{"id":925,"date":"2026-03-09T15:33:54","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T22:33:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thegoodtrade.com\/organic-laundry-detergent\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T08:51:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T15:51:07","slug":"organic-laundry-detergent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegoodtrade.com\/features\/organic-laundry-detergent\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Best Nontoxic Laundry Detergents (2026 Editor Review)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Good Trade editors endorse products we\u2019ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here<\/a>.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I personally tested 11 natural and organic laundry detergents to ensure they’re effective, easy to use, and non-irritating.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve always had sensitive skin \u2014 since I was a kid, regular laundry detergents made me feel itchy, dry, and overall uncomfortable. The only detergent I\u2019ve ever used (up until now!) was a big brand Free & Clear formula, but as I\u2019ve learned more about the ingredients in those big brands, I\u2019ve wondered what nontoxic options were out there that would be better for my skin and my overall well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I personally tried out these 9 natural, organic, nontoxic laundry detergents. And I\u2019ll admit, I wondered whether they\u2019d make my clothes truly feel clean and how the scented detergents would affect me as someone who\u2019s only ever used unscented Free & Clear. But I am thrilled to share that each of these laundry detergents was genuinely great for both my clothes and my sensitive skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why consider a natural laundry detergent?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Conventional laundry detergents often contain chemicals like VOCs<\/a> (volatile organic compounds), SLS<\/a> (sodium lauryl sulfate), optical brighteners<\/a>, and other toxic chemicals<\/a> that are not only bad for us, but for the environment too<\/a>. They also often contain dyes, artificial fragrances, surfactants (chemicals that help water penetrate the fabric), and even preservatives like formaldehyde<\/a> that can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions. The nontoxic, natural, and organic laundry detergents on this list are free from these harsh chemicals and use natural (many of them mineral and plant-based) ingredients that get the job done, and done well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our criteria and methodology:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Good Trade’s editors hand-selected the best natural laundry detergents on the market and I personally tested all of them, as pictured below. For each, I smeared peanut butter onto a white tea towel and washed it to see how well it came out. I washed them all on medium heat with the recommended amount of laundry detergent for each brand. The peanut butter smudge came out of the towels with all of the detergents, though some smelled more refreshing than others. I also washed my clothes with each of the detergents and wore them to see how they felt and smelled during wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We chose each of these laundry detergents for their natural, nontoxic ingredients and tested them for their cleaning power, fresh scents, and to make sure they made our clothes soft without irritating our skin.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We regularly update this list with emerging favorites that meet the following criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n