The 20 Most Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Options

It’s not easy, to find the balance between eco-friendly laundry detergent options, and ones that actually work with your messes. Even if you think you found one, you may find out later that the company wasn’t quite as green as they claimed.

There’s also the problem of cost, and finding a product that fits your needs. Not only do they have to be able to handle heavy loads, but they must also have certain scents, or none, and have gentle ingredients that won’t hurt your skin, all while not breaking the bank.

Thankfully, these 20 eco-friendly laundry detergent options below give you plenty of choices. Try a few and see what works for you, or pick the one that’s best for the environment. Laundry has come a long way, and there are plenty of options now to suit everyone’s needs. It just might take some time to figure out which one is exactly what you’re looking for.

Ready to find the perfect laundry for you? Keep reading to find out 20 of the most eco-friendly laundry options, including their EWG (Environmental Working Group) rating, the cost per load, forms of laundry, and whether there’s a fragrance-free version.

1. Soap Nuts

heap of soap nut for ecological washing. Raw Aritha or Reetha fruit also known as Soap-nuts which is the main ingredient in any soaps and shampoos. — Soap nuts
contain a natural soap. They’re completely natural, making them incredibly eco-friendly
©Yavdat/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: NA
Form: Nuts
Cost Per Load: $0.10
Scent-Free Version: Naturally scent-free

2. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergent loose and hypoallergenic washes away all the dirt — Seventh Generation is completely biodegradable, uses renewable energy, and uses recycled material.
©Alexandr Macovetchi/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: A
Form: Powder, packs, liquid
Cost Per Load: $0.56
Scent-Free Version: Yes

3. Dropps

Woman putting laundry detergent capsule into washing machine indoors, closeup.Colorful laundry eco gel in capsule. Washing clothes.The concept of washing and cleanliness — Dropps is cruelty-free and free from all sorts of harmful ingredients. They also use renewable plant materials.
©Avocado_studio/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: A
Form: Pods
Cost Per Load: $0.33
Scent-Free Version: Yes

4. Charlie’s Soap

Washing powder dispenser with dry washing powder inside, concentrated washing gel and Laundry detergent concentrated in water-soluble capsules — Charlie’s Laundry is non-toxic and biodegradable. They use small bags and reduce plastic wherever possible.
©DK_2020/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: B
Form: Powder, Packets, Liquid
Cost Per Load: $0.30
Scent-Free Version: Yes

5. Attitude Nature+

Person adding liquid laundry detergent to the washer, close up. Female hand holding laundry detergent in front of open washing machine — Though Attitude Nature+ does offer standard bottles, they also provide cardboard containers and refill boxes.
©Damian Lugowski/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: EWG Verified
Form: Liquid
Cost Per Load: $0.23
Scent-Free Version: Yes

6. 9 Elements

white vinegar on the wooden table top — 9 Elements is a vinegar-based laundry detergent made with minimal ingredients to be gentle on the environment and skin.
©focal point/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: A
Form: Liquid
Cost Per Load: $0.17
Scent-Free Version: Yes

7. Defunkify

Laundry room interior with washing machine and furniture — Defunkify is EPA Safer Choice Certified and uses 87 percent bio-based ingredients.
©New Africa/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: EWG Verified
Form: Liquid
Cost Per Load: $0.39
Scent-Free Version: Yes

8. Dirty Labs

Dirty Labs sends its liquid laundry detergent in metal containers instead of plastic.
©Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: EWG Verified
Form: Liquid
Cost Per Load: $0.33
Scent-Free Version: Yes

9. Tru Earth

Woman putting a laudry sheet in the washing machine — Tru Earth uses less plastic, is vegan, and is free of dyes, bleaches, and parabens among other things.
©Tinatin/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: C
Form: Strips
Cost Per Load: $0.62
Scent-Free Version: Yes

10. Molly’s Suds

Stack of clean sheets and cloth in laundry room — Molly’s Suds is free of synthetic smells, dyes, and many harmful ingredients. It’s also plant-based
©Billion Photos/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: A
Form: Powder and Liquid
Cost Per Load: $0.23
Scent-Free Version: Yes

11. Ingredients Matter

Smelling, cleaning or happy woman with laundry, machine and home for clothes, fabric and housekeeping. Scent, female person and cleaner washing items in laundromat with routine, smile and service — Ingredients Matter uses simple ingredients, no smells, and almost no plastic.
©PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: A
Form: Powder
Cost Per Load: $0.32
Scent-Free Version: Yes

12. Breezeo Laundry Detergent

Breezeo is eco-friendly because it uses sheets and minimal plastic. It also uses less water.
©Martin Poole/DigitalVision via Getty Images

EWG Rating: NA
Form: Sheets
Cost Per Load: $0.25
Scent-Free Version: No

13. Blue Water

Dryer sheets sitting on a washing machine used for freshening clothes and static removal. Also used for fresh aroma and dryer sheet hacks. — Blue Water is made from sheets, which means less water and less plastic.
©194492852/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: NA
Form: Sheets
Cost Per Load: $0.19
Scent-Free Version: Yes

14. Earth Breeze

Woman with stack of clean bed sheets on light background — Earth Breeze uses sheets and has made them in such a way that they work with cold water, making them slightly more eco and money-friendly.
©Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: C
Form: Sheets
Cost Per Load: $0.33
Scent-Free Version: Yes

15. BlueLand

Linen, cleaning and fresh with a black woman smelling fabric or textile while working in a home as a cleaner. Laundry, housekeeping and scent with a female maid at work with soft sheets to smell — BlueLand offers refill packs, and forever tins, and uses powder and tablets to reduce
carbon emissions
and water waste.
©PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: EWG Verified
Form: Tablets and Powder
Cost Per Load: $0.42
Scent-Free Version: Yes

16. Eco Roots

A handsome man in cozy homewear holding a laundry basket in a bathroom. — These sheets are plastic-free and sent in a compostable cardboard box. They’re also palm oil-free and free from harmful ingredients.
©LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: NA
Form: Sheets
Cost Per Load: $0.30
Scent-Free Version: Yes

17. ECOS

Young woman working in the laundry room, back view — ECOS products are vegan, and feature no additives or harmful ingredients.
©Stivog/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: B or C
Form: Sheets and Liquid
Cost Per Load: $0.26
Scent-Free Version: Yes

18. Botanical Origin

Laundry detergent for children on towel, eco-friendly, top view — Botanical Origin uses recycled plastic and makes recyclable bottles, the liquid is made free from parabens and other harmful ingredients and is primarily plant-based.
©Savanevich Viktar/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: NA
Form: Concentrated liquid
Cost Per Load: $0.32
Scent-Free Version: No

19. AspenClean

household and laundry. household detergent background. softener used in household. — All their products are biodegradable within a month, are septic-safe, and don’t have harmful or toxic ingredients.
©Kamix-studio/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: EWG Verified
Form: Pods and liquid
Cost Per Load: $0.53
Scent-Free Version: Yes

20. EC30 Laundry Sheets

Woman holding a laudry sheet — EC30 reduces CO2 emissions, plastic, and water with their sheets.
©Tinatin/Shutterstock.com

EWG Rating: D
Form: Sheet
Cost Per Load: About $1
Scent-Free Version: No

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About the Author

Nina Phillips

Nina is a writer at A-Z Animals, FIDIS Travel, and Giant Freakin Robot. Her focus is on wildlife, national parks, and the environment. She has been writing about animals for over three years. Nina holds a Bachelor's in Conservation Biology, which she uses when talking about animals and their natural habitats. In her free time, Nina also enjoys working on writing her novels and short stories. As a resident of Colorado, Nina enjoys getting out in nature, traveling, and watching snow hit the mountains from her enclosed porch.

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