Top 6 Laundry Detergents without Harmful Ingredients

Most laundry detergents contain toxic substances such as 1,4 dioxane, SLS/SLES, parabens, phosphates, sulfates, synthetic dyes, and optical brighteners. These chemicals can be absorbed into your body through your skin, so it is crucial to avoid them.
We researched numerous brands, including All, Seventh Generation, Tide, Persil, Gain, Earthbreeze, Arm & Hammer, Charlie's Soap, Nellies, and more. Our assessment focused on two criteria: clean ingredients, to steer clear of dangerous chemicals, and cleaning power, to ensure effectiveness.
The top recommendation, ranking at #1, is CLEAN PEOPLE Laundry Detergent. This product cleans just as well as major brands but is free from 1,4 dioxane, SLS/SLES, parabens, phosphates, sulfates, synthetic dyes, optical brighteners, and other harmful substances. We make our own detergent at the clinic and at home but if that is not a feasible option for you, then CLEAN PEOPLE is my personal choice for home use due to its plastic-free composition.
Coming in at #2 is Molly's Suds, which, like CLEAN PEOPLE, is made from safe and natural ingredients. Molly's Suds offers a laundry powder format that demonstrated good cleaning power in our tests. While it may be slightly less convenient than CLEAN PEOPLE's strip, it still outperforms liquid detergents and minimizes plastic use.
Seventh Generation secured the third spot. Their Free & Clear formula, though fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, includes ingredients we are cautious about, such as SLS and preservatives known to cause allergic reactions. The brand's use of recycled plastic in its packaging is commendable but still contributes to landfill waste.
All Free & Gentle landed in fourth place. Although it provides the cleaning power associated with the All brand, it contains synthetic ingredients like C12-15 PARETH-9, parabens, phosphates, and brighteners. Additionally, its plastic packaging and heavy weight contribute to environmental concerns and excessive CO2 emissions.
Finally, Dirty Labs deserves recognition for its effective product and environmentally friendly aluminum containers. However, due to its high cost, it did not rank higher on our list.

At RHC, we have opted to make our own laundry detergent using a simple combination of Epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oils. There are several reasons why we have chosen this approach, and I will explain how it aligns with our goals of cleanliness, economy, non-toxicity, and affordability.

1. Cleanliness: Epsom salt and baking soda are known for their cleansing properties. Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) helps to remove dirt and oils from fabrics effectively, while baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer, eliminating odors from the laundry. By using these ingredients, we can ensure that our laundry comes out clean and fresh after each wash.
   
2. Economy: Making our own laundry detergent using simple and readily available ingredients like epsom salt and baking soda is a cost-effective solution. These ingredients are inexpensive and can be purchased in bulk, allowing us to save money on laundry supplies in the long run. As a clinic that washes several loads of laundry each day due to our massage therapy services, this cost-saving approach can have a significant impact on our budget.
   
3. Non-toxicity: One of our primary concerns is providing a safe environment for our clients and staff. By creating our own laundry detergent, we have control over the ingredients used, ensuring that no toxic substances or harmful chemicals come into contact with our laundry or potentially affect our clients' health. Epsom salt and baking soda are natural and generally recognized as safe, making them ideal choices for a non-toxic laundry detergent.
   
4. Affordability: In addition to being economical, our homemade laundry detergent is also affordable. The ingredients, such as epsom salt and baking soda, are widely available at low costs, making it a cost-efficient alternative to store-bought detergents. By using these simple ingredients, we can maintain the affordability of our laundry practices without compromising on cleanliness or safety.
   
5. Glass Jar Storage: To further promote sustainability and reduce plastic waste, we store our homemade laundry detergent in glass jars. Glass is a reusable and environmentally friendly material that helps maintain the freshness and quality of the detergent. Additionally, glass jars can be easily cleaned and sterilized, ensuring a hygienic storage solution for our homemade detergent.
   

By making our own laundry detergent with epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oils, we have found a solution that meets our clinic's specific needs. It allows us to wash multiple loads of laundry daily, ensuring cleanliness without compromising on safety or budget. This DIY approach gives us the freedom to control the ingredients, promote non-toxicity, and reduce our environmental impact by using glass jar storage.

To summarize, the top six non-toxic laundry detergents are:

1. RHC Recipe
2. CLEAN PEOPLE Fresh & Clean
3. Molly Suds
4. Seventh Generation
5. All Free & Clear
6. Dirty Labs

At our clinic, we have opted to make our own laundry detergent using a simple combination of epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oils. There are several reasons why we have chosen this approach, and I will explain how it aligns with our goals of cleanliness, economy, non-toxicity, and affordability.

1. Cleanliness: Epsom salt and baking soda are known for their cleansing properties. Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) helps to remove dirt and oils from fabrics effectively, while baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer, eliminating odors from the laundry. By using these ingredients, we can ensure that our laundry comes out clean and fresh after each wash.
   
2. Economy: Making our own laundry detergent using simple and readily available ingredients like epsom salt and baking soda is a cost-effective solution. These ingredients are inexpensive and can be purchased in bulk, allowing us to save money on laundry supplies in the long run. As a clinic that washes several loads of laundry each day due to our massage therapy services, this cost-saving approach can have a significant impact on our budget.
   
3. Non-toxicity: One of our primary concerns is providing a safe environment for our clients and staff. By creating our own laundry detergent, we have control over the ingredients used, ensuring that no toxic substances or harmful chemicals come into contact with our laundry or potentially affect our clients' health. Epsom salt and baking soda are natural and generally recognized as safe, making them ideal choices for a non-toxic laundry detergent.
   
4. Affordability: In addition to being economical, our homemade laundry detergent is also affordable. The ingredients, such as epsom salt and baking soda, are widely available at low costs, making it a cost-efficient alternative to store-bought detergents. By using these simple ingredients, we can maintain the affordability of our laundry practices without compromising on cleanliness or safety.
   
5. Glass Jar Storage: To further promote sustainability and reduce plastic waste, we store our homemade laundry detergent in glass jars. Glass is a reusable and environmentally friendly material that helps maintain the freshness and quality of the detergent. Additionally, glass jars can be easily cleaned and sterilized, ensuring a hygienic storage solution for our homemade detergent.
   

By making our own laundry detergent with epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oils, we have found a solution that meets our clinic's specific needs. It allows us to wash multiple loads of laundry daily, ensuring cleanliness without compromising on safety or budget. This DIY approach gives us the freedom to control the ingredients, promote non-toxicity, and reduce our environmental impact by using glass jar storage.