We love the smell of fresh laundry. Who doesn’t? But did you know that cleaning all of those clothes has led us to do more than 30 billion loads of laundry in North America annually? That’s a lot of soap going down our pipes and ultimately, into our water streams. Below, we’ve done a deep dive into laundry detergent so that you can choose wisely.

What to be wise on:

The ingredients in laundry detergent can be put into four categories that each serve a specific purpose: surfactants, builders, bleaches and enzymes. 

Surfactant molecules are kind of like the post-game cleaning staff at Madison Square Garden who pick up all the trash after the fans have left. They attach themselves to filth that is released into the washing machine’s water and carry the filth away when the water is drained. 

Builders are like the concert security ushering all the fans out after a show so that the cleaning staff can do their thing. Imagine janitorial staff trying to clean an arena with a packed crowd? Not possible. Like janitors, surfactants need everyone gone to do their job, which is why builders remove minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the water so that the surfactant molecules can work efficiently. 

Bleach and enzymes are like the actual cleaning agents that the staff uses to get rid of gunk in the arena. Bleach gets rid of organic stains (such as coffee), and enzymes eradicate grease, protein, and starch stains (such as olive oil, milk, and flour). 

Some of these components can be made of chemical compounds that, in their most harmful forms, are problematic for our health and the health of marine life. For example, surfactant molecules can get into the gills of fish and inhibit them from efficiently drawing oxygen from the water. If that’s not horrifying enough, many of these chemical compounds are considered proprietary trade secrets, so companies are not required by law to disclose them on detergent packaging. This makes it nearly impossible for consumers to know what they’re buying. That’s where we come in.

A FEW TAKEAWAYS:    

We love detergents that come in plastic-free packaging, and those certified by EPA Safer Choice. Avoid lofty claims like “odor blaster” or “white reviver.” These usually mean the product is packed with nasty chemicals that could cause rashes for those with sensitive skin and harm aquatic life once in the waterways. 

TLDR: JUST TELL ME WHAT TO CHOOSE. 

Here are some of our favorite detergent options based on what they’re made of and how they’re packaged, as well as how effective people find them to be at cleaning clothes.

CONVENTIONAL LIQUID DETERGENT

Liquid detergent is the most popular detergent on the market and can be the most affordable option, but it’s very watered down and therefore requires a ton of fuel to ship around. Liquid detergent is usually packaged in PET plastic or HDPE plastic bottles that, at scale, contribute to about 2.6 million tons of PET and HDPE landfill waste every year. While PET and HDPE plastics are the most widely recycled, they must be cleaned beforehand.

If you’ve ever tried to clean a bottle of sudsy laundry detergent, you know how much water that can require. Moreover, only about 9% of plastics actually end up recycled, so we can’t say for sure that it’s even worth it to waste a bunch of water rinsing these out. For all of these reasons, none of our recommendations fall under this category.

CONCENTRATED LIQUID DETERGENT

Concentrated liquid detergent is the same concept as conventional liquid detergent, but it is more efficiently formulated. Since a concentrated formula can contain two to three times the number of loads per bottle, it requires much less plastic, water, and shipping fuel compared to conventional liquid detergent.

What we love: 

This detergent is packaged in recycled cardboard and is certified by EPA Safer Choice. 73% of customers love this detergent, saying it cleans clothes well and is great for sensitive skin. 

What could be better: 

Some customers say that the package leaked in transport.

What we love: 

We love that this ECOS detergent is made in a carbon neutral, water neutral factory using 100% renewable energy and is certified by EPA Safer Choice. 84% of customers love this detergent, saying it works well and leaves clothes fresh but without any fragrances. 

What could be better: 

This detergent contains an ingredient called methylisothiazolinone that poses high concern for aquatic toxicity. Some customers say it’s not great for their sensitive skin.

POWDER DETERGENT

Powder detergent is great, especially if it’s sold in cardboard boxes that cut down on plastic waste. Keep in mind that liquid detergent is a better choice if you wash your laundry on cold cycles, as powder can leave residue if it doesn’t fully dissolve in cold water.

What we love: 

We love that this ultra-concentrated power detergent ships in a cardboard box instead of a plastic container. 79% of customers love this detergent for its price point, and the fact that it cleans without leaving a trace of fragrance. 

What could be better: 

This detergent contains a potentially harmful surfactant called 1,4-dioxane (a likely human carcinogen that does not readily biodegrade in the environment), and some customers say that it doesn’t fully dissolve in cold water, which can lead to stains on darker clothing. If you choose this detergent, we recommend ensuring it’s fully dissolved in the laundry machine drum before use.

DETERGENT PODS

Pods are very convenient, and great if you’re prone to over-using detergent because they are pre-measured. However, they are usually a more expensive option and are often packaged in plastic PET containers that drive up the carbon footprint of the product overall. Pods sold in a PET container have about twice the global warming potential compared to pods sold in a flexible pouch.

What we love: 

These are packaged in cardboard -- why use plastic packaging when you don’t have to? 75% of customers love these pods, saying they’re easy to use and leave behind a subtle and fresh smell. 

What could be better: 

These pods have “fragrances” which could contain a host of nasty chemicals like phthalates and synthetic musks, aka endocrine disruptors and skin irritants that can be harmful to both humans and aquatic life. Some customers say that these pods are too expensive and leave residue on their clothes.

What we love: 

We love Seventh Generation’s third-party certifications, including B Corp and Leaping Bunny. 82% of customers love these pods as a great everyday detergent option with a pleasant, but not overpowering smell. 

What could be better:

Some customers say that these pods don’t work very well on stains, so if you choose this option we recommend pre-treating stains.

DETERGENT TABLETS

Detergent tablets are conveniently portioned like pods are, which we love.

What we love:

We love that these detergent tablets are shipped in paper, rather than plastic packaging. 80% of customers love these tablets, saying they are a great plastic-free option that cleans clothes well. 

What could be better:

These tablets contain a potentially harmful surfactant called 1,4-dioxane (a likely human carcinogen that does not readily biodegrade in the environment). Some customers report that these tablets don’t dissolve in cold water.

DETERGENT SHEETS

Detergent sheets are a new liquid-less option that seems really promising. This new type of detergent has its ingredients packed into a sheet that dissolves in water. It is super light to ship, requiring less fuel. Since they’re liquid-less, they use less water and usually no plastic packaging.

What we love:

Tru Earth reports that the lightweight design of their detergent sheets reduces transportation fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 94% compared to the leading liquid and powder detergents. 73% of customers love these detergent sheets for their compact, no mess design. 

What could be better:

These sheets have “fragrances” which could contain a host of nasty chemicals like phthalates and synthetic musks, aka endocrine disruptors and skin irritants that can be harmful to both humans and aquatic life. Some customers say they’re too expensive and don’t work as well as other options.

SOAP NUTS

Soap nuts are dried soapberries used in lieu of detergent. They are a great option from an environmental standpoint but have received mixed reviews on their ability to remove stains. If you try them, let us know what you think!

A FEW TAKEAWAYS:

Quantifying the environmental footprint of liquid vs. pods vs. tablets vs. sheets hasn’t been scientifically verified, but the data seems to indicate that sheets are the most promising due to their lightweight nature and minimal water consumption.