8 Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents, Tested by Cleaning Experts
They work better than you might think!
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Our top picks:
Switching to "eco-friendly" or better yet, plant-based, naturally derived or sustainable cleaning products that actually get the job done is easier today than it's ever been. Greener formulas have come a long way in recent years thanks to ingredients that clean better and packaging that cuts down on plastic waste. Laundry detergents are buzzing with innovations lately, from water-free detergent sheets and concentrated liquids to refills and plastic-free packaging. And healthy competition means the whole category improves while consumers and the environment benefit.
When we test eco laundry detergents in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we test them the same way we do all liquid, powder or packet laundry detergents. In our opinion, their performance should be on par with what we see from traditional formulas while providing environmental advantages. We evaluate how adept they are at removing our standard assortment of 20 food, makeup and other stains we apply to cotton and polyester fabrics. We also assess how well they whiten test swatches, how easy they are to dispense and use, how thorough and helpful the directions are and any safety precautions and eco claims on the label.
Pros
- Powerful cleaning
- USDA Certified 75% Biobased Product
- EPA Safer Choice certified
Cons
- Some reviewers didn't like the scent
Like all Tide formulas we've tested, Tide Purclean, a GH Seal star, was a top performer in GH Cleaning Lab stain removal tests. It worked well in hot, warm and cold water on our stained cotton test swatches. It's made without dyes, chlorine and optical brighteners and 75% of its formula is made with plant-based ingredients, but P&G doesn't stop there because going "green" is about more than just ingredients. Tide Purclean is produced at a zero-waste-to-landfill manufacturing site using 100% renewable wind power electricity, helping it secure our Best Overall spot.
Some reviewers said the honey lavender scent was not as they expected, but it comes in an unscented version as well. We also love the translucent cap that makes accurate measuring a cinch so you use the right amount every time.
Form: Liquid | Naturally derived: Yes, 75% | Cost per medium load: 51 cents | Has a scent-free version: Yes
Pros
- Refill comes in a recyclable paper carton
- Concentrated to use less
- Comes in two scents and fragrance free
Cons
- Need to purchase the glass bottle separately
Refills for dish soaps, multi-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners and more help reduce single-use plastic packaging. Simply keep one container that you refill over and over instead of buying and tossing a new one each time.
Cleancult uses this refill concept for its concentrated laundry detergent and at a cost of only 16 cents per medium load, we think it's a great value, even if you must buy the reusable glass bottle separately. In our GH Cleaning Lab tests, it did a very good to excellent job removing stains, especially coffee, wine, chocolate syrup and ink. We were so impressed with the performance of this new detergent concept that we gave it a Best Cleaning & Organizing Award. And while the formula is concentrated so you use less, it's also made with plant-based ingredients and the refills come in a unique, recyclable paper carton.
Form: Liquid | Naturally derived: Yes, 99.6% | Cost per medium load: 16 cents | Has a scent-free version: Yes
Pros
- EPA Safer-Choice certified
- Concentrated
Cons
- Struggled with oily stains
- Doesn't contain enzymes
Charlie's Soap is a North Carolina-based family-owned brand that's growing in popularity. We recently tested the liquid version of its laundry detergent with very good results, so we are comfortable recommending the powder here for those who prefer that form.
EPA-Safer Choice certified, Charlie's Soap Powder is free of dyes and brighteners and is only available unscented, so there are no added fragrances or perfumes — helpful for those with sensitive skin. In our stain tests, the liquid blasted through chocolate syrup, coffee and ink but struggled with oil and lipstick. The formula doesn't contain enzymes, so that could be why it was challenged by our oily stains. Still, consumers are pleased with it, the powder has an impressive Amazon rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 6,000 reviewers. According to the manufacturer, you can also use it to clean and remove residues from your machine.
Form: Powder | Naturally derived: Yes, % N/A | Cost per medium load: 28 cents | Has a scent-free version: Yes
Pros
- Amazing scents
- Pairs with Gain Botanicals Fabric Softener in matching scents
- Lists the ingredients on the label for transparency
Cons
- Struggled to remove spaghetti sauce and crayon stains
Gain detergents are well known for their incredible scents (fans of the brand are even called "Gainiacs") and this Botanicals variety upholds that tradition. It comes in the luscious and unique scents of orange blossom vanilla and white tea lavender that one of our experts called "heavenly!" But, it's more than just a pretty scent.
Gain Botanicals is a 65% USDA Biobased Product meaning 65% of its formula comes from plant materials. In our test, it cleaned better than many traditional formulas. It was the only detergent to remove tea completely from each swatch, and it did consistently well across all other stains, only challenged a bit by tomato sauce and crayon. It's made in a facility using 100% renewable wind power electricity, and we can't say enough about the translucent cap that makes measuring so easy.
Form: Liquid | Naturally derived: Yes, 65% | Cost per medium load: 42 cents | Has a scent-free version: No
| Form | Liquid |
| Plant-based | Yes |
| Cost per medium load | 42 cents |
| Has a scent-free version | No |
Pros
- Comes in a recyclable cardboard container
- Holds Leaping Bunny and Eco Cert certifications
- Lists ingredients on the label for transparency
Cons
- Expensive
We discovered the Aspen Clean brand when we tested its liquid laundry detergent for a previous Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards. Since then, we've been testing the powdered single-dose packs and have been equally impressed. In our tests, the packs held their own against traditional detergents and did a very good job on spaghetti sauce, chocolate syrup and wine stains. They were better at removing mustard than some traditional formulas.
Though pricier per load than some other detergents, we like Aspen Clean's sturdy, recyclable cardboard canister, its plant-based ingredients and that it contains enzymes like protease for tackling protein stains and amylase to break down starches and sugars, along with oxygen bleach for whitening. The test loads we washed were also subtly and pleasantly scented even after coming out of the dryer.
Form: Powder pack | Naturally derived: Yes, 99.9% | Cost per medium load: 56 cents | Has a scent-free version: Yes
Pros
- Dispenses pre-measured amount for one load
- Ultra concentrated
- USDA Certified 98% Biobased Product
Cons
- Bottle is plastic, but 100% recycled and recyclable
Well known for its environmentally-responsible products, Seventh Generation has long impressed us with its dishwashing liquid, foaming dish spray and concentrated multi-surface cleaner. And its EasyDose Laundry Detergent is no exception. In fact, it was a winner in our previous Good Housekeeping Sustainable Packaging Awards. This concentrated liquid formula cleaned well in our tests — even in cold water — and comes in a bottle that automatically pre-measures each dose when you squeeze it. One squeeze for medium loads and two for large or more heavily soiled loads. It eliminates the guesswork of how much detergent to add and avoids under- or over-dosing.
Kudos to Seventh Generation for being 98% biobased and disclosing the full ingredient list on the label, even the plant-derived fragrance in its rose scent version. Though the bottle is plastic, it's made of 100% recycled plastic (most others use around only 25%), and it is recyclable.
Form: Liquid | Naturally derived: Yes, 98% | Cost per medium load: 20 cents | Has a scent-free version: Yes
Pros
- Completely plastic-free
- Comes with an ingredient and first aid insert to keep in the tin for safety
- EPA Safer Choice and Leaping Bunny certified
Cons
- Some tablets may come broken
Blueland has made its mission to eliminate single-use plastics, and it's doing so in some very creative ways. Its laundry detergent tablets come in a compostable pouch that you pour into a "forever" tin. They are plant-based and fragrance- and dye-free with enzymes to tackle stains. The tin that holds the tablets is slim, easy to grab and comes with a tight-fitting lid. The tablets start dissolving as soon as the water hits them, even in cold water, and we didn't see any tablet remnants at the end of our test cycles.
Our overall cleaning test results with Blueland were good, and since our last review, the directions have been updated to advise using two tablets for large and heavily soiled loads. And no worries if some tablets in the pouch come broken. Blueland tosses in a few extras for good measure.
Form: Tablet | Naturally derived: Yes, 100% | Cost per medium load: 50 cents for starter kit with tin; 35 cents for refills | Has a scent-free version: Yes
Pros
- Easy to store and carry
- Removes stains and whitens better than other detergent sheets
- Claims to cut carbon emissions from manufacturing, chemistry and shipping
- A tree is planted with every purchase
Cons
- Dissolves more slowly than regular sheets
- Expensive
Detergent sheets are the new darlings of the eco laundry aisle because they eliminate plastic packaging waste, are lighter to ship, neater to store and more. However, in our last GH Cleaning Lab test of 20 brands, most didn't meet our expectations, except these from EC30 that are made without water, liquid stabilizers or fillers. The company claims to reduce CO2 emission impact from manufacturing, chemistry and shipping by up to 50% versus traditional liquid detergents.
In testing, EC30 was the top overall scorer among detergent sheets and the only one to make a dent in removing set-in spaghetti sauce stains. Since then, we've tested other brands, and EC30 is still a top scorer. EC30 also whitened fabrics as well as a traditional detergent but dissolved more slowly than other sheets. They are expensive, but you can save with a subscription. Safety precautions and a full ingredient list are prominently featured on the packaging.
Form: Swatch | Naturally derived: No | Cost per medium load: 87 cents (with subscription) | Has a scent-free version: Yes
How we tested the best eco-friendly laundry detergents
Just like we do with traditional detergents, we put eco or green detergents to work cleaning our standard swatch of 20 hand-applied stains.
We often test regular and eco detergents simultaneously and in the last few years have tested 59 eco liquids, packets and sheets. We smear everything from lipstick and ink to mascara and mud onto multiple cotton and polyester test swatches. After letting them set overnight, we wash the swatches in the test detergents in both warm and cold water, following the label directions for heavily soiled loads.
After washing, the stained swatches air dry and then we visually rate them under standard daylight conditions. We also use a special instrument that can see what our eyes can't to measure exactly how much of each stain is removed.
Besides cleaning performance, we evaluate how easy and neat each detergent is to use and dispense as well as the quality and integrity of the packaging. We review the Material Safety Data Sheets and all the labeling directions and claims for clarity, accuracy and safety, making sure it's easy for a consumer to figure out how much to add to each load. We confirm that first aid instructions and child safety precautions are clear, prominent and easy to find. Finally, for eco detergents, we look for ingredient transparency and clear explanations of environmental claims. Greenwashing claims raise red flags for us.
What to look for when shopping for eco-friendly laundry detergents
✔️ Ingredients: Most eco detergents use biodegradable cleaning ingredients that come from renewable sources like plants. They may also contain essential oil fragrances and usually omit ingredients like brighteners, artificial preservatives and dyes. Though not required by law, more and more companies are listing all the ingredients in the formula, what they do and where they come from on the label.
✔️ Packaging: The best option is packaging that's plastic-free or made from a high percentage of recycled plastic. Refillable bottles and tins eliminate the need to purchase a new container each time.
✔️ Certifications: To avoid being duped by marketing language, look for products with established, third-party emblems like EcoCert, USDA Certified Biobased Product or EPA Safer Choice — because even if a product features a logo that claims it’s "earth-friendly," it doesn’t mean anything if the brand designed it itself.
✔️ Transparent claims: The most responsible manufacturers clearly explain what makes their products environmentally conscious and qualify any claims with facts. Stay away from products making general, overarching and unspecific environmental claims. The FTC frowns upon general, unqualified claims, as does Good Housekeeping.
What does "eco-friendly" mean?
While the term "eco-friendly" is commonly used today across a wide variety of products, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the government body that regulates advertising and marketing claims, considers it to be a "greenwashing" term. Greenwashing is a practice whereby a company puts environmental claims on its packaging with no clear evidence or testing to back up its assertions. They do this in an attempt to entice consumers into buying what they think is a more environmentally responsible product choice.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we align with and follow the FTC and its strict guidelines around what it means to responsibly tout a product's environmental attributes. Our Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab prefers to use the term "sustainable" over "eco-friendly," which implies that a product has absolutely no negative impact on the environment. "Sustainable" takes into account the impact a product has while being made, consumed and/or disposed of and that it is mindful of the earth's current and future resources.
To use the claim "eco-friendly" — without any qualification, explanation or clarification of why a product is environmentally responsible — is considered greenwashing. "Sustainable," while better, has been gaining popularity in product marketing as well, and should not automatically be taken at face value either. We prefer to see a manufacturer disclose clearly why it considers its product to be sustainable. All of the laundry detergents we recommend above are responsibly labeled when it comes to their environmental claims and benefits.
Are eco-friendly detergents more expensive?
They can be, but not always. Sustainable formulas from major brands with vast manufacturing plants and a big market presence often benefit from the lower production and shipping costs a large-scale operation affords. In turn, this allows them to keep the prices of eco-friendly detergents in line with their other formulas. Smaller brands, especially those with innovations that are unique or different, may not have the same savings to pass along to the consumer. When this is the case, look for sales or subscription packages to help reduce the cost.
Do eco-friendly detergents work?
Yes, they do! Our tests show that the performance of today's eco and green detergents is much improved over those from years past. Most contain enzymes to tackle tough stains and anti-redeposition ingredients to keep soil suspended in the wash water so it rinses out and doesn't settle back on fabrics. Of course, like all detergents, some eco-brands are better than others. Read labels to find a brand that claims to tackle the laundry issues most important to you, provides the information you are looking for and backs up its environmental claims with information and facts.
Other ways to go green when doing laundry
- Wash in cold water. Most of the energy used to wash clothing comes from heating the water, not the mechanical energy the machine requires. So the lower the water temperature, the more energy you save, no matter how long the cycle runs. Switching from hot and warm water to washing in cold water can save about $200 or more per year depending on how many loads you do, so even washing just some of your loads in cold water saves energy and money. Today's detergents are formulated to clean most loads well in cold water.
- Use auto-dry cycles. Select the automatic cycles your dryer offers to better match its drying time to the fabrics in the load. Use the lowest heat level that will give you the safest drying results in the fastest time. By setting the dryer for the same time every time, you waste energy and risk over-drying and damaging fabrics, especially lightweight ones.
- Air dry when possible. If you have the space and the time, air-drying clothing uses less energy than tumble-drying. An electric dryer uses anywhere from 1.8 to 5 kWh of energy per load so even air drying just small or delicate loads can help cut energy usage.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Carolyn Forté is a consumer products expert with over 40 years of experience. With a background in textiles and years of testing both laundry detergents and laundry appliances, she knows a thing or two about getting stains out. In her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Lab, she writes the magazine's monthly "Inside the GH Cleaning Lab" advice and tips column, has authored numerous home care and cleaning books and is the first person GH staffers come see when they've dribbled lunch on their shirts!
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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