When moving into a cleaner lifestyle and transitioning products to cleaner brands, this was the absolute hardest for me to give up. Admittedly, I LOVE the smell of laundry! I used to do laundry even when it didn’t need to be done just so I could inhale the scent of fresh detergent. My laundry drug of choice? Gain. To this day, I can smell that detergent on anyone, anywhere, and the laundry addict inside me starts to salivate. 🤤
I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss the delicious scent of Gain, but after trying many different brands and scents, I’ve found a few that I really like, which has made the switch much easier. That said, if you’re someone like me who loves the powerful, fresh scent of Tide, Gain, or Bounce, you won’t find that same intensity in a clean laundry brand. It took me a while to come to terms with that, and I switched back and forth multiple times before permanently making the change.
Why I Finally Gave Up My Beloved Detergents
Commercial laundry detergents are filled with toxins that have been shown to disrupt respiratory function, cause cancer, and mess with hormones—not to mention their harmful environmental impact. Here’s a brief rundown of some of the chemicals commonly used in conventional laundry detergents and why they should be avoided:
- SLS/SLES: Originally used as a garage floor degreaser, these chemicals can inflame eyes, skin, and lungs, damage internal organs, and harm the environment.
- Phosphates: Linked to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and death. Also harmful to marine life.
- Formaldehyde: Classified as a probable carcinogen by the EPA and known to increase cancer risk even at low exposure.
- Chlorine Bleach: A strong skin and lung irritant.
- Ammonium Sulfate: A toxin that manufacturers recommend avoiding indoors.
- Dioxane: A known carcinogen since 1988 that can target internal organs.
- Optical Brighteners: Toxic to aquatic life, may cause skin and lung irritation, and can spontaneously combust.
- Fragrance & Dyes: Often contain undisclosed chemicals that can cause allergic reactions, hormone disruption, and even cancer.
(Sources: Natural Living Family and various studies.)
If you’re interested in switching to a cleaner laundry brand, I have multiple to share with you over the next couple of weeks! Every review I post is purely my opinion, and I encourage you to try whatever sparks your interest and share any brands you’ve tried as well. Cheers to new suds and a cleaner laundry routine!
Clean Laundry Detergents I’ve Tried & Loved
Ingredients Matter! (Minnesota-Based!)
- EWG Rating: B
- Pros: Local to MN, cleans well, lavender scent smells fresh, coconut soap-based, gentle on skin.
- Cons: The lavender scent doesn’t carry through to the dryer, the powder is strong and can be irritating to open.
- Overall: A solid option, especially for locals!
Grab Green (What I use weekly)
- EWG Rating: B (Lavender/Vanilla or Vetiver), A (Fragrance-Free)
- Pros: Cleans well, comes in pods, lavender vanilla scent satisfies my need for fragrance.
- Cons: Requires two pods for large or heavily stained loads, contains “fragrance” on the label.
- Overall: My go-to for the past two years!
Better Life
- EWG Rating: A
- Pros: Cleans VERY well, biodegradable, hypoallergenic, effective stain removal.
- Cons: The unscented version smells like clay, and clothes have no scent post-dryer.
- Overall: Great for those prioritizing effectiveness over scent.
Whoa Nelli
- Pros: Small business, eco-friendly packaging, minimal static, light fresh scents.
- Cons: Scent doesn’t last post-dryer.
- Overall: A great sustainable option!
Buckaroo Organics Soapberry Suds
- Pros: Certified organic, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, softens fabrics naturally, removes musty smells.
- Cons: Completely unscented.
- Overall: Might be my new favorite!
Attitude Laundry (Rosemary & Lavender) – My Ultimate Favorite! I rotate between Grab Green and Attitude! (just to mix it up)
- This is hands down my top pick after testing multiple clean laundry brands. Attitude Laundry Detergent is EWG Certified, meaning it meets strict health and safety standards. It’s also biodegradable, vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly, making it a solid choice for anyone looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
- Pros:
- ✅ Cleans exceptionally well – even tough stains come out with ease.
- ✅ Scented with essential oils – I personally love the Rosemary & Lavender scent! It leaves clothes smelling fresh but not overpowering.
- ✅ Gentle on skin – perfect for sensitive skin and baby clothes.
- ✅ No harmful chemicals – free from phosphates, dyes, and synthetic fragrances.
- ✅ Eco-conscious brand – comes in recyclable packaging and is committed to sustainability.
- Cons:
- 🤷♀️ Honestly? I don’t have any major complaints. The only thing to note is that if you love super strong, lingering scents (like traditional detergents), this one is lighter. But for a clean, fresh-smelling load of laundry without toxic chemicals, this is a winner!
Other Clean Brands I’ve Tried (But Can’t Recall My Full Opinion On):
- Doterra Laundry Detergent (Not EWG rated)
- Ecover (EWG B)
- BioKleen (EWG A/B depending on scent)
- ECOS (EWG C)
- Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day (Not EWG rated)
Final Thoughts: If you’re thinking of switching to a cleaner laundry brand, be patient and try different options! It took me a while to find a brand I liked enough to make the change permanent, but I’m so happy I did.
Have you tried any of these? Do you have a favorite clean laundry detergent? Let me know!