As someone who’s been on a mission to clean up my cleaning routine, I can attest that the ingredients in your laundry detergent matter a lot. From indoor air quality to skin irritation, the products we use to wash our clothes can have a significant impact on our health and the environment.
The good news? There are plenty of fantastic non-toxic laundry detergent options out there. In fact, I’ve tried most of them – from powders to pods, unscented to lightly fragranced – and I’m here to share my findings with you.
Navigating the Sudsy Landscape
Before we dive into the detergent recommendations, let’s talk a bit about water hardness. Depending on whether you have hard or soft water, certain detergents may perform better than others. I have soft water where I live, so the results I share may differ if you’re dealing with a different mineral content in your H2O.
Studies have shown that laundry products can release a whole host of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – including some carcinogenic ones like acetaldehyde and benzene – through your dryer vents. Yikes! That’s definitely not the kind of air quality I want circulating in my home.
So, I put on my detective hat and set out to find the safest, most eco-friendly detergents that could still get the job done. After swimming in non-toxic suds for the past few months, I’ve narrowed it down to my top picks. Let’s dive in, shall we?
The Allstar Lineup
365 Organic Laundry Detergent
Ingredients: 👍 Performance: 👎
This one scored major points for its impeccable ingredient list, but the actual cleaning power left a lot to be desired. It just didn’t measure up when it came to tackling tough stains and odors. At around $0.19-$0.25 per load, it’s a budget-friendly option, but you may end up using more to get the same results as other detergents.
AspenClean
Ingredients: 👍 Performance: ?
I didn’t actually get the chance to try this one myself, but the ingredient profile looks pretty solid. From what I’ve heard, it tends to get good reviews overall. At $0.45 per load, it’s a bit pricier, but could be worth a shot if you’re looking for an eco-friendly, non-toxic option.
Branch Basics
Ingredients: 👍 Performance: 👍
I’m a big fan of this one – it works really well for me, though I’ve found that using the oxygen boost alongside it helps to get the full cleaning potential. The downside is that it can be a bit more expensive, coming in at around $0.27 per load. But with my code MAISONPUR, you can save on their site.
Charlie’s Soap Powder
Ingredients: 👍 Performance: 👍👍
This was a total surprise favorite for me. I wasn’t expecting much, but it ended up being one of the best performers on the list. Clothes come out smelling fresh, and stains/marks are faded (if not gone completely). Prices range from $0.15-$0.25 per load, with additional savings when you subscribe and save through Amazon.
Country Save (Powder Version Only)
Ingredients: 👍 Performance: 👍
This is a similar formula to Charlie’s Soap, but it performed slightly less effectively in my tests. Our clothes still came out pretty fresh, but not quite as much as with the Charlie’s Soap. At $0.26-$0.51 per load, it’s a solid budget-friendly option.
Defunkify (Unscented Powder)
Ingredients: 👍 Performance: 👍
The unscented powder version of Defunkify gets the job done without any complaints. Clothes come out looking clean and smelling fresh. At $0.28 per load, it’s a reasonably priced pick.
Grab Green 3-in-1 Laundry Powder & Pods
Ingredients: 👍 Performance: 👍
I tested the unscented pods and found them to work well for getting clothes clean. They didn’t quite leave them as fresh-smelling as my beloved Charlie’s Soap, but the results were still satisfactory. My main gripe is the cost – the pods go quickly, and you have to use 2 for bigger loads. Pricing ranges from $0.32-$0.65 per load.
Meliora
Ingredients: 👍👍 Performance: 👍
This one wins the award for most eco-friendly, as there’s not a lick of plastic in the packaging – even the scoop is metal. It works well, and I feel like the laundry comes out really fresh-smelling. However, I’ve had better luck with Charlie’s Soap when it comes to tackling stubborn stains. At $0.17-$0.34 per load, it’s a very affordable option.
Molly’s Suds (Powder Version Only)
Ingredients: 👍 Performance: 👍
This does a fine job with lightly soiled laundry, but for tougher stains (especially oily or greasy ones), it doesn’t perform as well as some of the other detergents on this list. It also struggled a bit with eliminating dog odors. At around $0.19 per load, it’s a budget-friendly choice.
Root & Splendor
Ingredients: 👍 Performance: ?
I didn’t actually test this one myself, but a few readers recommended it, and the ingredient list looks great. At $0.30 per load, it could be worth considering if you’re in the market for a clean, eco-friendly detergent.
Truly Free
Ingredients: 👍 Performance: ?
I included this one because the ingredients are good, and I like the refill system. However, I didn’t get a chance to test it myself. The pricing can vary depending on the membership/quantity you order, but it starts around $0.40-$0.36 per load.
Honorable Mentions (and Why I Skipped Them)
There were a few other options that didn’t quite make the top list, but I still wanted to address them:
Clean Mama Laundry Spray: The ingredients are extremely vague, just using general terms instead of listing specifics. Without that transparency, I can’t in good conscience recommend it.
Honest Company: Despite the drama surrounding their detergent several years ago, the current version is actually not too bad. However, it still has a couple of things that kept it from the top tier.
Rocking Green: The unspecified surfactants and fragrance used in some of their detergents prevent this brand from cracking the top list. If you do choose this one, your best bet would be to stick with the unscented version.
7th Generation: I found that only a few of their products met my strict ingredient standards, so overall, I’ve left them off the top list.
Ingredient Watchlist
When you’re shopping for a new laundry detergent, here are some key things to look out for:
- Fragrances: Synthetic fragrances can contain a cocktail of questionable chemicals. Opt for unscented or naturally-fragranced options.
- Ethoxylated Ingredients: These are often contaminated with carcinogenic byproducts from the ethoxylation process.
- Optical Brighteners: These synthetic chemicals can irritate skin and contribute to environmental pollution.
- Phosphates: Known for their harmful effects on aquatic life, these have largely been phased out of modern detergents.
So, there you have it – my comprehensive guide to the best eco-friendly, allergy-friendly laundry detergents. Whether you’re battling tough stains, dealing with sensitive skin, or just trying to breathe a little easier, there’s an option here that’s sure to fit the bill.
And remember, if you’re ever unsure about a particular brand or ingredient, don’t hesitate to reach out to the manufacturer. Reputable companies should be transparent about their sourcing and manufacturing processes. After all, we’re all in this together to create a healthier, more sustainable home.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some laundry to do. Time to break out the Charlie’s Soap and get to scrubbin’!
Adam Cleaning offers professional cleaning services that use safe, eco-friendly products to keep your home sparkling clean. Check out their website to learn more!
