There’s only a few things better than clean, fresh clothes. One of them, though, is clean, fresh clothes because of an eco-friendly detergent.
We love these detergents for saving the environment, treating our skin with kindness and protecting our clothes. We truly believe these are the best green laundry detergents on the market.
- Non-toxic
- Good for hard water
- Removes odors
- 100 percent natural
- Hypoallergenic
- High performance
- Dermatologically-tested
- Plant-derived
- Good for most fabrics
- Powerful cleaning formula
- Naturally scented
- Works in any washer
- Plant-based ingredients
- Tackles tough stains
- Good for sensitive skin
- Fights stains
- Plant-based product
- Cruelty-free
- Beautiful scent options
- Stain & dirt fighting enzymes
- Gentle on clothes
- Zero waste
- Easy to use
- No harsh chemicals
- Plant-derived ingredients
- Convenient pod design
- 3-in-1 formula
- Organic
- Good for delicates
- Hypoallergenic
What Are Eco-Friendly Detergents?
Eco-friendly, or green, detergents are made differently from conventional detergents. They don’t contain the harsh chemicals, pollutants or toxins typically found in regular detergents.
What Are the Benefits?
There are lots of benefits when it comes to organic laundry detergents. But we’ll share two reasons why you might want to switch to organic laundry detergents.
- It’s healthier: You reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals. Conventional detergent is risky business. The chemicals are known for triggering headaches and irritating your skin (1).Therefore, you’re protecting the health of you and your family!
- You protect the environment: Some of the ingredients in detergents are toxic, not just to humans, but also to aquatic life and the environment in general (2).
Are Green Detergents Less Toxic?
Yes — they are generally less toxic than conventional detergents. However, WebMD warns that there’s really no such word as “non-toxic” since even natural ingredients can have toxic side effects (3).
In general, green detergents are less toxic, but you should always check the ingredients. Some still contain preservatives which can still trigger allergies. So, always check the ingredients before buying.
How to Choose the Best Green Detergent?
We’ve got some top things to look out for when choosing the best eco-friendly laundry detergent for you.
Type
We recommend looking at the type of laundry detergent first. Is it a powder, pod or liquid?
Powders are great for hot washes, but they tend to be difficult to dissolve in colder washes. Laundry pods are similar, but with the bonus of being already pre-measured.
Liquids are a popular choice since they easily dissolve in any temperature of water. However, they can be quite messy to work with.
Strength
Green laundry detergents tend to be more gentle than factory-made detergents. Therefore, they might not be as effective at getting out tough stains. But there are quite a few on the market that do a remarkable job.
If you have kids or pets, you might want to look for one that’s known for removing stains and dirt.
Hypoallergenic
If you, or members of your family, have allergies or asthma, you might want a hypoallergenic detergent. This will prevent triggers, keeping you all much healthier. Not every green detergent is hypoallergenic, so make sure to check before purchasing!
Scent
Finally, we recommend you look into the scent. Make sure that it’s a scent you like, so it doesn’t make you nauseous every time you smell it. But also check that it’s made naturally, too.
Green detergents should be scented with essential oils, but that’s not always possible. We’ll let you know if the detergents on our list are naturally scented or not.
The Best Green Detergents of 2022
1. Nellie's Laundry Soda
Best Green Laundry Detergent for Hard Water
Living in a hard water area often means laundry day is a struggle. But not with Nellie’s Laundry Soda. Customers with hard water love this detergent, with rave reviews that it works perfectly for them!
This is a non-toxic, biodegradable and hypoallergenic laundry detergent. Your clothes will be fresh and clean. It’s free from gluten, SLES, phosphates, SLS, chlorine and fragrance.
In fact, Nellie’s Laundry Soda only contains four ingredients. Yep — you heard us right. Four: Linear alcohol ethoxylate, sodium metasilicate, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate.
You can use this laundry detergent for darks, lights, whites and even cloth diapers. It’s unscented, which might disappoint you. But it does a great job of removing odors instead of just masking them!
Pros
- Non-toxic.
- Good for hard water.
- Removes odors.
Cons
- Unscented.
Additional Specs
Type | Powder |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Unscented |
Number of Loads | 100 |
2. Woolzies 100% Natural Laundry Detergent
Best Green Laundry Detergent Powder
We’re always excited when we come across a 100 percent natural laundry detergent. So you can imagine our excitement when we found the Woolzies laundry detergent powder. If you’re on the hunt for a green powder detergent, this is it!
This is a powerful stain-fighting detergent made with plant-derived ingredients. Plus, it’s scented with essential oils, giving you a lovely lavender and jasmine fragrance.
We also love that it’s hypoallergenic and formulated for sensitive skin. If you are struggling to find a detergent that doesn’t make you want to itch like crazy, this one can help.
It’s made from castile soap, coconut soap, washing soda, baking soda, borax and essential oils. All natural!
Pros
- 100 percent natural.
- Hypoallergenic.
- High performance.
Cons
- Powder tends to blow out when you open the jar.
Additional Specs
Type | Powder |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 100 |
3. Puracy Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent
Best Green Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin
It’s hard to find the best laundry detergent for sensitive skin. Commercial detergents contain so many skin irritants. It’s no surprise if you’ve lost all hope. But then along came Puracy Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent in all its glory!
This detergent is a must-try for folk with sensitive skin. It’s hypoallergenic and created by doctors, especially for sensitive skin and allergy sufferers. It’s plant-derived and allergen-free.
Plus, it promises to be kind to your skin while, of course, still cleaning your clothes well. You can use this safely on most fabrics, including delicates, darks, microfibers, and cloth diapers.
If your goal is a healthier home and a safer environment, then we recommend this green detergent. You can even purchase refill pouches to reduce your plastic waste!
Pros
- Made by doctors for sensitive skin.
- Plant-derived.
- Good for most fabrics.
Cons
- Struggles to remove tough stains.
Additional Specs
Type | Liquid |
Cleaning strength | Medium |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Unscented |
Number of Loads | 96 |
4. Seventh Generation Concentrated Laundry Detergent
Best Cleaning Green Laundry Detergent
The Seventh Generation detergent is our top recommendation for getting the best clean. Of course, fresh clean clothes is a top priority, and Seventh Generation doesn’t sacrifice its cleaning power to go green.
It employs a powerful triple enzyme formula to really tackle tough stains. It claims to tackle all of life’s messes — so this is a really good choice for big families.
It’s a certified biobased product with 96 percent plant-based ingredients. So it’s not 100 percent green because of the preservatives. However, it is biodegradable and never tested on animals. Plus, it’s fragranced naturally with 100 percent essential oils.
Lastly, you’ll be glad to know this works in HE washers and standard machines. Just use the right amount of detergent and you’ll be glad to say goodbye to wine, coffee and spaghetti stains.
Pros
- Powerful cleaning formula.
- Naturally scented.
- Works in any washer.
Cons
- Not 100 percent natural.
Additional Specs
Type | Liquid |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 53 |
5. Biokleen Natural Laundry Detergent
Best Green Laundry Detergent Liquid
Liquid laundry detergent is a crowd favorite. That’s why we recommend the Biokleen detergent when looking for an organic alternative. It’s eco-friendly and plant-based.
This powerful detergent cleans tough stains and tackles bad odors. It combines natural ingredients with science to give you a satisfying clean of all your clothes — including delicates.
The carefully selected ingredients mean you can do laundry guilt-free. You’re being kind to your skin, your family and the environment. In fact, this liquid detergent is a great choice for people with sensitive skin. Plus, it leaves no harsh residue that can get into our rivers, plants or wildlife.
It’s naturally scented and comes in a few different fragrances. You can choose from citrus, lavender lily or unscented.
Pros
- Plant-based ingredients.
- Tackles tough stains.
- Good for sensitive skin.
Cons
- Food stains need extra help.
Additional Specs
Type | Liquid |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 128 |
6. Dropps Stain and Odor Laundry Detergent Pods
Best Green Laundry Detergent for Stains
Green laundry detergents often need to be paired with a stain remover. The natural ingredients don’t always work on their own to remove tough stains. But then came the Dropps stain and odor laundry detergent pods! This stuff fights tough stains.
If you have kids, you’ll know the constant chaos when it comes to staining clothes. Tomato sauce, grass, crayons — all hard to get out of clothes. But the Dropps pods detergent uses powerful ingredients to lift these stubborn stains. It’s made from plant-based ingredients to help clean your clothes naturally.
We love that it’s naturally fragranced, too. It’s scented with essential oils, like orange and lavender. As a bonus, this detergent works in all washing machines at all temperatures.
Pros
- Fights stains.
- Plant-based product.
- Cruelty-free.
Cons
- You might need two pods for bigger loads.
- Might not always dissolve entirely.
Additional Specs
Type | Pods |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 140 |
7. Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Detergent, Honeysuckle
Best Smelling Green Laundry Detergent
Looking for green detergent and amazing smells? You got it! The Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Detergent in a gorgeous honeysuckle scent works a treat.
The scent is described as “serene and sunny” and will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the middle of a beautiful summer day. It’s fruity and floral — a perfect mix.
The Mrs. Meyer’s detergent is made with 97 percent plant-derived ingredients. But it is definitely formulated without parabens, chlorine and optical brighteners.
It contains stain- and dirt-fighting enzymes, making sure you get clean clothes. But it also treats your clothes gently, making it great for delicates, too.
If you don’t like honeysuckle, you can get this detergent in basil, lavender, lemon verbena or geranium scents, too. All are made with essential oils.
Pros
- Beautiful scent options.
- Stain and dirt fighting enzymes.
- Gentle on clothes.
Cons
- Not 100 percent natural.
Additional Specs
Type | Liquid |
Cleaning strength | Medium-Strong |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 64 |
8. Ecoegg Fragrance Free Laundry Egg
Best Zero Waste Laundry Detergent Powder
Tired of plastic waste in the laundry room? Us too! Thankfully, the Ecoegg is a great green detergent that’s also zero waste.
You can use this one egg for up to 720 loads of laundry. Put it in with your clothes, put it through a wash cycle, dry out between loads — then repeat! It’s the most amazing little gadget that we love using in our own home.
It uses small pellets made with natural ingredients to clean your clothes. It contains no harsh chemicals, so you can be sure you’re being kind on your clothes, skin and the environment.
Finally, it’s great for all fabrics, even delicates. You can use the egg for white and colored clothes, and it will lift away dirt and grime, giving you clean clothes.
When you’ve used it for 720 loads, just buy the pellets to refill. You don’t need a whole new egg.
Pros
- Zero waste.
- Easy to use.
- Contains no harsh chemicals.
Cons
- Doesn’t remove tough stains.
Additional Specs
Type | Egg |
Cleaning strength | Medium |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 720 |
9. Grab Green Laundry Detergent Pods
Best Green Laundry Detergent Pods
Pods are convenient to use, since they’re already measured out. But we think pods are even better if they’re green. So we recommend to you the Grab Green laundry detergent pods!
The Grab Green pods are responsibly formulated; made without harsh chemicals. That means no phosphates, parabens, dyes, perfumes, caustic chemicals and other yucky stuff. The ingredients are naturally derived, but still effective.
These pods work as a great detergent, stain remover and brightener. That’s why they’re called 3-in-1 pods! They work at all temperatures, in standard washers and HE washers.
There are six scent options, included unscented, all made with essential oils.
Pros
- Plant-derived ingredients.
- Convenient pod design.
- 3-in-1 formula.
Cons
- Might not fully dissolve.
Additional Specs
Type | Pods |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 60 |
10. NaturOli Soap Nuts
Best Naturally Green Laundry Detergent
There’s green, and then there’s naturally green. What is more eco-friendly than detergent that has come straight from nature? That’s right — NaturOli Soap Nuts are nature’s gift to your laundry room!
These organic soap nuts come straight from the Himalayas. They’re the most innovative choice when going green on laundry day. They contain saponin which is a natural cleaning agent.
These soap nuts will leave your clothes fresh and clean. You can use them on delicates such as silk, wool, and organic fabrics. They work wonders on cloth diapers, too!
Soap nuts are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. If you have sensitive skin, they’re definitely worth checking out.
Pros
- Organic.
- Good for delicates.
- Hypoallergenic.
Cons
- Not reliable as a stain remover.
- Only does 12 loads.
Additional Specs
Type | Soap nuts |
Cleaning strength | Gentle |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Unscented |
Number of Loads | 12 |
Product | Best | Type | Cleaning strength | Hypoallergenic | Scented | No. of Loads |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nellie’s Laundry Soda | Hard Water | Powder | Strong | Yes | No | 100 |
Woolzies 100% Natural Detergent | Powder | Powder | Strong | Yes | Yes | 100 |
Puracy Liquid Laundry Detergent | Sensitive Skin | Liquid | Medium | Yes | No | 96 |
Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent | Cleaning Power | Liquid | Strong | No | Yes | 53 |
Biokleen Natural Laundry Detergent | Liquid | Liquid | Strong | No | Yes | 128 |
Dropps Stain and Odor Laundry Pods | Stains | Pods | Strong | Yes | Yes | 140 |
Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Detergent | Fragrant | Liquid | Medium-Strong | No | Yes | 64 |
Ecoegg Laundry Egg | Zero Waste | Egg | Medium | Yes | Yes | 720 |
Grab Green Laundry Pods | Pods | Pods | Strong | No | Yes | 60 |
NaturOli Soap Nuts | Natural | Soap nuts | Gentle | Yes | No | 12 |
Go Green, Get Clean
You shouldn’t have to compromise clean clothes when making the switch to an organic laundry detergent. With these green laundry detergents, you don’t have to. They do a great job at delivering you fresh and clean laundry, every time.
We love that they come in all different types and scents to suit your preferences. Make sure to always read the packaging instructions to get the best results on your next laundry day.