The 14 Best Nontoxic Laundry Detergents
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Back in 2022, hoards of the Laundress faithful were forced to turn their backs on the prestige cleaning brand after nearly every single product in its line was recalled over concerns of bacteria and, later, carcinogens. If you were one of the many to reluctantly toss your status-clinching detergent, don’t worry: The Laundress is back and, presumably, cleaner than ever.
After reformulating and reassessing its manufacturing practices, the Laundress rolled out new products, starting with the polished core collection. Naturally, not everyone has allowed the Laundress to waft its way back into their knickers. So we went on the hunt to find high-quality laundry detergents worthy of rinsing your cashmere sweaters, intimates, and Tibetan robes.
FAQs
The one without any dirty laundry
Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent
You may be on this list not because you want status-symbol replacement, but because you have sensitive skin and just need something that won’t leave you with an itchy rash. If so, Dirty Labs may be the detergent for you. The hypoallergenic formulas avoid sulfates and synthetic preservatives and are certified by the National Eczema Association. They’re also an EPA Safer Choice and are USDA Certified Biobased certified, which means the company derives its ingredients from renewable raw materials (like plants, in this case).
The pristine pods
Aspen Clean Unscented Laundry Pods
For something a little less pedestrian than Dreft but still safe enough for the whole family, AspenClean’s formulas are approved by Ecocert (the EWG with a French accent). If you don’t want to pay for shipping, Amazon carries the pod version.
The one that’ll get you Gen-Z cred
DedCool Milk Dedtergent
The next time you find yourself at L Train Vintage, wash your clothes in Dedtergent — no one will know you’re an old. While you can’t go wrong with any of the LA-based brand’s formulas (and fragrances), MILK is a notable newcomer to the line. It’s the most subtly scented of DedCool products and, thus, more of a crowdpleaser for couples, families, or anyone that doesn’t want their clothing to compete with their perfume on a daily basis. (Lookin’ at you, the Laundress x Le Labo collab.) Despite the layered scent profile, DedCool detergents have minimal ingredient lists and the brand is transparent in its sources and what it says “no” to.
The one that’s safe and, respectfully, boring
Meliora Laundry Powder
Meliora has the shortest, simplest ingredient list of the bunch. There’s baking soda and washing soda, vegetable soap, coconut oil, and glycerin. Each ingredient is clearly justified online and laid out plainly in minimal, recyclable packaging. If you needed another reason to support Meliora, it’s woman-owned and a Certified B Corp.
The one you’ll actually want to support
Good Juju Body & Home Laundry Detergent Strips
Good Juju Body & Home is women- and BIPOC-owned and a member of 1% for the Planet — plus, the branding is really cute. So basically, all good juju with this one! The brand’s laundry detergent strips are plant enzyme powered and free from the usual suspects of harmful additives. Also, the price point is surprisingly accessible.
For the skin-care connoisseurs
Dr. Barbara Sturm Laundry Detergent
If you can justify spending a lot on skin care, you might want to invest in good-quality laundry detergent, too. Budget? Never heard of her. Skin-care connoisseur Dr. Barbara Sturm created this ecological, plant-powered laundry detergent that aims to be gentle on both skin and clothing thanks to actives like purslane, aloe vera, and panthenol.
If you want all new laundry products
L’AVANT Luxury Laundry Essentials Bundle
If you’re ready to fully commit to the clean lifestyle — à la Goop; not in a crunchy-granola-and-Birkenstocks way — check out L’Avant. The brand sells this set of laundry essentials, including detergent, wool dryer balls, linen essential oils, and a mesh delicates bag. It is certainly Gwyneth Paltrow approved.
The Necco Wafer of detergents
Blueland Laundry Starter Set
Tide Pods are simply too gauche. Your palette is reserved and demands a chalkier, puritanical tablet meant to be dropped with a sense of self-importance. Or as Liddy-Sudbury put it, “This product is not only chic and effective, but it is also, most importantly, an ecoconscious leader in this space.” It gets stellar EWG ratings, and Blueland even tested its effectiveness on blood.
The sans-serif version of the Laundress
Steamery Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent
Everything you loved about the Laundress (no harsh preservatives, perfumes, or dyes) packaged in a new- money minimalism.
The one that works like bleach
Branch Basics Oxygen Boost
“Clean” products can sometimes mean middling performance, but Branch Basics makes a bleachlike product out of just two ingredients. It gets rid of stains, dirt, and grime without the need for ammonia or dyes — plus it’s fragrance free. FYI, Branch Basics isn’t just coming for your dirty-laundry routine: It wants to clear your entire house of toxins and has a full-on course that would teach you how to do it.
The millennial-paradox option
Tangent GC Gentle Laundry Detergent in Yuzu
Looking for something vegan to clean your sheep’s-wool sweater? Tangent GC uses plant-derived ingredients to create surprisingly powerful, if not modestly confused, cleaning products. Although it’s not rated by the EWG, it meets Smallable’s Greenable criteria.
The one that wants you to call it a comeback
The Laundress Signature Detergent
Chic, ecofriendly, and sans bad biologics, the Signature Detergent 2.0 should perform just like the original formula you knew and loved. The Laundress says it’s all thanks to an audited manufacturing process that has resulted in safer testing practices, raw materials sourcing, and transparency (quite literally in the packaging and formulation). Devotees can expect a lighter-weight texture and higher concentration for this detergent and others like the Wool & Cashmere Shampoo, Delicate Wash, and Fabric Conditioner when restocking their laundry-room shelves. Yes, if your entire routine is comprised of the Laundress products, we presume you have a room for those machines. Wait, why are you here — do you even do your own laundry?
The ecofriendly one with receipts
ECOS Laundry Detergent Liquid (Pack of 2)
ECOS has every accolade a green-washed brand wishes it could have, including distinct recognition from the EPA’s Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative, California’s Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, and importantly LEED Zero Carbon, LEED Zero Energy, and LEED Zero Waste certifications for each of its facilities — among many others. Water neutral, carbon neutral, and zero waste? That, friends, is what the brand calls the “trifecta of sustainable manufacturing.” Apart from the planet, it also does right by your clothing and body. ECOS’s free and clear formula is hypoallergenic, and the brand, in general, avoids optical brighteners, formaldehyde, dyes, and dioxanes (an unfortunately common byproduct found in detergents that are now limited in New York).
The Amazon-loved one
Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder
Since powder detergent has a longer shelf life, it doesn’t need all of the preservatives that a liquid formula calls for. It’s part of why you get such short ingredient lists, like the four-part powder from Molly’s Suds. This one is a crowd favorite since it’s safe for sensitive skin, babies, pregnant people, and generally dirty folks. Just be warned that it’s gentle, so you may need to add an extra scoop (or two) for deep cleans.
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