When shopping for green products, take note that “plant-derived fragrances” doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s an eco-friendly product. “Choose products that explicitly say what their product’s scents are made of,” says Sydney Swanson, healthy living science analyst for the Environmental Working Group. We researched the best green laundry detergents on the market, evaluating each on cleaning power, ingredients, and environmental impact. Our favorite, Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent, is safe for sensitive skin, has minimal packaging, and was tested by dermatologists. Here are some of the top eco-friendly laundry detergents that can help you join the green cleaning movement. Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent wins our best overall spot because it ticks all the boxes for a “green” laundry detergent. It’s safe for sensitive skin, has minimal packaging, and was developed with the help of physicians. Dermatologist-tested products are tested by experts to determine whether products and ingredients are safe and effective. Expert testing is important since the personal care product industry isn’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That means a company doesn’t have to state the chemicals in their products—including added fragrances. Puracy Natural’s cleaning power comes from naturally-occurring enzymes rather than petrochemicals, sulfates, caustics, phosphates, dyes, or chlorine that can end up in surface waters. The EWG gave it an A-rating. Why is that important? It means the non-profit found this product contains few known or suspected hazards, and has transparent ingredient disclosure. Puracy wins when it comes to packaging, too. The 64-ounce foil refill reduces plastic waste, so less plastic packaging will find its way to landfills and waterways. However, some reviewers found that the detergent didn’t work well in homes with hard water. It’s also not readily available in stores—you’ll have to add it to your online cart, instead. Price at time of publish: $17 This detergent is three times more concentrated than its liquid counterparts making it a budget-friendly option. It also scores high marks for its cardboard box packaging; plus, it consists of only 10 ingredients (most are plant-based). Biokleen Free & Clear is a fragrance-free hypoallergenic formula that is never tested on animals. It’s safe for use in HE washers, but it can get clumpy in cold water, so it’s best to dilute it before adding it to your washer. It scored a B-rating from the Environmental Working Group, which we still consider a good rating. Price at time of publish: $27 Defunkify can be used in HE and traditional machines. While it can be used in hot water, it’s formulated for cold-water performance. Some reviewers have found it less effective on deep stains. Price at time of publish: $40 Dropps has been a leader in the single-dose detergent market since 2005. Their go-to formula is free of artificial dyes, phosphates, phthalates, and parsons. The stain-fighting enzymes are effective on delicates, cotton, and polyester. Plus, it’s A-rated by the EWG. One downside is that the water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) may not be broken down during wastewater treatment. This means it could make its way into the environment in the form of microplastics. Price at time of publish: $15 This eco-friendly laundry powder works in all machines at all temperatures. It’s also safe for septic and gray water systems. It tops off its green cleaning cred by earning an EWG A-rating and is EPA Safer Choice certified. However, it is higher priced per ounce than similar products. Take note that the fine powder may irritate your lungs if inhaled while pouring. Price at time of publish: $23 Attitude’s plant-based ingredients include the medicinal herb chamomile, known for its sleep-enhancing properties. Attitude detergent is certified by PETA and ECOLOGO to be cruelty-free and sustainably produced. It works best in cold water, which saves you money on your energy bill, too. However, sometimes you need hot water to tackle your baby’s stains, so you may need a separate option for when that happens. Price at time of publish: $23 It gets bonus points for using eco-friendly packaging, too. The bottle, for example, is made of recyclable aluminum, while the cap and spout are made of recyclable BPA-free plastic. This detergent is HE machine-compatible and safe for septic systems, too. Dirty Labs is sold direct-to-consumer and only ships within the United States. Price at time of publish: $15 Charlie’s is also available in liquid or packet formulations. It scored a B-rating from the EWG and is EPA Safer Choice Certified, meaning the product contains ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment. One bag is long-lasting, too, as you only need to use one tablespoon per laundry load. Some reviewers found the company’s laundry booster was needed to remove set-in stains. Price at time of publish: $40 Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry pacs are safe for use in both high-efficiency and conventional washing machines. However, pods may not break down properly during wastewater treatment, which could leech microplastics into waterways. “We haven’t found a Mrs. Meyer’s scent we don’t like, but the honeysuckle fragrance is especially nice for summer use,” says our product tester, Katie Begley. “It’s a good balance between fruity and floral and we particularly appreciate that the scent is derived from actual honeysuckle flower extract, orange peel oil, and ylang ylang flower oil.” Price at time of publish: $18 A fragrance-free option, it earned an A-rating from the EWG. However, it does contain the preservative methylisothiazolinone, which can be an allergen for some people. Some reviewers found the product’s cap to be poorly designed because it created soap residue around the top. Price at time of publish: $25 Dr. Bronner’s is made from 90 percent organic natural oils and vegan ingredients, and no animals were harmed during the production process. Most scents are A-rated by EWG, yet scented options may still affect those with chemical sensitivities. The company is also committed to ethical working conditions and fair wages for workers. Price at time of publish: $23 Liquid detergent bottles tend to come with a twist-off cap that doubles as a measuring cup. Liquid detergents are also great for pre-treating stains, small loads, or hand-washing garments. Want to skip the measuring altogether? Single-use packs or “pods” are convenient and straightforward, especially if you use a laundromat or other community laundry room. They’re pre-measured for average-sized loads, so it’s easy to toss one in before you start your washer. Keep them away from small children or pets who may mistake them for candy or treats. No matter which type of green laundry detergent you prefer, remember to consider the packaging and its effect on the environment.
Cost
You can easily calculate the laundry detergent cost per load by taking the package price and dividing it by the total number of loads listed. For example, a detergent that costs $11.99 and can wash 40 loads means that detergent costs $0.30 per load. While single-use pods remove the need for measuring, they’re designed for smaller loads. That means you may need to double up for larger loads or set-in stains, so they are not always the most cost-efficient option.
Ingredients and Certifications
When shopping for green laundry detergents, avoid ingredients that are harmful to humans and the environment. Sulfates and phosphates are in thousands of household products and have been linked to many health effects, including cancer and endocrine disruption. Some laundry detergent ingredients also include known carcinogens, which means they’ve been highly correlated with or proven to cause cancer, including benzene (listed as Dichlorobenzene (P-Dichlorobenzene/Benzene), dioxane (listed as 1,4 Dioxane/Diethylene Dioxide/Diethylene Ether/Dioxane), and formaldehyde. Unfortunately, there’s no legal or standard definition of what makes a detergent “green.” Some manufacturers list every laundry detergent ingredient on the label, but most do not, since it’s not required under United States law. To help consumers narrow their choices, the EPA offers a list of safer products on its SaferChoice website — including laundry detergent, fabric softeners, and boosters. Applying for certification is currently voluntary, but the certification means that every chemical, regardless of percentage, is evaluated through EPA’s rigorous scientific process. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) also provides valuable information and ratings about cleaning products in their Guide to Healthy Cleaning.
Scent
Green laundry detergents can be scented or unscented, but those with chemical sensitivities should take note: “Fragrance is an umbrella term that can include up to 4,000 unnecessary chemicals added to a product,” Swanson says. She adds that this includes masking scents that cover other fragrances to make them seem unscented. Since manufacturers don’t have to provide the ingredients in their fragrance formulas, you can avoid any potential side effects or exposure by choosing fragrance-free products.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Heidi Wachter, a freelance writer and climate journalist. She has firsthand experience using and testing eco-friendly laundry detergents, including several options featured on this list. In addition to her personal experience, she read advice from medical professionals and scoured numerous third-party reviews to find the best green laundry detergents on the market. Heidi prioritized options that are affordable, widely available, have small ingredient lists and are well rated by environmental product databases. She also interviewed Sydney Swanson, EWG healthy living science analyst, for her insight.
