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In today’s eco-conscious world, choosing the right laundry detergent is essential for both effective cleaning and environmental responsibility. We’ve curated a list of 13 eco-friendly laundry detergents. Each product is evaluated based on ratings, customer reviews, ingredients, certifications, and key features to help you make an informed decision.
Highly Rated Laundry Detergents
Our Favorite – Seventh Generation
Rating: 4.5/5
- Customer Reviews: Praised for its gentle, hypoallergenic formula suitable for sensitive skin. Users appreciate its effectiveness in removing stains without harsh chemicals.
- One satisfied customer shared, “The liquid is clear and thin, not thick and goopy like other detergents, making it super easy to keep clean.”
- However, a few users noted that the cap can sometimes dispense more than expected, and some wished the scent was a bit stronger. One review mentioned, “I love the natural fragrance, but I wish it lasted longer on my clothes.”
- Ingredients: 96% plant-based ingredients, free from dyes, fragrances, and artificial brighteners.
- Certifications: USDA Biobased Certified, EPA Safer Choice Certified.
Key Features: Effective in cold water, biodegradable formula, suitable for both standard and HE machines.
Environmental and Health Considerations: Seventh Generation is a leader in sustainable packaging—this 23 oz bottle contains 66 loads worth of detergent, significantly reducing plastic waste. The packaging is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, further enhancing its eco-friendliness.
The EasyDose™ cap is another standout feature, ensuring accurate dispensing to minimize waste and prevent overuse.
Summary:
Seventh Generation EasyDose™ Ultra-Concentrated Laundry Detergent is a top choice for eco-conscious consumers, offering powerful cleaning with minimal environmental impact. Its high concentration, biodegradable formula, and certifications make it an excellent choice for those looking to switch to a greener, more efficient laundry detergent. However, customers sensitive to scent longevity or minor packaging quirks may want to keep those aspects in mind.
Rating: 4.4/5
- Customer Reviews: Users commend its powerful cleaning capabilities and minimalistic ingredient list, making it ideal for those with skin sensitivities.
- One reviewer noted, “Our clothes came out fresh and clean as promised, without any overwhelming scents.”
- theinquisitivemom.com Another mentioned, “I have been using Molly’s Suds and haven’t had a problem at all actually. It surprisingly works great I find compared to most other greener options.”
- Molly’s Suds is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny since 2011, ensuring no animal testing in its development. The product is also vegan, made in the USA, and rated ‘A’ by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), reflecting its commitment to health and environmental standards.
Key Features: Concentrated formula requiring less per load, free from synthetic fragrances and dyes.
Environmental and Health Considerations: Molly’s Suds emphasizes ingredient integrity, ensuring products are safe for both people and the planet. The detergent is biodegradable and septic-safe, making it an environmentally responsible choice.
In summary, Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder offers a powerful cleaning experience with a minimalistic and eco-conscious ingredient list. Its certifications and positive customer feedback underscore its effectiveness and commitment to health and environmental safety.
Certifications: Molly’s Suds is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny since 2011, ensuring no animal testing in its development. The product is also vegan, made in the USA, and rated ‘A’ by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), reflecting its commitment to health and environmental standards.
Did You Know?
The average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry per year—that’s nearly 6 loads per week! If you lined up all the laundry detergent bottles used annually in the U.S., they could wrap around the Earth six times! Switching to eco-friendly detergent can help reduce plastic waste and lower your carbon footprint.
Rating: 4.5/5
Customer Reviews: Praised for its convenience, eco-friendliness, and effective cleaning without harsh chemicals. Some users love its gentle formula for sensitive skin.
- Ingredients: Plant-derived starch, biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), free from harmful chemicals.
- Certifications: Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Hypoallergenic (No third-party green certifications like Green Seal or EcoLogo).
Key Features: Plastic-free packaging, lightweight, pre-measured sheets, gentle on sensitive skin, and effective stain removal.
Certifications: While specific certifications for these detergent sheets are not detailed in the available sources, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has rated Clean People’s Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets with a ‘B’ grade, indicating a relatively low concern regarding ingredient safety.
Rating: 4.3/5
- Plant-Based Ingredients: Formulated with natural, plant-derived components.
- Hypoallergenic: Suitable for sensitive skin and safe for babies.
- Concentrated Sheets: Lightweight and easy to use, reducing packaging waste.
- Certifications: Leaping Bunny Certified
Free from Harsh Chemicals: No harmful additives, ensuring a gentle cleanse.
Certifications: Kind Laundry is committed to sustainability, utilizing zero-waste packaging and plant-based ingredients. However, specific third-party certifications are not mentioned in the available sources.
Ingredients: The detergent sheets are formulated with a blend of potent enzymes and premium plant-based extracts, including:
- Enzymes: Target and lift stubborn stains.
- Sapindus Mukorossi (Soap Nuts): Natural surfactant that traps dirt and removes it.
- Camellia Japonica: Acts as a natural softener and degreaser.
- Kaolin: A mineral clay that absorbs impurities and helps shape the sheets.
- Sunflower Seed Oil: Protects fabrics from discoloration and naturally softens.
Rating: 4.3/5
- Customer Reviews: Appreciated for their convenience and effectiveness, especially in combating tough stains and odors.
- Ingredients: Plant-based ingredients with natural enzymes targeting stains.
- Certifications: EPA Safer Choice Certified.
Key Features: Pre-measured pods, no mess or spills, compatible with all machine types.
Certifications: These detergent pods are USDA Certified Biobased, with 58% of the formula derived from renewable biological sources. Additionally, Dropps is a B Corp certified company, reflecting its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Ingredients: The formulation includes a blend of plant-based and mineral-derived components such as:
- Alcohols, C12-16, ethoxylated
- Glycerin
- Alkyl (C10-16) ether sulfate, sodium salt
- Water
- Subtilisin
- Alpha amylase
- Polyethylene glycol monododecyl ether
- Polyvinyl alcohol film (PVOH) with bittering agent ekologicall.com
Rating: 4.2/5
- Customer Reviews: Praised for its cleaning power and fresh lavender scent; some users noted a recent change in fragrance that they didn’t like.
- Ingredients: Plant-derived cleaning agents, essential oils (lavender, orange peel), enzymes for stain removal.
- Certifications: Leaping Bunny Certified (Cruelty-Free)
Key Features: Biodegradable formula, concentrated for 64 loads, plant-based cleaning agents, HE machine compatible.
Environmental and Health Considerations: While the detergent is biodegradable and made with plant-derived cleaning agents, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has rated this product with a ‘D’ grade, indicating high concern due to potential ingredient hazards.
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lavender Liquid Laundry Detergent is lauded for its cleaning performance and pleasant scent. However, potential buyers should be aware of recent changes in fragrance and consider the environmental and health ratings when making a purchasing decision.
Rating: 4.2/5
Environmental Considerations: While the detergent sheets are designed to reduce plastic waste and are packaged in recyclable cardboard, it’s important to note that they contain Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA). The biodegradability of PVA can vary, and specific conditions are required for its complete breakdown, which may not always be met in standard wastewater treatment facilities.
- Customer Reviews: Users love the space-saving design and eco-friendly packaging, noting effective cleaning performance.
- Ingredients: Biodegradable, plant-based ingredients free from parabens and phosphates.
- Certifications: Paraben-free, Phosphate-free.
Key Features: Ultra-concentrated strips, lightweight and travel-friendly, reduce plastic waste.
Rating: 4.1/5
Certifications: Biokleen’s Free & Clear Laundry Liquid is Safer Choice certified, indicating it meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for safety and environmental responsibility.
- Customer Reviews: Valued for its gentle formula that’s tough on dirt but gentle on fabrics and skin.
- Ingredients: Plant-based surfactants, citrus and grapefruit seed extracts.
- Certifications: EPA Safer Choice Certified.
Key Features: Concentrated formula, free from artificial fragrances and preservatives.
Rating: 4.0/5
Certifications: Blueland’s Laundry Detergent Tablets are recognized for their commitment to health and environmental standards, holding certifications such as EWG VERIFIED™.
- Customer Reviews: Users appreciate the plastic-free packaging and effective cleaning power, though some note the tablets take time to dissolve.
- Ingredients: Plant-based ingredients, free from dyes and fragrances.
- Certifications: Cradle to Cradle Certified.
Key Features: Compact tablets, reusable steel tin packaging, eco-friendly.
Rating: 4.0/5
Certifications: Earth Breeze detergent sheets are paraben-free, phosphate-free, phthalate-free, and free from bleach and dyes. They are also vegan and cruelty-free, ensuring no animal testing is involved in their production.
- Customer Reviews: Praised for their minimalistic packaging and ease of use, with effective cleaning results.
- One reviewer noted, “Based off of my many loads of laundry, these eco sheets definitely work! Each load, my clothes came out clean and smelling great.”
- naturallymakayla.com Another user mentioned, “They do a great job cleaning in general—I don’t notice any difference between them and any of the heavy-duty detergents I use.”
- reddit.com
- Ingredients: Biodegradable, plant-based formula.
- Certifications: Plastic-free packaging.
Key Features: Dissolvable sheets, lightweight, reduce carbon footprint.
Rating: 3.9/5
Ingredients: The Fresh Linen variant is formulated with:
- Deionized Water (extracted during manufacturing)
- Naturally derived surfactants from coconut oil
- Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
- Fatty Alcohol Polyglycol Ether
- Natural essential oil fragrance (Osmanthus) These ingredients work together to effectively clean clothes while being gentle on the skin. help.sheetslaundryclub.com
- Customer Reviews: Users find them convenient and effective, with a pleasant, mild scent.
- One reviewer noted, “My laundry sheets work well, smell fresh, and take up far less space than a heavy, bulky plastic bottle of detergent.”
- walmart.com
- Ingredients: Plant-derived ingredients, free from phosphates and bleach.
- Certifications: Paraben-free, Phosphate-free.
Key Features: Pre-measured sheets, dissolve easily in water, suitable for all machines.
Environmental and Health Considerations: The detergent sheets are free from harsh chemicals and are packaged in sustainable, recyclable materials, reducing plastic waste. The use of PVA, a biodegradable polymer, ensures the sheets dissolve completely during washing, leaving no residue.
Rating: 3.8/5
Certifications: ECOS Laundry Detergent is recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice program, indicating it meets stringent safety and environmental standards.
- Customer Reviews: Appreciated for its gentle formula, though some users desire stronger stain removal.
- Ingredients: Plant-powered with coconut-based cleaning agents.
- Certifications: EPA Safer Choice Certified.
Key Features: Hypoallergenic, pH-balanced, readily biodegradable.
Rating: 3.8/5
Environmental and Health Considerations: While the product is marketed as biodegradable and eco-friendly, concerns have been raised about its potential to cause skin irritation. The presence of sodium metasilicate, a highly alkaline compound, may contribute to these reactions if not properly rinsed out.
Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder offers an effective cleaning solution with a focus on environmental responsibility. However, users, especially those with sensitive skin or infants, should monitor for any adverse reactions and ensure thorough rinsing during laundry cycles.
- Customer Reviews: Users highlight its deep-cleaning ability and residue-free results.
- Ingredients: Biodegradable, non-toxic ingredients including washing soda and coconut oil-based detergents.
Certifications: EPA Safer Choice Certified.