The Best Eco-Friendly Detergents that are Truly Clean and Safe
Posted by The Ichcha Team on 17th Jul 2025
Aside from wearing sustainable clothing, using eco-friendly laundry detergents is another way to stay eco-conscious. Beyond that, eco-friendly detergents are better for your skin and health in general.
After all, the skin is the largest organ in the body. And if you're like my friend Jasmine who always gets itchy during and after laundry, switching to clean detergents can be your safest bet.
There's a host of brands marketing themselves as "clean detergents" or eco-friendly, non-toxic laundry detergents. But it's hard to know what's what, as there's a lot of deceptive greenwashing going on. Don't fret.
Here are some of the best eco-friendly detergents, according to what users are saying:
- Blueland Laundry Detergent Tablets
- The Unscented Company
- Dropps Laundry Detergent
- HeySunday Laundry Detergent Sheets
- Tru Earth Laundry Detergent Sheets
- Molly Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder
Before reviewing them, it's good to know what clean detergents are in case you want to head to the market for other options beyond those mentioned here.
What Are Clean Detergents?
Clean detergents, often referred to as eco-friendly or non-toxic detergents, are laundry formulas that use mostly natural ingredients instead of toxic synthetics. Some come without fragrance, as scented laundry products often contain phosphates, dyes, optical brighteners, and surfactants that harm waterways and sometimes irritate the skin. Like Jasmine's. Some eco-friendly laundry detergents come in non-plastic containers.
Clean detergents prioritize plant-based and biodegradable or at least non-toxic ingredients. The goal is to clean your clothes without harming you or the planet.
How to Identify an Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
This one is a bit tricky, as different brands prioritize different things. While some may focus on natural ingredients and non-plastic packaging, others may simply be about using safe products that do not irritate, even though they're not all natural.
That said, here's what you want to look out for:
Overall Environmental Impact
Take a look at the packaging, production process, shipping, etc. Visiting the brand's website can provide insight into their practices. Is the packaging recyclable? Even though it's a plastic bottle, if it's refillable, that's not so bad.
Gentle Ingredients
A clean detergent should be devoid of phthalates or any ingredient that can potentially cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Are there petroleum-based ingredients or 1-4 dioxane on the list? You want to avoid these as they can poison our waterways. That's not clean in the slightest. A clean detergent should have a simple, non-complicated formula. Even if it is scented, the fragrance should be from natural ingredients.
Cleans Well
While it's good for a laundry detergent to be eco-friendly, that's useless if it doesn't even clean your dirty clothes. In fact, not all eco-friendly detergents work very well for stain removal.
Certification
If you're in doubt, look out for certification. Eco-friendly detergents usually carry eco-label certifications like EPA, Green Seal, ECOLOGO, EU Ecolabel, and USDA Organic to indicate their friendliness.
But don't be fooled, as there's a lot of greenwashing out there.
Being biodegradable, using non-toxic ingredients, recyclable packaging, and sustainable production are typical ways a laundry detergent can be eco-friendly.
6 Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents
1. Blueland Laundry Detergent Tablets
Blueland is one of the best eco-friendly laundry detergents on the market right now. And there are many reasons for this conclusion.
Blueland is a plastic-free detergent made with plant and mineral-based ingredients, making it a super clean laundry detergent.
And packaging? Blueland detergent comes in plastic-free, space-saving reusable tins. And the detergent tablets are great even for tough stains.
The tablets are made without VOCs and chlorine, and they're Cradle to Cradle Certified, which means they meet five categories of sustainability performance.
Technicalities aside, I love that Blueland is not a powdered or liquid laundry product. This means no spills or mess. You just toss a tablet in the wash.
If you're not a fan of fragrance, consider using Blueland Free & Clear, which is unscented. There’s also a scented option if you prefer some nice post-laundry fragrance.
2. The Unscented Company
Although not a very popular brand, The Unscented Company meets high standards as a clean laundry detergent. Made with biodegradable, plant-based ingredients, free of fragrance, phosphates, and dyes, and coming in a 10L refillable container and cardboard box, this detergent ticks several boxes when it comes to eco-friendliness.
Note that it is a liquid detergent. So if form is a deal-breaker for you, this might not be your thing. If you like fragrance too, The Unscented Company won't cut it for you. But being fragrance-free also means you don't have to worry about whether the fragrance is toxic. This detergent is clean as can be.
When it comes to actually cleaning fabrics, this detergent holds up well.
All of these are reasons why The Unscented Company is so high up on my list of best non-toxic detergents.
3. Dropps Laundry Detergent
The first thing I fell in love with about Dropps was its ease of use. Coming in tiny pods, Dropps laundry detergent eliminates the hassle of scoops and spills, as is frequent with powder and liquid detergents. Just toss in a pod with the load and you're good. Many reviewers appreciate the subtle, airy scent that fills the nostrils right after the washer is opened once the spin stops. Not an overpowering synthetic fragrance. Just genuine cleanliness.
Dropps detergent leaves your fabrics soft and with no residue, which is impressive because some pods leave a weird film.
One downside to Dropps is that it's not particularly impressive for dealing with stubborn stains. However, you may counter this by using two pods per load instead of one, or pre-treating the garment before tossing it in the wash.
Dropps eco-friendly detergent pods come in compostable and recyclable paperboard packaging. No phthalates, parabens, phosphates, or dyes, making it a clean laundry detergent.
4. HeySunday Laundry Detergent Sheets
Besides HeySunday being a little bit pricier than the top picks above, it's hard to find anything wrong with this product.
HeySunday laundry sheets are made with clean plant-based ingredients, have plastic-free paper packaging that looks like an envelope, with fragrance-free varieties, making them one of the most eco-friendly laundry products available.
When it comes to laundry time, HeySunday performs well even in cold water.
There are two options: Ocean Breeze and Fragrance-Free. Even the fragrance of the Ocean Breeze variant is very subtle and nice, not overwhelming or "perfumed," which is a good thing. In short, HeySunday is an exceptionally eco-friendly laundry detergent.
Price: $25 for 60 laundry sheets
5. Tru Earth Laundry Detergent Sheets
Many users who have tried various eco-friendly detergents agree that Tru Earth is one of the best there is.
Firstly, Tru Earth detergent comes in fully recyclable paper packaging, meaning it's absolutely zero waste. If you want to be even more eco-conscious, it's nice not to let these recyclable papers go to waste. Please add them to the designated recycling bins near you after use.
Tru Earth does a great job of removing stains and will leave your clothes feeling clean.
Even in cold water, Tru Earth detergent sheets dissolved pretty well. The packaging is also very storage-friendly and portable. This is a plus if you travel a lot.
If minimalism and sustainability are your top priorities, Tru Earth is an excellent eco-friendly detergent to stock up on.
6. Molly Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder
If you're a fan of simple, clean formulas, Molly Suds will win your heart. The ingredient list is pretty short (just five), mostly mineral-based, with no strange or complex compounds. It's a super clean detergent, not just because they say so, but because most users agree.
Molly Suds is devoid of any harsh chemical smell or irritation. It just feels gentle and calm. The peppermint version adds a subtle, natural scent, but there's an unscented option too.
The downside? It does come in a plastic sachet, which compromises its sustainability. Interestingly, Molly Suds acknowledges this weakness, and they mentioned on their website that they're still working on finding a more eco-friendly packaging.
Another issue I find with this product is that it doesn't have as much cleaning power as most of the ones above it. That doesn't mean it doesn't clean stains at all — all you have to do is pre-treat the stubborn stains first. I know this isn't very convenient if you're strapped for time.
That said, Molly Suds deserves a spot as one of the best clean detergents you can get your hands on.
Benefits of Clean Detergents
They're Better for Your Skin
Like I said at the beginning of this article, my friend Jasmine often got itchy after laundry. But ever since she switched to eco-friendly detergents, it has been a different story altogether. That's because clean detergents are non-toxic — they are devoid of harsh chemicals like synthetic fragrances, phosphates, phthalates, and dyes, materials that cause irritation and allergies.
They Reduce Plastic Waste
Think about those giant plastic jugs in your laundry room. Or maybe you throw each one out as soon as it's empty. Most end up in landfills and remain in the environment for millennia. In contrast, eco-friendly detergents often come in biodegradable or recyclable containers, helping you reduce waste.
Minimize Water Pollution
Traditional detergents contain toxic synthetic materials. When you wash, they find their way into the septic tank and may clog drains, but that's even the least of our worries. Wastewater from laundry can flow into waterways and harm aquatic life, thanks to the toxic residue from your detergents. But this problem doesn’t exist with clean detergents as the ingredients are natural.
Best part? You don't lose cleaning power. Many people hold this misconception about eco-friendly detergents, believing they have to compromise on cleaning power in order to stay sustainable. But that's not true.
Did you know that baking soda is a natural, biodegradable, and eco-friendly ingredient? Yet it is a potent cleaning agent. If that's the case, why then is there a misconception that synthetic detergents clean better than natural ones?
It's just a false idea. The thing is, eco-friendly detergents are usually more expensive than regular ones, due to their mindful production and concentrated form. But I find that this is a benefit, because the concentrated formulas mean I get to use a small amount per load. This means the eco-friendly detergent lasts longer, making it more cost-effective than traditional ones in the long term.
If by chance you end up with a non-toxic detergent with lower cleaning power (we have to admit, even some traditional detergents have this same issue), all you have to do is pre-treat those stubborn stains before the wash.
Final Words
Each of the brands I mentioned has its pros and cons, but by now, you must have grasped the value of switching to eco-friendly detergents. And hopefully, you’ve found one that aligns with your needs and values.
Blueland is a great choice of clean detergent, and they have a Laundry Essentials Kit that includes the Blueland Laundry Detergent Tablets, Oxi Laundry Booster stain-remover, and Dryer Balls to help reduce wrinkles. What's more, they're currently offering a 16% discount.
But hey, feel free to use something different. Whatever that is, as long as it's a step towards a healthier you and a healthier planet, that's good enough!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What laundry detergent is the most environmentally friendly?
Dropps, Blueland, and EarthBreeze are among the most eco-friendly detergents because they use plant-based, biodegradable ingredients and come in plastic-free packaging. They also clean your clothes well without releasing harmful chemicals into our waterways.
Is Ariel environmentally friendly?
While Ariel has some “eco” labeled options, most of their detergents contain synthetic ingredients and come in plastic sachets, so it’s not a truly environmentally-friendly detergent brand.
What is the healthiest laundry detergent to use?
The healthiest detergents are non-toxic ones made from natural plant-based ingredients without synthetic fragrances. They include Blueland, The Unscented Company, and HeySunday. These detergents are gentle on skin and safe for people with allergies.
What is the most eco-friendly way to wash clothes?
The most eco-friendly way to wash clothes is to use cold water, run full loads, and choose a clean non-toxic detergent. Also, try to wash less frequently. You don’t have to wash every garment after a single use.
How often should you wash clothes?
Not every garment needs a wash after one wear. Items like jeans or sweaters can be worn multiple times unless they’re stained or you sweat a lot. Read this blog on how often to wash your clothes.
Do eco-friendly detergents really clean well?
Interestingly, modern eco-friendly detergents clean just as effectively as conventional laundry products, especially for everyday dirt and stains. For stubborn stains, you may need to pre-treat, which you equally do with conventional detergents.
Can eco-friendly detergents remove tough stains?
Some very good eco-friendly detergents can remove stains, but stubborn stains might still need a little pre-treatment or a natural booster like baking soda.
Are eco-friendly detergents safe for sensitive skin?
Synthetic dyes and harsh fragrances usually affect people with sensitive skin. But most clean detergents skip synthetic dyes and harsh fragrances, making them safe on sensitive skin.