Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Fragrance-free
Money-back guarantee
Powder
Standard
HE compatible
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Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents
We vetted laundry detergents against the Welpr Standard and here are our top picks.
Cofounder & Product Curator
Medical Reviewer, PhD
Welpr Approved cleaning products are always free from:
- Harsh disinfectants and irritants: bleach, ammonia, sulfates, and quats
- Endocrine disruptors and preservatives: phthalates, parabens, BHA/BHT, triclosan
- Unnecessary additives: optical brighteners, artificial dyes, and synthetic fragrance (unless certified safe)
- Undisclosed or hidden ingredients
Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents
On Welpr, terms like "non-toxic," "safer," "cleaner," "healthier," and "vetted" are editorial labels based on our own standard for product assessment. They are not guarantees, certifications, or medical claims. Learn more.
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The 80/20 guide to going non-toxic the easy way.
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
No synthetic fragrance
Plastic-free packaging
Compostable packaging
Recycled materials
Money-back guarantee
Pods
Standard
HE compatible
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
Recyclable packaging
Refillable
Liquid
Ultra concentrated
HE compatible
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
No synthetic fragrance
Plastic-free packaging
Refillable
Tablets
Concentrated
HE compatible
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
No synthetic fragrance
Recycled materials
Money-back guarantee
Liquid
Concentrated
HE compatible
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Fragrance-free
No synthetic fragrance
Plastic-free packaging
Recyclable packaging
Compostable packaging
Refillable
Powder
Ultra concentrated
HE compatible
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
No synthetic fragrance
Recyclable packaging
Liquid
Ultra concentrated
HE compatible
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Pregnancy safe
Fragrance-free
No synthetic fragrance
Essential oil-free
Powder
Concentrated
HE compatible
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Fragrance-free
No synthetic fragrance
Essential oil-free
Money-back guarantee
Powder
Ultra concentrated
HE compatible
How to Swap to Non-Toxic laundry detergents:
Here's how to swap to non-toxic laundry detergents:
What to know about laundry detergent
Laundry detergent touches almost every fabric that sits against your skin — clothes, bedding, towels, and underwear. Because residues stay in the fibers after washing, what's in your detergent matters more than you might expect.
- Welpr looks at the full ingredient list, prioritizing formulas free from synthetic fragrances, harsh sulfates, optical brighteners, and undisclosed preservatives.
- Products used on items worn daily or slept on deserve the most attention, since contact is frequent and prolonged.
Check what you're using now
Take a look at your current detergent's label or product page. Many conventional detergents use vague terms like "fragrance" or "cleaning agents" without listing what's actually inside. Welpr values full transparency — if a brand won't disclose its ingredients, that's a red flag.
- Look for terms like "fragrance," "parfum," "optical brighteners," or "biodegradable surfactants" with no further detail — these often hide undisclosed ingredients.
- If your detergent doesn't list every ingredient on the label or the brand's website, consider replacing it first.
Use your current detergent more safely
If you're not ready to switch yet, a couple of simple changes can reduce how much residue ends up on your fabrics. This is especially worth doing for items that touch your skin the most, like underwear, sheets, and baby clothes.
- Use less detergent than the cap suggests — most people over-dose, which leaves more residue in fabrics.
- Run an extra rinse cycle, especially for bedding and anything worn by kids or people with sensitive skin.
Choose a cleaner detergent
The best laundry detergents use simple, fully disclosed formulations. Look for fragrance-free options or ones scented only with essential oils or fully disclosed, third-party certified safe fragrances.
- Avoid products with optical brighteners, synthetic dyes, harsh sulfates like SLS or SLES, parabens, or phthalates — and look for certifications like EWG VERIFIED™ or MADE SAFE® as a helpful starting point.
- Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved laundry detergent.
Camille May
Cofounder & Product Curator
Camille May is the co-creator of Welpr and a guide for clean living. After selling her last company in the health food space, she went non-toxic while working to heal an autoimmune condition....
Olushola M. Awoyemi
Medical Reviewer, PhD
Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology,...