What is the healthiest laundry soap to use?

September 21, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), many conventional detergents contain undisclosed chemicals linked to skin irritation and respiratory issues. For a genuinely clean and safe home, the critical question is: What is the healthiest laundry soap to use? It's a key step towards a healthier lifestyle.

Quick Summary

The healthiest laundry soap is typically a fragrance-free, plant-based formula free of harsh chemicals like optical brighteners, phosphates, and synthetic dyes. Simple ingredients are less likely to cause irritation or harm the environment, making them the safest choice for your family and home.

Key Points

Check the Label: Always read the ingredient list, prioritizing transparency and simple, plant-based components over complex chemical formulas.
Avoid Fragrance: Synthetic fragrances are a major source of irritants and toxins. Opt for unscented or naturally scented products to avoid these hidden chemicals.
Look for Certifications: Third-party certifications from organizations like EWG and Safer Choice provide assurance that a product has been vetted for health and environmental safety.
Choose Plant-Based: Select biodegradable, plant-based formulas that are gentler on sensitive skin and less harmful to waterways after being washed down the drain.
Reconsider Additives: Replace conventional fabric softeners and dryer sheets, which are often full of chemicals, with natural alternatives like wool dryer balls or vinegar.

Why Choosing a Healthier Laundry Soap Matters

Your laundry soap doesn’t just clean your clothes; its residue lingers on fabrics, coming into direct contact with your skin all day and night. For individuals with sensitive skin, allergies, or respiratory conditions, this can trigger uncomfortable reactions. Beyond personal health, the chemicals in conventional detergents can also impact the environment, polluting waterways and harming aquatic life. Choosing a healthier alternative is a positive step for both your family's wellness and the planet.

Ingredients to Avoid in Your Laundry Detergent

To select the healthiest laundry soap, it's vital to know which ingredients to avoid. Many common detergent chemicals are known irritants and toxins that have no place in a healthy home.

Synthetic Fragrances

Often listed simply as "fragrance" or "parfum," this term can represent a cocktail of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals.
Many fragrance ingredients are known allergens and skin irritants.
They are also a major source of indoor air pollution and can trigger asthma attacks and headaches.
Opt for fragrance-free or unscented products, or those using natural essential oils if you prefer a scent.

Optical Brighteners

These are synthetic chemicals designed to make fabrics appear whiter and brighter by absorbing UV light.
They do not make your clothes cleaner but leave a chemical residue that can cause skin irritation.
They are also non-biodegradable and harmful to aquatic ecosystems.

Phosphates and Phthalates

Phosphates: Historically used to soften water and boost cleaning power, phosphates are a major pollutant that can cause algal blooms in freshwater, depleting oxygen and harming marine life.
Phthalates: Often found in synthetic fragrances, these chemicals are endocrine disruptors, potentially interfering with the body's hormonal system.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and 1,4-Dioxane

SLS: A harsh surfactant that can strip natural oils from the skin, leading to irritation.
1,4-Dioxane: A potential carcinogen that can be a byproduct of the manufacturing process for other chemicals. It's not usually listed on labels, but can be present in detergents that contain ingredients with the suffix "-eth" (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate).

What to Look for in a Healthy Laundry Soap

Now that you know what to avoid, here are the characteristics of the healthiest laundry soap:

Simple, Plant-Based Ingredients: Look for a short, transparent ingredient list with recognizable, plant-derived components.
Fragrance-Free or Naturally Scented: Choose unscented formulas or those scented only with pure essential oils.
Third-Party Certifications: Endorsements from organizations like the EWG, Safer Choice, or Leaping Bunny can provide an extra layer of confidence that a product is safe and effective.
Hypoallergenic Formulas: These products are specially formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.
Biodegradable: Biodegradable detergents break down naturally and safely, preventing harm to the environment.

Top Healthiest Laundry Soap Options

Branch Basics

Description: A concentrated, multi-purpose cleaning product with a simple ingredient list, including purified water and plant-derived cleaning agents.
Key Features: Human-safe, fragrance-free, and effective for laundry, as well as many other household tasks.

Molly's Suds

Description: Known for their very short, simple, and transparent ingredient lists.
Key Features: Offer both powder and liquid formulas, many of which are unscented and highly concentrated.

Attitude

Description: An eco-friendly brand with a focus on plant-based, natural ingredients.
Key Features: Hypoallergenic, certified by the EWG, and offers a variety of fragrance-free options.

Dropps

Description: Laundry pods made with biodegradable, plant-based ingredients.
Key Features: Offers low-waste packaging and options specifically formulated for sensitive skin.

Comparison Table: Healthiest Laundry Soap Choices


Feature	Branch Basics	Molly's Suds	Attitude	Dropps
Formula Type	Concentrated Liquid	Powder and Liquid	Liquid	Pods
Key Ingredients	Purified Water, Plant-Derived Cleaners	Sodium Carbonate, Baking Soda	Plant-Based, Mineral-Based	Mineral and Plant-Based
Fragrance Options	Fragrance-Free	Unscented, Essential Oil Scents	Fragrance-Free, Essential Oil Scents	Fragrance-Free, Essential Oil Scents
Best For	All-Purpose Cleaning, Ultimate Purity	Simple Ingredients, Hypoallergenic	EWG Verified, Sensitive Skin	Low-Waste, Convenience

How to Transition to Healthier Laundry Practices

Switching detergents is a great first step, but healthy laundry is a holistic practice. Consider these tips:

Use Less Detergent: Over-sudsing can leave residue on clothes.
Add a Natural Boost: For tougher stains or odors, consider adding natural brighteners like oxygen bleach or baking soda.
Rinse Properly: Use an extra rinse cycle to ensure all soap residue is washed away.
Clean Your Machine: Run a cleaning cycle on your washing machine regularly with vinegar to prevent buildup.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Health

Selecting the healthiest laundry soap is a simple yet impactful decision for your well-being and the environment. By prioritizing plant-based, fragrance-free formulas and understanding what ingredients to avoid, you can make an informed choice that benefits everyone. Look beyond marketing claims and focus on the ingredient list and credible third-party certifications to find the best option for your household.

For more detailed information on specific ingredients and potential health concerns, refer to the Environmental Working Group's Guide to Healthy Cleaning.

Beyond the Soap: Comprehensive Healthy Laundry Guide

The Importance of Water Temperature

Using cold water for most laundry loads not only saves energy but can also help preserve the integrity of your clothes over time. While hot water can be effective for sanitation, it's not always necessary, especially with modern, efficient detergents.

The Role of Laundry Pods vs. Liquids vs. Powders

Pods: Convenient and pre-measured, but often contain harsher chemicals and can be a poisoning hazard for children.
Liquids: Can be overpoured, leading to residue, but offer more flexibility in dosage.
Powders: Generally have a longer shelf life and contain fewer preservatives than liquids.

Alternatives to Fabric Softener

Many conventional fabric softeners contain harmful fragrances and chemicals. Healthier alternatives include:

Wool Dryer Balls: Reduce drying time and static cling naturally.
Vinegar: A small amount of white vinegar in the rinse cycle can soften fabrics and remove residue without leaving an odor.

The Impact of Dryer Sheets

Like conventional fabric softeners, dryer sheets are typically loaded with synthetic fragrances and chemical coatings. Using wool dryer balls is a much safer and more sustainable alternative that provides similar benefits.

Final Recommendations

Making the switch to healthier laundry soap involves a shift in mindset from simply cleaning clothes to protecting your health and the environment. Start by reading ingredient labels diligently and prioritizing products with transparent, simple formulas. Remember that often, less is more when it comes to detergents—you can achieve a clean result without harsh chemicals. Your family’s skin, respiratory health, and the planet will thank you for making the conscious choice to go green with your laundry routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. The term 'natural' is not regulated and can be used to market products with questionable ingredients. It's crucial to read the full ingredient list and look for third-party certifications, rather than relying solely on marketing claims.

Many of the most concerning chemicals are hidden under vague terms like "fragrance." Opting for unscented products is the best way to avoid these. Additionally, researching brands with transparent ingredient lists and looking for reputable certifications helps ensure you know exactly what you're buying.

Yes, many people create DIY laundry detergent using ingredients like washing soda, borax, and grated castile soap. While this can be a very healthy and cost-effective option, it's important to use the correct ratios and be mindful of your water type, as homemade formulas may not perform as well in hard water.

Laundry pods can be convenient, but they often contain concentrated, sometimes harsher, chemicals. In a quest for the healthiest laundry soap, many pods also contain fragrance and dyes. Powdered or liquid detergents with simpler ingredient lists are often preferable.

When washing baby clothes, it is best to use a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formula with minimal, gentle ingredients. Many brands offer specific baby-safe laundry soap options, but a general-purpose, healthy, unscented detergent is often a great choice.

For tough stains, you can use natural pre-treatments like a paste of baking soda and water or a vinegar soak. You can also add a scoop of oxygen bleach, a healthier alternative to chlorine bleach, to your wash cycle for extra stain-fighting power.

Yes. Many healthy, plant-based detergents are formulated with natural enzymes that are highly effective at breaking down stains and odors. While they may not contain harsh chemicals like optical brighteners, they leave clothes genuinely clean without the use of synthetic additives.

Technically, laundry soap is made from saponified fats and oils, while detergent is a synthetic, chemical-based cleaning agent. However, the terms are often used interchangeably. The healthiest options tend to be closer to traditional soap, with simpler, plant-derived ingredients.