Laundry is a must-do.
However, the regular detergents we use can either irritate our skin or contain chemicals and plastic packaging that pollute the environment. Luckily, gaining attention in the industry are safe eco-friendly laundry detergents that clean well without harming nature.
This article will explain what these products are, how effective they are, and provide a list of the 7 best eco-friendly laundry detergents to green your cleaning routine.
How To Choose The Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents?
Eco-friendly laundry detergents, also known as ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ detergents, are designed to be better for the environment than regular ones. Here’s what to choose if you want to avoid harmful chemicals from traditional detergents:
- Ingredients
Eco-friendly detergents use natural ingredients from plants that easily break down in the environment. They don’t have harsh chemicals, artificial preservatives, or dyes, which can harm the environment and your skin. Nowadays, many companies voluntarily list all their ingredients on labels, including where they come from and what they do. This helps you make smart choices about what you use.
- Packaging
Eco-conscious consumers are increasingly concerned about packaging waste. The best eco-friendly laundry detergents come in packaging that is either plastic-free or made from a high percentage of recycled plastic. Some brands offer refillable bottles and tins, which reduce the need for single-use containers. By choosing eco-friendly laundry detergent packaging, you can help minimize plastic pollution and contribute to a cleaner planet.
- Certifications
Check for trusted certifications to ensure you’re using eco-friendly laundry detergent and not getting tricked by marketing. Look for labels like EcoCert, USDA Certified Biobased Product, and EPA Safer Choice. These certifications guarantee a product is truly environmentally friendly. They mean the product has met strict standards for sustainability and safety, giving you peace of mind.
- Transparent Claims
Environmentally friendly laundry detergent makers should give clear and detailed info about why their products are green. They should use facts and avoid vague claims. Be cautious of products with big environmental promises but no proof. Being open helps you make smart choices as a shopper.
Keep in mind that the performance of eco-friendly detergents may differ by brand. To find the right one for your needs, read the labels closely. Look for a brand that matches your laundry needs and provides the information you want.
7 Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents
When it comes to the best eco-friendly laundry detergents, there are several outstanding options. Let’s explore a few of the best ones available in the market.
Tide Purclean
Tide Purclean is a part of the popular Tide, but with a focus on being environmentally friendly. It has earned the EPA Safer Choice label, showing its dedication to safety.
Tide Purclean is a hybrid detergent. While it’s not entirely made from plants like some other eco-friendly choices, it still does a great job of reducing its impact on the environment. Roughly 75% of its ingredients come from plants, and the rest are petroleum-based. This combination strikes a good balance between being effective and being eco-friendly.
Purclean is safe for your family and the environment. It’s free from harmful additives like dyes, chlorine, phosphates, and brighteners. It has no fragrance, making it great for sensitive people. You can use it in high-efficiency and regular washing machines easily, making your switch to eco-friendly laundry simple.
Tide Purclean not only cares about the environment with its eco-friendly formula but also with its sustainable packaging. This environmentally friendly laundry detergent is packaged in a container made from recycled plastic, and it even includes a convenient measuring cap. What’s great is that you can recycle the container once you’re done using it, which supports Tide’s goal of reducing waste.
9 Elements Natural Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap
Discover 9 Elements Natural Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap, a hidden eco-friendly gem. What makes it special? It’s all about simplicity and being eco-conscious. Just like the name suggests, it has no more than nine ingredients. No artificial stuff like preservatives, dyes, thickeners, or brighteners.
Plus, it’s gentle on your skin because it’s free from synthetic fragrances. This is the best eco-friendly laundry detergent for sensitive skin!
9 Elements stands out for its use of vinegar, which eliminates residues and odors from your clothes, leaving them fresh and clean. It also has a natural eucalyptus scent from essential oils, making your laundry smell pleasant.
The packaging for 9 Elements is also eco-friendly. It comes in a recyclable plastic bottle with a cap that can be used as a measuring cup. This reduces waste and encourages responsible disposal. The product also proudly displays the EPA Safer Choice label, making it easier for consumers to choose products that are safe for their families and the environment.
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent
Seventh Generation’s Free & Clear Laundry Detergent is exceptional for a few key reasons. First, it’s made mostly from plants, in line with the brand’s dedication to the environment. 97% of its ingredients come from plants, keeping your clothes and surroundings free from harmful chemicals.
Additionally, Seventh Generation goes the extra mile by packaging the detergent in a bottle made from 80% recycled plastic. This shows their dedication not just to the product’s performance but also to cutting down on plastic waste.
Seventh Generation’s Free & Clear detergent performs well in fighting stains. While it removes slightly fewer stains (5% less) than regular Tide, this small difference is significant, given its low chemical content. This highlights the brand’s commitment to making an eco-friendly and effective product, not to mention its B-Corporation certification.
The brand also partners with organizations like the Rainforest Alliance and Forest Stewardship Council, highlighting their dedication to sustainable practices.
Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Liquidless Eco Sheets
Are laundry detergent sheets good for the environment?
Yes, they are, and Earth Breeze laundry sheets are probably the best eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets on the market.
They offer a groundbreaking way to clean your clothes while being eco-friendly. Unlike regular liquid or powder detergent, Earth Breeze provides detergent-soaked cellulose pads. These sheets are perfect for those who want a hassle-free, plastic-free laundry solution.
Earth Breeze sheets dissolve within seconds in hot or cold water, ensuring that the detergent is evenly distributed throughout your laundry. They work in all machines, including high-efficiency models. You can even hand wash your clothes with Earth Breeze sheets, making them a versatile option for various laundry needs.
Perhaps one of the most significant advantages of Earth Breeze is its green laundry detergent packaging. While conventional detergents use harmful single-use plastic containers, Earth Breeze opts for environmentally friendly cardboard boxes.
This choice is both sustainable and biodegradable, breaking down naturally without harming the environment. In contrast, plastic can take up to 1000 years to decompose, leading to lasting pollution issues.
By choosing Earth Breeze, you not only get an effective laundry detergent but also contribute to reducing plastic waste and minimizing your carbon footprint.
Tru Earth Laundry Strips (Fragrance Free)
Tru Earth laundry detergent strips change how we do laundry. They’re super simple to use and perfect for eco-friendly folks. Unlike regular detergents, these strips don’t come in plastic jugs and are in recyclable packaging. No measuring, no mess – just tear and toss a strip in your washer. They work with all washing machines, including high-efficiency and top-loaders, and dissolve in hot or cold water.
Tru Earth laundry strips’ exceptional stain-fighting prowess is also appreciated. In tests, these strips proved to be on par with some of the top contenders in the eco-friendly laundry detergent market. Even in the face of stubborn stains, Tru Earth trips do not compromise on cleanliness.
Moreover, Tru Earth laundry strips are paraben, phosphate, and chlorine bleach-free. They do not contain added dyes, making them hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. These strips are not only gentle on your clothes but also on the environment.
By eliminating the need for single-use plastic cleaning bottles, Tru Earth helps reduce the plastic pollution that plagues our landfills and oceans. The strips themselves are biodegradable, ensuring they leave no lasting environmental impact.
Biokleen Laundry Liquid
Biokleen’s Citrus Essence Laundry Liquid uses 100% plant-based ingredients and proudly bears the EPA Safer Choice stamp. It features a delightful citrus scent, reminiscent of freshly squeezed Florida orange juice.
When tested for removing tough stains, Biokleen Citrus Essence Laundry Liquid had some difficulties, especially with stubborn grease stains. It might not be the ideal option for people in jobs like farming or construction, where strong stain removal is crucial. But for everyday laundry needs, it works just fine for most people.
Biokleen’s laundry detergents may not be the top choice for tough cleaning jobs, but they do have some impressive qualities. They’re made entirely from plants, and produced in the USA without any artificial fragrances or dyes. What’s more, Biokleen’s products are cruelty-free and don’t contain phosphates, chlorine, ammonia, or brighteners. If you have regular laundry needs, Biokleen provides an eco-friendly option that keeps your clothes smelling fresh and feeling soft.
BLUELAND Laundry Detergent Tablet Starter Set
The Laundry Detergent Tablet Starter Set from Blueland is a revolutionary product in the world of sustainable laundry detergents.
Unlike traditional laundry pods with plastic film that can cause environmental concerns, these tablets are dry-form and don’t come wrapped in plastic film. The innovative, patented detergent tablet is powered by enzymes and has been proven by independent labs to lift the toughest stains, from grass and coffee to makeup and more.
Using BLUELAND detergent tablets is super simple. Just drop one tablet into your washing machine’s drum, toss it in your clothes, and start the wash cycle – no plastic waste involved. These small yet powerful tablets are hypoallergenic, free of fragrances, dyes, and optical brighteners. Plus, they’ve earned multiple certifications, such as EPA Safer Choice, Leaping Bunny Cruelty-Free, Vegan, B Corp Certified, and Climate Neutral Certified.
The BLUELAND Laundry Detergent Tablet Starter Set is all about simplicity: just drop, clean, and refill. It gives you a strong wash without any waste. Plus, it’s plastic-free and designed for single use, ideal for those aiming for a zero-waste lifestyle. Perfect for eco-conscious consumers!
Where To Shop For Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents?
The question is, how and where to shop for these sustainable laundry detergents?
You can first decide the detergent type you want to use: liquid laundry detergent, laundry pods, or detergent sheets. If it is your first time changing laundry detergents, buy smaller sizes for cleaning tests to ensure they meet your needs.
There are several places where you can shop for your detergents.
- Health food stores: Whole Foods or Sprouts have eco-friendly cleaning products on their shelves, including laundry detergents.
- Eco-Friendly Online Retailers: Websites like Thrive Market, EarthHero, and Grove Collaborative often offer sustainable products with detailed descriptions.
- Direct from the brands: Most brands have their own website to sell their products. Buying directly from the brands ensures authenticity and legit price.
- Shop through Tenere: When shopping for your detergents via Tenere, you are supporting planting efforts worldwide.
With a safer choice of sustainable detergent, you are treating your clothes and the planet the right way. Whether you’re buying from a local co-op, a specialized online retailer, or directly from the manufacturer, your choice matters.
