If you’re trying to make your home more eco-friendly, switching to organic laundry detergent might seem like the obvious choice. After all, “organic” means better for the planet and safer for your family, right?
The truth is, while organic ingredients can be a great indicator of sustainability, other factors, such as biodegradability and certified ingredient safety, matter just as much, if not more.
Many people don’t realize that the term “organic” can only to certain plant-based ingredients, while other components (like mineral-based cleaning agents such as salt) cannot strictly be organic. Additionally, smaller brands may struggle to obtain organic certification due to its high costs, even if they use safe, sustainable ingredients.
This, in turn, makes finding organic certified laundry detergents a huge task for conscious consumers who might just give in and go for unsustainable brands instead!
Our take is that organic laundry detergents can be amazing sustainable products but there are many other eco friendly and non toxic laundry detergents out there too if you know how to spot them. In this guide, we’ll dive into what organic laundry detergent is, certifications to look out for, and the best non toxic laundry soaps for your sustainable home!
Contents:
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What Is Organic Laundry Detergent?
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Certifications & Logos To Look Out For
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How To Choose A Sustainable Laundry Detergent
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Homemade Organic Laundry Detergent
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Best Non Toxic Laundry Soaps To Try Today
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Final Thoughts On Organic Laundry Detergent
What Is Organic Laundry Detergent?
When people speak about organic laundry detergents, they may be referring to laundry detergents made from non toxic plant based ingredients that break down naturally (such as the ones we’ve included in this post).
However, ‘‘organic’’ is a highly regulated term in the USA, so it cannot be used in marketing unless the brand holds an official certification. This is where it gets a bit more tricky.
When it comes to food, “organic” means grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. But in cleaning products, the term applies only to agricultural ingredients like coconut oil or aloe vera.
Key cleaning agents in detergent—such as baking soda and salt—are minerals, which cannot strictly be organic.
Because of this, very few detergents can be fully organic. Instead, many sustainable laundry soaps focus on using plant-based, biodegradable ingredients rather than chasing an organic certification that may not even be relevant to their formula.
More relevant certifications concern safety and biodegradability, which is what most people are looking for when they’re looking for organic products.
Certifications and Logos to Look For
Since organic certification isn’t always applicable to laundry detergent, here are more trustworthy labels to check for:
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USDA Certified Biobased
Indicates ingredients come from renewable plant- or microbe-based sources. -
EPA Safer Choice
Ensures the product is free from hazardous chemicals and meets high environmental safety standards. -
Leaping Bunny or Cruelty-Free
Confirms no animal testing.
How To Choose A Sustainable Laundry Detergent
When choosing a laundry detergent, consider these factors:
1. Ingredient Safety
Check the brand provides full ingredient transparency. Avoid detergents with synthetic fragrances, phthalates, chlorine, and sulfates, which can cause skin irritation and harm aquatic life.
Read this post for more on non toxic laundry detergents
2. Biodegradability
The best laundry soaps break down naturally, preventing pollution in waterways.
Check out more zero waste laundry hacks here.
3. Packaging and Carbon Footprint
Lightweight, plastic-free options like detergent sheets reduce emissions and waste.
Explore sustainable detergent sheets here
Homemade Organic Laundry Detergent
If you prefer a DIY approach, making homemade laundry detergent can be cost-effective and waste-free. Here’s an easy recipe:
DIY Laundry Detergent Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 cup washing soda
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1 cup baking soda
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1 bar grated castile soap
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10 drops of organic essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
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Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
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Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.
While DIY laundry detergent is natural and free from synthetic chemicals, it may not be as effective for heavily soiled clothes. If you need a store-bought option, check out these top-rated non toxic laundry soaps.
5 Best Non Toxic Laundry Soaps To Try Today
If you want a safe, effective detergent that aligns with your values, these options are worth considering:
1. Meliora Natural Powder Laundry Detergent
Made with organic ingredients where possible, and 100% natural, this detergent is a great zero-waste option free from synthetic additives.
You can read more about Meliora’s organic content & certifications here!
2. Dropps Sensitive Skin Laundry Pods
USDA Certified Biobased, meaning made from renewable biological materials, this option is fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin.
3. Signature Bio Liquid Laundry Detergent
EPA Safer Choice certified, this laundry detergent has a highly effective microbe- and plant-derived formula which gets to work on the toughest stains.
4. Home Farm Laundry Detergent
Includes organic content, packaged sustainably with biodegradable materials, for a gentle and effective laundry option.
5. ZWS Essentials Laundry Detergent Sheets
Compact, plastic-free, and easy to use, these laundry sheets will save you from lugging around heavy jugs and reduce transportation emissions by taking up less space.
Never used laundry sheets before? Check out our guide!
Final Thoughts On Organic Laundry Detergent
While organic detergent for laundry can be a good option, it’s not the only factor to consider. Instead, look for non-toxic, biodegradable formulas with certified safe ingredients, minimal packaging, and transparent sourcing.
For more tips on choosing sustainable household products, check out our guides:
