Not gonna lie, when I started transitioning to an organic lifestyle, laundry was one of the toughest categories for me to swap! 🧺 First, there weren’t many non-toxic options back in the day. And secondly, a lot of them were just straight up NOT effective. But after a few years (and a couple of duds), I’ve finally found an assortment of safe, low-tox laundry products that work well for me that I can’t wait to share with you too!
This post contains affiliate links.
Table of Contents:
- Laundry Ingredients & Greenwashed Brands to Avoid
- Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents (That Actually Work)
- Natural Stain Removal
- Eco-Friendly Laundry Accessories
Laundry Ingredients & Greenwashed Brands to Avoid ❌
I truly think laundry is one of the most important categories to use safer, cleaner products! Think about it: our clothes cover us all day long and sit directly on our skin! Not to mention bras and undies that are snuggling with our intimate areas. And even things like bedsheets and towels that are used all over. Eeek!
Unfortunately, many conventional laundry products contain a TON of harmful ingredients. I mean, have you ever walked past someone’s house and you can SMELL the laundry exhaust?! Gross. These ingredients linger on fabrics even after washing and drying, too. If you suffer from eczema, rashes, or itchy skin…try using natural laundry products and see if that helps!
Ingredients to Avoid in Laundry Products:
When shopping, look out for these common culprits on an ingredient label.
❌ Synthetic fragrances: The term “fragrance” has no FDA regulation and can be a combination of over 3,000+ different chemicals that imitate a smell or contain endocrine-disrupting phthalates. Fragrance is associated with allergies, neurotoxic symptoms (headaches, dizziness), and hormone disruption.
❌ Benzisothiazolinone (BIT), Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), and Methylisothiazolinone (MIT): Preservatives that are sensitizers and linked with skin irritation, allergies, and lung irritation. Some are even banned in other countries!
❌ Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Surfactants that cause foamy suds in products but may be contaminated with carcinogens like 1,4 dioxane and ethylene oxide. They have also been shown to inflame and irritate the skin barrier.
❌ Ethoxylates: Surfactants that break down dirt and grime but can be contaminated with cancer-causing carcinogens ethylene oxide, benzene, and 1,4 dioxane. You might see them on a label as alkoxylate or words ending in -eth (such as pareth).
❌ Optical brighteners and colorants: These are usually undisclosed, so you don’t know what’s in them (such as “fluorescent brightener” in Tide). They make your clothes appear brighter but not necessarily cleaner.
❌ Bleach, ethanolamine, propylene glycol, phenoxyethanol
Common Greenwashed Laundry Brands:
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, nor is my goal to shame you or make you feel bad if you DO use these brands (I’ve used some of them in the past myself). But I wanted to call out some popular brands that are known for greenwashing and make you aware of their misleading marketing claims. Many people purchase these brands and *think* they are natural or non-toxic when, in reality, they use unsafe ingredients in their formulas.
- Better Life: Ethoxylates, MIT, BIT
- Biokleen: Ethoxylates, SLS, phenoxyethanol
- Ecos: Phenoxyethanol, MIT
- Everspring: Sulfates, ethoxylates, BIT, MIT, fragrance
- Method: Sulfates, ethoxylates, MIT, fragrance, propylene glycol, dyes
- Mrs. Meyer’s: Ethoxylates, BIT, MIT, fragrance
- Planet Ultra: Ethoxylates, SLES, MIT, BIT
- Seventh Generation: Sulfates, ethoxylates, BIT, MIT, propylene glycol
- Tide PurClean Plant-Based: Sulfates, ethoxylates, BIT, fragrance, propylene glycol
⚠️ HEADS UP ⚠️
Even when brands are unscented, fragrance-free, plant-based, or have a “Free & Clear” option, you still need to read the FULL ingredient label to see what else is in it! The terms don’t automatically mean that the product is actually gentle or safe.
Wanna learn more about reading ingredient labels and what to avoid? Download this Ingredient Index! It has a glossary of 55+ ingredients to watch out for in your cosmetics, cleaning, and personal care products.
Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents (That Actually Work!)
Now that you know what NOT to use, you might be wondering what products are better to use instead. Here are some of my fave tried-and-true items!
Branch Basics Liquid & Powder Detergents
You’ve likely heard me mention Branch Basics elsewhere on this blog; that’s because it’s amazing and so versatile! It’s a cleaning concentrate that you dilute with water at different ratios depending on the purpose (it comes with special bottles that have measurements on them). It’s plant-based, fragrance-free, and human-safe. One bottle of the mixture makes about 64 laundry loads.
I also love Branch Basic’s Oxygen Boost powder to whiten and brighten clothes (it can be used to remove stains as well). Just add a scoop of the powder to your washing machine with a load. If you ever want to detoxify your clothing from dirt, grime, and built-up residues, you can even use Branch Basics for laundry stripping.
They recently came out with a Powder Detergent that works great! I prefer it over the liquid because it’s easier (no diluting required) and already has the benefits of the Oxygen Boost built in.
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA at checkout for 15% off starter kits 🏷️
Truly Free Laundry Wash
Do your clothes need to have a “fresh linen” smell on them to be clean? No. But gosh, I sure do enjoy a subtle scent on freshly washed clothes! Many natural detergents leave clothes smelling like nothing, which is fine, but Truly Free’s smells incredible and lingers without overpowering! The smell reminds me of a classic Tide or Downy smell but wayyyyyy less chemical-ly and doesn’t give me a headache.
(also comes in Unscented if that’s your jam)
Plus, it’s refillable; your first order comes with a plastic jug and a refill pouch. You add water each time, reuse the jug, and refill as needed.
Truly Free always leaves my clothes soft and fresh, even my husband’s stinky running shorts! It’s ideal for those with sensitive skin too. I feel like it works comparably to Branch Basics, but I cannot get over the scent!
(I’ve also heard that it works well if you have hard water)
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA at checkout for 30% off 🏷️
Also available here on Amazon.
Micro Balance EC3 Laundry Mold Additive
This is an additive that I’ll occasionally use when washing bath towels, especially if they start to smell funky or mildewy. It deodorizes and eliminates mold spores from fabrics. I do feel like it helps get rid of that musty odor!
Organic Distilled White Vinegar
Vinegar is an inexpensive addition to any laundry routine. It’s not a detergent, but I’ll occasionally add about a ½ cup to a rinse cycle. Even though vinegar is stinky, it contains acetic acid and neutralizes odors on your clothes. It won’t leave any smells behind if you dilute it enough. It loosens the buildup on clothes and also acts as a fabric softener. Bonus: vinegar cleans your washing machine too!
Other Low Tox Laundry Brands:
These are not necessarily faves of mine in terms of performance, but in case you wanted to know about more brands on the market that have good ingredients…
- AspenClean: I’d skip the pods because they use PVA, but the liquid is fine.
- Attitude (the unscented versions)
- Blueland Tablets: These work pretty well! I like that they’re unscented and plastic-free.
- Earthley
- Meliora Powder: This is MADESAFE certified, which is an awesome certification. I’ve tried this one and it was just okay.
- Molly’s Suds Powder: I only recommend the Unscented or Peppermint because the other scents use undisclosed fragrances. Unfortunately, their liquid detergent now contains phenoxyethanol, so I’d skip it.
Natural Stain Removal & Brightening White Clothes (Without Bleach!)
While many people turn to bleach to solve all their problems, I avoid it! ❌ Bleach can be extremely harmful, especially when mixed with other cleaning products. It’s associated with health conditions such as ear/nose/throat irritation, coughing, breathing issues, burning eyes, runny nose, and chest pain. Thankfully, there are much safer ways to brighten your clothes, sans bleach.
Besides the Branch Basics Oxygen Boost I mentioned above, here are my go-to’s!
Truly Free Odor & Stain Eliminator Spray
This can be used around the home (carpets, pet messes, curtains, etc.), but I also use it to pre-treat laundry stains. It’s made with enzymes and beneficial bacteria that tackle stains. I just spritz some on a spot and wait at least 15 minutes before putting it in the laundry. If it’s a more intense stain, I’ll leave it for up to 8 hours.
Truly Free also has an Enzyme Stain Remover Powder made specifically for laundry!
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA at checkout for 30% off 🏷️
Buy Truly Free Stain Spray Here
Meliora Stain Stick
This is a more budget-friendly option that has plastic-free packaging. It’s MADE SAFE® Certified and the ingredients are cleaner compared to Puracy. It has vegetable soap from organic coconut and sunflower oil! You simply get the stained area wet and rub the stick on it as a pre-treatment to washing. It works!
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount 🏷️
Mrs. Stewart’s Liquid Bluing Concentrate
Did you know that most fabrics, even cotton, are not intensely white by nature? White clothes often have blue added to them which appears white to our eyes. After time, that fades, so the white might turn dull or yellow (plus, humans are kind of gross and sweaty and such). This concentrate has been used for over 130 years to safely whiten clothing. It’s NOT a stain remover or bleach; it’s blue iron powder suspended in water 🌀
Use caution because it CAN go wrong if you don’t do it properly. I always squirt about a teaspoon into a quart of cold water, stir, and then add it to my laundry drum after filling with water. Basically, you don’t want any blue streaks or spots and it needs to be diluted before adding clothing. But it really makes white clothes bright and vibrant. Oh yeah, and it’s only $8 bucks!
Buy Liquid Bluing Concentrate Here
Related post: “16+ Simple Ways to “Greenify” Your Home & Live Naturally”
Pro tip: Lay clothes out in the sun for natural stain removal ☀️
Have you heard of sun bleaching? Another way to lighten stains is to lay clothes flat in the sun for a few hours! It’s best done when they’re wet or damp (preferably after you’ve already used a natural stain remover for tougher stains). You could even add lemon juice for a little boost!
Other Eco-Friendly Laundry Accessories
Wool Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls are pretty easy to come by these days and there are tons of brands that sell them! 🐑 I prefer the Molly’s Suds balls because they are undyed and source wool from 100% mulesing-free New Zealand sheep raised on registered family farms. The suppliers are certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and the farms are committed to humane shearing techniques!
Wool dryer balls are a swap for dryer sheets, which are often heavily fragranced and can even leave residues on your clothing. Wool balls are hypoallergenic, soften fabrics, minimize static, and leave no fibers behind. They also reduce drying time by about a third because they absorb moisture. They’re inherently antimicrobial and last about 1000 loads which is approximately 3 years. You can also add drops of pure, organic essential oils for a little scent boost!
Buy Molly’s Suds Wool Dryer Balls Here
Reusable Lint Brush
Most lint rollers are single-use plastic and have a lot of weird glues on them. I have not tried this lint brush myself, but have heard great reviews from people that it works well (even for pet hair)! It’s made with sustainably harvested beechwood for the handle and ethically sourced rubber for the bristles.
You can use code BECCA10 for a discount at EarthHero 🏷️
Organic Cotton Mesh Delicates Bag
I like using mesh bags for delicate items like bras or things I want to keep separate to prevent snagging, tearing, ripping, etc. These garment bags come in multiple sizes and are GOTS-certified organic cotton. It has a drawstring closure and no microplastics!
Cora Microfiber Ball
Honestly, I have no clue if this *truly* does anything impactful, but I’ve used it for a few years now, and I do notice that it collects tiny particles/fibers. Basically, when you wash clothes that are made from synthetic materials like polyester or nylon, they can shed microplastics into the water stream. It’s even estimated that NYC alone has 6.8 BILLION microfibers flowing into its harbor daily, whoa! 🌊
If you only wear clothing made with biodegradable fibers like organic cotton or hemp, then this isn’t really a worry. But this ball is supposed to catch about 26% of microfibers per wash load. Another popular option is the Guppyfriend which is a bag that you place synthetic textiles in while washing and it helps catch them.
You can use code BECCA10 for a discount at EarthHero 🏷️
Related post: “9 Sustainable Fashion Brands for a Simple Wardrobe (+ All Budgets!)”
Fabric Steamer
Would you believe that I don’t own an iron?! If my clothes are wrinkly, I just use a steamer to smooth things out. It just needs water, and that’s it ♨️ (much safer than fragranced wrinkle-release sprays, too)
Buy Conair Laundry Steamer Here
Take it from me, you can TOTALLY have clean clothes without using all the harsh conventional chemicals. Drop any questions in the comments below or share your favorite brands and go-to laundry hacks. Thanks for reading 💚
Studies:
- Acute Toxic Effects Of Fragrance Products
- Determination Of Residual 1,4-Dioxane In Surfactants And Cleaning Agents Using Headspace Single-Drop Microextraction Followed By Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection
- Skin Sensitization Risk Assessment: A Comparative Evaluation Of 3 Isothiazolinone Biocides
- More thorough info and studies are linked in my Ingredient Index ebook!
Love Puracy stain remover and laundry detergent! Great post , thank u very much!
Thanks for reading, Genny!
Great options! Checking out a few of these items! I’m curious to know if you’ve ever tried Molly’s Suds detergent. That’s what I’m using now and would love to know how it stacks up against Buckaroo.
Hi Diana! I used the Molly’s Suds powder a few years ago and I think Buckaroo works better than that! But I know they have a liquid which is supposed to be good but I haven’t tried that one!
What’s your opinion on Downy’s unstoppables for fragrance boost?
Hi! It’s not something I would use because of the fragrances, dyes, and PEGs. I would opt for putting some essential oils on the wool dryer balls instead!
Hi, Becca!
Have you tried Earthwash by Cleanomic?
Would love your opinion!
Many thanks for the guidance!
Hi Susan,
I can’t seem to find the ingredients for that on their website which is a red flag. I’d see if you can find the ingredients and then use that list I provided of ingredients to avoid and check if there are any.
YOU are amazing! Thank you for collating this information. I unfortunate use one of the green washed brands (ack!) but I need a replacement, so here’s to choosing a better option!
Thanks for reading, Amy!
Have you tried the Truly Free Angel in place of dryer sheets? They are amazing and smell wonderful!
No I haven’t, but good to know that they work!