8 Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents (2024)

By Devin Duff on Mar 4, 2024, 1:13 pm EST under Buyers Guide

Let’s face it, laundry is part of life, but it doesn’t have to be a chore filled with worries about harmful chemicals. In this article, we’ve outlined 8 laundry detergent options so you can avoid having to use the toxic chemicals and fragrances in the majority of store brought conventional laundry detergents today. These can adversely affect our health and the environment. Non-toxic laundry detergent is becoming increasingly popular for its ability to clean effectively without harming you and your family. To help you on your journey to find healthier laundry detergents, we’ve provided our favorites for the best non-toxic laundry options for 2024. Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

The best non-toxic laundry detergents offer safer and more suitable alternatives to traditional detergents
Non-Toxic laundry detergents clean just as effectively without harmful chemcials and ingredients
Non-Toxic laundry detergents are better for our health and the environment
Leading non-toxic laundry detergent brands are committed to safety, sustainability and efficacy

*Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to us at no cost to you if you decide to make a purchase. These are products we’ve personally used and stand behind.

Why You Should Choose Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent

Switching to a non-toxic laundry detergent is one of the quickest ways to upgrade your home for a healthier environment, as what you decide to soak your clothes is important when they are in contact with your skin all day.

Traditional detergents often contain harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances that can leave residues on clothing and bedding. Additionally, if you have little ones, these residues may come into contact with a baby’s exceptionally sensitive skin, potentially leading to irritation, rashes, and allergic reactions. Babies’ skin is much more permeable than adult skin, making it crucial to use gentle, safe products.

Non-toxic detergents, made with natural and gentle ingredients, provide effective cleaning without the risk of harsh chemical exposure. They’re not only safer for your skin but also better for overall health. Additionally, these eco-friendly options are more sustainable, as they contain biodegradable ingredients that don’t contaminate your local water supply helping to reduce environmental impact.

By choosing a non-toxic laundry detergent, you’re ensuring that your family’s clothes are fresh and clean, while also safeguarding your family’s health and contributing to a healthier planet.

The Benefits of Using Healthier Laundry Detergent

One of the key advantages of non-toxic laundry care is the positive impact it can have on our health and overall wellness. Traditional generic detergents, whether it be a laundry pod, laundry powder, detergent sheet, or liquid laundry detergent often contain harmful chemicals that can cause skin irritations, allergies, and other adverse reactions.

By switching to products with better ingredients, you can eliminate the risk of exposure to these toxins and experience relief from skin sensitivities. Most non-toxic laundry products are formulated with natural and plant-based ingredients that are gentle on the skin, making them suitable for individuals with sensitive skin or allergies.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Traditional detergents not only pose a threat to our health, but they also have a significant negative impact on the environment. These detergents often contain dense synthetic chemicals that can contaminate waterways and harm aquatic life. In contrast, most non-toxic laundry care options prioritize sustainability by using biodegradable ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and better supply chain practices.

Generic Detergents – Ingredients to Watch Out For

In order to make informed choices when purchasing non-toxic laundry detergents, it is essential to be aware of many of the ingredients commonly found in traditional detergents that can be harmful to both our health and the environment. By understanding and avoiding these ingredients, we can create a safer laundry routine.

While there is a pretty long list of ingredients to watch out for, here’s a quick list of some main ones that should be avoided:

Phosphates
A significant contributor to water pollution, these chemicals run into the surrounding bodies of water from nearby households. They overfertilize aquatic plants and transform bodies of water into bogs over time. This can cause skin and eye irritation if coming in contact with frequently.
Chlorine Bleach
A powerful whitening agent used in detergents. However, it can be harmful when inhaled or come into contact with the skin and can also be a strong a strong skin irritant stripping the skin of its natural oils. It can also react with other chemicals in the environment, forming toxic byproducts.
1,4-Dioxane
This chemical is a byproduct of the ethoxylation process used to make certain surfactants milder. It is classified as a potential human carcinogen and can also pose risks to the environment.
Optical Brighteners
Many laundry detergent brands may contain a certain blue liquid. The blue tint is due to the presence of optical brighteners in most cases. These are often added to enhance the brightness of clothing during the cleaning process but come at a detrimental cost to your health. These brighteners may contain harmful chemicals, most notably, benzene. Benzene is classified as a known carcinogen by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and is also believed to harm reproductive organs if overly exposed.
Formaldehyde
A unique gaseous chemical often originating as a by-product of automobile combustion. This chemical is classified as a known cause of cancer by the International Agency for Research and Cancer. If you see a Laundry Detergent that lists dioazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, or quaternium-15 on the ingredient list, the detergent contains formaldehyde.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
These surfactants are responsible for creating lather and foam in laundry detergents. However, they can be harsh on the skin, lungs, and eyes.
Nonylphoenol Ethoxylate
A popular surfactant that is often added to generic laundry detergent brands to reduce surface tension and remove dirt and stains from clothing. Nonylphenol Ethoxylate is on the EPA’s list of toxic chemicals and not to be in contact with on a regular basis. The studies around this surfactant have found it to be an endocrine-disrupting chemical that can cause low sperm counts, and early menstruation, among other reproductive health problems.
Synthetic Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances may give laundry detergents a pleasant scent, but many are derived from petroleum and can contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates and formaldehyde. These chemicals can cause allergies, respiratory issues, and environmental pollution.
Dyes
Dyes give detergents a vibrant color to make them look appealing to help with branding and marketing. Common synthetic dyes often include triphenylmethane dyes, nitro dyes, and azo dyes that are petroleum-derived compounds and can be toxic if ingested, causing organ stress and irritation.