5 Best Natural Laundry Detergent Brands & Buyer’s Guide

prepared ingredients for making natural laundry detergent

If you’ve noticed rashes that appear throughout the day, you may want to take a look at the laundry detergent you use to wash your clothes. The industrial laundry detergent that many people use today tends to contain many harsh chemicals. If you would prefer not to subject you or your family to this, you should consider choosing the best natural laundry detergents found below.

Comparison Table

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How We Chose Our Ratings

a scoop full of natural detergent

When it comes to choosing the best natural laundry detergents, we understand how frustrating the process can be. You want to find a product that can protect your family from harsh chemicals while still providing effective stain-fighting solutions. We kept this in mind as we compiled our list of natural laundry detergents.

We began by testing a wide array of natural laundry detergents. From there, we graded each product to see how they stacked up. But, we did not stop here. We then browsed thousands of online reviews to get a better understanding of the products on our list. We removed one detergent from the list because some customers complained that it altered their clothing after using it multiple times.

After considering our ratings, online reviews, and factors such as the cost and the company brand, we believe you’ll be satisfied with the list of natural laundry detergents we’ve provided. We encourage you to leave your feedback in the comment section below. If you’ve used one of the cleansers, please feel free to let us know.

Of course, if you have a product that you use to wash your laundry and do not find it on our list, feel free to share that as well. We recognize that there may have been a product or two we missed. Our goal is for this list to be fluid, meaning we are more than willing to make adjustments as time goes on. If we discover a new product that we love, we will gladly add it to the list.

Top Five Best Natural Laundry Detergents

We understand how difficult it can be to pick a new laundry detergent, especially if you’ve grown attached to your current brand over the years. We did the guesswork for you and came up with a list of the top five best natural laundry detergents. We’re confident that the results of choosing one of these detergents is clean, fresh laundry that should not irritate your skin.

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Laundry Detergent

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This product from Mrs. Meyer’s was one of the best we reviewed. It carries a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 130 customer reviews. Customers can purchase a pair of detergent bottles for about $$ unless they’d instead subscribe to the package, at which point the cost decreases by about $$. Each bottle produces about 64 loads per bottle. The detergent is also compatible with HE systems.

Of those who reviewed the product, 80 percent gave it a five-star review. Customers appreciated the fact that this detergent was hypoallergenic and that it cleaned their clothes effectively. Others noted that the cleanser was perfect for the whole family, including those who did not necessarily need to use a natural detergent. Reviewers also said that the scent was pleasant but not over-bearing.

Molly’s Suds Laundry Detergent Powder

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This detergent from Molly’s Suds, which comes in powder form as opposed to liquid form, carries a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with nearly 1,150 customer reviews. Of those who reviewed the product, 88 percent gave it either a four or five-star rating. You can get a 70-load bag for about $, a 120-load bag for about $, or a 240-load bag for about $.

When coming up with this product, manufacturers made sure that it was safe not only for people but for the environment as well. The powder solution is an effective deterrent to stains, mainly when you use it as a pre-treatment. Perhaps the unique thing about the product is that manufacturers made it out of no more than five ingredients.

Many customers indicated that this was well-worth the purchase. They said that it helped heal eczema and other similar skin conditions. Some said that it took a while to adjust to powder detergent, especially after years of using liquid soap. However, users reported that once they did, they realized they would never want to use a different product.

Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder Detergent

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This natural laundry detergent carries a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with nearly 4,400 customer reviews. Of those who reviewed the product, 77 percent gave it a five-star review, and 10 percent gave it a four-star review. The product earned an “Amazon’s Choice” label for those searching for “natural laundry detergents.” You can make a one-time purchase for $$ a load or subscribe to purchase the product for $$ a load.

When using this product, you don’t need more than a tablespoon to receive clean laundry. The detergent is safe for use on all fabrics, including delicates. It is also both hypoallergenic and bio-degradable. This means that the detergent is safe and non-toxic. It is gentle on skin and does not contain any brighteners or purifiers.

Many who reviewed the product raved about how effective it was at cleaning their clothes. Some went as far as to say that they now used this product not only for their laundry but other cleaning needs as well. Many customers also noted that the clothes did not have a scent after a wash with this detergent, which was something that most appreciated.

Biokleen Laundry Liquid

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Biokleen makes this natural detergent in the United States. The product carries a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with more than 470 customer reviews. Of those who reviewed the product, 85 percent gave it either a four or five-star review. You can purchase this detergent, which provides 300 HE loads or 150 standard loads, for a bit less than $$. If you subscribe, you will pay approximately $$.

Biokleen’s natural detergent contains scents, but they come from natural seed extracts. For example, the citrus scent includes both citrus and grapefruit seed extracts. The cleanser does not use any artificial fragrances, preservatives, or colors. Customers can also purchase similar detergents better-intended for their needs, such as a Sports detergent, Baby detergent, or Cold-Water detergent.

Many users appreciated the citrus scent that came with this detergent, noting that some other natural soaps do not allow this option. Other customers remarked that even though this detergent is natural, it is still a practical option to help fight stains. Users also appreciated the fact that Biokleen, a company with a strong reputation, manufacture this product.

Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent

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Seventh Generation offers an excellent option for those looking for a stain-fighting natural detergent. This product carries a 4.1-star rating on Amazon with more than 750 customer reviews. Of those who reviewed the product, three-quarters gave it either a four or five-star review. You can purchase this product for about $$, or subscribe on Amazon to buy the product for about $$.

This detergent is designed specifically for sensitive skin. The EPA certified it as a Safer Choice Certified Product. The United States Department of Agriculture approved it as a Biobased product because less than 5 percent of its contents come from non-plant-based ingredients. One bottle typically nets about 50 washes.

The only problem that customers seemed to have with this product is the fact that the lid leaked. However, they reported that using a bit of tape will help keep the top secure. Ultimately, this is minuscule in the grand scheme of things. Otherwise, customers were delighted with how well this product worked on sensitive skin.

Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to choosing the best natural laundry detergent, there are a few criteria you should keep in mind. Walking through your local convenience store trying to sort through your detergent options can be overwhelming if you’re unsure for what you are searching. By considering these factors, you can easily find the best natural laundry detergent for you and your family.

The Type of Washing Machine You Use

photo of front loading and vertical washing machines

When it comes to laundry detergents, many companies now offer options better-designed for your washing machines. High-efficiency laundry detergents now dominate much of the market, but you should understand what these detergents are and when you should use them. These detergents are low-sudsing and are intended for machines that do not use a lot of water.

If you have a front-loading washer or a high-efficiency top-loader, these detergents may be best for you. However, even if you still use an agitator top-loader, HE soap could still be an option. Many soaps come with instructions on how much liquid to use for each wash. So, to find the best detergent, it’s crucial to know what type of washing machine you have.

Special Detergents

top view of a natural laundry detergent with foam on its opened cap

You should also determine if you would like to use any particular types of laundry detergent. For example, using a cold-water laundry detergent could not only save energy but could save you money as well. That’s because these detergents use a minimal amount of hot water, as the cleaning mechanisms in the soap are better-activated in cold water. Some cold-water detergents work in water as cold as 60°F. 

Similarly, you may also see options for laundry pods or packs. Many companies market these options because of how convenient they seem. You no longer have to pour liquid from a large tub. Instead, you merely drop a pod into your washer, load your clothes, and move on with your day. Unfortunately, there are some things you need to consider before switching over to laundry pods.

First and foremost, these pods can be potentially dangerous to children, especially those under the age of 6. The American Association of Poison Control Centers estimates that between 2013 and 2017, they received more than 56,000 calls regarding children who ingested a detergent pod accidentally. Even more so, potentially toxic exposure can occur not only from swallowing it but also from:

  • Absorbing the pod through the skin
  • Inhaling the detergents in the pod
  • Getting the contents of the pod in the eyes

This proves that there are harmful chemical agents in these pods. For those looking for a natural detergent option that is not irritating, laundry pods may not be an ideal option. These pods are highly-concentrated with agents designed to remove tough stains from clothing. They often contain detergents, stain remover, and color booster all-in-one.

Deciphering the Label

a plastic spoon scooping up of natural detergent powder

Once you’ve begun to narrow down what type of detergent you’d like to use, you should look closely at the label to read the active ingredients, making sure that you’re comfortable using everything on the list. Certain buzzwords could stand out and help you make a more informed buying decision.

One thing that you’ll likely see on the label is “oxi” or “oxy.” These are bleach-alternatives that are safe for use on colors. Many natural detergents will not contain these agents. If you’d like to add a boost to your laundry, you could consider purchasing these products in powder form, which you can add to your prewash cycle.

Another term to look out for is Fluorescent Brightening Agent. Many manufacturers add this to their detergents to help your whites appear brighter. This chemical may not be in natural detergents, which means you must find another way to whiten your clothes. Studies are inconclusive as to the results of using FBA’s for an extended period.

Scent

a small bottle of rose essential oil and a fresh lavender flower, commonly used to add fragrance unto natural detergent

The whole point of washing your clothes is to not only clean them but to make them smell good as well. Unfortunately, when choosing a natural detergent, your options for scents may be a bit more limited than if you were selecting a regular laundry detergent. But, you can still make an effort to compare scents and find one that is right for you.

Cost

Last but not least, you should consider the cost of your detergent before making your purchase. If you are searching for natural laundry detergents, you should expect to pay more than if you were purchasing a standard cleanser. However, you could also make efforts to buy in bulk, which could help reduce your overall cost.