Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent Guide (2024)
Written by:
Maia James


1. Mama Suds / 2. Christina Maser / 3. Kind / 4. Eco-Me / 5. Tandi’s / 6. Sonett / 7. Meliora
I admit it: finding a natural 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. Toxin-free laundry detergents work better, there are more environmentally friendly options, and the Sneaky Stuff has gotten less sneaky.
In this updated, comprehensive shopping guide for natural, non-toxic laundry detergents, we’ve reviewed over 40 brands of detergent and found powders, pods, sheets, and liquid versions that meet our criteria for Good Stuff.
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.
Best Overall Laundry Detergent
Tandi’s Naturals
I used to have a real thing against powder detergent, but then I tried it and it turns out it works just as well as liquid. My absolute favorite is Tandi’s natural laundry soap. I didn’t think I could fall in love with a beef tallow-based powder detergent, but we can all surprise ourselves, right?
Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
Kind Laundry
If you want to lower your carbon footprint when doing laundry, Kind is the best sheet detergent we’ve found. Each sheet is good for an entire load of laundry, and these are great for kids who are learning to do their own laundry (no measuring and no potential for a mess!).
Toxins in Laundry Detergent
All laundry detergents leave a residue on clothing, which is absorbed by our skin (and inhaled). 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 (some ingredients are even considered potential carcinogens, but I’m not going to suggest that if you don’t give up your Tide you’ll get cancer!).
The following common laundry detergent ingredients can be harmful to human and/or planet health:
- 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.
- Surfactants: Some surfactants used in detergents can be derived from petrochemicals, which are non-renewable and contribute to carbon emissions. Others can be immunotoxins.
- Fragrances: Many conventional detergents use synthetic fragrances, which can contain phthalates and other chemicals linked to respiratory and skin issues.
- 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.
- Dyes: Synthetic dyes used in detergents can contain heavy metals and other harmful compounds.
- 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.
- 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.
Shop Best Natural Laundry Detergents
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 Laundry Soap For Cloth Diapers & Baby Diapers
Mama Suds
Mama Suds is my favorite baby safe laundry detergent for cleaning cloth diapers and baby clothes. It’s gentle enough for a baby’s skin but tough enough for stubborn stains. And of course, it’s completely non-toxic, so concentrated that the large bottle lasts forever.

best Natural fabric protectors
Proof +
If you enjoy our natural laundry detergents and you want to protect your clothing fabric naturally then look no further. We are excited to introduce Proof+. A collection of non-toxic fabric protectors that are completely natural and free of all PFAs.
The clothing fabric Protector creates an invisible barrier that helps protect apparel from damage caused by liquid stains. Simply spray this treatment on any fabric and watch it magically repel liquids and help protect your favorite clothing from absorbing stains.

We’ve highlighted some of our favorite natural 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.
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,

About the Author

Maia, Founder & CEO
Maia grew up in a Vermont household without a TV or microwave. She has been researching and writing about non-toxic products since 2010, and has appeared in a variety of media outlets, including The New York Times, The Huffington Post, New York Magazine, and The Dr. Oz Show. Maia lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons, and you can follow along as she tries to live a less toxic, more planet-friendly life here.
Note: This article contains affiliate links or sponsored content, which means that if you make a purchase, we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that meet our strict standards for non-toxicity and that we use (or want to use!) ourselves. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make Good Stuff!
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372 responses to “Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent Guide (2024)”
Better Life laundry detergent has changed their ingredients to include two toxic synthetic preservatives. Why is it still on the good stuff list?
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?
Better Life has changed their formula(2021). It now includes methylisothiazolinone and benzisothiazolinone.
Hi there-
You’ll see in our latest Guide update that it has been moved to sneaky stuff because of those preservatives.
What about Method laundry detergent? Is that good to use?
No! I wouldn’t use any method or Ms Meyers products.
Hello, which of your recommended detergents will work best for hard water, and cold washes?
Thanks!
I’d give Tandi’s a try.
What about the Biokleen powder detergent? Is it sneaky stuff too?
Just learned that Sonnett is sneaky and contains SLS
Yes, here is what we wrote about it. https://gimmethegoodstuff.org/whats-wrong-with-sodium-laurylsodium-laureth-sulfate/
Seriously? Is this still true?! Why can’t this be easier???
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
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)))
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