Laundry detergents are necessary for washing clothing, bedding, and other household items. While commercial laundry detergents are convenient, they can contain chemicals that harm the environment or human bodies. Fortunately, eco-friendly laundry detergents are safe for humans and the Earth.
Nowadays, eco-friendly detergents come in various sizes and shapes, all claiming to be the finest on the market. And the hard part is, determining whether or not the promises made by these products are valid may be challenging. Unfortunately, not all “green” items are created equal, and not all companies are worth the money for conscientious shoppers like yourself.
In this article, you will discover the best environmentally friendly laundry detergents. Each of these products has impressive qualities that could render your search for a safe detergent obsolete. However, each of these items comes with its tradeoffs, and some tradeoffs are better than others in terms of efficiency and cost.
Choosing an eco-friendly laundry detergent involves more than just picking a product that has no negative impact on the environment. It also consists of selecting a safe product for you and your family.
What Makes Laundry Detergent Environmentally Friendly?
The term “eco-friendly” may refer to various things, but these detergents are devoid of harsh and possibly dangerous substances. Typically, they include just natural coloring and scent.
Look for phosphate-free, cruelty-free, biodegradable products packed in recyclable plastic bottles. Some are accredited by reputable environmental organizations, such as the Soil Association and The Vegan Society.
Consider using a concentrated detergent to save water and the energy required to transport large quantities. If it’s shown to be successful at lower temperatures, that’s great, as you’ll also be using less energy to launder your clothing. According to Cold Water Saves, if your household converted to cold water washing for a whole year, you would save sufficient power to recharge your iPhone more than 30,000 times.
What’s Better: Liquid or Powder?
The more options, the more difficult it is to choose which item to purchase. There are several possibilities when washing detergents, so let’s briefly examine your options.
According to the GHI, powdered laundry detergent is always the most effective stain remover. However, your budget and personal preferences should also factor into your selection.
Powder, while inexpensive, is untidy to use, and it may be challenging to determine how much to use for every wash. Liquids and gels dissolve faster and contain no bleach, so they are friendlier on colored clothing. On the other hand, the absence of a bleaching chemical permits odors to accumulate in your washing machine, so you will likely need to clean it more often.
Want to be as eco-friendly as possible? Try to explore tablets and capsules, which reduce waste by delivering the precise amount of dose, resulting in less excess being flushed down the drain.
Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents
1. Eco Roots
EcoRoots Eco-Strips harness the strength of plant-based cleaning chemicals such as sodium dodecyl sulfate to provide a superior cleaning experience.
They function by softly dislodging soil and stains, suspending them to the point that it’s easy to be washed away.
Not only are these soluble strips suitable for travel, septic systems, and all kinds of washing machines, but they are also suitable for you, your family, and even your zero-waste baby!
This is because they do not include harsh chemicals, parabens, phthalates, phosphates, synthetic perfumes, colors, brighteners, palm oil, or animal byproducts. Additionally, they do not consist of any palm oil (not to mention being cruelty-free).
What to like about Eco Roots:
- Cruelty-Free
- Vegan
- Nontoxic
- Palm oil free
- Ethical sourcing
- Environmentally friendly packaging
2. Dropps
Dropps offer a hefty punch when it comes to removing stains.
Between organically sourced lavender and eucalyptus smells, sensitive skin variants, and either stain or odor-preventing formulations, they provide a product for almost any lifestyle.
As with their environmentally friendly dishwashing tablets, the pods are manufactured using polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) that dissolves in all machine washers (cold temperatures included).
What to like about Dropps:
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Nontoxic
- Palm oil free
- Ethical sourcing
- Environmentally friendly packaging
3. Ethique
The laundry bar and stain remover by Ethique is one of the most effective zero-waste laundry detergents we could discover.
Featuring 100 % biodegradable materials and the purest essential oils, the soap smells lovely and lasts far longer than you’d expect.
Although it can’t be used for machine washing, it’s perfect for cleaning dishes and hands on the go or while camping. It won’t hold up in the washer, but maybe we could all benefit from using the washing machine less often anyway, eh?
What to like about Ethique:
- Animal cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Nontoxic
- Palm oil free
- Environmentally friendly packaging
4. Meliora
Meliora offers a wide selection of vegan and plastic-free laundry detergents, from unscented to lavender, lemon, lemon lavender clove, and many more scents, so no one has to settle for a detergent that doesn’t meet their specific cleaning needs or preferences (all derived naturally from Certified Organic essential oils).
Their whole line of cleaning supplies is 100% vegan, never tested on animals, and MADE SAFE Certified. They are also packaged in a reusable canister that is plastic free.
What to like about Meliora:
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Nontoxic
- Palm oil free
- Ethical sourcing
- Environmentally friendly packaging
5. Shower Treat Soap
The Shower Treat Zero Waste Powdered Laundry Detergent is crafted from scratch using components that are non-hazardous and suitable for consumption by the whole household – materials consist only of soap, Borax (sodium borate), essential oil, and sodium carbonate.
The only disadvantage is that their essential oils are obtained from China (which tests on animals). While Shower Treat would never experiment on animals, they cannot guarantee that everything is cruelty-free.
What to like about Shower Treat Soap:
- Vegan
- Nontoxic
- Palm oil free
- Environmentally friendly packaging
6. Kind Laundry Detergent Sheets
Kind Laundry Detergent Sheets are mild enough to hand wash even the most delicate garments and are safe to put straight into top-loading, front-loading, and HE washing machines. These laundry detergent sheets have just five components and are suitable for all types of washing machines.
They are non-toxic and do not include harmful ingredients: allergies, petroleum, parabens, phosphates, phthalates, dyes, artificial colors, or optical brighteners.
The best part is that they come in handy precut sheets that can be used at home or on the go. Choose between fragrance-free or ocean breeze scented; it’s up to you.
What to like about Kind Laundry Detergent Sheets:
- Animal Cruelty-Free
- Vegan
- Nontoxic
- Environmentally friendly packaging
7. Zero Co.
All their products, like their liquid laundry detergent, are vegan, cruelty-free, plant-based, free from palm oil, and safe for grey water. They are less expensive than you would get at a store and include some of the most natural components.
Their palm oil has an RSPO MB certification, indicating that it originates from both RSPO-certified and non-certified businesses. However, they are aiming toward 100% sustainable palm oil and more palm oil-free items in the future.
What to like about Zero Co.
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Nontoxic
- Ethical sourcing
- Environmentally friendly packaging
8. Happy.Earth
Every pack of zero waste washing liquid is ultra-concentrated, containing just essential components. And since it is packaged in refillable kraft paper pouches. They use less plastic.
All Happi. Earth products are Certified Organic and free of GMOs and harmful chemicals. You’re sure to smell amazing and natural with organic eucalyptus and orange essential oils.
What to like about Happi.Earth:
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Nontoxic
- Palm oil free
- Environmentally friendly packaging
9. ECOS Laundry Detergent
This environmentally friendly washing detergent contains plant-based components. Moreover, it has not been tested on animals, making it certified vegan and cruelty-free.
Each bottle has enough detergent to wash 100 loads of laundry. The only down part about it is that it comes in plastic, but you can recycle it. It would be great if the company switched to bottles that can be broken down into a compost pile.
What to like about ECOS Laundry Detergent
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Nontoxic
10. Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent
Puracy is one of the most concentrated liquid detergents on the market. A 24-ounce bottle can do up to 96 loads of laundry.
It is made up of only plant-based ingredients and enzymes. The company has worked with doctors to ensure this detergent doesn’t cause allergies. That means there won’t be any bleach, chemicals, or irritation from laundry detergent.
It’s especially popular with parents of young babies who don’t want to expose their kids to harsh chemicals that can cause rashes and other skin problems.
What to like about Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Nontoxic
Final Thoughts
Detergents are essential household items, yet they are often manufactured with harsh chemicals and contain potentially harmful ingredients to the environment and human health. This is why you must ensure that your laundry detergent is as eco-friendly as possible. Today’s eco-friendly detergents perform as well as regular detergents and are much better for the environment and your health!
Buying an eco-friendly laundry detergent free of phosphates, fragrances, dyes, and optical brighteners and from renewable resources can significantly help reduce your footprint. Make sure you read the labels on your detergent to ensure it’s as eco-friendly as possible.
We hope the eco-friendly laundry detergent reviews above will help you pick the right one for you! Do you have any eco-friendly laundry detergent reviews you’d like to share? Leave a comment below with your recommendations.
Related: Eco Mist Hardwood Cleaner, Botanical Perfumes, Persian Blue Salt, Biotrem
