Comparing “Non-Toxic” Laundry Detergents: Which Formulas Are Safer?
As a mother of three littles, my goal is to raise my kids as “cleanly” as possible. To the surprise of many, the one item that we common use in our household to keep our clothing “clean”, is an item that presents a list of toxic chemicals.
The term “non-toxic” is not a standardized guarantee for laundry detergents. A more useful approach is to compare the ingredients and certifications of individual products. For people trying to minimize potential irritants and unnecessary chemicals, fragrance-free formulas with transparent ingredient lists and credible third-party safety certifications are generally worth considering.
Seventh Generation Free & ClearNo fragrance, dyes, or optical brightenersPlant-derived surfactants, enzymes, and preservatives including benzisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinoneEPA Safer Choice; USDA Certified Biobased; Leaping BunnyStrong combination of certifications and fragrance-free formulation, but contains preservatives that may matter to people with specific sensitivities ATTITUDE Baby Leaves Extra Gentle UnscentedUnscentedPlant-derived formulation; marketed as 98.7% naturally derivedEWG Verified; vegan/cruelty-free claimsDesigned for gentle use, but “natural” percentage should not be treated as a safety ranking by itself
Molly’s Suds Original Unscented
Pros: No fragrance or essential oils in the unscented version; no synthetic dyes. Made with Sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium sulfate, and unrefined sea salt; making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. Not to mention, made without harsh chemicals, its also much better for our planet! Molly’s Suds was developed by a pediatric nurse and mom, and is made in the USA with domestic and imported ingredients that are certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny. One bag of laundry powder (79oz) can clean up to 120 loads. Molly suds has a variety of powder detergent scents, along side numerous liquid laundry detergent options.
Cons: Powder can be dusty during handling. Measuring lines on the liquid detergent cap are hard to see.
Molly’s Suds takes a notably minimalist approach. The manufacturer lists only four ingredients for its Original Laundry Powder: sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium sulfate, and unrefined sea salt, with the addition of a plant-based enzyme blend and fragrance/essential oils in scented versions. The company also states that the product contains no synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, phosphates, parabens, methylisothiazolinone, or formaldehyde, making the unscented powder particularly interesting for someone whose priority is minimizing the number of ingredients and avoiding added fragrance and certain preservatives. I have personally used the liqiud detergent for myself and my family, and love it.
ECOS Free & Clear
Pros: ECOS Free & Clear is another fragrance-free option and carries the EPA Safer Choice certification. Made without synthetic Fragrance, dyes, phthalates, and 1,4-dioxane, and lists only six ingredients: Sodium Sulfate (mineral-based builder), Sodium Carbonate (mineral-based water softener), Sodium Bicarbonate (mineral-based stain remover), Sodium Coco-Sulfate (plant-derived surfactant), Polyvinyl Alcohol (water-soluble coating), Enzymatic Blend (stain remover).
Cons: Contains methylisothiazolinone (MI). Although its presence does not mean the detergent is unsafe when properly formulated and used, MI is an ingredient that people with known preservative allergies or those deliberately avoiding isothiazolinones may want to exclude.
ECOS boasts plant-powered, sustainable laundry detergents…. and they deliver. The EPA Safer Choice certification is significant because it evaluates ingredients against human-health and environmental criteria rather than simply relying on marketing terms such as “natural” or “green.” ECOS not only offers a variety of laundry products, they also produce dishwashing soap, hand soap, household cleaners, and pet items. Similar to Molly Suds, ECOS is a Women Owned company with items made in the USA that are Leaping Bunny-certified, vegan, and never tested on animals.
Seventh Generation Free & Clear
Pros: EPA Safer Choice certified, fragrance-free, and free of dyes and optical brighteners. The concentrated version contains plant-derived cleaning agents, enzymes, and the preservatives benzisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone. Pods can be dissolved in all water temperatures and are a USDA Certified Biobased Product at 94%. All scented detergents are made from 100% Essential Oils and Botanical ingredients. Seventh Generation therefore offers a useful combination of fragrance avoidance, ingredient disclosure, and independent certification. Its enzymes can also provide stronger stain-cleaning capability than some minimalist formulas.
Cons: Someone specifically trying to avoid isothiazolinone preservatives should notice that Seventh Generation's concentrated Free & Clear formula contains both benzisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone.
Seventh Generation has been producing items made with plant based ingredients for over 30 years and is still going strong. Seventh Generation Free & Clear has been independently tested by Consumer Reports, noting that it did not detect the potentially concerning chemicals it specifically screened for, including 1,4-dioxane, certain heavy metals, phthalates, and phosphorus. Seventh Generation Free & Clear has fantastic user reviews, specifically noting it effectively cleans clothes, removes stains, and even works well on cloth diapers! Seventh Generation has offers a variety of products, including laundry, dishwashing, paper towels, and all purpose cleaners!
So, which are safer?
There isn't a scientifically valid single ranking in which one of these detergents can simply be declared “safest.” The better comparison depends on what you are trying to avoid.
If your priority is the shortest, simplest ingredient list: Molly’s Suds Original Unscented is the most minimalist of these options.
If you want an EPA-reviewed formulation: ECOS Free & Clear and Seventh Generation Free & Clear both carry EPA Safer Choice certification.
If you specifically want to avoid methylisothiazolinone (which can cause allergic reactions, including skin problems like contact dermatitis. It is also linked to more severe reactions in sensitive individuals, especially when used in high concentrations): the standard ECOS Free & Clear and concentrated Seventh Generation Free & Clear formulas are not good matches because their disclosed formulas contain it. Molly’s Suds Original Unscented does not list it.
If avoiding fragrance is the main concern: all four have unscented/fragrance-free versions, but it is important to verify the exact product because manufacturers often sell scented versions under the same product family.
If you want independent testing in addition to manufacturer claims: Seventh Generation has the advantage of having been included in Consumer Reports' testing, which found none of the specific chemicals it screened for at concerning levels.
Bottom line
For someone seeking a lower-exposure laundry routine, the most meaningful characteristics are usually fragrance-free formulation, transparent ingredient disclosure, avoidance of ingredients you personally know you react to, and credible third-party certification. Personally, these are all priorities for me and my family
“Plant-based,” “natural,” “hypoallergenic,” and “non-toxic” are useful marketing clues, but none of those phrases by themselves establishes that one detergent is safer than another. In particular, “natural” does not automatically mean non-irritating, and a detergent containing a preservative or enzyme is not automatically unsafe. In addition, the whole point of “doing laundry” is to get your clothing clean. We want all of the safe options…. and clean clothing.
DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on a product or service, and decide to purchase it, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All recommended products and services are based on my positive experience with them.
