Natural Laundry Detergent – Non-Toxic and Clean

Last Updated on May 30, 2026 by Kimberly

My daughter developed eczema as a baby.  I switched to fragrance-free laundry detergent shortly after she was born because the scented ones made her break out worse. Thankfully, her eczema rashes have gone away, but she still has sensitive skin.

The few times I have used scented laundry detergent on her clothes while on vacation, she has broken out with a rash because of skin irritation. Recently, I learned about other harsh chemicals in laundry detergent and decided to switch what I was using to a more natural laundry detergent. Most fragrance-free traditional laundry detergents still contain some of these chemicals.

Harmful Chemicals in Laundry Detergent

1. Sodium Laurel Sulfate – a known skin irritant. In a study done on mice, it was found to disrupt the skin barrier for up to a week. 
2. Formaldehyde – a chemical used in embalming. In this study, it was found to cause nasal cancer in rats. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has listed formaldehyde as a carcinogen to humans.
3. Phthalates – known to interfere with hormonal pathways. Human studies have found a link between phthalates and insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity, allergies, and asthma. 
4. Nonylphenol (NPE) – an endocrine disruptor. Not only does nonylphenol mimic estrogen in the body, but it also reduces the function of androgens.
5. Synthetic Fragrance – Synthetic fragrances cover the chemical smell of products. These are known to cause headaches, allergic reactions, and difficulty breathing in some people. Artificial fragrances can also disrupt hormones.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Powder Laundry Detergent

After my daughter developed eczema, I researched laundry detergent recipes and decided to make a small batch of powder laundry detergent using simple ingredients like 20 Mule Team Borax, Super Washing Soda, and Fels Naptha laundry bar soap. I used a cheese grater to grate the bar soap.

The powdered version did not dissolve well for me because I mainly use cold water for my laundry.  Also, my sister clogged the drain pipe in her laundry room with homemade powder detergent. The plumber had to cut a section of the pipe out because the powder had stuck to the sides of the pipe!

Liquid Laundry Detergent

Last year, I started making my own liquid laundry detergent using the same natural ingredients and adding hot water for a liquid detergent.  After using it for a few months, my laundry started to smell bad. Since I have used fragrance-free laundry detergent for years, my laundry usually does not smell at all. Since it started smelling bad, I knew the liquid homemade laundry detergent did not clean my clothes effectively. We do have hard water where we live, so that could be the reason it didn’t work. 

Best Natural Laundry Detergents

After I quit making my own laundry detergent, I decided to shop around for natural laundry soap. There are so many great options in stores and online. Here are a few well-known brands that scored well on the Environmental Working Group website. They can be found on Amazon.

• Ecos Laundry Detergent Liquid, Free and Clear
• Molly’s Suds Liquid Laundry Detergent
• Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent, Free & Clear
• Blueland Laundry Detergent Tablets, Fragrance Free
• Truly Free Natural Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin
• ATTITUDE Liquid Laundry Detergent, Unscented

Ecos Laundry Detergent Liquid, Free & Clear does contain two preservatives I do not like, Phenoxyethanol and Methylisothiazolinone. However, it is still a safer choice than other conventional brands and Walmart carries it. 

Chemicals in Dryer Sheets and Fabric Softener

I haven’t used dryer sheets and fabric softener in years because they contain so many chemicals. Also dryer sheets can cause a waxy coating on your dryer and pose a fire hazard. Dryer sheets and fabric softener contain scary ingredients. Three of the worst chemicals are the following:

1. VOCs – acetaldehyde and benzene. These toxic chemicals are listed as carcinogenic by the EPA. They are released into the air when you dry your laundry. There is no safe exposure level for these chemicals.
2. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) – chemicals used in preservatives, surfactants, and disinfecting products. With repeated exposure, QACs can aggravate the skin and respiratory system and possibly cause asthma.
3. Fragrance – Synthetic fragrances irritate the respiratory system and disrupt hormones.

Natural Products for Dryer Sheets and Fabric Softener

Here are a few ideas on how to minimize wrinkles and soften your clothes without dryer sheets or fabric softener:

• Sodium Bicarbonate – Sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda (less for smaller loads) on top of your clothes in your washing machine before adding your laundry detergent. This will not only soften your clothes, it will also take out bad smells. I like to add this to my towel load and my husband’s work clothes. It would also be a good idea to add this to workout clothes.
• Vinegar – For years, I have used white vinegar in place of fabric softener. You can simply place ½ cup in the fabric softener dispenser whenever you wash a load of laundry.
• Wool dryer balls – I am not sure why I took so long to try wool dryer balls, but they work great! Adding these to a load in the dryer really cuts the drying time, helps to minimize wrinkles, and softens your clothes. I bought Otylzto Wool Dryer Balls on Amazon recently and am really impressed with how well they work. You can also put a few drops of your favorite essential oils on a wool dryer ball before adding it to the dryer to make your laundry smell nice.

Make the Switch to Natural Detergents

Harmful ingredients are everywhere. Using natural laundry detergent is a great place to start in removing toxic ingredients from your home. Small changes make a big difference in overall health. Give some of these non-toxic laundry detergents a try. I think you will be presently surprised at how well they work! Also, use wool dryer balls instead of fabric softener. They really do soften your clothes! Please leave a comment if you found this article helpful!