The Shift Towards Green Washing: 10 best eco friendly laundry detergent brands

As consciousness about the impact of our daily choices on the environment grows, we are increasingly looking for healthier and more sustainable options for the products we use every day. One area where this is particularly important is laundry detergents. Unlike many other household products, laundry detergent goes down the drain and into our water supply, where it can cause pollution and harm aquatic life. Moreover, the manufacturing of laundry detergent requires the use of harmful chemicals that can seriuosly damage the environment.

These chemicals can also cause skin irritation and respiratory problems in humans. As more people become aware of the potential risks posed by conventional laundry detergents, there has been an increasing demand for eco-friendly alternatives. These alternatives are often made with natural ingredients that are less likely to harm the environment or our health. In addition, many eco-friendly laundry detergents are just as effective as their conventional counterparts, making them a great choice for anyone looking to reduce their impact on the planet. In this blog post, we'll take a look at why using eco-friendly laundry detergent is important and what brands provide greener alternatives.

What are eco-friendly laundry detergents

It's important to be eco-friendly not just for the environment but for our own health. After all, the chemicals in many household cleaners can be quite harmful if ingested or inhaled. But what makes a laundry detergent truly eco-friendly? First and foremost, it should be biodegradable, meaning that it will break down naturally over time without causing environmental damage. It should also be free of optical brighteners, dyes, and artificial fragrances, which can be toxic. 

Additionally, eco-friendly detergents will generally contain less phosphate and chlorine bleach, and have a lower carbon footprint due to the weight to dosage ratio being lower. That means there is less carbon tied up in transport. Plastic packaging should also be avoided as we already know how damaging plastic can be.

When shopping for eco-friendly detergents, look for products that meet these criteria to ensure you're making the best choice for both your health and the environment.

Benefits of using eco friendly laundry detergent

More effective

Traditionally, most detergents have been made from synthetic materials. These ingredients can be harsh on both delicate fabrics and sensitive skin. In addition, they can pollute waterways and damage ecosystems. Fortunately, there is a more sustainable option: organic detergents made out of plants. 

These natural ingredients are gentle on fabric, and they have been shown to be more environmentally friendly than their counterparts in industrial nations. So, next time you do the laundry, reach for an organic detergent and feel good knowing that you're making a difference.

Hypoallergenic

You'll find all sorts or detergents that can be harsh on human bodies and cause allergic reactions in some people - especially those who are already prone towards allergies! Eco-friendly laundry detergents do not use any synthetic chemicals; they're also hypoallergenic, meaning your family won't get hives from using them either (unless there's an individual allergy). On top these benefits come at low prices so even more reason why everyone should look into what kind would work best based off personal needs.

Available in custom scents

Eco-friendly laundry detergents are artificial fragrance free. Eco-friendly detergents are available in a variety of different fragrances! If you're looking for a particular scent in liquid detergent or powdered laundry detergent, you may even be able to find a detergent that is customized to your liking. 

And unlike conventional detergents and soaps, which often contain artificial fragrances, most eco-friendly options use natural scents derived from flowers or other botanical plants and infused with essential oils. So not only are you doing your part to protect the environment by using an eco-friendly product, but you're also getting the added benefit of a pleasant smelling laundry!

Reduce water pollution

The average household goes through a staggering amount of laundry detergent each year, much of which ends up in our waterways. Traditional laundry detergents are loaded with harmful chemicals that can be toxic to aquatic life. Phosphates, for example, are a common ingredient in laundry detergent that can lead to high levels of algae growth in lakes and rivers. This can cause major problems for fish and other wildlife. In some areas, the use of phosphates in laundry detergent is even banned.

Using a natural laundry detergent is just as effective as traditional detergents but without the harmful side effects. These eco-friendly laundry detergents are usually made from natural ingredients like soap nuts or enzymes and are free of harmful chemicals like phosphates, chlorine bleach or parabens. And because they don't contain any toxic chemicals.

10 eco-friendly laundry detergent brands

As consumers become more aware of the environmental impact of the products they use, many brands are now offering eco-friendly alternatives. Laundry detergent is one area where this is becoming increasingly common, as harsh chemicals in traditional detergents can have a negative impact on the environment. There are now a number of different eco-friendly laundry detergent options available, including powder, liquid and pods. 

These products are usually made from natural ingredients and come in sustainable or recyclable packaging. This means that you can choose the option that is most convenient for you, without compromising on your commitment to protecting the environment. Let's take a look at some eco friendly laundry detergent brands to help make your laundry routine greener.

Laundry Detergent Pods | Dropps

Dropp's mission is simple: they want make products that work better than traditional cleaners while keeping up with modern trends in customer satisfaction--and all this through natural ingredients that are dye-free, phthalate free, phosphate free, bearing no relation to animal testing. Compostable cardboard packaging helps keep single use plastics out of landfills so you can enjoy your clean living without worrying about toxins entering into our environment. 

Dropps laundry detergent comes in various categories like Stain and Odor laundry detergent pods, Sensitive skin laundry pods, and active wash detergent. Not only is it powerful, non-toxic and synthetic fragrance free, it comes with plastic free packaging and helps handle the stinkiest of odors!

On Dropps' website, you may view their full array of products.

Kind Laundry | Eco-Friendly Laundry Strips

At the heart of what Kind Laundry does is the belief that kindness is the most effective means of nurturing love among people. Sincerity is ingrained in their character and they believe in the power of it. Many of their choices are influenced by this in terms of our community, customers, brand, and product.

Kind Laundry laundry detergent sheets are a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional detergents on the market today. Their recyclable packaging has a far lower environmental impact.In addition, their laundry detergent sheets are produced using a recipe that primarily comes from plants, making it a valid alternative.

Eco-Friendly Laundry Sheets are the company's signature product. They come in two varieties—fragrance-free and ocean breeze—and can handle up to 60 loads.

Check out Kind Laundry’s eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets on their website!

Laundry Powder - 128 HE (64 Standard) Loads| Meloria

Meloria offers a line of environmentally conscious products that are made with the utmost care and concern for both customer health, as well their own company's wellness. By providing package-free options where possible to reduce plastic waste in our oceans - rather than using single use plastics like cups or bottles--they have helped make small changes towards bettering this world we call home.

Merloria Laundry Powder detergent is free of synthetic fragrances, dyes and preservatives. You can choose from the original Unscented option or choose between Lavender Lemon-Lavender and Clove scented options to make your washing experience more enjoyable! 

All ingredients used in making these products come with a guarantee that they will never contain any artificial chemicals - just natural ingredients that are vegan and cruelty free.

Branch Basics | Natural Laundry Detergent

Branch Basics plant-based cleaning products will replace harmful cleaning supplies, cut down on waste, and keep your home tidy. Although Branch Basics is a young business, it has already garnered praise from delighted consumers who adore the brand and value its efficient, human-safe, plant-based, eco-friendly laundry detergents.

Branch Basics is a fragrance-free, biodegradable cleaning product with non-toxic components that won't hurt you, your family, and the environment. It also has no dangerous preservatives. 

The components of Branch Basics are chamomile extract, purified water, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), sodium citrate (a food-grade emulsifier), sodium percarbonate, and sodium phytate. Coco-Glucoside and Decyl Glucoside are sugar-based cleansers.

They use ammonia-free liquid cleansers. Only biodegradable chemicals like sodium percarbonate and sodium bicarbonate are utilized in it; no hazardous preservatives are employed. 

You can read here our Detailed and Honest Branch Basics Review

Tru Earth | Natural Laundry Detergent sheets

A longtime entrepreneur with a passion for sustainability, Ryan McKenzie created the Canadian business Tru Earth in 2019. British Columbia serves as the company's home base. Its goal is to offer practical and economical green living solutions that contribute to environmental protection.

The Tru Earth laundry strip is the company's signature product and a secure substitute for conventional powder or liquid detergent. The Eco Strip is safe for both people and the environment because it is manufactured with natural substances and is fully biodegradable.

A wide variety of eco-friendly cleaning solutions are available from Tru Earth in addition to the Eco Strip, such as the eco-strip multi-surface cleaner, wool dryer balls, plastic-free stainless steel straws, reusable cotton mesh, and beeswax food wrappers. The business is dedicated to using only environmentally friendly, plant-based, and sustainable ingredients in all of its products.

One 3-gram Tru Earth laundry strip weighs 94% less than the 40 grams of detergent required for one load, making them environmentally friendly. These eco strips use a very small amount of transportation fuel, which lowers pollution.

There are several fragrances and load options for Tru Earth laundry strips. For those who are sensitive to fragrances, laundry strips are also available in fragrance-free varieties.

What Are Tru Earth Laundry Eco-Strips?

Tru Earth Laundry Eco-Strips are a sustainable alternative to traditional laundry detergent. Designed to save water, energy, and packaging. The laundry strips themselves are made from 100% biodegradable ingredients and are said to be gentle on both clothes and skin. In addition, the packaging for Tru Earth Laundry Eco-Strips is made from recycled materials and is completely recyclable.

You can read here our Tru Earth Laundry Strips, Honest Review and Analysis

Concentrated Laundry Detergent | Etee

From the earth, back to the earth!

100% biodegradable and naturally derived materials are what Etee aims to source. Even their packing tape is commercially compostable, regardless of whether it is used to seal the outside container or the interior components. At etee, their entire focus is on finding effective solutions to plastic pollution so that you can live more simply, sustainably, and in peace with the environment.

Their goal was to create a detergent that whitens and shines just as well as popular home products while not adding ANY plastic in landfills or waterways. Their idea was to concentrate laundry powder so that you only need one teaspoon for lesser washes and one tablespoon for heavy loads, modernizing an antiquated technique. The outcome is a very effective detergent that is safe for both the environment and your clothes.

Etee's Concentrated Laundry Detergent can be purchased on their website.

Dirty Labs | Biobased Enzyme Laundry Detergents

‍Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergents tackle dirty laundry with clean science. With Phytolase®, an unique enzyme cleaning innovation, stains are precisely targeted rather than fabrics for a more effective natural laundry detergent. Nontoxic. Biodegradable. The Septic Safe.

Their Bio Laundry Detergents are rapidly biodegradable, suitable for sensitive skin, and devoid of dyes, sulfates, parabens, and all California Prop. 65 chemicals. They are purposefully made using harmless, biobased ingredients.

Their Signature detergent is free of all EU listed fragrance allergies and has a delicate and opulent premium aroma with notes of magnolia, bergamot, and cedar. Made in the USA with pride. safe for septic systems.

Check out the Dirty Labs eco-friendly laundry detergent today!

Earth Breeze | Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent sheets

Earth Breeze is an environmentally conscious business with its headquarters in Medford, Oregon (USA). It creates items that are sustainable and kind to the earth.

The company primarily focuses on producing environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. Instead of a plastic container like other detergents, their laundry detergent sheet comes in a compostable cardboard package as part of their zero waste initiative.

Earth Breeze washing detergent is hypoallergenic and great for skin that is more sensitive. Since they have given their ingredients a lot of thought in regards to sustainability, you can be confident that when you use their products, you are minimizing harm to yourself and the environment. The majority of the components are also suitable for vegans. They do not subject their products to any form of animal experimentation.

The company's flagship item is Eco-Friendly Laundry Sheets. Two products are available on their website: eco-sheets and laundry detergent (1 pack and 12 pack).

You can read here our Honest review of Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets

Blueland | Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Going eco has never been easier, revolutionary plastic-free home essentials made to refill forever!

Blueland, a certified B Corporation, was founded to address a widespread problem: the desire of a cost-effective approach to clean our homes and reduce plastic waste. Since 2019, their goods have helped eliminate over 1 billion single-use plastic bottles from landfills and oceans. This fantastic company can help you drastically lower your plastic consumption.

All of their ingredients are chosen with the health of people and the environment in mind, and all of their packaging is recyclable, compostable, or both. Furthermore, they are Cradle to Cradle Certified.

With our extensive selection of plastic-free laundry essentials, you can tackle laundry day and get rid of the plastic-wrapped detergent pods. With their plastic-free Laundry Detergent Tablets, Oxi Laundry Booster, and Dryer Balls, you can get a thorough clean while cutting down on wrinkles, static, and drying time.

Discover Blueland's eco-friendly laundry detergent today!

Molly's Suds Natural Laundry detergent

Molly's Suds is a forward-thinking company that is committed to producing sustainable, natural, and chemical-free products. What sets Molly's Suds apart from other brands is their rigorous ingredient integrity. They only use 100% pure and natural ingredients in their products without any additives or dyes. As a result, their products are plastic free, synthetic fragrance free, and safe for both humans and the environment. In addition to being environmentally friendly, Molly's Suds products are also effective. 

Their natural ingredients are powerful enough to get the job done, without any of the harsh chemicals found in other brands. For consumers looking for a safe and sustainable option, Molly's Suds is the clear choice.

They offer everything from laundry detergent pods to artificial fragrance free options in laundry powder detergent that is safe for sensitive skin and babies.

Tips to make your laundry more eco-friendly

While using an eco-friendly natural laundry detergent is a great step towards helping preserve the environment, it alone isn't enough. Everything from the washing machines you use, are you using laundry detergent pods or liquid detergent, to how often you do laundry effects has an environmental impact. 

Do you want to make your laundry more eco-friendly, but don't know where to start? Fortunately, it's not difficult to make small changes that can have a big impact on the environment. We'll outline a few simple tips for making your laundry more sustainable. We hope you find these helpful!

Use energy efficient washing machines

The environmental standards for a washing machine are set by the Energy Star rating. This label measures how much energy it takes to complete one cycle and then compares that number with other models in order to find out who has done their part most efficiently! Consider purchasing appliances with energy labels higher than a C. The higher the label, the better, so if you want even more benefits from your purchase consider going up an extra step or two where possible. Choosing the right appliance can cut carbon emissions by 30%. Not only do these washing machines save energy and water, but cut down your utility bills by a significant amount!

Go Plastic free

The number of laundry jugs being discarded in America is staggering, with one billion going to landfills every year. Around 30% are recycled and the rest end up as trash or orbs that clutter our oceans! Not only do these plastic containers take up space in our bins, but they also leach harmful chemicals when heated during recycling processes. You can easily replace these laundry jugs with eco detergent strips.
Moreover you can use laundry detergents with zero waste packaging like laundry detergent pods, or a plastic free cardboard box if you're using powder laundry detergent.

Air Dry Clothes

Think about all the wasted energy that goes into your dryer each year. It's a real shame, because not only does it use almost three times as much power than hanging clothes outside - which is what most people do- but those emissions are also harmful to our environment! Skipping this step can save you some money in costs! Some homeowners associations don't allow hanging clothes outside, however Right To Dry has been organizing campaigns which defend hung-out drying as safe practice thus far.

Liquid laundry detergent vs Powder, which is greener?

Chances are, you have a preference when it comes to laundry detergent. But have you ever stopped to wonder why you prefer one type over another? It turns out that there are several factors to consider when choosing a laundry detergent, including cost, efficiency, and environmental impact. Although powder detergent is typically the most affordable option, liquid detergent is more efficient. This is because liquid detergent is already dissolved, so it doesn't need to be mixed with water before it can start cleaning your clothes. 

As for pods, they offer a happy medium between cost and efficiency. In terms of environmental impact, powder detergent has the advantage over liquid and pods because it doesn't require as much packaging. However, all types of laundry detergent can have a significant impact on the environment if they're not used properly. For example, using too much detergent can lead to harmful runoff, and washing clothes in water that's too hot can damage synthetic fibers. So, what's the best type of laundry detergent? 

Ultimately, it depends on the brand you're using and what type of ingredients they use. Let's take a look at some brands that offer greener alternatives to the traditional environmentally harmful brands.

Is Tide detergent eco-friendly?

As one of the world's leading manufacturers of laundry detergent, Tide has been criticized for their plastic waste and excess consumption of water during the production of detergents. Taking a step towards sustainable production, Tide has launched their new detergent Tide Pure Clean and is now committed to making a difference with every step in the product life cycle. That being said, Tide still has a long way to go making up for the years of plastic and water pollution but we’re hoping to see some positive changes. 

Conclusion

Every day, we use a variety of different products that have an impact on the environment. From the clothes we wear to the food we eat, our choices can either help or hurt the planet. Laundry detergent is one such product, and while it may seem like a small thing, choosing an eco-friendly option can make a big difference. Eco-friendly laundry detergents are made from natural ingredients that are gentle on both fabrics and the earth. They avoid harsh chemicals and pollutants, and they’re often packaged in recycled or recyclable materials. Best of all, they work just as well as conventional detergents – so you can keep your clothes clean without harming the planet. 

It’s important to be mindful of the products we use every day, and laundry detergent is no exception. By choosing eco-friendly cleaning products, you can help reduce your environmental impact, reduce water pollution and protect aquatic life while also keeping your clothes clean. So next time you’re shopping for a new box of detergent, make sure to look for a greener alternative – there are plenty of great options available today.