Green Cleaning

Natural Laundry Detergent: 5 of the Safest Laundry Detergents in 2020

Commercial laundry products can be incredibly toxic to humans, containing various ingredients that cause a world of harm.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), for one, can inflame eyes, skin, and lungs, and even damage internal organs. Another common ingredient, phosphates, has been linked to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and even death (not to mention mineral poisoning in our waterways).

Even formaldehyde has been found in detergent, which is a toxic chemical used to preserve dead bodies!

The solution? Rid our products of these ingredients. But until we do, your best bet is to try natural laundry detergent.

Here, we suggest five of our most eco-friendly favorites that offer transparent, non-toxic ingredients while still getting the job done well.

1. Sun & Earth

Sun & Earth has been creating green products since 1988, making them a frontier in the eco-conscious industry.

Their natural laundry detergent is hypoallergenic and features no dyes, preservatives, or perfumes. It works in both standard and high-efficiency (HE) washers.

It comes either unscented or naturally scented with light citrus or lavender.

2. Dr. Bronner’s

Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap is organic, fair-trade, and features no preservatives or foaming agents. In fact, this 18-in-one formula can be used for anything—brushing your teeth, washing your clothes, cleaning your dishes—you name it!

For laundry, use 1/3—1/2 cup for a hefty load in your standard washer and add a 1/2 cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. For HE appliances, use half of these amounts.

Dr. Bronner’s comes in a multitude of scents, too, if you prefer!

3. Lion Bear Naked Soap

Lion Bear Naked Soap Co. “makes cleaning healthy” by offering safe natural laundry detergents (among other cleaning products).

They manufacture non-toxic soap using natural and organic ingredients. Their products instill old-world soaping techniques with a modern twist.

They have high standards—their website has a lengthy list of unacceptable ingredients you’ll never find in their products.

4. The Honest Company

The Honest Company even offers baby laundry detergent, which is perfect for babies and/or those with sensitive skin.

They promise to provide a product without:

SLS and SLES (sodium lauryl ether sulfate)
Fragrances or dyes
Formaldehyde donors
Optical brighteners
Methylisothiazolinone

Their ingredients are plant-derived, hypoallergenic, and feature four stain-fighting enzymes (perfect for inevitable baby messes).

5. Mrs. Meyer’s

Mrs. Meyer’s features a variety of clean and green laundry products, such as non-toxic laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and all-natural scent boosters.

Their products contain thoughtfully-chosen ingredients (such as essential oils for scent) and use cruelty-free formulas. They include no artificial colors, phthalates, chlorine, or formaldehyde.

Their scents include lavender, basil, honeysuckle, peony, and more.

Go Green—Try Natural Laundry Detergent Today

There’s nothing to lose by giving one of these honest, ethical, and natural laundry detergents in 2020 a try. Your dirty laundry still gets clean, and you’ll be preserving your health (and the health of your family and the environment, too).

Bonus tip: if you’re ever unsure about a product, check out ewg.org, an Environmental Working Group site that rates products by ingredients and concerns.