Tired of worrying about the harsh chemicals lurking in your laundry detergent? Wondering if your laundry could be causing your allergies?
You’re not alone!
More and more people are seeking non-toxic alternatives that effectively clean their clothes, are gentle on their skin, and are kind to the environment.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 9 safe laundry detergents on the market to give you some options for better laundry products for your family.
Key Takeaways
- Choose from 9 safe, non-toxic laundry detergents to keep your family healthy and the planet green.
- These top 9 safe laundry detergents are eco-friendly, gentle on sensitive skin, and highly effective at cleaning tough stains.
- Avoid “toxic” detergents with hazardous chemicals that can cause skin irritation or respiratory problems.
- Look for natural ingredients like baking soda & Castile soap if you have sensitive skin, or make your own!
- Figure out if you’re allergic to some chemicals, even if they aren’t toxic- some nontoxic laundry detergents can still contain allergens for people!
11 Safe Laundry Detergents
1. Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent
Those seeking a plant-based, safe laundry detergent often prefer Seventh Generation.
This detergent provides a less harmful alternative to traditional laundry detergents for your family.
Key ingredients in Seventh Generation laundry detergent include:
- Water
- Laureth-6
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Citrate
- Glycerin
- Sodium Chloride
These plant-derived and mineral-derived ingredients ensure your clothes are cleaned effectively while remaining gentle on your skin.
However, some stains may be stronger than Seventh Gen products, so it may not be for you if your kiddos really like pasta sauce and pizza.
I’ve found that some stains survive washing- I suggest doing a good soak and scrub before tossing them in!
2. ARM & HAMMER Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent
ARM & HAMMER Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent is an excellent option for people with sensitive skin or allergies.
This detergent is hypoallergenic, dye-free, and fragrance-free and available in liquid and laundry detergent sheets.
It’s a versatile choice for all your laundry needs and ensures clean, residue-free clothes with minimal risk of skin irritation.
This concentrated detergent works great with HE washers and contains gentle yet effective ingredients such as:
- Water
- C10-16 Pareth
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Carbonate
- Pentasodium DTPA
3. Pure Haven
Pure Haven is another non-toxic, eco-friendly laundry detergent that is kind to clothes and skin.
Their nontoxic laundry detergent products are made with natural ingredients, ensuring a safe and effective clean for your laundry.
The main components of Pure Haven laundry detergent include:
- Sodium carbonate
- Sodium carbonate peroxide
- Coco glucoside
- Lauryl glucoside
- Sodium citrate
This laundry detergent is a big proponent of “a little goes a long way.” I can easily wash a big load of laundry with just a scoop, and everything looks and feels clean.
I’m a fan of scented laundry detergent, but this one has great reviews of being truly unscented, which is great for people with essential oil allergies.
4. Dr. Bronner’s
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap is a versatile, multi-purpose detergent made with USDA Organic-certified ingredients.
But it isn’t just a great non-toxic laundry detergent- it’s a valuable addition to your laundry room and beyond.
This unique soap can be used for cleaning floors, washing dishes, bathing pets, body wash, toothpaste, and more.
Dr. Bronner’s castile soap is formulated with organic ingredients, including:
- Organic coconut oil
- Organic palm oil
- Sodium hydroxide
- Organic olive oil
- Water
- Organic hemp seed oil
These natural ingredients ensure that your clothes and home are cleaned effectively while remaining gentle on you and your stuff.
5. Molly’s Suds
Molly’s Suds, an economical plant-based detergent, effectively removes stains while being gentle on fabrics.
With a focus on natural ingredients, Molly Suds offers a safe alternative to traditional laundry detergents that can be harsh for sensitive users.
The main ingredients in Molly Suds detergent include:
- Sodium carbonate
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Magnesium sulfate (heptahydrate)
- Unrefined sea salt
- Essential oils (ex- peppermint) or 100% natural fragrance
I like the powder detergent more, and I feel like I can use less for the same clean compared to the liquid detergent.
Like the Seventh Gen detergent, I find some reddish stains that need some help before if I want to get rid of them fully. It adds a little time to my laundry routine, but not much.
6. Branch Basics Concentrate
Branch Basics Concentrate is a natural, plant-based, non-toxic laundry detergent suitable for sensitive skin and baby clothes.
This concentrate can be mixed with water to create a cleaning solution for your laundry and other household cleaning tasks.
Branch Basics Concentrate costs around $0.27 per load, but it’s $22 and change without a coupon, so I know it’s a bit expensive compared to bulk laundry detergents.
They offer a “subscribe and save” option, saving you extra cash on laundry detergent and their other cleaning supplies.
You can purchase this detergent exclusively on their website, where you’ll find laundry kits and other eco-friendly cleaning products like bathroom, glass, and all-purpose cleaners.
Ingredients for this laundry detergent include:
- Purified water
- Decyl glucoside
- Organic Chamomile Flower extract
- Coco-Glucoside
- Sodium citrate
7. ECOS® Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent
Designed for people with allergies or sensitive skin, ECOS Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent is a non-toxic laundry detergent with plant-based ingredients.
Formulated with gentle ingredients, this detergent effectively cleans clothes without harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances.
You can get lavender, lemongrass, or magnolia & lily for fragrances, but they offer unscented versions of their products for sensitive users.
- Water
- Cocamidopropyl betaine
- Sodium Coco-Sulfate
- Cocamidopropylamine Oxide
- Phenoxyethanol
I did see some back and forth on cocamidopropyl betaine, and I’m not a doctor, but it seems like it’s a “sometimes” problem with laundry consumers
While cocamidopropyl betaine can irritate some people, it’s generally considered safe. Check with an allergy specialist if you’re concerned about irritants!
8. Humble Suds Laundry Soap
Humble Suds, a non-toxic and eco-friendly detergent, cleans clothes effectively without resorting to harmful chemicals.
Made with clean, earth-derived ingredients, Humble Suds provides a gentle cleaning solution on fabrics and is suitable for all types of laundry.
They also offer this “concentrate” powder laundry detergent since many liquid soaps are watered-down ingredients.
These ingredients work together to provide an effective and eco-friendly clean that is gentle on clothes and safe for sensitive skin.
- Washing soda (sodium carbonate)
- Oxygen powder
- Baking soda
- Coconut soap
- Essential oil (scented versions)
9. Biokleen Free & Clear Laundry Liquid
Gentle on fabrics and suitable for washing baby clothes and cloth diapers, Biokleen is an environmentally friendly detergent backed by the EPA.
Made with natural ingredients, Biokleen offers a safe and effective detergent option without the harmful chemicals found in conventional laundry detergents.
This liquid laundry detergent is available in both liquid and powder form, allowing you to choose the best option for your laundry needs.
With a cost of just $0.34 per load, Biokleen offers an affordable and eco-friendly solution for keeping your clothes clean and fresh.
Here are some of the active ingredients in this laundry detergent:
- Water
- C13-16 pareth-7
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Cocamidopropyl betain
- Laruamine oxide
- Sodium Chloride
10. Earth Breeze Eco Sheets (Laundry Detergent Sheets)
This innovative soap is actually laundry detergent sheets, which offer plastic-free packaging- a truly environmentally friendly option!
Earth Breeze detergent sheets are easy to use; add one to your laundry load and let it work magic.
Despite its gentle formulation, it’s highly effective at removing stains and leaving clothes fresh and clean.
It’s safe for your and your baby’s laundry and is dermatologically tested for sensitive skin and people with allergies- even if you handwash some items.
Key ingredients in Earth Breeze include:
- Glycerol
- Primary Alcohol Ethoxylate
- Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
- Sodium Acetate Trihydrate
- Protease
- Polyvinyl Alcohol
These ingredients are biodegradable and better for the earth than typical laundry detergents.
Not only does Earth Breeze provide a high-quality clean, but by choosing this brand, you’re also making a positive impact on the environment.
11. Rebel Green
Rebel Green’s Fresh Laundry Detergent is hypoallergenic and gentle on sensitive skin.
It’s also concentrated, which means a little goes a long way – a single bottle can handle up to 64 loads of laundry.
Rebel Green’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond its product formulation. Their packaging is recyclable, and for every bottle sold, they plant trees to offset their carbon footprint.
This makes Rebel Green not just a great choice for your laundry but also a great choice for the environment.
The primary ingredients in Rebel Green laundry detergent include:
- Water
- Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract (Organic Soap Berry) Extract
- Cocos Nucifera Oil & Potassium Hydroxide (Saponified Organic Coconut Oil)
- Sodium Citrate
- Lonicera Japonica (Organic Honeysuckle) Flower Extract
- Xanthan Gum
These ingredients, derived from plants and minerals, work together to effectively clean your clothes without leaving film or residue on your clothes.
FAQs
What is a “toxic” laundry detergent?
A “toxic” laundry detergent contains ingredients science shows have harmed people, such as petroleum distillate or naphtha, which can damage our health and the environment.
There are chemicals that science and research say are okay to use, but there are harmful chemicals or allergens that should be avoided.
Toxic chemicals may cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and water pollution.
Choosing laundry detergents free of these harmful chemicals and packed with natural, eco-friendly ingredients is highly recommended.
Is toxic-free the same as non-toxic?
Surprisingly no, toxin-free is not the same as non-toxic.
Toxin-free is actually not an FDA-recognized way to guarantee products are free from toxins.
Some green or organic products use “toxin-free,” but aren’t cleared by the FDA to actually be non-toxic.
The lack of regulation means things can be labeled toxin-free but actually be considered toxic by federal standards- a huge difference!
What makes a laundry detergent “unsafe?”
A laundry detergent is considered “unsafe” if it contains hazardous chemicals that can cause health issues or environmental harm.
These harmful ingredients include formaldehyde, nonylphenol ethoxylate, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), synthetic fragrances (allergens), harmful dyes, and optical brighteners.
Using unsafe detergents can lead to skin irritation, respiratory problems, and environmental pollution.
To safeguard your health and the environment, it’s recommended to select non-toxic laundry detergents.
What’s the best non-toxic laundry detergent?
While there is no definitive answer to which non-toxic laundry detergent is the absolute best for you, some top-rated options include:
- Seventh Generation
- Biokleen
- Molly’s Suds
- Earth Breeze
- Rebel Green
These powder detergent laundry products are made from plant-based ingredients and have been proven to clean clothes effectively without harsh chemicals.
But every person has different skin needs, so it’s worth trying different brands to determine which laundry detergent is better for your family.
What ingredients should I look for in detergent if I have sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, choosing laundry detergents that are fragrance-free, dye-free, and formulated with gentle ingredients is advisable.
Some natural ingredients to look for include baking soda, washing soda, and grated Castile soap. They’re gentle on the skin and less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions.
I also think it’s worth talking to an allergy specialist to see what exactly might be causing your skin troubles- finding out what you’re allergic to makes things easier to avoid!
Can I make my own non-toxic laundry detergent?
Indeed, you can craft your own non-toxic laundry detergent using natural ingredients.
Many DIY recipes can be found online, with ingredients such as washing soda (sodium carbonate), baking soda, and grated Castile soap.
Homemade, non-toxic detergents can be just as effective as store-bought ones, but their effectiveness may vary depending on the recipe and the type of stains or dirt you’re dealing with.
It’s worth trying since making your own laundry detergent can be very inexpensive, and you can tweak the recipe to find what works best.
Adding essential oils, such as lemon, lavender, or wild orange, can also provide a pleasant scent and additional cleaning benefits.
Final Thoughts
Do you feel better knowing there are so many non-toxic laundry detergents you can try out?
Choosing a non-toxic, eco-friendly laundry detergent is an essential step towards a healthier lifestyle and a cleaner planet.
By making informed choices and even considering homemade detergent options, you can contribute to a safer, greener world for yourself and future generations.
With Seventh Generation, ARM & HAMMER, Pure Haven, Dr. Bronner’s, and more, you can trust that your clothes will be effectively cleaned without the use of harmful chemicals.
