The Best Nontoxic Laundry Detergents
My husband and I are just getting over the flu, which means I’ve been doing a few very hot loads of laundry - sheets, blankets, towels, and finally catching up on everything that piled up while we were feeling awful. Somewhere between switching loads and folding warm sheets, it hit me: this is the perfect time to talk about nontoxic laundry detergent - because I’ve tried a lot of them.
Laundry detergent touches our skin more than almost anything else in our homes. Clothes, pajamas, underwear, workout gear, towels, sheets - it all sits against our skin for hours every single day. Once you really think about that, choosing a nontoxic laundry detergent stops feeling “extra” and starts feeling like a simple, practical form of self-care.
So if you’ve ever wondered why it matters, what ingredients to avoid, and which clean laundry detergents are actually worth your money, this post is for you.
Why Nontoxic Laundry Detergent Matters More Than You Think
Most conventional laundry detergents are made to smell strong, look bright, and last forever on store shelves. What they’re not always made to do is be gentle on your body.
The tricky part is that laundry detergent doesn’t fully rinse out. Residue stays on fabric, which means it stays on your skin all day long especially from things like underwear, sleepwear, baby clothes, and sheets. For some people, that constant exposure can show up as skin irritation, itchiness, headaches, hormone disruption, or just a general feeling of sensitivity they can’t quite pinpoint.
Switching to a nontoxic laundry detergent is one of those changes that doesn’t require learning a new routine or doing more - it just quietly reduces the chemical load you’re exposed to every single day.
Ingredients I Avoid in Laundry Detergent
When I’m looking at laundry detergent labels, there are a few ingredients that immediately make me pause:
Fragrance (or parfum) is a big one. This single word can hide dozens (or hundreds) of undisclosed chemicals, including phthalates. Even “fresh” or “clean” scents are often synthetic.
Optical brighteners don’t actually clean clothes - they coat them to make them look whiter or brighter. They’re known to be irritating and don’t rinse out well.
Phthalates are commonly tied to fragrance and have been linked to hormone disruption.
Synthetic dyes are added purely for looks and can be irritating, especially for sensitive skin.
Harsh surfactants like SLS or SLES can be overly stripping and contribute to dryness and irritation over time.
I tend to stick with detergents that are fragrance-free or naturally scented with essential oils, use plant-based surfactants, and are upfront about what’s inside.
My Top 5 Nontoxic Laundry Detergents I Recommend
These are the nontoxic laundry detergents I genuinely think deserve a spot in a clean home. They’re effective, thoughtfully made, and don’t rely on harsh or unnecessary ingredients.
Koala Eco is one of those brands that just feels good to use. Their Laundry Wash is plant-based, biodegradable, and scented with essential oils instead of synthetic fragrance… and it smells so good, naturally.
It cleans really well without being harsh and leaves clothes smelling naturally fresh - not overpowering or “perfume-y.” If you want a nontoxic detergent that still feels a little elevated and enjoyable, this one is a favorite.
Branch Basics Laundry Detergent (Powder & Liquid)
Branch Basics is about as simple and clean as it gets. Their laundry detergent is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and made with a very short list of human-safe ingredients.
It comes in both powder and liquid options, works for sensitive skin and babies, and is a great choice if you want something truly no-frills and trustworthy.
Truly Free is a solid option if you want something clean but still strong enough for everyday life especially if you’re washing activewear or heavily worn clothes. This is the best swap if you love Tide, but want to use something much cleaner.
It’s free from dyes, and harsh chemicals, and have a fragrance free option. It works in all machines, and cleans effectively without leaving residue behind. It feels like an easy, modern swap from conventional detergent.
Molly’s Suds has been around for a long time in the nontoxic space, and for good reason. The ingredient list is refreshingly simple, and it’s especially popular with families and anyone dealing with eczema or sensitive skin.
Despite how gentle it is, it still gets clothes clean with just a small scoop per load.
Attitude is a great brand for accessibility. They offer EWG-verified laundry detergents that are plant-based, cruelty-free, and easy to find.
They have both fragrance-free and naturally scented options, making it a good choice whether you’re brand new to nontoxic living or just want something clean and reliable that’s easy to grab.
Laundry is already part of your life. Choosing a nontoxic laundry detergent is one of those changes that doesn’t ask more of you - it just gives a little more back. Cleaner clothes, gentler ingredients, and one less thing to worry about when you crawl into bed at night.
Remember, it’s one simple swap at a time that leads to big change.
Find all of my favorite nontoxic swaps on my website, www.LivHolisticStore.com
Thank you for being here,
Liv
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely trust and would recommend even if there were no links at all. Supporting these links helps me continue creating nontoxic living content.
