained in many of these products, “naturalâ€: it is made of two components joined together by a chemical reaction, and therefore it is not natural. We live in a chemical world. As a chemist, I know some chemicals, synthetic or natural, are bad for you, and some are good, and good can be bad at a higher dose. Unfortunately, the most toxic chemicals on the planet are all natural, and I am sure you know why. Amazing that the majority of the people do not understand this simple fact, and waste their money on products containing “rhythmatised waterâ€!
Meghan
I just recently bought My Green Fills because I love the concept of no more plastic jugs. However, it is SUPER fragrant both in the bottle (I can smell it the minute I enter the basement) and on the clothes. The ingredient list looks pure and I can totally just go for the unscented packet next time but it makes me worried that something is in there that shouldn’t be. Is it possible that their essential oils are synthetic and/or that there are unlisted ingredients, or did they confirm the purity of their oils/do they have to list all ingredients? Thanks so much!
Bee Trace
Hi! Opinion on Tru Earth strips? I love all the new strips, but there’s lots of “different†ones.
Greta
Hi,
Can you update this page to include honest detergent, Woolite, and the laundress. ThanksRosa
What are your thoughts on Branch Basics?
jin
Hi,
Do you have any opinion on the “soap nuts” or also called “soap berries”? Thanks JinTrisha Porter
Hi,
Thank you, TrishaWhat do you think about the doterra laundry detergent? Also, branch basics.
Suzanne Weaver-Goss
Hi Megan,
That sounds great and we will look into those. We have not yet.Megan
Hi! I was wondering if you’ve researched any of the brands that are producing the trendy new laundry detergent strips? The strips claim to be more eco-friendly alternatives to the usual laundry detergents packaged in plastic jugs. The two brands I found that seem to be good ones without toxic chemicals are Sheets Laundry Club, Tru Earth and Well Earth Goods.
Isma
Hi, my 1 year old daughter has eczema. I just wanted to find out if KODOMO baby laundry detergent is safe?
Leslie
How safe is the Rockin Green brand? I love their hard rock detergent.
Celsey Brown
I have been using Tandi’s natural and my clothes just don’t smell clean. No I am not looking for tide smell. I just don’t want them to smell like workout clothes or other yucky laundry smells. Any suggestions on what to try that would help get out those smells. Busy mom who doesn’t have time to separate all the smelly laundry from the not and do extra loads!