Most people don’t consider how much of an impact the laundry detergent we choose has on us and the environment, but Americans purchase one billion plastic containers of it annually – enough to circle the earth six times!
Since 29 billion loads of laundry are done per year, why not choose a detergent you can feel good about? After all, many brands of laundry detergent contain chemicals and pollutants (like phosphate) that can be hazardous to humans, so some experts recommend using organic detergents to avoid this.
The following list has the seven best natural detergents that are free of chemicals, smell great, and are kind to the ecosystem because they’re biodegradable and don’t emit harmful toxins.
1) Gain Flings Original Laundry PacGain was introduced by Procter & Gamble in 1969 and is the company’s eighth best-selling product and the leader in best smelling laundry detergent. In fact, high-efficiency0% more of Gain’s signature citrus and amber scent than the liquid. For use high-efficiencyr high efficiency washer, the pacs will dissolve in hot or cold water and contain Oxi-Clean to battle stubborn stains.
2) Seventh Generation Natural 2X Laundry Detergent
Sensitive skin? This is for you.
Established in 1988, Seventh Generation, now owned by Unilever, strives to provide its customers with hypoallergenic laundry detergent that is free of dyes, synthetic fragrances, and optical brighteners. It can be used in cold water as well as hot and standard or HE machines.
The main ingredients are plant-based, it contains no animal ingredients, and it’s not tested on animals. Also, it’s packed with starches to remove stains from grass, wine, and blood. The best part? Seventh Generation Natural 2X Detergent’s blend is biodegradable, non-toxic, won’t irritate your skin, and smells great because it’s mixed with essential oils.
3) Biokleen Sport Laundry Soap
If you have kids in sports, they come home with dirt, mud, and grass stains. Fortunately, Biokleen Sport is formulated to beat stains and eliminate odors in one use. A family owned and operated company since 1989, Biokleen has worked to reduce their water footprint, use only non-hazardous ingredients, and save you money because you use less product for the same exceptional results as other detergents.
Biokleen is made with 100% renewable energy and it’s not tested on animals. It can be used in any machine and one concentrated package can do 128 loads of laundry. The heavenly citrus aroma is just bonus.
4) Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder Packets
We’ve never met Charlie, but he seems like a no-frills kind of guy and we like that.
The slogan of Charlie’s Soap is “Live Green. Deep Clean.” The detergent, which is loved by consumers, lives up to its slogan because it is simple, non-toxic, hypo-allergenic, biodegradable, and septic safe. With just one packet, you can effectively wash anything – from silk nightgowns to rags – in any machine, leaving no residue behind. All that will remain will be a crisp, clean scent… refreshing!5) ECOS Laundry Detergent
ECOS has eco in the name so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it’s made from plants and has a natural, aromatic scent. What you won’t find on the label are dyes, phosphates, and parabens. ECOS is made in a family-owned factory that believes in making products earth-friendly.
Specifically made to get dirt out and protect your colored fabrics from fading, ECOS can be used in a standard or high efficiency machine and wash up to 100 loads. It meets EPA standards, is powered by 100% renewable resources, it’s biodegradable, and it’s never tested on animals.
6) Method Laundry Detergent, Free + Clear
Method is the brainchild of roommates Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan who simply wanted a better detergent that was “gentler than a thousand puppy licks” and smelled good. Enter Method Laundry Detergent, Free + Clear (and the line of Method products that have floral or beachy aromas).
Don’t let the compact size and pump fool you – the Method Laundry Detergent washes fifty loads of laundry. It uses SmartClean Technology, so it’s more concentrated and only requires ¼ the amount you would typically use. Also, it’s hypo-allergenic, biodegradable, can be used in any water, and it’s never tested on animals. Even the bottle is made from recycled plastic.
7) Grab Green 3-in-1 Powder, Water Lily
Grab Green is a detergent, stain-remover, and brightener in one. It’s made of natural ingredients and doesn’t contain fillers, phosphates, chlorine, or dyes. It works in any machine, at any temperature, and is cruelty-free, biodegradable, and proven to be more effective than Tide Pods.
The makers of Grab Green worked for years to create a product that competes with commercial brands and surpasses other eco-friendly brands. It’s a unanimous customer favorite for its cleaning power and water lily fragrance that is made with essential oils like lavender, lime, and orange flower.
Conclusion
Most non-organic detergent brands don’t wash clothes. Namely, commercial detergents only improve the appearance of clothes and lade them with a heavy perfume, which can irritate skin and cause allergies. These organic detergents clean clothes down to the fibers and are safe for even the most sensitive of skin, allowing you to breathe easy.
These detergents make your laundry smell great and they’re good for the environment – something you can feel good about, no matter which you choose to make a part of your household products.
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