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The 7 Best Green Laundry Detergents of 2024

Go green with our top laundry detergent picks

Collage of the Puracy Laundry Detergent three pack on a green patterned background

The Spruce / Brian Kopinski

Having a laundry detergent to remove stubborn stains is pretty essential during laundry day. But, in today's Earth-friendly climate, another equally important feature is to look for a soap that contains less chemicals. If you’re looking to use eco-friendly ingredients, green laundry detergents may be the perfect answer. 

“Green cleaners and detergents have demonstrated over and over to work just as effectively as their conventional counterparts,” explains Sydney Swanson, healthy living science analyst for the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an independent organization that rates and shares data about green cleaning products.

To find the best green products out there, we evaluated each product’s ingredients, level of impact on the environment, and how effective it worked.

What is green cleaning?

Green cleaning is the process of using cleaning methods, products, and solutions to reduce the introduction of harmful chemicals into the environment and your home. Greener cleaning products contain fewer chemical ingredients that irritate the skin, damage clothing, or pollute the air and waterways. It is recommended to always read labels carefully. While green detergents may also be labeled as organic, clean, or eco-friendly, they may contain components that may clog delicate septic systems or potentially aggravate skin.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent

Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent

Amazon

What We Like
  • Super-concentrated formula

  • Physician-tested

  • Refillable

What We Don't Like
  • Lack of lather

Our best overall pick is Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent. We love its plant-based, enzyme-loaded, super-concentrated formula. It’s biodegradable and safe for greywater and septic systems, too. No need to worry about a measuring cap, because a pump bottle makes this very easy to dispense. Plus, it’s refillable, with one refill pack equaling three 16 fluid ounce bottles of detergent. 

What are green laundry detergents?

Green laundry detergents are often crafted from plant-based ingredients as opposed to synthetic ingredients, such as petroleum, phosphates, and parabens found in traditional laundry detergents. They may be biodegradable or contain ingredients which can lessen negative environmental impacts. 

Developed and tested in collaboration with chemists and physicians, Puracy’s Natural Laundry Detergent comes in two formulas, Fresh Linen and Free & Clear. We checked and both are free of chlorine, dyes, optical brighteners phosphates, sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS), and sodium laureth sulfates (SLES), and are cruelty-free and vegan.

While the Free & Clear doesn’t have any synthetic fragrances or perfumes, the Fresh Linen scent is made from essential oils and other plant-based materials. Plus, in a move to be transparent, Puracy offers an extensive list of ingredients it uses. That way shoppers can learn more about what they put into their products, offering some peace of mind. We noted that even though there may be a lack of suds, this brand of soap still ticks many of the boxes for a solid green laundry detergent.

Type: Liquid | Amount: 16 fluid ounces | Number of Loads: 64 | Scent: Free & Clear, Fresh Linen | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes

Best Budget

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Concentrated Laundry Detergent

Amazon

What We Like
  • EPA Safer Choice Certified

  • Free and clear option

  • Scented choices available

What We Don’t Like
  • Product may leak out of lid

  • No measurement markings in cap

Seventh Generation is one of the best-known brands when it comes to green and eco-friendly products, so it's no wonder why our research landed on its Liquid Laundry Detergent. Offering both scented and free and clear formulas, all have zero optical brighteners, gluten, synthetic fragrances, phosphates, or dyes. The Free & Clear formula is especially great for those with sensitivities, as it contains no fragrances. If your nose prefers a scented option, you'll also find plenty of choices here, including Fresh Citrus and Fresh Lavender.

The 40-ounce bottle will yield approximately 53 loads, so you'll find value here, too. As an EPA Safer Choice Certified and USDA Certified Biobased Product, Seventh Generation’s Liquid Laundry Detergent formulas are both biodegradable and septic-safe. Two noteworthy drawbacks, though: The cap may cause the product to leak onto the outside of the bottle, and a lack of lines inside the cap makes it more difficult to measure precisely.

Type: Liquid | Amount: 40 fluid ounces | Number of Loads: 53 | Scent: Free & Clear, Fresh Citrus, Fresh Lavender, Sage & Cedar | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes

Best Smelling

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Lavender Laundry Detergent

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Laundry Detergent

Amazon

What We Like
  • Phthalate and paraben-free

  • Carries a line of cleaning products with matching scents

  • Lots of scent variety

What We Don’t Like
  • Fragrances may cause skin irritation

For those who like scented detergents, but lean away from synthetic fragrances, look no further than the liquid laundry detergents by Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day. We've long been fans of the brand and have tested it both at home and in our lab. This popular laundry detergent is made from plant-based materials and essential oils. Like the rest of the brand's products, the formulas are cruelty-free. The delightful scents run the gamut from flowers to herbs and woods. As our best smelling option, we love the well known lavender scent, but you can also select peony, honeysuckle, basil, or even lemon verbena. The brand also carries dryer sheets and fabric softener in matching scents.

With approximately 64 loads per bottle, this concentrated formula allows for less soap per wash. The brand recommends using 1/2 of a capful for most loads of laundry. For an especially large load, it suggests using 3/4 of a capful. In our lab tests, we tried out these recommendations on an average-sized load of clothes that had normal daily wear, as well as loads full of towels and sheets. The verdict? We found that everything came out clean and smelling amazing, which is why we're sure this is the best smelling option out there. The detergent is also paraben and phthalate-free, without any artificial colors, phosphates, ammonia, or chlorine. Just note: As plant-based materials and essential oils may irritate skin, you might want to test first for those with sensitivities and allergies. We were also pleased to find that Mrs. Meyer's bottles are fashioned from at least 30 percent post-consumer plastic.

Type: Liquid | Amount: 64 ounces | Number of Loads: 64 | Scent: Basil, Birchwood, Honeysuckle, Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Peony, Rain Water | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes

Best Powder

Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder

Charlie's Soap Fragrance Free Laundry Powder

Amazon

What We Like
  • Small amount needed per load

  • Removes stains

  • Convenient and easy to use

What We Don't Like
  • Multiple rinses may be needed

  • May clump in cold water

Powdered detergents are optimal for set-in stains and deep dirt, which is why we looked for a solid powdered option. Our vote is for Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder, in which the main ingredient is sodium carbonate or washing soda. The detergent is tough on stains, including grass, red wine, and grease.

As a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free option, Charlie's is good for those who have sensitivities to fragrances. Using about a tablespoon of powder per load, we think there's value here, too. Certified by the EPA’s Safer Choice program, Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder is free of sodium lauryl sulfates and is safe for septic systems. Just know that with a powdered soap, multiple rinses may be needed and the powder may clump in cold water.

Type: Powder | Amount: 1.3 pounds | Number of Loads: 50 | Scent: Unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes

Best Free & Clear

Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergents

Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergents

Amazon

What We Like
  • Dye and fragrance-free

  • EPA Safer Choice Certified

What We Don't Like
  • Product leaks out of lid

  • Measuring cup lid doesn’t fit

Free and clear detergents are a great choice for those that have skin sensitivities or allergies. In any case, we love Dirty Labs Bio Free & Clear Laundry Detergent. In fact, it's even earned the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. To earn this distinction, products are voluntarily submitted for a thorough evaluation by the NEA’s panel of experts, allergists, and dermatologists to determine a product’s fitness for those with the condition. 

This concentrated formula is free from bleach, sulfates, dyes, optical brighteners, and parabens. It's also safe for septic systems. and it's vegan and cruelty free. Dirty Labs Bio Free & Clear Laundry Detergent is also a USDA Biobased Certified Product and is certified by the EPA’s Safer Choice program. Plus, its packaging is plastic-free and the aluminum bottle is recyclable.

Two points to note: This bottle is significantly smaller than the average bottle of detergent at 8.6 fluid ounces. The measuring cup might not fit properly onto the container, which may cause the product to leak onto the outside of the bottle. Still, we think it might be worth the trouble, if you're looking for a quality free and clear option.

Type: Liquid | Amount: 8.6 fluid ounces | Number of Loads: 32 | Scent: Free & Clear (Fragrance Free) | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes

Best Sheets

Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets

Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets

Amazon

What We Like
  • No plastic packaging

  • Space saving

  • Portable

What We Don't Like
  • Product may not dissolve completely

  • Higher product usage possible

A fairly new product in the marketplace, Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets are basically detergent in a dehydrated form, similar to dryer sheets. Easy to dispense, you can use a half sheet, a whole sheet, or several sheets, depending on the size of your load or stain treatment needed. Earth Breeze Eco Sheets are meant to easily dissolve in water. But our research shows the sheet may not dissolve completely. To solve this problem, Earth Breeze recommends tearing the product into smaller pieces when adding to your laundry.

Free of phosphates, paraben, bleach, and phthalates, Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets are biodegradable, cruelty free, and tested by dermatologists. The compact product and packaging are great for those avoiding bulky plastic bottles, have limited storage space, or need to take detergent with them while traveling.

Type: Sheet | Amount: 30 count | Number of Loads: 60 | Scent: Fragrance Free, Fresh Scent | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes

Best Pods

Dropps Laundry Detergent Pods

Dropps Stain and Odor Laundry Detergent Pods

Amazon

What We Like
  • Space saving

  • Compact

  • No measuring

What We Don't Like
  • Multiple packs needed for larger loads

Dropps Laundry Detergent Pods comes in several formulas geared toward specific laundry needs, so if you have particularly malodorous or heavily-stained clothing, Stain & Odor may do the trick. As a single-use product, all you need to do is drop it into your washer’s detergent dispenser. There's no need to measure and no messy liquid to clean.

Vegan and cruelty free, this formula is free of sulfates, phosphates, dyes, optical brighteners, and parabens. Packaged in cardboard, the pod itself is made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), which is soluble in water. Enzymes are added to assist with getting out deep, set-in stains, and the pods come in both unscented and unscented options. The product itself is small, so you may have to use more than one pod in order to yield enough detergent.

Type: Pod | Amount: 32 count | Number of Loads: 32 | Scent: Clean & Crisp, Lavender Eucalyptus, Orange Blossom, Unscented, | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes

Final Verdict

Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent takes our best overall spot for the best green laundry detergent because of its multiple amenities. It's biodegradable, safe for septic systems, free from sulfates, has minimal packaging, is easy to dispense, and has both scented and free and clear options. As our best budget option, Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent also comes in both scented and free and clear formulas. It's EPA Safer Choice Certified, and the 90-ounce bottle will yield approximately 60 loads.

What to Look for in a Green Laundry Detergent

Types of Detergent

As with other laundry detergents, green laundry detergents are available in powder, pod, sheet, and liquid form.

  • Liquid detergents are wonderful for hand-washing or pretreating laundry. Caps on liquid detergent bottles can be used as measuring cups, which allow for easy portioning. Our best overall pick is Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent, which offers a liquid, plant-based, enzyme-loaded, super-concentrated formula.
  • Powdered detergents are stellar for stains, but the product may clump in cold water. To avoid this from happening, you can dilute the product in water or put the product in the washer before adding garments. If clumping occurs, you may need to run another rinse cycle to remove residue. Our best powder pick is Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder, in which the main ingredient is sodium carbonate or washing soda.
  • Pods or single-use packs are pre-measured and ready to toss in your washing machine.
  • Sheet-style laundry detergents are also good for those who want a pre-measured product and will dissolve in water during the washing process. 

Always gauge recommended product amounts against the size of your load and adjust accordingly. Regardless of preference as to which type of green laundry detergent you use, be sure to carefully consider any ingredients listed.

Cost

The cost per load can be determined by taking the package price and dividing it by the numbers of loads listed. For example, if a detergent is priced at $15 yielding 40 loads per container, this is about $0.38 per load. While many detergents are portioned for an average load, a larger load or items with heavier stains may mean more product needs to be used.

Single-use packs/pods and sheet-style detergents can eliminate the need to measure, however they are designed for small-to-average loads. As with powders and liquids, heavier stains or larger loads may need additional product, so these may not always be the most economical choice.

Ingredients

Always check ingredients that can be deemed harmful to humans as well as the environment. Sulfates, petroleum, and phosphates are known to be harmful to both and are often found in many cleaning and other household products. Be sure to examine the surfactant, or the agent in many detergents that helps loosen dirt from fabrics, advises Dr. Chris Adigun, a board-certified dermatologist with the Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “The key difference between green/eco-friendly and traditional laundry detergents are whether the surfactants are plant-based (green) or petroleum-based (traditional)," she says.

  • Plant-based surfactants are often made from biodegradable materials, such as olive, coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils.
  • Petroleum-based surfactants [such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)] biodegrade very slowly, if at all.
  • Phosphates can lead to problems in the ecosystem and can be waterway pollutants.
  • Fragrances and dyes, which can be found in both traditional and green detergents, may be irritating to the skin. 

Certifications

When it comes to selecting green products, you need to know that there is no standard or legal definition of a “green” laundry detergent. While some manufacturers disclose the entirety of a product’s ingredients, others may not, as it is not required under law in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a list of products through their SaferChoice website, which includes detergents, and other types of cleaning products. 

The EPA does have standards, and laundry detergents that meet their criteria can have the Safer Choice Label on their packaging, explains Dr. Adigun. In order to carry this label, the detergent must contain ingredients on the EPA’s designated Safer Chemical Ingredients List that have been shown to be safer than traditional detergent chemicals. Similarly, there are some detergents that carry the USDA Organic seal. These detergents must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients, be free of synthetic phosphates, and be biodegradable.

Scented vs. Unscented

Green laundry detergents can be scented or unscented, but people with chemical sensitivities should be cautious. "Fragrance is an umbrella term that can include up to 4,000 unnecessary chemicals added to a product," advises Sydney Swanson, a healthy living science analyst for the Environmental Working Group. Swanson adds that this includes masking scents that cover other fragrances to make them seem unscented. While we love Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Laundry Detergent as our best smelling green option, we also understand that scented products may not be ideal for those with sensitivities or allergies to synthetic and/or plant-based fragrances (often made from essential oils).

Packaging and labels that list a single ingredient as its fragrance may actually be a combination of several scents (including those made from synthetic materials), and sometimes other ingredients may be listed simply as fragrance or perfume.

Because manufacturers do not have to provide ingredients in their fragrance formulas, you can avoid any potential side effects or exposure by choosing fragrance-free, free and clear, or hypoallergenic products.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by freelance journalist and writer Katy Kostakis. In addition to her personal experience using eco-friendly cleaning and free and clear cleaning and laundry products, Kostakis researched and read multiple third-party reviews to find the best green laundry detergents in the marketplace.

Our Experts:

  • Sydney Swanson, healthy living science analyst for the Environmental Working Group (EWG)
  • Dr. Chris Adigun, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist with the Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  • Michelle Lau, editor for The Spruce