I have a confession. I used to do laundry even when it didn’t need to be done just so I could smell the detergent. My laundry drug of choice was Gain and 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 it. But after learning what was actually in it I made the switch, went back, switched again, went back again, and eventually landed somewhere I am genuinely happy with. This post is for anyone in the middle of that same back and forth.
Why Switch in the First Place
Commercial laundry detergents are loaded with ingredients that have been linked to respiratory issues, hormone disruption, cancer, and environmental damage. Here is a quick rundown of the most common offenders:
SLS and SLES are the most common cleaning agents in conventional detergent. Originally used as a garage floor degreaser, they have been shown to inflame eyes, skin, and lungs, damage internal organs, and are toxic to the environment.
Phosphates have been linked to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and mineral poisoning in marine animals.
Formaldehyde is classified as a Class B1 probable carcinogen by the EPA. The CDC says exposure even at low levels increases your risk of cancer.
Chlorine Bleach is a well known skin and lung irritant found in many conventional formulas.
Ammonium Sulfate is an oral, skin, and respiratory toxin so toxic that manufacturers recommend not using it indoors.
Dioxane has been a known carcinogen since 1988. It causes inflammation of the skin, eyes, and lungs and can target the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system.
Optical Brighteners are eye, skin, and lung irritants that are toxic to aquatic life.
Fragrance is a legal loophole that allows brands to hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals under one word on the label. Many are known carcinogens, allergens, and endocrine disruptors.
Dyes are linked to unexplained allergies and rashes. Most are proven carcinogens and nearly all are endocrine disruptors.
And then there are the dryer sheets. Studies have linked conventional dryer sheets to hazardous air pollution, endocrine disruption, respiratory impairment, asthma attacks, and nervous system disruption. The compounds found in dryer vents from conventional dryer sheets have also been found in car exhaust. When I started working with a naturopath in 2017 the very first thing she told me to give up was laundry detergent and dryer sheets.
I listened.
What to Look For Instead
When shopping for a clean laundry detergent check it against EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning at ewg.org/cleaners — this is separate from their Skin Deep database and specifically evaluates cleaning products. Look for a score of A or B, or the EWG Verified mark for the strictest standard. Plant based surfactants, essential oil scents, and fragrance-free options are generally your safest choices.
One honest disclaimer before we get into the reviews: if you are a Gain or Tide person, I need you to manage your expectations going in. Clean laundry detergents will not smell the same. That commercial laundry scent you love is largely synthetic fragrance — the exact thing we are trying to avoid. It took me a long time to come to terms with that and I switched back more than once before I permanently made the change. But eventually I found brands I genuinely liked and the switch stuck.
The Brands I Have Tried
Ingredients Matter! (Minnesota-Based!)
- This is a local Minnesota brand that I really liked. EWG scores this product a B and there is low concern for developmental toxins, carcinogens, and environmental toxicity. The formula uses coconut soap as the main cleaning agent, various salts to soften fabrics, and is scented with lavender oil. If you are in Minnesota this one is worth supporting.
- Pros: Local to MN, cleans well, lavender scent smells good coming out of the dryer, made from coconut soap, did not cause any skin irritation.
- Cons: Although it is lavender scented the scent does not fully carry over into the dryer, larger or heavily soiled loads need an extra scoop, the powder is very fine and tends to fly up when you open the box — every single time. Also available on Amazon if you are outside Minnesota.
Grab Green (What I use weekly)
- This is the brand I have been using for years and still use today. I use the Lavender Vanilla and the Vetiver scents most often and I really love both. EWG scores the scented versions a B and the fragrance free version an A. Even though it is a B on the scented formulas it is still in the green range which I personally feel comfortable with.
- Pros: Cleans well, convenient pod format, available on Amazon, comes in multiple scents using essential oils, works as a 3-in-1 with cleaners, brighteners, and stain remover all in one pod, safe for newborns and babies, scent carries over into the clothing after drying.
- Cons: Large or heavily soiled loads may need two pods which adds up. The lavender vanilla scent does list fragrance on the label in addition to the essential oils so if fragrance is a hard line for you stick to the fragrance free version which scores an A. The scent on clothing fades within a day or two.
- My recommendation: The fragrance free formula for anyone with sensitive skin or a hard line on fragrance. The Lavender Vanilla for anyone who needs a little laundry scent to get through the transition — it is close enough to satisfy the inner detergent addict without the toxins.
Better Life
- EWG grades this brand an A. It is plant based and green certified by Whole Foods Market’s ECO-VALUE scale. They offer unscented along with scented options using essential oils or botanical extracts.
- Pros: Cleans really well, biodegradable, hypoallergenic, leaves clothing soft without fabric softener, gets stains out without pre-treating.
- Cons: The formula is very thick and I did not love the smell of the unscented version — it smelled like clay to me. The clothes came out clean but had no scent at all coming out of the dryer which was an adjustment.
Whoa Nelli
- This brand was started in 2013 by a husband and wife team with a mission to make healthy and sustainable products the norm. They offer a variety of cleaning products in eco-friendly plastic-free packaging. I tried both the Lemongrass and the Rosemary Mint and liked them both.
- Pros: Made for high efficiency washers but works in regular machines too, only a small amount needed per load, they offer samples on their website so you can try before committing to a full size, eco-friendly zero waste packaging, clothing came out clean and soft without fabric softener, minimal static without dryer sheets.
- Cons: The scent does not carry over into the clothing after drying, though the clothes do smell clean. Honestly that is my only complaint.
Molly’s Suds
- EWG grades this an A with only 5 ingredients: Sodium Carbonate sourced from the Green River Basin in Wyoming, Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Sulfate, Unrefined Sea Salt, and Organic Peppermint Oil. I tried the original powder and was surprised by how much I liked the peppermint scent — it is light and fresh, not like the peppermint candy you might be picturing.
- Pros: Only 5 ingredients, EWG A rating, cleans well, laundry smells fresh for a couple of days after washing, light refreshing scent.
- Cons: Very large or heavily soiled loads need an extra half scoop. I also found that if I used too much in a single load my skin would get itchy — I have sensitive skin and peppermint seems to irritate mine specifically. Worth noting that it did not bother my daughter at all.
- My recommendation: If you have sensitive skin try the fragrance free version rather than the peppermint to be safe..
Attitude Laundry (Rosemary & Lavender) – My Ultimate Favorite! I rotate between Grab Green and Attitude! (just to mix it up) (10% if you order through my link)
- This is my top pick after testing multiple clean laundry brands over the years and I do not say that lightly. Attitude is EWG Verified which means it meets the strictest health and safety standards EWG has — not just a passing score but fully vetted. It is also biodegradable, vegan, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.
- I personally use the Rosemary and Lavender scent and I love it. It is fresh without being overpowering which is exactly what you want when you are coming from a Gain or Tide background and trying to adjust your expectations around laundry scent.
- Pros: EWG Verified, cleans exceptionally well including tough stains, scented with essential oils only, gentle enough for sensitive skin and baby clothes, free from phosphates, dyes, and synthetic fragrance, eco-friendly recyclable packaging, available on Amazon.
- Cons: If you are someone who needs that strong commercial laundry scent to feel satisfied the essential oil scent will be an adjustment. It is noticeably different from Gain or Tide and that is the point — but worth knowing going in.
- My recommendation: Start here. If I had to point someone to one brand to try first this is it. The combination of EWG Verified status, genuine cleaning performance, and a scent that actually satisfies makes it the easiest recommendation I can make.
AspenClean Laundry Detergent Pods
- This is a newer brand worth knowing about. AspenClean carries the EWG Verified mark, meaning the product meets EWG’s strictest standards for health and safety, avoids any ingredients on EWG’s Unacceptable List, and provides full transparency of ingredients including fragrance. The unscented pod formula is plastic free, plant based, and available on Amazon. EWG
- Pros: EWG Verified — the highest possible standard, plastic free packaging, fragrance free, plant based, available on Amazon.
- Cons: Newer brand with less long-term personal testing on my end. Unscented only so not for anyone who needs a laundry scent to make the transition feel worth it.
- My recommendation: If EWG Verified is your non-negotiable and you want a pod format, this is your pick.
Branch Basics
- Branch Basics is a good choice if you want one non-toxic product that can handle laundry and most household cleaning tasks. It is fragrance-free, thoughtfully formulated, and especially appealing if minimizing products and simplifying your cleaning routine matters to you. The concentrate system means you buy one bottle and dilute it for different uses which cuts down on plastic waste and cost over time.
- Pros: One product handles laundry, dishes, bathroom, and general cleaning, fragrance free, highly concentrated so it lasts a long time, EWG friendly formula.
- Cons: Higher upfront cost for the starter kit. Fragrance free only so not for anyone in the transition phase who still needs a scent.
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.
Now About Those Dryer Sheets
Yes they are toxic too. Studies have linked conventional dryer sheets to hazardous air pollution, endocrine disruption, respiratory issues, and nervous system disruption. The compounds found in dryer vents from conventional sheets have also been found in car exhaust. The chemicals responsible for that fresh laundry smell you love coming out of the dryer are largely the same ones worth avoiding.
Wool Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls were the first alternative I tried back in 2017 and I still use them. They are made of 100% wool, attract lint, separate clothing to increase air circulation, and can reduce dry time. The honest truth about static: they do not fully solve it. Throwing in a ball of tin foil helps. Attaching a safety pin to one or two balls helps some. Neither is a perfect solution especially in a Minnesota winter or a dry climate. I have tried putting a drop of essential oil on the balls for scent and adding white vinegar to help with both static and softening. Your results will vary.
Grab Green Wet Dryer Sheets
These are what I use and recommend over dry dryer sheets. EWG scores the Grab Green Wet Dryer Sheets Fragrance Free a B which puts them in the green range. They are reusable and compostable which is a bonus. They do help with static more than wool balls alone in my experience. One thing worth knowing: the ingredient list includes benzisothiazolinone which is a preservative that can be an allergen for some people with sensitive skin. If you react to it try the wool balls only and skip the wet sheets. EWG
Attitude Laundry Sheets
These are cloth laundry sheets and I use them regularly. Attitude is EWG Verified across their laundry line which is the highest standard. The sheets are convenient, plastic free, and a great option if you want something simple with no measuring or pods. Static is still a reality with these but that is the honest truth about most clean alternatives.
The Bottom Line
If you are just starting out my advice is the same as it was when I first wrote about this: be patient and try different brands. It took me multiple switches before I found what worked permanently. Start with Grab Green pods if you want a scent, Molly’s Suds or AspenClean if you want the cleanest possible formula, and add the Grab Green wet dryer sheets or Attitude sheets alongside your wool balls for the dryer situation.
And if you miss the Gain smell — I get it. I really do. It gets easier.
All products mentioned are linked in my bio. Always verify current EWG ratings at ewg.org/cleaners before purchasing as scores can change when formulas are updated.