Ever look at the ingredient list on your laundry detergent and wonder what all those strange words mean? Many common detergents are packed with chemicals that can irritate your skin and even harm our planet. It feels like a constant battle to find a soap that cleans well without all the harsh stuff, right?
Choosing an all-natural laundry soap can feel overwhelming. You want clean clothes, but you also want to protect your family’s health and the environment. Sometimes, natural options seem expensive or they just don’t seem to get those tough stains out. It’s frustrating when you try to do the right thing but still aren’t sure if you picked the best product.
But what if you could easily find a natural soap that works wonders and keeps your budget happy? In this post, we will break down what to look for in truly natural laundry solutions. We’ll explore the best ingredients, what to avoid, and how to get sparkling clean clothes the eco-friendly way. Get ready to simplify your laundry routine forever!
Top All Natural Laundry Soap Recommendations
- CLIMATE POSITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE - Not only is this laundry detergent formula effective and kind to sensitive skin, but it's also pH-balanced.
- 100% VEGAN – Containing enough detergent for 200 loads of laundry, plant-powered ECOS Laundry Detergent is both cruelty-free and vegan, making it an ideal choice for planet-conscious households.
- PARABEN AND PHOSPHATE FREE - Unlike most conventional laundry detergents, ECOS does not contain any harsh chemicals or ingredients that can pollute water when it enters the ecosystem.
- DERMATOLOGIST-TESTED AND HYPOALLERGENIC - ECOS Laundry Detergent is an effective yet gentle cleaning solution for clothes that is suitable for families with skin allergies and sensitivities.
- MADE IN USA - Proudly made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
- Concentrated detergent formula is effective yet gentle on clothes
- Contains cleaning agents with dirt, stain-fighting enzymes, and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients
- 64 loads of laundry per bottle
- For use in high efficiency and conventional washing machines
- Garden-inspired Lavender scented laundry soap with an original and clean floral fragrance
- One 105 fl oz bottle of ARM & HAMMER Sensitive Skin Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent, Free and Clear Detergent that cleans 105 medium loads when used as directed
- Dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic laundry detergent that's gentle on skin but tough on stains and odors, making it an ideal soap for sensitive skin
- Dye-free, worry-free detergent with no perfumes or preservatives is certified 100% by SkinSAFE (1), (1) Certified by SkinSAFE to exclude 100% of their topmost considered skin allergens. In partnership with SkinSAFEproducts.com
- With trusted ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, this HE detergent is formulated to deeply clean clothes while being gentle on skin
- HE laundry detergent is concentrated with 2X powerful stain fighters in every load versus leading value detergent, making it an effective and efficient laundry detergent
- Zum Laundry Soap: A mix of gentle, grime-busting ingredients makes our liquid laundry soap safer for even the most sensitive launderers
- Efficient, Plant-Based Laundry Soap: This 64-ounce bottle of Zum Laundry Soap cleans up to 64 loads and is low-sudsing; it's also highly concentrated and perfect for high-efficiency machines
- Sultry Scent Notes: Amber Zum has notes of vetiver and patchouli for grounding energy, while lavender adds sweetness and cedar and bergamot top things off
- Natural & Cruelty-Free: We use ingredients from nature and don't test our products on animals, making our products vegetarian and cruelty-free
- About Zum by Indigo Wild: Zum's natural products for body and home are handcrafted in the U.S.A. with ingredients you can say, spell and love to smell
- CLEAN ALWAYS MEANS CLEAN: Clean isn’t just a state, it’s a feeling we facilitate. Just one half ounce of our natural laundry detergent transforms your laundry, delivering crisp, clean clothes every time. One 32oz carton comfortably washes 64 loads.
- TRIPLE ACTION FORMULA: Our hypoallergenic, sensitive skin-safe liquid laundry detergent battles on three fronts: fighting stains, removing odors and softening clothes.
- REFILLING NOT LANDFILLING: Each laundry detergent refill uses eco friendly, paper-based, 100% recyclable packaging. No secret handshakes or ceremonial robes. Just a clean refill system made with 90% less plastic.
- A CLEANER KIND OF CULT: We only use the good stuff to keep your clothes clean and your family safe. Our laundry detergent liquid formulas are always made without phthalates, phosphates, petroleum based ingredients, dyes, SLS, & SLES.
- SMELLS LIKE CLEAN SPIRIT: Lighten your load and be enlightened on laundry day with the heavenly scents of our non toxic laundry detergent. Our premium fragrances mark the accomplishment of a job well done.
- CLIMATE POSITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE - Not only is this laundry detergent formula effective and kind to sensitive skin, but it's also pH-balanced.
- 100% VEGAN – Containing enough detergent for 200 loads of laundry, plant-powered ECOS Laundry Detergent is both cruelty-free and vegan, making it an ideal choice for planet-conscious households.
- PARABEN AND PHOSPHATE FREE - Unlike most conventional laundry detergents, ECOS does not contain any harsh chemicals or ingredients that can pollute water when it enters the ecosystem.
- DERMATOLOGIST-TESTED AND HYPOALLERGENIC - ECOS Laundry Detergent is an effective yet gentle cleaning solution for clothes that is suitable for families with skin allergies and sensitivities.
- MADE IN USA - Proudly made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
- Developed by a pediatric nurse & mom and made with simple, effective ingredients, Molly's Suds harnesses the power of plant-based surfactants and active enzymes to deeply penetrate fibers, removing soil, dirt, oil, and stains with ease.
- Scented with essential oils and 100% free from harsh synthetic fragrances, dyes, and other harmful additives. Gentle, clean-rinsing detergent ideal for those with eczema or other skin sensitivities.
- Ultra concentrated and stain fighting, provides a truly clean wash and helps conserve water. Compatible with all washers including high-efficiency (HE) machines. Septic safe, works well in hard water to break through mineral build-up and remove grey streaks and other set-in stains.
- Made in the USA with simple ingredients that are certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny.
- One 52 oz bottle of Liquid Laundry Detergent with measuring cap capable of deep cleaning 100 loads of laundry.
- Seventh Generation Free & Clear Concentrated Laundry Detergent Fragrance-Free has a powerful triple-enzyme formula fights tough stains
- Free & Clear hypoallergenic laundry detergent made for sensitive skin
- A laundry detergent that is EPA Safer Choice Certified and designed with safety in mind
- Concentrated detergent washes 53 medium loads in high-efficiency (HE detergent) or standard machine
- USDA Certified 96 percent Biobased laundry detergent liquid made with plant-based ingredients
Your Guide to Choosing the Best All-Natural Laundry Soap
Switching to all-natural laundry soap feels good. You clean your clothes without harsh chemicals. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one? This guide helps you find the best natural soap for your family and washing machine.
Key Features to Look For
When buying natural laundry soap, certain features make a big difference in how well it cleans and how safe it is. Look for these things:
- Biodegradable Formula: This means the soap breaks down naturally and does not harm rivers or the environment after you use it.
- Concentration Level: Concentrated soaps use less packaging and you need less product per load. This saves you money over time.
- Scent Source: Decide if you want a soap with no scent (unscented) or one scented naturally with essential oils (like lavender or lemon). Avoid artificial fragrances.
- Residue Check: Good natural soaps rinse out completely. Poor quality soaps leave a chalky or waxy film on clothes or inside your machine.
Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
The ingredients list tells the real story. Natural soaps rely on plant-derived cleaners, not petroleum-based ones.
Cleaning Agents
Look for soaps made with ingredients like:
- Vegetable-Based Soaps: Often derived from coconut or olive oil. These create the necessary suds to lift dirt.
- Minerals: Ingredients like washing soda (sodium carbonate) or borax (naturally occurring mineral) help soften water and boost cleaning power.
- Enzymes (Optional but Helpful): These tiny helpers target specific stains, like protein or grease, breaking them down naturally.
Ingredients to Avoid
Truly natural soaps *do not* contain these common harsh chemicals:
- Phosphates
- Optical Brighteners (chemicals that make clothes *look* whiter but don’t actually clean them)
- Parabens or Phthalates
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your natural soap affects your laundry results significantly.
What Improves Quality
High-quality natural soaps often include natural stain fighters. Soap made with saponified oils tends to clean deeper than simple detergent mixes. Soaps that list their essential oils clearly usually offer a better, truer scent.
What Reduces Quality
If a soap contains fillers or excessive amounts of synthetic stabilizers, its cleaning power drops. Also, some homemade or small-batch soaps might not be perfectly balanced, leading to undissolved soap left behind, especially in cold water washes. If the packaging claims it cleans as well as the leading chemical brands, be skeptical.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the soap matters, especially when switching from conventional detergents.
For Sensitive Skin
If you or your family members have sensitive skin or allergies, choose unscented options. Look for labels stating “Hypoallergenic.” Natural ingredients are generally gentler on skin.
For High-Efficiency (HE) Machines
Most modern natural laundry soaps are made to be low-sudsing. Low sudsing is crucial for HE machines because too many suds can damage the washer sensors. Always check the bottle to confirm it is safe for your HE washer.
Tackling Tough Stains
Remember, natural soaps sometimes need a little help with very tough stains (like grass or set-in grease). You might need to pre-treat these spots with a paste made from the soap powder or a natural stain remover before washing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Natural Laundry Soap
Q: Does natural laundry soap actually clean clothes well?
A: Yes, modern natural formulas clean very effectively, especially for everyday dirt. They use plant-based surfactants that lift grime just like conventional soaps.
Q: Is natural soap more expensive than regular soap?
A: Often, the upfront cost is slightly higher. However, because many natural options are concentrated, you use less per load, which can make the cost per load similar or even lower.
Q: Will natural soap leave my whites looking dull or yellow?
A: If the soap contains no optical brighteners, your whites will look clean, but perhaps not “blindingly white” in the way synthetic brighteners make them look. Using oxygen bleach (like sodium percarbonate) alongside the natural soap helps keep whites bright.
Q: Can I use natural powder soap in liquid-only dispensers?
A: Usually no. Powder soap needs to dissolve directly in the wash water. If your machine adds water through a specific liquid dispenser, the powder might clog the line or settle. Use liquid natural soap for those dispensers.
Q: Are essential oils strong enough to scent laundry effectively?
A: Yes, the scent is usually subtle and clean, not overpowering like chemical perfumes. The scent often fades slightly during the drying process, leaving a very light, fresh smell.
Q: What should I do if I see white residue on dark clothes after washing?
A: White residue means the soap did not fully dissolve or rinse out. Try using warmer water, reducing the amount of soap you use, or ensuring you are running a full rinse cycle.
Q: Is “plant-derived” always the same as “100% natural”?
A: Not exactly. “Plant-derived” means it started from a plant, but it might have undergone heavy processing. Look for certifications or simpler ingredient lists to ensure it stays close to its natural source.
Q: Do I still need to add fabric softener with natural soap?
A: Many people find they do not need fabric softener because the natural soap rinses cleaner. If you want extra softness, use white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead; it naturally softens fabrics.
Q: How long does natural laundry soap last on the shelf?
A: If stored in a cool, dry place, most natural powder soaps last for about two years. Liquid versions may last slightly less, but they are generally very stable.
Q: Are these soaps safe if I use a septic system?
A: Yes. Because they are biodegradable and do not contain harsh chemicals like phosphates, natural laundry soaps are generally considered safe and septic-friendly.