Best Laundry Detergents With Better Ingredients
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Finding the best laundry detergent for your home can be surprisingly confusing, especially with so many options making different claims about ingredients, fragrance, and cleaning power.
If you are trying to create a healthier home environment, switching to a laundry detergent with a more transparent formula can be a simple place to start. But finding a truly “non-toxic” detergent isn’t as straightforward as product marketing makes it sound. Words like “natural,” “plant-based,” “clean,” and “eco-friendly” don’t tell you everything about a formula.
Instead, I look for things that are easier to verify, like ingredient transparency, fragrance-free options, meaningful third-party certifications, and formulas that avoid ingredients I personally wouldn’t prioritize in an everyday laundry product.
For this list, I focused on detergents that offer a strong combination of those qualities while still being practical for normal laundry.
If you’re looking for other simple ways to make more intentional choices in your kitchen, I also shared 5 Best Kitchen Swaps to Easily Reduce Chemical Exposure, including a few everyday products I chose to replace.
Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent Free & Clear
Dirty Labs is one of the best on this list if you’re looking beyond basic “natural” marketing.
The Free & Clear formula is fragrance-free and uses a concentrated enzyme-based formula designed to tackle stains and odors. Dirty Labs lists ingredients including plant-derived glucosides, enzymes, glycerin, coconut fatty acid, and sodium citrate. It is also optimized for cold-water washing and compatible with HE machines.
Dirty Labs says its Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent is EPA Safer Choice certified, USDA Certified Biobased, EWG Verified, and recognized by the National Eczema Association.
That doesn’t mean the detergent is automatically “better” than every other option, but it gives you considerably more information to work with than a bottle that simply says “clean” or “natural.”
- GENTLE: Most cleaners today use technologies that were developed almost 100 years ago. In fact, many common deep-cleanin…
- EFFECTIVE: For us, dirty-free cleaning is not just about clean ingredients. We formulate to get the job done, and we put…
- ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: At Dirty Labs – Less is More. By creating hyper-concentrated formulas, we greatly reduce our p…
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Pros:
- Fragrance-free option
- Enzyme-based cleaning formula
- EPA Safer Choice certified
- USDA Certified Biobased
- EWG Verified
- HE compatible
- Concentrated formula
- Designed for cold-water washing
Cons:
- More expensive than conventional detergents
- Concentrated dosing takes a little getting used to
- Not everyone needs an enzyme-heavy formula
ATTITUDE Nature+ Laundry Detergent, Unscented
ATTITUDE is another strong option if third-party verification is important to you.
The unscented Nature+ Laundry Detergent is EWG VERIFIED, which means the specific formulation has been reviewed under EWG’s standards for ingredient transparency and health criteria. EWG’s listing also provides the ingredient list rather than simply relying on broad marketing claims.
The formula includes ingredients such as sodium coco-sulfate, lauryl glucoside, caprylyl glucoside, sodium chloride, citric acid, and other supporting ingredients. The unscented version is a particularly good choice if you prefer not to add fragrance to clothing and bedding.
One thing I appreciate about EWG VERIFIED products is that the certification gives shoppers a more concrete standard to look for. That’s much more useful than simply assuming something is better because the label says “natural.”
- EWG VERIFIED: This laundry detergent is EWG VERIFIED, made with clean ingredients.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE: With 98% naturally derived ingredients, it removes stains, odors, and grease. Works in both HE and sta…
- UNSCENTED: Perfect for those sensitive to fragrance, it cleans without sacrificing fabric comfort or softness.
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Pros:
- EWG VERIFIED
- Unscented option
- Ingredient transparency
- Plant-derived surfactants
- Vegan and cruelty-free options available
- Widely available
Cons:
- Formulations can vary between product lines, so check the exact product
- Some scented versions contain fragrance
- Certification does not mean the product is completely free of ingredients with any possible concern
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent
If you don’t want to order specialty detergent online, Seventh Generation Free & Clear is one of the easier options to find.
The concentrated Free & Clear formula is free of fragrances, dyes, and artificial brighteners. Seventh Generation says it is EPA Safer Choice certified and USDA Certified Biobased at 96%. It is also designed for sensitive skin.
The brand also offers Free & Clear detergent packs, which are 94% USDA Certified Biobased and EPA Safer Choice certified.
- Concentrated for More Loads Per Bottle: Designed with less added water, this concentrated liquid laundry detergent gives…
- Made for Sensitive Skin, 0% Dyes & Fragrances: Dermatologist tested and made without fragrances, dyes, masking agents, o…
- Gentle On Fabrics: Features a plant-derived triple enzyme blend that helps handle everyday laundry messes and targets st…
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Pros:
- EPA Safer Choice certified
- USDA Certified Biobased
- Fragrance-free
- Dye-free
- No artificial brighteners
- Widely available
- Liquid and detergent-pack options
Cons:
- Not as minimal a formula as some specialty detergents
- Large conventional-style bottles can create more packaging
- Multiple versions are sold, so make sure you’re choosing Free & Clear
ECOS Free & Clear Laundry Detergent
ECOS Free & Clear is another option, especially if you want a detergent that is easy to find and doesn’t come with a premium price tag.
The current Free & Clear formula is fragrance-free, uses six listed ingredients, and is EPA Safer Choice certified. ECOS also describes the formula as plant-powered and hypoallergenic.
The company’s current ingredient information lists water, plant-derived surfactants, and other functional ingredients. Because formulations can change, I’d recommend checking the current ingredient list before purchasing rather than relying on an old review or product roundup.
ECOS also makes several laundry formats, including liquid detergent, detergent sheets, and packs, so you can choose based on how you prefer to do laundry.
- CLIMATE POSITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE – Not only is this laundry detergent formula effective and kind to sensitive skin, but …
- 100% VEGAN – Containing enough detergent for 200 loads of laundry, plant-powered ECOS Laundry Detergent is both cruelty-…
- PARABEN AND PHOSPHATE FREE – Unlike most conventional laundry detergents, ECOS does not contain any harsh chemicals or i…
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Pros:
- EPA Safer Choice certified
- Fragrance-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Plant-derived ingredients
- Multiple formats
- Widely available
- More budget-friendly than some specialty detergents
Cons:
- Formula contains preservatives
- Not the most minimal ingredient list despite the relatively simple marketing
- Packaging varies depending on the format
Branch Basics Laundry Detergent
Branch Basics takes a different approach from the liquid detergents above. Its laundry detergent is a powder that combines cleaning, stain-fighting, odor removal, and oxygen-boosting ingredients into one product. The company says one bag can provide up to 120 loads.
The formula is fragrance-free and designed for both standard and HE washing machines. Branch Basics also says it is free from optical brighteners, phosphates, sulfates, dyes, bleach, ammonia, and several other ingredients the brand chooses not to use.
For those who want to reduce the amount of liquid and packaging they bring into their home, the powder format is appealing.
Branch Basics also holds Made Safe and Leaping Bunny certifications for its Concentrate, which may be relevant if you’re interested in broader ingredient and animal-testing standards.
- HUMAN-SAFE, FRAGRANCE-FREE LAUNDRY DETERGENT: Our powerful Laundry Detergent (4 lbs per, for 120 loads) provides a deep,…
- TOUGH ON STAINS, GENTLE ON FABRICS: Designed for high-performance cleaning, our detergent tackles tough stains while rem…
- SAFE FOR YOUR HOME & THE PLANET: Made without harmful chemicals, pollutants, or skin irritants, our detergent is free fr…
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Pros:
- Fragrance-free
- Powder format
- Up to 120 loads
- Compatible with HE and standard machines
- No optical brighteners
- No dyes, bleach, or ammonia
- Made Safe and Leaping Bunny certifications associated with the brand’s laundry products
Cons:
- Powder isn’t everyone’s preferred format
- Doesn’t have EPA Safer Choice certification
- May require different dosing depending on load size and soil level
- Higher upfront price than some conventional detergents
What Should You Look For In A “Non-Toxic” Laundry Detergent?
The term itself isn’t regulated, so I wouldn’t choose a detergent based on that phrase alone. Instead, look for specific characteristics you can actually verify.
1. Fragrance-free
Fragrance is one of the easiest things to avoid if you want a simpler laundry routine.
That doesn’t mean all fragrance is inherently dangerous. It does mean that fragrance mixtures can contain many individual ingredients, and some people prefer to avoid them because of sensitivity or simply because they don’t want scented products on clothing and bedding.
If you want fragrance-free, make sure the product actually says “fragrance-free” rather than simply “unscented.”
2. Meaningful Certifications
EPA Safer Choice is one of the certifications I would pay attention to. The EPA says every chemical in a Safer Choice-certified product is evaluated against its criteria, and certified products must meet human-health and environmental standards.
EWG VERIFIED is another useful signal, particularly when ingredient transparency is important to you. It indicates that the specific formulation has been reviewed against EWG’s criteria.
USDA Certified Biobased tells you something different. It relates to the percentage of biobased ingredients in a product, not whether the product is automatically “non-toxic.” That’s why I wouldn’t treat certifications as interchangeable. Each one tells you something different.
You can learn more about what these certifications actually mean in my guide, 5 Cleaning Product Certifications: Ultimate Guide.
3. Ingredient Transparency
I’d rather see a complete ingredient list than a giant front-label claim saying:
CLEAN. NATURAL. SAFE.
Those words don’t tell you much on their own. A transparent brand should make it reasonably easy to find what is actually in the detergent.
4. Dyes And Optical Brighteners
If you’re trying to simplify your laundry products, dyes and optical brighteners are reasonable ingredients to look for and potentially avoid.
Optical brighteners don’t actually clean your clothes. They work by making fabrics appear brighter under light.
Again, I’m not saying that seeing one of these ingredients means the detergent is dangerous. It’s simply one of the factors I would consider when comparing products.
5. How Well It Actually Cleans
A detergent isn’t a good choice simply because the ingredient list looks appealing. It still needs to clean your clothes.
Look for a formula appropriate for the type of laundry you actually do, whether that’s everyday clothing, towels, workout clothes, bedding, or heavily soiled items.
Enzymes can be useful for breaking down different types of stains, which is one reason several of the detergents above use enzyme-based formulas.
Powder vs. Liquid vs. Detergent packs
The format you choose is mostly about what works best for your laundry routine.
Powder
Pros:
- Often less water and packaging
- Easy to store
- Long shelf life
- Good option for concentrated formulas
Cons:
- Can be less convenient to measure
- May not dissolve as well in some cold-water situations
Liquid
Pros:
- Easy to pretreat stains
- Convenient for most washing machines
- Works well in cold water
Cons:
- More packaging and shipping weight
- Easy to overpour
Packs
Pros:
- Pre-measured
- Convenient
- No measuring or spills
Cons:
- Less flexible dosing
- More packaging
- You can’t easily adjust the amount for a smaller or lightly soiled load
What About Laundry Detergent Sheets?
Laundry sheets are appealing because they eliminate the bottle, but I wouldn’t automatically assume a sheet is a better or cleaner option simply because it looks more sustainable.
Look at the same things you’d look for in any detergent:
- Full ingredient disclosure
- Fragrance
- Dyes
- Cleaning performance
- Certifications
- Packaging
- Cost per load
Best laundry Detergents: How I Would Choose
If I were narrowing these down based on different priorities:
Best Overall: Dirty Labs Free & Clear
This is the most compelling option if you want a concentrated, fragrance-free formula with multiple certifications and enzyme-based cleaning.
Best EWG VERIFIED Option: ATTITUDE Unscented
A good fit if EWG’s ingredient-review standards are important to you.
Best Easy-to-Find option: Seventh Generation Free & Clear
A practical choice when you want recognizable certifications and don’t want to order from a specialty brand.
Best Simple Everyday Option: ECOS Free & Clear
A good balance of accessibility, fragrance-free formulation, and EPA Safer Choice certification.
Best Powder: Branch Basics
A good fit if you prefer powder and want to move away from bulky liquid detergent bottles.
Final Thoughts
Laundry detergent is one of those small, everyday swaps where looking beyond the front label can help you make a choice that better fits your priorities. For me, that means paying attention to fragrance, ingredient transparency, certifications, packaging, and whether the detergent actually makes sense for the way you do laundry.
There isn’t one perfect detergent for every household. A fragrance-free formula may be the priority for one person, while another may care more about certified ingredients, packaging, price, or stain-fighting performance.
The goal isn’t to find a product with the biggest collection of “clean” buzzwords. It’s to understand what you’re buying well enough to decide whether it’s right for your home.
Common Questions About Laundry Detergent
What makes a laundry detergent “non-toxic”?
“Non-toxic” isn’t a regulated term with one universal definition for laundry detergent. Rather than relying on that label, look for information you can actually verify, such as a complete ingredient list, fragrance-free options, relevant third-party certifications, and a formula that fits your needs.
Is fragrance-free laundry detergent better?
Fragrance-free laundry detergent may be a better choice for people who are sensitive to fragrance or prefer to avoid scented products. If you have sensitive skin or a known allergy, check the ingredient list and choose a formula that fits your individual needs.
What laundry detergent is best for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, a fragrance-free laundry detergent that has transparent ingredient information can be a good place to start. Options like Dirty Labs Free & Clear, ATTITUDE Unscented, Seventh Generation Free & Clear, and ECOS Free & Clear are worth considering because they offer fragrance-free versions. If you have a known sensitivity or allergy, always check the current ingredient list and choose based on your individual needs.
Is EPA Safer Choice the same as “non-toxic”?
No, EPA Safer Choice is not the same as non-toxic.
Are laundry detergent sheets better than liquid detergent?
Laundry detergent sheets can be more convenient and eco-friendly than liquid detergent, as they are lightweight, reduce plastic waste, and eliminate mess. However, effectiveness can vary based on the brand and specific cleaning needs.
Is powder or liquid laundry detergent better?
Liquid laundry detergent is generally better for greasy stains, while powder is often more effective for dirt and mud. Choose based on your specific laundry needs.
Are enzymes in laundry detergent safe?
Enzymes are commonly used in laundry detergents to help break down stains. Whether a particular formula is right for you depends on the product and your individual sensitivities, so check the ingredient information if you have a known sensitivity or allergy.
What should I avoid in laundry detergent?
Rather than looking for a single list of ingredients everyone should avoid, consider the factors that matter most to you. If you prefer a simpler laundry routine, you might look for fragrance-free formulas and products without dyes or optical brighteners. You can also check the full ingredient list and look for meaningful third-party certifications. If you have a known sensitivity to a particular ingredient, check the product label and ingredient information carefully.
How do I choose a safer laundry detergent?
Start by looking beyond the words “natural” or “non-toxic.” Check whether the brand provides a complete ingredient list, consider fragrance-free options if that matters to you, and look for meaningful third-party certifications. Then consider how well the detergent cleans, what format works for your routine, and whether the product fits your budget and priorities.