Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Fragrance-free
Powder
All machines
Septic safe
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Best Non-Toxic Washing Machine Cleaners
We vetted washing machine cleaners 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 Washing Machine Cleaners
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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Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Fragrance-free
Tablet
All machines
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Money-back guarantee
Tablet
All machines
Septic safe
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
No synthetic fragrance
Recycled materials
Tablet
All machines
Septic safe
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Fragrance-free
Tablet
All machines
Septic safe
How to Swap to Non-Toxic washing machine cleaners:
Here's how to swap to non-toxic washing machine cleaners:
What to know about washing machine cleaners
Washing machine cleaners are used inside an enclosed, warm appliance where residues can linger on surfaces that touch your clothes. Welpr looks at the formula's transparency, fragrance approach, and whether it avoids harsh ingredients like bleach, synthetic fragrance, and sulfates.
- Because residues can transfer to laundry, the cleaner's ingredients indirectly contact your skin through the fabrics you wear.
- Many conventional machine cleaners rely on undisclosed fragrance blends, optical brighteners, or bleach-based formulas that leave behind traces in the drum.
Review what you already use
Check the label or product page of your current washing machine cleaner. Look for vague terms like "proprietary blend" or unlisted fragrance ingredients, which signal low transparency.
- Flag products that list "fragrance" or "parfum" without specifying what's in it, or that contain bleach, ammonia, sulfates (SLS/SLES), or optical brighteners.
- If the label is hard to find, check the brand's website — transparent brands will list every ingredient online.
Use your current cleaner more safely
If you're not ready to replace your machine cleaner right away, a few simple steps can reduce how much residue stays behind. Running an extra rinse cycle after cleaning helps flush leftover formula from the drum.
- After running the cleaning cycle, run one additional empty hot-water rinse to help clear residue before your next load of laundry.
- Leave the washer door or lid open after cleaning to let the drum air out and dry completely.
Choose a cleaner replacement
Look for washing machine cleaners with fully disclosed, simple ingredient lists and no synthetic fragrance, bleach, or optical brighteners. Fragrance-free formulas are the best starting point, and if scented, the fragrance should come from essential oils or fully disclosed sources.
- Certifications like EWG VERIFIED™ or MADE SAFE® are a good sign, but also confirm the brand lists every ingredient — transparency matters as much as any seal.
- Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved washing machine cleaners.
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,...