Guide to the Safest Laundry Detergents of 2025
Written by Irina Webb
Would you like to make sure you are using the safest laundry detergent for your needs? You are at the right place! This unprecedented research into about 100 laundry detergents will guide you through laundry detergent ingredients and popular brand names. I grouped the detergents on this list into what I consider the “best,” “better,” “almost better,” and “not-a-fan” options to help you find non-toxic laundry detergents. Plus, I will share my personal preferences among high-efficiency, eco-friendly laundry detergent options. Formulated without synthetic fragrances and ingredients that may cause skin irritation, these detergents should work for people with sensitive skin, baby skin, and allergy-prone individuals. Additionally, they are designed to be tough on stains while being gentle on fabrics and the environment. Let’s dive into the details and find the perfect detergent for your home!
Safest Laundry Detergents
To begin, the subject of toxic chemicals’ effect on human health is personal to me. Indeed, my father died of cancer at the age of 57, and then I was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases. (My health update is available here.)
Therefore, to help make the consumer market safer, I study product industries and form my opinions about the safety of product ingredients with the help of scientific studies and ingredient databases (learn more here).
Similarly, to find non-toxic laundry detergents, I studied and compared the ingredients of about 100 popular laundry options. Based on my opinions about the safety of laundry detergent ingredients, I’ve categorized the products as the “best,” “better,” “almost better,” and “not-a-fan.” Those that I consider the safest laundry detergents have very few or none of the concerning ingredients. Conversely, the ones in the ”not-a-fan” category have many concerning ingredients.
“Best” Laundry Detergents
The products in this category contain no concerning ingredients. However, some do have essential oils, which may be a concern for people who are sensitive to them. Others contain enzymes that could be irritating if their particles are inhaled in large amounts. So it’s best to avoid making the detergent airborne.
| Brands | Worth-Mentioning Ingredients |
| Attitude Baby Fragrance-Free ($10 or 10% off) | None |
| Branch Basics Liquid Concentrate | None |
| Branch Basics Powder Detergent and Oxygen Boost | Protease and amylase enzymes |
| Earthley Wellness Powder | Bromelain enzyme, essential oils in the scented versions |
| Humble Suds Laundry Soap (IRLFY10 for 10% off) | None (essential oils in the scented versions) |
| Meliora Laundry Powder (IREAD10) | None (organic essential oils in the scented versions) |
| Molly’s Suds All Sport Activewear Detergent ($10 or 10% off) | Sweet orange essential oil, protease and amylase enzymes |
| Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder Peppermint ($10 or 10% off) | Organic peppermint essential oil |
| Molly’s Suds Powder Unscented ($10 or 10% off) | None |
| Nellie’s Baby Laundry Soda ($10 or 10% off) | None |
| Pure Haven Laundry Detergent (15% off embedded in the link) | Protease and amylase enzymes |
| Rosey Powder Unscented (Thrive Market) | Protease enzyme |
| Whole Foods Organic Unscented | None (natural fragrance with undisclosed ingredients in the scented options) |
| Young Living Thieves Laundry Soap | Essential oils, alpha amylase, lipase, and protease enzymes |
My Favorite Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents
In addition to being eco-friendly laundry detergent options, the following safest laundry detergents are the best, in my opinion, due to their safe laundry detergent ingredients and good performance:
- Branch Basics Liquid Concentrate (formulated with mineral-based and plant-based ingredients; contains baking soda – some washing machines may have special instructions about using detergents with this ingredient, so read yours carefully; should be able to clean your clothes well in hard water and cold water; learn more about Branch Basics cleaning products here)
- Branch Basics Powder Detergent and Oxygen Boost Stain Remover
- Humble Suds Laundry Soap (IRLFY10) (plastic-free, packaged in paper with a scoop sold separately; contains baking soda. Some washing machines may have special instructions about using detergents with baking soda. So read the instructions to your machine carefully; learn more about Humble Suds non-toxic cleaners here)
- Meliora Laundry Powder (IREAD10) (plastic-free, packaged in a paper can, with a stainless-steel scoop. Natural laundry detergent ingredients; contains baking soda. Read the instructions to your washing machine carefully; more on Meliora eco non-toxic cleaning products here)
- Pure Haven Laundry Detergent (works well in hard and cold water. This is my go-to detergent; more on Pure Haven products here)
Laundry Detergent Ingredients Of Concern
The presence of some or many of the following ingredients determined the category of the detergents on this list presented below. To clarify, the ingredients I find of high to medium concern have a ❌ marking. And the ingredients I find of low concern have a ⚠️ marking. In my opinion, the safest laundry detergents are those that have close to none of these ingredients.
| Ingredient | Concern |
| ❌BENZISOTHIAZOLINONE | potential allergen and skin sensitizer (learn more in my post about benzisothiazolinone) |
| ❌DISODIUM DISTYRYLBIPHENYL DISULFONATE | optical brightener (makes the laundry appear brighter rather than really clean it); under assessment as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (ECHA) |
| ❌ETHOXYLATED INGREDIENTS | made with carcinogenic ethylene oxide, hence may contain residues of carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane (learn more in my post about polysorbates) |
| ❌FLUORESCENT BRIGHTENER 71 | optical brightener (makes the laundry appear brighter rather than really clean it); nonbiodegradable and threatening to aquatic life (ECHA) |
| ❌FRAGRANCE | many fragrance ingredients are potential allergens and sensitizers (learn more in my post about natural fragrance) |
| ❌LIMONENE, LINALOOL | potential allergens (learn more in my post about natural fragrance) |
| ❌METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE | potential allergen and skin sensitizer (learn more in my post about methylchloroisothiazolinone) |
| ❌METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE | potential allergen and skin sensitizer (learn more in my post about methylisothiazolinone) |
| ❌OCTYLISOTHIAZOLINONE | potential allergen and skin sensitizer (ECHA) |
| ❌POLYOXYALKYLENE SUBSTITUTED CHROMOPHORE (BLUE) | dye that makes laundry appear cleaner, no safety data |
| ❌TRIETHANOLAMINE | causes serious eye damage and is suspected of damage to reproduction (ECHA) |
| ❌UNDISCLOSED COMPOSITION and/or UNNECESSARY | e.g., “copolymers” and “proprietary color blends” |
| ⚠️PRESERVATIVES ABSENT | unclear how the manufacturer prevents bacteria growth and mold contamination |
| ⚠️SODIUM BORATE | in bigger quantities may be toxic to reproduction (learn more in my post about borax and boric acid) |
| ⚠️ENZYMES | may cause respiratory irritation and sensitization if their dust is airborne and regularly inhaled in big quantities |
| ⚠️ESSENTIAL OILS | potential allergens (learn more in my post about natural fragrance) |
Popular Laundry Detergents Reviews
“Better” Laundry Options
The non-toxic laundry detergents in the ”better” category have some points of concern in terms of laundry detergent ingredients. Although there is just one or two of them, in my opinion, they still fall short of being the safest laundry detergents.
| Brand | Concerning ingredients |
| Attitude Baby Leaves Scented ($10 or 10% off) | Fragrance (parfum) ingredients |
| Biokleen Liquid – Free & Clear | C12-16 pareth-7 (ethoxylated) |
| Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder | C12-16 pareth-9, C10-14 alcohol (ethoxylated) |
| Dirty Labs Free & Clear | – I see no preservatives. – Protease (subtilisin), alpha-amylase, cellulase, mannanase, pectate lyase enzymes. |
| ECOS Hypoallergenic Liquid – Free & Clear | Methylisothiazolinone |
| ECOS Packs – Free & Clear | Enzymatic blend, polyvinyl alcohol (water-soluble polymer with concerns regarding its potential environmental impact) |
| ECOS Sheets – Free & Clear ($10 or 10% off) | Protease enzyme blend, polyvinyl alcohol |
| Nellie’s Laundry Soda ($10 or 10% off) | Linear alcohol ethoxylate |
| Norwex Ultra Power Plus | PPG-6 Deceth-4, C9-11 Alketh-6 (ethoxylated) |
| Rosey Powder Lavender (Thrive Market) | Limonene, protease (enzyme) |
| Rosey Liquid Free & Clear (Thrive Market) | Laureth-7 (ethoxylated), no preservatives listed |
| Seventh Generation Packs – Free & Clear ($10 or 10% off) | Laureth-6 (ethoxylated), enzymes, polyvinyl alcohol |
| The Honest Company Baby Laundry | Laureth-7 (ethoxylated), enzymes |
| Tru Earth Eco-Strips Platinum GREEN Laundry Detergent Sheets | Glycereth-6 Cocoate (ethoxylated) |
| Truly Free Unscented | – Tetrasodium salt (unclear what it is; I asked for its CAS number, but the company said: “We do not have that information available in our records at this time.” I find this lack of transparency concerning, particularly when it comes to providing basic details like an ingredient’s CAS identification number.) |
“Almost Better” Options
The products in this category, in my opinion, are not completely non-toxic laundry detergents. Due to some concerning laundry detergent ingredients, they fall short of being “better.”
| Biokleen Liquid Citrus | C12-16 pareth-7 (ethoxylated), limonene |
| Biokleen Sport Liquid | C12-16 pareth-7 (ethoxylated), lavender essential oil, linalool |
| Dropps Free & Clear | Alcohols C12-16 ethoxylated, enzymes, polyvinyl alcohol (water-soluble polymer with concerns regarding its potential environmental impact) |
| Dropps Odor & Stain Laundry Detergent Pods | Alcohols, C12-16 (ethoxylated), enzymes, fragrance ingredients (essential oils), polyvinyl alcohol |
| Tru Earth Eco-Strips Platinum BLUE Laundry Detergent Sheets | Glycereth-6 Cocoate (ethoxylated), fragrance |
| 9 Elements Scented | C12-16 pareth (ethoxylated), synthetic fragrances |
“Not-A-Fan” Category Options
The products in this category are not “the safest laundry detergents” due to the presence of multiple concerning laundry detergent ingredients.
| Brands | Concerning Ingredients |
| ECOS Hypoallergenic Magnolia & Lily Liquid Laundry Detergent | Methylisothiazolinone, fragrance ingredients |
| Dreft Free & Gentle Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent | C10-16 pareth (ethoxylated), polyethyleneimine alkoxylated (undisclosed composition, most likely ethoxylated), sodium borate, subtilisin, amylase, cellulase, mannanase enzymes |
| Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day | Laureth-7 (ethoxylated), fragrance ingredients, methylisothiazolinone, benzisothiazolinone, enzyme blends, essential oils (learn more in my post about Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products) |
| Puracy Natural – Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent | C10-C16 alcohol ethoxylate, benzisothiazolinone, sodium borate, protease, amylase, lipase, mannanase enzymes |
| Seventh Generation Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent | Laureth-6 (ethoxylated), benzisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, amylase, protease, mannanase enzymes |
“Not-A-Fan” Laundry Detergents With Optical Brighteners
In addition to other concerning ingredients, products in this group contain optical brighteners.
To clarify, optical brighteners do not actually clean your clothes- they just make them look clean. By adhering to the fabric, they absorb and reflect the light, and, thus, make the laundry appear brighter or whiter. Although they have been around for decades, optical brighteners (aka fluorescent whitening agents) lack safety data. Meanwhile, the EPA Safer Choice Standard encourages manufacturers not to use them or to use safer alternatives. Apparently, they do not biodegrade and pose a threat to aquatic life. So, in my opinion, true non-toxic laundry detergents should not contain optical brighteners.
| Brand | Concerning ingredients |
| ALL® Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent | C12-15 alcohols ethoxylated, sodium laureth sulfate (ethoxylated), triethanolamine, fragrance ingredients, disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, enzymes |
| ALL® Free Clear Powder | C12-15 alcohols ethoxylated, fluorescent brightener 71, protease enzyme |
| ALL® Sunshine Fresh with Stainlifters® Liquid | C12-15 alcohols ethoxylated, sodium laureth sulfate (ethoxylated), fragrance ingredients, disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate, methylisothiazolinone, polyoxyalkylene substituted chromophore (blue) |
| Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Liquid Laundry Detergent | – C10-16 pareth (ethoxylated), sodium laureth sulfate (ethoxylated), fragrance ingredients, acrylic acid homopolymer (undisclosed composition, unnecessary), disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate (optical brightener), nitrilotriacetic acid (suspected of causing cancer) – I don’t see any preservatives listed. |
| Gain Original Powder | C10-16 pareth (ethoxylated), fluorescent brightener 71, organosilicone copolymer (undisclosed composition), fragrance ingredients, subtilisin, lipase enzymes |
| Method Fresh Air | C12-16 pareth-7 (ethoxylated), fragrance ingredients, disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate, methylisothiazolinone, benzisothiazolinone, proprietary colorant blend (undisclosed composition and unnecessary) (learn more in my post about Method cleaning products) |
| Tide Free and Gentle Powder | C10-16 pareth (ethoxylated), fluorescent brightener 71, organosilicone copolymer (undisclosed composition), subtilisin, amylase, lipase (enzymes) |
| Tide Simply Free & Sensitive Liquid Unscented | C10-16 pareth (ethoxylated), fluorescent brightener 71, sodium borate, (plus fragrance ingredients in scented options) |
Does Laundry Detergent Expire?
Laundry products, in fact, do have expiration dates, beyond which their ingredients may begin to break down and lose effectiveness. This is particularly true for liquid laundry detergents, as they rely on preservatives to maintain stability. The milder the preservative, the shorter the product’s shelf life. Unfortunately, some of the least safe detergents compensate for this by using strong, harsh preservatives. Such as benzisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and methylisothiazolinone. While a preservation system is essential for liquid detergents, I avoid products containing these chemicals, as I do not consider them suitable options for non-toxic laundry care.
Conclusion: What Is The Safest Laundry Detergent?
The Safest Laundry Detergents Are Free From Harsh Preservatives, Synthetic Fragrances, Optical Brighteners, And Ethoxylated Ingredients.
In conclusion, this blog post has provided a thorough exploration of laundry detergent ingredients and popular brand names, based on extensive research involving approximately 100 products—sparked by requests from my Facebook and Instagram followers. Through a detailed comparative analysis of the “best,” “better,” “almost better,” and “not-a-fan” categories, you now have the tools to identify safer laundry detergent options.
I strongly recommend avoiding products that contain optical brighteners, synthetic fragrances, ethoxylated ingredients, harsh preservatives, and other concerning substances outlined in the table above. The safest options from the “best” category, which pose no high or medium concerns, include:
- Branch Basics Liquid Concentrate, Laundry Powder, and Oxygen Boost
- Humble Suds Laundry Soap (IRLFY10)
- Meliora Laundry Powder (IREAD10), and
- Pure Haven Laundry Powder (15% off embedded in the link).
If you don’t see your preferred detergent here, you can use the insights shared to assess its safety independently. Alternatively, I offer services tailored to help you make informed, toxin-free choices.
Explore the I Read Labels For You blog for more valuable resources to support a healthier lifestyle. And check out the IRLFY Non-Toxic Products Shop and Amazon Shop for carefully vetted, toxin-free products. For personalized assistance, consider booking a consultation to receive expert guidance on your journey toward healthy living!
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Hello what do you think of Arm & Hammer Detergent Sensitive Skin Free & Clear?
Thank you!
Hi! For a professional product ingredient review, please follow this link: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/services/ingredient-review/
Thank you so much for your research. I would like to know if you have done any research on Doterra laundry soap. They have a few and I am interested in the On- Guard line. Also, has there been any research on which detergent gets the clothes the cleanest? Safest and best for stain removal etc. I love all the safe products but my husband doesn’ think they clean his clothes. Is there some research I can share with him?
Hello Genevieve! Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels For You! To see what we have to say about a certain product, just type the search word in the search bar on our website. The same about stain removers – we have a few non-toxic and well-performing options in our shop. In case you don’t find the info you are looking for, you can always use one of our professional consulting or product ingredient review services: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/services/
Any thoughts on blueland laundry tablets?
Hi Kayla! Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels For You! Please follow this link to get a product ingredient review: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/services/ingredient-review/
Hi,
Do you have any concerns with Clean People laundry sheets?
Thanks!
Hi Susan! Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels For You! Please follow this link to get a product ingredient review: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/services/ingredient-review/
What are your thoughts on Mama Suds Laundry Detergent as I don’t see it listed. I have used it for well over a year and I love it. I don’t see any ingredients for concern as I am an avid label reader.
Hi Marilyn, there is one ingredient – sodium borate – that we do not recommend in skincare. It is probably ok in a laundry detergent, though. Please make an informed decision based on the information in our blog post: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/borax-and-boric-acid-safety/
I see Propylene Glycol is in 9 elements. Is this ingredient not a concern?
Hi Brittany! Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels For You! If you will, please send us the information and scientific data you have found that make you think this ingredient is of concern, so we review the info and update our post, if necessary. We appreciate your interest!!
Hi Maria,
Thank you for all the work that you do. I have purchased many of your guides. I was wondering if you reviewed Better Life Laundry Detergent, Lavender Grapefruit in this guide? Thanks so much!
Hi Callie,
Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels For You!
While Better Life per se is not included in this review, you could, if you would, figure out its safety by reading the ingredients on its label and comparing them with the ingredients of concern assembled in the ‘Ingredients You Want to Be Careful About in Your Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent’ section of this blog post. Or, email the ingredients to us for a private email product review.
Hello, what are your thoughts on eco sheets, like Earth Breeze? Thanks for sharing all your research and insight!
Hello Andrea! Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels for You! Please, use the instructions for an email product review in the “Services” tab in the top menu of our website.
Hello – I am curious about Grab Green products? I don’t see those listed? They are very popular.
Thank you!
Jess
Hello Jess! Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels for You! We selected products for our laundry detergent guide based on requests of our Instagram followers, namely, we included those brands that were most frequently asked about (interestingly, Grab Green was selected for a dishwasher detergent guide: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/product/dishwasher-detergent-guide/). The section of our Laundry Detergent guide called “Ingredients You Want to Be Careful About in Your Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent” will help you determine the safety level of any laundry detergent on your own. If you still feel like you need our help, you can take advantage of our email product review service: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/services/ingredient-review/ We hope this helps!
I’ve been using Ecos Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent with Enzymes – Free & Clear as it does not have Methylisothiazolinone as a listed preservative. Perhaps it’s a reformulation such as with the dish soap?
Hi, Christen! Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels for You! You are doing a great job reading ingredients and picking products based on safety – thank you for that! As for the ECOS products, in our blog post we mention ECOS Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent – Free & Clear. As of today (May 23, 2022), ECOS website lists Methylisothiazolinone among its ingredients. At the same time, ECOS Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent with Enzymes – Free & Clear does not list Methylisothiazolinone. These are two different products (the former is without enzymes and the latter is with enzymes). We hope this helps!
Hello! Why are Dr Bronner’s products rarely included in your wonderful research? Thank you 🙂
Hi, Marian! Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels for You! If you are talking about Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds, it is fine!
When you say which if the cleanest are your favorites (then post a coupon code) I’m concerned about possible conflict of interest. I ask this genuinely, as I’ve followed for some time and trust your research. But a little nagging voice on the back wants to know. Thank you.
Hi, Lari! Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels for You! Your question is totally legitimate!
I Read Labels for You receives lots of offers for affiliate connections with attractive commissions (as happened with Monat, for example).
However, our priority is safety, and we stay true to our core values: integrity, honesty, and thoroughness. So, we study ingredients, do research, and contact the manufacturers. (You can learn more about the steps we take on our website.)If a product meets our standards for safety, we accept the company’s offer for affiliate connection. Other times, we reach out to the company ourselves to participate with them in spreading safe products. Moreover, some companies do not have affiliate programs, but if their products meet our safety requirements, we choose to promote them anyway to make the consumer market a safer place. And sometimes, companies would change their ingredients from safe to less safe, and we break our affiliation with them. As for discount codes, we are happy to help our readers and followers to save money!
At the same time, our intention has never been to make our followers believe us blindly. It is for this reason that we keep writing and publishing free educational blog posts so that our readers would read them and educate themselves about ingredients and learn to estimate their safety on their own. Plus, we always encourage our readers to contact manufacturers and do their own research regarding the safety of the product in question.
Therefore, it is great that the question about the conflict of interest has risen in you, Lari! It shows that you are a thinker and do not “eat” any information blindly. We believe that you will be successful at doing your own research and contacting companies, which we strongly encourage because the more of us ask questions, the sooner the manufacturers make changes for the better.
If and when your product ingredient research contradicts ours, please bring it to our attention – we are open for communication and changes. We are all in it together and we will definitely appreciate your help!! Thank you for your active participation!!!
Have you ever done research on THE LAUNDRESS
NEW YORK? I don’t see it listed anywhere in the search option or in any of your free articles. They list their MDSD online. From following your blog I know your anti-fragrance but I’m wondering your thoughts. Thanks!
Hi, Elisabeth! Thank you for your question! A quick glance at this product’s list of ingredients revealed that it contains fragrance, benzisothiazolinone, and ethoxylated ingredients (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate). I Read Labels for You does not consider these ingredients safe. We hope this helps!
Have you done any research on dryer sheets/balls? I couldn’t find any articles on it when I put dryer in she search button. I’ve tried using 100% wool dryer balls and even putting all 6 balls in the dryer on the lowest temp my clothes come out still staticky. Thanks!
Hi, Elisabeth! We appreciate your interest! We haven’t done deep research into dryer sheets, but so far, we haven’t found safe dryer sheets. Thank you for the suggestion!
Place your clean clothes on the ground for an hour or so. Fold them and stack them on the ground. When you put them away, most of the static will b gone.