There are 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 genuinely believe these are the best green laundry detergents on the market.
How did we come to that conclusion? We spent hours researching real customer reviews, expert advice, and what it means to be eco-friendly. We ensured that all the detergents we recommend are kind to the environment and safe for your home and clothes.
- 100 percent natural
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Includes stain fighting enzymes
- Dermatologically-tested
- Plant-derived formula
- 96 loads per bottle
- Powerful cleaning formula
- Naturally scented
- Works in any washer
- Plant-based ingredients
- Tackles tough stains
- Good for sensitive skin
- Fights stains with no pre-treatment
- Plant-based product
- Cruelty-free
- Beautiful scent options
- Stain & dirt fighting enzymes
- Gentle on clothes
- Plant-derived ingredients
- Convenient pod design
- 3-in-1 formula
Product Reviews
Are you ready to meet our list of the 10 best green laundry detergents? We compiled this list based on meticulous research into the brand, real customer reviews, expert advice, and our own experience. We looked at the type, strength, and scent of each detergent.
During our research, we also looked at how many loads each detergent can do and whether it’s naturally scented. No matter your preferences, we’re sure you’ll find a green detergent from our list to fall in love with.
Nellie's Laundry Soda
Best 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.
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, and 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
- Four non-toxic ingredients.
- Good for hard water areas.
- Removes odors instead of masking them.
- Suitable for HE and standard washing machines.
- Works in cold and hot water.
- Great for cleaning cloth diapers.
Cons
- Unscented formula.
- The tin is hard to open and close.
- Not good at removing stubborn stains and bad odors.
Product Specs
Type | Powder |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Unscented |
Number of Loads | 100 |
Our Ratings
Woolzies 100% Natural Laundry Detergent
Best 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 hunting 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 formula is kind on the skin.
- Includes stain and dirt-fighting enzymes.
- Softens clothes as well as cleaning.
- Suitable for standard and HE machines.
- Available in lavender, and lemon and lime.
Cons
- Powder tends to blow out when you open the jar.
- The scent doesn’t last long.
- Sometimes has trouble dissolving.
Product Specs
Type | Powder |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 100 |
Our Ratings
Puracy Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent
Best 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, 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 formula.
- Pumping bottle eliminates the need to measure.
- Safe for children and pets.
- 96 loads per bottle.
- Tackles odors well.
Cons
- Struggles to remove tough stains.
- The scent is quite strong.
- The bottle is prone to leaking.
Product Specs
Type | Liquid |
Cleaning strength | Medium |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Unscented |
Number of Loads | 96 |
Our Ratings
Seventh Generation Concentrated Laundry Detergent
Strongest Green Laundry Detergent
The Seventh Generation detergent is our top recommendation for getting the best clean. Of course, fresh, clean clothes are a top priority, and Seventh Generation doesn’t sacrifice its cleaning power to go green. We’ve used Seventh Generation laundry detergent for years and are always impressed.
It employs a powerful triple enzyme formula to tackle tough stains. It claims to tackle all of life’s messes — so this is a 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 has never been 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 with triple enzymes.
- Naturally scented in citrus or seaside options.
- Works in any washer.
- Fights tough stains, including food and drink.
- Up to 53 loads per bottle.
- 96 percent natural ingredients.
Cons
- Not 100 percent natural.
- Bottles are prone to leaking.
- Not a hypoallergenic formula.
- Some customers found the scent too strong.
Product Specs
Type | Liquid |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 53 |
Our Ratings
Biokleen Natural Laundry Detergent
Best Liquid Detergent
Liquid laundry detergent is a crowd favorite. If that’s your vibe, 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 terrible 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 an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin. Plus, it leaves no harsh residue that can get into our rivers, plants, or wildlife.
Pros
- Plant-based ingredients.
- Tackles tough stains and odors.
- Good for sensitive skin.
- Approved by the U.S. EPA Safer Products Standards.
- Triple concentrated to do 128 high-efficiency loads.
- Budget-friendly.
Cons
- Food stains need extra help.
- You need to buy the cold water version if you wash clothes in lower temps.
- The scent isn’t very strong.
Product Specs
Type | Liquid |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 128 |
Our Ratings
Dropps Stain and Odor Laundry Detergent Pods
Best 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 regarding stained 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 stubborn stains without pre-treatment.
- Plant-based formula.
- Cruelty-free.
- Kind on delicate fabrics.
- Works in standard and HE machines.
- Brightens colors and whites.
Cons
- You might need two pods for bigger loads.
- Might not always dissolve entirely.
- Quite pricey per load.
- Some customers have had allergic reactions.
Product Specs
Type | Pods |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 140 |
Our Ratings
Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Detergent, Honeysuckle
Best Smelling
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.
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, ensuring you get clean clothes. But it also treats your clothes gently, making it great for delicates.
If you don’t like honeysuckle, you can get this detergent in basil or lavender. All are made with essential oils.
Pros
- Beautiful scent options.
- Stain and dirt-fighting enzymes.
- Gentle on clothes.
- Concentrated formula does 64 washes.
- Compatible with high-efficiency washers.
- Naturally scented with essential oils.
Cons
- Not 100 percent natural.
- Not hypoallergenic.
- Scent doesn’t linger.
- Can’t remove stubborn stains.
Product Specs
Type | Liquid |
Cleaning strength | Medium-Strong |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 64 |
Our Ratings
Ecoegg Fragrance Free Laundry Egg
Best Zero Waste Detergent
Are you tired of plastic waste in the laundry room? Us too! Thankfully, the Ecoegg is an excellent 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 we love using in our 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 to 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, which 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
- Completely zero waste.
- Easy to use, no measuring required.
- Contains no harsh chemicals.
- Great for daily loads of laundry.
- Lasts for 720 loads, making it super affordable.
- Kind on delicate garments.
Cons
- Doesn’t remove tough stains.
- Not compatible with hot water.
- Might cause some fabrics to pill.
Product Specs
Type | Egg |
Cleaning strength | Medium |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 720 |
Our Ratings
Grab Green Laundry Detergent Pods
Best Green Laundry Pods
Pods are convenient to use since they’re already measured out. But we think pods are even better when they’re eco. 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 four scent options, including unscented, all made with essential oils.
Pros
- Plant-derived ingredients.
- Convenient pod design.
- 3-in-1 formula to clean, remove stains and brighten clothes.
- Four scent options, including unscented.
- Free of optical brighteners, dyes, and chlorine.
Cons
- Might not fully dissolve, especially in cool water.
- Quite pricey per pod.
- Not great for pet messes and odors.
Product Specs
Type | Pods |
Cleaning strength | Strong |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Naturally scented | Yes |
Number of Loads | 60 |
Our Ratings
NaturOli Soap Nuts
Best Naturally Green 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, derived from the Himalayans of India.
- Good for delicates, wools, and silks.
- Hypoallergenic and kind on sensitive skin.
- Super easy to use.
- Helps clothes feel soft.
Cons
- Not reliable as a stain remover.
- Only does 12 loads.
- They’re quite expensive.
- Takes a bit of a learning curve to figure out.
Product Specs
Type | Soap nuts |
Cleaning strength | Gentle |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Naturally scented | Unscented |
Number of Loads | 12 |
Our Ratings
Product | Best | Type | Cleaning strength | Hypoallergenic | Scented | No. of Loads |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nellie’s Laundry Soda | Detergent for Hard Water | Powder | Strong | Yes | No | 100 |
Woolzies 100% Natural Detergent | Powder | Powder | Strong | Yes | Yes | 100 |
Puracy Liquid Laundry Detergent | For Sensitive Skin | Liquid | Medium | Yes | No | 96 |
Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent | Strongest Green Laundry Detergent | Liquid | Strong | No | Yes | 53 |
Biokleen Natural Laundry Detergent | Liquid Detergent | Liquid | Strong | No | Yes | 128 |
Dropps Stain and Odor Laundry Pods | Detergent for Stains | Pods | Strong | Yes | Yes | 140 |
Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Detergent | Smelling | Liquid | Medium-Strong | No | Yes | 64 |
Ecoegg Laundry Egg | Zero Waste Detergent | Egg | Medium | Yes | Yes | 720 |
Grab Green Laundry Pods | Green Laundry Pods | Pods | Strong | No | Yes | 60 |
NaturOli Soap Nuts | Naturally Green Detergent | Soap nuts | Gentle | Yes | No | 12 |
What Are Eco-Friendly Detergents?
Eco-friendly, or green, detergents are made differently from conventional detergents. They don’t contain harsh chemicals, pollutants, or toxins.
What Are the Benefits?
There are lots of benefits when it comes to organic laundry detergents. But we’ll share two reasons you might want to switch to organic laundry detergents.
- It’s healthier: You reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals. Conventional detergent is a risky business. The chemicals trigger headaches and irritate your skin (1). Therefore, you’re risking the health of yourself 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 (2).
Are Green Detergents Less Toxic?
Yes — they are generally less toxic than conventional detergents. However, WebMD warns that there’s really no such thing as completely “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 things that can still trigger allergies.
How to Choose
We’ve got some top things to look out for when choosing the best eco-friendly laundry detergent for you.