The 10 Safest Laundry Detergents You Can Use
Updated: Jul. 13, 2024
Warning: Toxic chemicals may be lurking in your laundry detergent. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe and get your clothes truly clean.
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Sure, you can use any old pod or detergent in your laundry routine, but have you ever stopped to consider what goes into those products? Unfortunately, even some of the highest-rated laundry detergents are loaded with artificial fragrances and other chemicals that can cause skin irritation, trigger allergic reactions, and even harm the environment. With so much to sort through on product labels, it can be hard to find safe laundry detergents.
Though pleasant-smelling laundry is tempting, start with a fragrance-free detergent, especially if you have sensitive skin, recommends dermatologist Kristin Baird, MD, the founder and medical director of Green Goo. “Fragrances in laundry detergent can lead to skin irritation, which can cause rashes, eczema, and itching,” she explains. These potentially harmful ingredients aren’t always listed on the label, either. “Fragrance is considered to be a trade secret, so the individual ingredients are not required to be listed on the label,” explains Tonya Harris, an award-winning environmental toxin expert and the creator of the Slightly Greener Method.
In short, opt for a fragrance-free formula and add essential oils to your dryer balls for an extra scent boost at the end. In a world where everyone is marketing their products as “clean,” we did the research for you. Read on to find the safest laundry detergents and select the one that’s right for you.
Safest Laundry Detergents
- Safest laundry detergent overall: Molly’s Suds Unscented Detergent Powder
- Best safe powder laundry detergent: Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder
- Best safe laundry detergent pods: Dropps Detergent Pods
- Best safe laundry detergent sheets: Grove Co. Laundry Detergent Sheets
- Best safe laundry detergent for deep cleaning: Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10X Free Power Pods
- Best safe laundry detergent for old stains: Puracy Natural Stain Remover
- Best safe laundry detergent for stubborn stains: Botanical Origin Laundry Detergent
- Best value safe laundry detergent: Pardo Naturals Laundry Detergent
- Best drug store safe laundry detergent: Seventh Generation Free & Clear Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Best safe laundry detergent for cold water: Attitude Liquid Laundry Detergent
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Safest laundry detergent overall
Molly’s Suds Unscented Detergent Powder
Pros:
- Expert recommended
- Safe for babies, people with sensitive skin, and the environment
- One bag goes a long way
Cons:
- If you tend to wash your laundry in cold water, it’s recommended you switch to warm water when using this detergent
Harris gives Molly’s Suds a glowing review. “It contains fewer than four simple ingredients, is gentle on skin and still works well to get your clothes clean,” she says. The powder was developed to be eco-friendly and people-safe, even for babies. If you are chemically sensitive or suffer from allergies or eczema, Molly’s Suds is a quality choice and a safe bet. For a normal load, just add one tablespoon of the laundry powder to your machine, and your clothes will come out fresh and clean. In case you’re wondering, here’s the difference between powder and liquid detergent.
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Best safe powder laundry detergent
Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder
Pros:
- Cleans your laundry and your washing machine
- You only need one tablespoon per load, meaning one bag of this detergent will last you quite a while
Cons:
- Warm or hot water works best with powder detergents
If you or your washing machine prefers powdered detergent, this hypoallergenic, eco-friendly detergent from Charlie’s Soap is a great choice. Made using just four plant-based, biodegradable ingredients, the formula is EPA Safer Choice certified, meaning it’s safer for the environment and your septic system. Charlie’s Soap recommends adding just one tablespoon of detergent directly into your washer to remove tough stains and odors from your laundry, but did you know that it will also clean your washing machine? Yep! Run a load of rags through on hot to give your washing machine a much-needed deep clean.
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Best safe laundry detergent pods
Dropps Detergent Pods
Pros:
- Non-toxic
- Environmentally friendly formula and packaging
Cons:
- Works best on smaller loads
This formula is so safe, you could bathe in it. It’s fragrance-free, dye-free, phosphate-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free, and it’s conveniently portioned out for you in each Dropp. The packaging is also eco-friendly and compostable. You can buy a single package, or you can subscribe to have Dropps delivered to your house as often as you need it. Just be sure you know how to use laundry pods the right way.
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Best safe laundry detergent sheets
Grove Co. Laundry Detergent Sheets
Pros:
- Free from plastic, synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, and dyes
- No large jug, making them easy to store, pack, and transport
Cons:
- Only available on Grove Co.
Say goodbye to laundry detergent in jugs and never use too much laundry detergent again. Believe it or not, this safe laundry detergent comes in lightweight square sheets that dissolve completely in all water temperatures and work in both HE and standard machines. Since it’s pre-portioned, you don’t have to think about how much detergent goes into each load. Not convinced these will do the trick? Here’s what our Executive Shopping Editor had to say about her experience with Grove Co. laundry detergent sheets.
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Best safe laundry detergent for deep cleaning
Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10X Free Power Pods
Pros:
- Leaves clothes feeling clean
- Comes in liquid or pods
Cons:
- Not vegan
You know Tide to be a trusted laundry detergent that works hard on stains and stink. This newer version works just as well—it contains 10 cleaning ingredients that get between fibers to bust hidden dirt and grime on a microscopic level—but is hypoallergenic and has zero dyes or perfumes. In fact, Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10X Free Power Pods are recognized by the National Eczema Association and the National Psoriasis Foundation for being gentle on sensitive skin.
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Best safe laundry detergent for removing old stains
Puracy Natural Stain Remover
Pros:
- Works on all types of stains, from dirt and oil to wine, coffee, food, and more!
- Works on any fabric
Cons:
- If using to pre-treat stains, cannot sit for more than an hour on more delicate fabrics
Puracy Natural Stain Remover is made almost entirely of natural, plant-based ingredients. It contains six plant-derived surfactants and enzymes that effectively remove stains and odors without irritating even the most sensitive skin. Not only does this stain remover work on all sorts of old and new stains, but it also works on just about any washable fabric. Yep. We’re talking clothing, linens, carpets, floor mats, dress shirts, bedding, car seats, cloth diapers, you name it!
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Best safe laundry detergent for stubborn stains
Botanical Origin Laundry Detergent
Pros:
- Works with all water temperatures
- Removes tough stains in one wash
- One bottle is enough for 72 loads of laundry
Cons:
- Some users say the measurement lines on the cap are hard to see
Botanical Origin, whose goal is to be completely carbon neutral by 2040, serves up a plant-based laundry detergent that is free from dyes, brighteners, parabens, chlorine, phosphates, and artificial preservatives. Deemed hypoallergenic by dermatologists, it is safe for babies but still strong enough to fight tough stains. Rather than using artificial perfumes, the formula is infused with essential oils for a natural orange-blossom and citrus scent that won’t overstay its welcome.
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Best value safe laundry detergent
Pardo Naturals Laundry Detergent
Pros:
- Only three ingredients
- Safe for HE machines
- Available in four scents as well as unscented
Cons:
- Eight-ounce bag yields only 16 HE loads
If you thought you had to sacrifice your skin for odor-free clothing, think again. If you have sensitive skin, Harris highly recommends Pardo Naturals detergent, which has just three ingredients. Made from Castile soap, baking soda, and washing soda, it is simple, effective, and kind to your body and clothes. There are also lavender and citrus formulations, which use all-natural essential oils to add a light scent. To increase the softness of your clothes, the brand recommends adding a bit of white vinegar in the fabric softener compartment.
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Best drug store safe laundry detergent
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent
Pros:
- Easy to find in most drug stores and big-box stores
- Scented version also available
Cons:
- If ordering online, this detergent only ships to the United States
Seventh Generation’s plant—and mineral-based formulas are safe for your skin and the environment, which is why it’s such a popular household brand. According to the manufacturer, it’s designed to make everyday cleaning more sustainable by using biodegradable ingredients that won’t pollute the Earth. More importantly, it’s made from 97% plant-based ingredients and has been tested by many dermatologists for safe use on sensitive skin.
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Best safe laundry detergent for cold water
Attitude Liquid Laundry Detergent
Pros:
- Cleans as effectively in cold water as it does in warm or hot water
- Has a light, fresh scent but is also available unscented
- Dermatologist tested
Cons:
- You’ll have to use more detergent per load if you have hard water
Not only is washing your clothes in cold water more sustainable, but it can also improve their longevity. This plant-based, safe detergent is formulated without dyes, irritating enzymes, phosphate, or SLES. It is dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic, making it the ideal choice for people with sensitive skin. And to make you feel even better about adding this detergent to your cart, it’s 100% vegan, Ecologo Certified, biodegradable, and septic tank safe.
What to look for when buying laundry detergent
As a household essential, you need to consider only a few factors when finding the best safe laundry detergent for your household. Here’s what the experts recommend looking for.
- Ingredients: Many laundry detergents sport an intimidating list of unfamiliar ingredients. “When looking for a non-toxic laundry detergent, look for one that has just several ingredients (for example, Molly’s Suds have just four or five easy-to-understand ingredients),” Harris says. Clorox’s in-house scientist and cleaning expert, Mary Gagliardi, recommends using Smart Label to check laundry detergent ingredients.
- Fragrance: While using a scented laundry detergent can be tempting, some fragrance ingredients can be bad for you, your clothes and even the environment. “To find safer ingredients, look for easy-to-understand ingredient names, like sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, sodium percarbonate and that use pure essential oils for fragrance,” Harris says.
- Credentials: Director of NA Fabric Care Scientific Communications at Procter & Gamble Jennifer Ahoni recommends looking for stamps of approval or recognition by organizations like the National Eczema Association (NEA) and the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). Some detergents have also been reviewed under the EPA Safer Choice program. “This means that the formula and suppliers are reviewed by the EPA and the ingredients meet Design for Environment criteria,” Ahoni says.
Why you should trust us
As a shopping writer who is also a full-time mom, I’m always on the hunt for quality, safe products, whether on the job or at home. My writing has appeared in PopSugar, U.S. News & World Report, Gourmet Insider and Reader’s Digest, where I’ve covered everything from the best cheap vacuums to cooling comforters to avoid night sweats. For this guide I consulted a handful of experts, including a dermatologist, laundry expert and more:
- Kristin Baird, MD is a Colorado-based dermatologist and founder and medical director of Green Goo.
- Tonya Harris is an award-winning environmental toxin expert and creator of the Slightly Greener Method.
- Mary Gagliardi (AKA “Dr. Laundry”) is Clorox’s in-house scientist and cleaning expert.
- Jennifer Ahoni is the Director of NA Fabric Care Scientific Communications at Procter & Gamble.
How we found the safest laundry detergents
After researching expert recommendations, we searched for laundry detergents with clean ingredients, eco-friendly certifications, dermatologist testing and free from all the “bad stuff” like phthalates, phosphates, petroleum, artificial dyes and fragrances. We then read hundreds of verified reviews to see which detergents were safe and effective. Whatever detergent you choose, follow those handy laundry symbols on your clothing labels.
FAQs
Does it really matter what laundry detergent you use?
Yes! Not every laundry detergent will work for every person, whether for protecting clothes or their own skin. Different fragrances and other ingredients can cause skin irritation, so it’s important to seek out safe formulations.
Is it better to buy liquid or powder laundry detergent?
Powder laundry detergent, like our top pick from Molly’s Suds, is budget-friendly, long-lasting and often quite potent because it has a higher pH. Liquid laundry detergent works well in all water temperatures, which is great for cold cycles, pre-treating stains and handwashing. If you want to know more about liquid versus powder detergent, we broke down all of the differences.
What are the disadvantages of laundry pods?
Laundry pods tend to be more expensive than liquid and powder laundry detergents. While the individual pods are mess-free and don’t require measuring, they also use a lot more packaging, making them less eco-friendly.
This article includes additional reporting by Meghan Jones and Zoë Roscoe.
Originally Published: February 18, 2021
