The thought of clean laundry brings to my mind fresh clothing and crisp linens with a snuggly bear touting a particular brand of fabric softener. But what they don’t advertise is how these just-washed sheets & clothing are now covered in enough chemicals, toxins, and irritants to harm your family’s hormones. It’s no wonder so many kids suffer rashes or eczema from detergent! We’ve heard so many complaints about detergents over the years that we knew it was time to answer the question: Is laundry detergent toxic for your family? This expose might surprise you. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like safest cookware, safest kitchen appliances, & safest shampoos, now join us as we explore laundry detergent, the chemicals you want to stay away from and the brands you want to purchase.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and was fact-checked by Rebecca Elizabeth Sherrick Harks, Registered Nurse.
15+ Toxic Chemicals Commonly Found in Brand Name Laundry Detergent
Our research shows that laundry detergent is toxic, and a number of brands fail in this area. What were we surprised to find? The sheer volume of problematic chemicals that can be found in detergents. These include everything from mild irritants and allergens to endocrine disruptors and cancer-causing agents.
Let’s take a peek at what toxic chemicals may be lurking in your laundry room products in this toxic detergent chemicals list:
Fragrances
We’ve written about the dangers of fragrances in your favorite perfumes before but these same chemicals can also be found in many scented laundry detergent products as well. Although fragrances give you that sense of things smelling clean, they do more to trick you than actually help you. Your brain is hard-wired to associate certain scents with clean, but did you know that those scents can also contain hormone-disrupting chemicals that are linked with hyperactivity in children, weight gain, lowering testosterone and cancers? Yikes. Phthalates are plasticizer chemicals used to make scents carry longer and they are typically found in “fragrance” without a label telling you they are there. The ingredients of these substances are considered to be trade secrets and, therefore, companies are not required to disclose their components to the general public.
If you see “fragrance” or “perfume” on the ingredient list, the product may also contain chemicals such as acetone or ethanol, just two of thousands of possible ingredients that can disrupt your family’s health.
Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs)
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are an EDC that mimics estrogen and is linked to both hormonal problems and cancer. According to the EPA, NPEs have been associated with reproductive and developmental effects in labs studies on rodents and are highly toxic to aquatic life. They have been found in human breast milk, too. While the EPA is starting to take action on NPEs, they have not yet banned this item.
1,4-Dioxane
Although this chemical is not supposed to be used in products, studies have discovered it in a number of laundry detergents. 1,4-dioxane isn’t added directly to your laundry detergent, it’s a contaminant that gets in during a process called ethoxylation when ethlyene oxide is added to other ingredients to make them less harsh. processing. Ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate are ethoxylated because they are harsh on the skin. This process is what creates the contamination of 1,4-dioxane. The EPA has determined that this chemical is a probable human carcinogen.
Synthetic and Petroleum-Based Surfactants
Surfactants help to clean your products. When they are synthetically derived or petroleum-based, they are the most harmful. One example is ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), which can be harmful to your children, causing possible eye damage, and to the health of animals. ALES also contains polyethylene glycol (PEG). This chemical can penetrate the skin and is listed as a skin irritant in EWG’s Skin Deep Database.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) /Sodium Laureth Sulfates (SLES)
SLS and SLES are naturally derived surfactants but that doesn’t mean they are not harmful. Both have been shown to be a skin and eye irritant by the Journal of the American College of Toxicology. There is debate over whether SLS is a carcinogen, and some research indicates it may damage the immune system. Both are harmful to the environment.
Phosphates
Phosphates are difficult to remove, even in wastewater processing systems, and can pose a threat to the environment. According to the EPA, they promote algae growth that decreases the oxygen that many aquatic life forms need to survive. Studies also link them to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and death in animals.
Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach, such as Clorox, can burn the skin, and can cause eye damage and respiratory issues. It is classified as a hazardous chemical in its initial state.
Ammonium Quaternary Sanitizers (Quats)
Lab studies have shown this chemical to harm fertility, cause miscarriages, and cause severe birth defects in animals. According to Chemical of the Day, they can also trigger skin and respiratory irritations as well as allergies. Some quats are also EDCs and some are toxic to aquatic life. Not much is known about its effect on humans, but this is definitely a chemical you don’t want around your children.
Benzyl Acetate, and Other Benzene Ingredients
According to its own material safety sheet, this benzyl acetate is toxic if inhaled or ingested. It’s also irritating to eyes, lungs, and skin. Benzene-based ingredients are often toxic.
2-Butoxyethanol
The EPA states that this chemical can irritate your throat, skin, or eyes and may have even more serious health effects. In animal lab studies, it has also been associated with harmful effects during pregnancy, neurological effects, and more.
Optical Brighteners
These chemicals create the “optical illusion” of brighter whites. They “coat” your clothing and remain after washing, meaning that your family’s skin is constantly exposed to them. According to the material safety sheet, they are extremely toxic to aquatic life. They are also an irritant to skin, eyes, and lungs, and can be harmful if ingested.
Quaternium-15 & Formaldehyde
Quaternium-15 releases formaldehyde. Additionally, some companies add formaldehyde to their products. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and toxicant.
Artificial Colors and Preservatives
We know that artificial dyes are associated with ADHD. And artificial preservatives, like BHT and BHA, may be carcinogenic or an endocrine disruptor. You should avoid these as much as possible.
A Word About Silver Nanoparticles
More manufacturers are adding silver nanoparticles to clothing to combat odor-causing bacteria. These can seep back into wastewater, in this case, from your washing machine. They are harmful to ecosystems and can damage fish and other animals as well as their embryos, according to research. They can also prevent wastewater treatment systems from functioning properly. You may want to limit how many “odor reducing” clothing articles you buy for your family.
Mamavation Investigates Laundry Detergents
The list of harmful effects of laundry detergents sure is long! If all this made you freak out about ever having your kids wear clean clothes again, don’t worry. Mamavation has combed through the brands and we have the listing of the safest items as well as which brands and products you should avoid altogether. Without further ado, here is the big list of worst, better, and best laundry detergents for your family.
The Worst Brands
These brands contain some or many of the chemicals from our toxic ingredient list above. There are even brands that are frequently recommended for newborns. Basically, avoid these brands at all costs.
- Ajax
- All
- All Free & Clear: Contains surfactants and brighteners
- Amway
- Arm & Hammer
- Cheer
- Dreft
- Dynamo
- ECOS™ Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent, Magnolia & Lily has undisclosed fragrance.
- Era
- Fab
- Gain
- Green Works
- Just The Basics (CVS)
- Kirkland
- Modere
- Norwex: Contains surfactants and brighteners
- Persil
- Purex
- Tide
- Thrive Market Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergent (UPDATE: Thrive Market has committed to reformulating this product and we hope to have good news for you soon!)
- Ultra
- Wisk
The Better Brands
These brands are better but may contain 1 or 2 of the above ingredients, including SLS, the safety of which is hotly disputed. Most have naturally derived versions of certain chemicals and derive their scents naturally, and are clear of the worst of the “bad” chemicals. However, these are better products than those listed above and do not contain the worst offenders on the above list. That said, these chemicals do not pose a high risk but may be something to avoid if you have sensitive skin, allergies, or are autoimmune compromised.
- Babyganics 3x Laundry Detergent, Fragrance-Free and Lavender
- Biokleen: Citrus Essense Laundry Liquid, Free & Clear Laundry Liquid, Cold Water Laundry Liquid
- DoTerra Laundry Detergent
- Dr. Bronner’s Sals Suds All Purpose Cleaner (can be used in laundry)
- Ecover
- ECOS laundry detergents, all except Magnolia & Lily (all contain preservatives)
- Grab Green Delicate Laundry Detergent Pods, Fragrance-Free
- Grab Green Scented 3-in-1 Laundry Detergent products
- Honest Company
- Melaleuca Laundry detergents (contain undisclosed brightener, preservative, and natural surfactant)
- Method
- Mrs. Meyer’s : contains undisclosed fragrance, however, they claim they are comprised of essential oils
- Planet by Ultra
- Seventh Generation Natural Baby Laundry Detergent, Free & Clear and Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent Pack, Free & Clear
- Seventh Generation Energy Smart
- Seventh Generation Scented Liquid Laundry Detergents
- Seventh Generation Natural 4X Laundry Detergent, Free & Clear
The Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent Brands
We are happy to announce that this list is long enough to provide you with plenty of options! All of these products are either MADE SAFE certified, do not contain the ingredients listed above, or are naturally/organically grown with no added chemicals. If there are no products specified beside the brand name, you can safely use any laundry detergent they make. Note that this does not mean you can use ANY product they make for laundry or other uses.
365 Everyday Value Laundry Detergent (Whole Foods Brand)
- Attitude
- Biokleen: Citrus Essense Laundry Powder
- Branch Basics Concentrate
- Celedon Road Detergent
- Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder
- Dansoap
- Eco Nuts
- Eco-Me
- Grab Green: Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergent Pods, 3-in-1 Powder, and Stoneworks
- Green Shield
- Honest Co. 4-in-1 Laundry Pods, Free & Clear
- Meliora: All products; their Laundry Powder is also MADESAFE Certified
- Miessence Platypus Laundry Liquid
- Molly’s Suds
- My Green Fills
- Nellie’s All-Natural Laundry Soda
- Odorklenz
- Planet Ultra 2x Ultra Laundry Detergent, Free & Clear
- Pure Haven Laundry Detergent
- Pure Natural
- Rockin’ Green Platinum Series Dirty Diaper & Active Wear Detergent product lines only
- Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent Powder, Free & Clear
- Simple Truth Free & Clear
- Soap Nuts
- Thieves Laundry Soap by Young Living
- Trader Joe’s Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Whole Foods Unscented Market Baby & Organic Unscented Laundry Detergents
- Woolzies Laundry Detergent
- Zum Clean Laundry Soap: All except Frankincense & Myrrh for undisclosed fragrance
Laundry Aides
If this list of toxic laundry detergents surprised you, I’m sorry to say that it gets worse. Almost all laundry aides – dryer sheets, fabric softener, and stain remover – use toxic chemicals. Most fabric softeners, for example, contain quats but they also have fragrance, or artificial preservatives and colors. Dryer sheets fare even worse.
If you want to use these products, here are the safest choices:
Fabric Softeners: Attitude: Fragrance-Free, Sweet Lullabuy, Citrus Zest, and Pear Nectar. Greenshield Organic Fabric Softener
- Dryer Sheets: Pure Ecosheet
- Stain Remover: Attitude, Biokleen Bac Out Stain + Odor Remover, Branch Basics Oxygen Boost, Fit Organic Baby Laundry Stain Remover, Nature Clean Oxy, Poofy Organics Pre-Spray, Puracy Natural Stain Remover, OxyClean Stain Remover, Sun & Earth On The Spot!
Is laundry detergent toxic? Many brands are but you don’t have to stop washing your clothes. (Bad news for your teenager!) There are a lot of brands you can choose from to keep your family safe and freshly laundered. Or, take the plunge and DIY your laundry cleaners. You won’t regret it!
Pesticides in Beer & Wine at a Liquor Store Near Me
Do you know if Ajax free and clear is ok. I’m sure their regular kind has many harsh chemicals but what about the free and clear type?
I am also curious about Dropps?!
Me too!
How does Fit Organic laundry detergent fare on your lists? Fragrance or fragrance free comparisons would be good. They also have a foaming dish & hand soap im curious about.
Thanks for all the research! Wow, that was a lot. There is a lot to unpack here. Thanks For your work!
I’ve got a kid in my carpool with overly strong smelling clothes from heavily fragrance based laundry detergent. The smell is so strong I have a hard time breathing in my car. Not good for anyone. I need good evidence based info to share the short and long term negative health impacts with the family. I’ll share this article, but can you point me to other articles that can help give evidence? Thank you!
How about Dropps laundry detergent?
Hi Gina,
Was just curious what was wrong with surfactants, especially those that are not even seen as bad (I’m going from select surfactants reviewed on EWG’s website)?
And, what brighteners are in the Norwex Laundry Detergent?
Thanks for your help with this!
Just to let y’all know… Simple Truth® Laundry Detergent Free & Clear just put my husband in the hospital for the past 5 days with severe allergic contact dermatitis. This came out of the blue. He’s never had an allergic reaction to any product I’ve ever used. Gone back to my old stuff which is on your “worst brands” list. Be aware that allergies can be highly individualized.
Hi Gina,
I appreciate you putting out this information to help educate people on the dangers present in many household items. It seems like accurate information is important to you, so I feel obligated to jump in to share some information and to ask where you got your information regarding the ingredients and safety of Norwex detergent? More specifically, which ingredients landed it on your unsafe list?
Like you, I take the safety of my family’s household products very seriously, which is why I feel confident using Norwex products.
All Norwex product ingredients are available in the “back office” for consultants, and in the very near future they will also be printed on the packaging. Consultants can currently search by product or individual ingredient. Furthermore, the purpose of each ingredient is also provided.
Norwex’s internal guidelines allow ingredients with EWG ratings of 1-3 or A to C to be considered for formulation. You are no doubt familiar with EWG, but for anyone who isn’t, The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, with a mission to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment, bu providing breakthrough research and education to drive consumer choice and civic action.
EWG, however, is only one criteria Norwex uses. They also use an extensive evaluation process that begins with the Precautionary Principle (if an ingredient has a suspected risk of causing harm to people or to the environment, even in the absence of scientific consensus, then Norwex will NOT use this ingredient).
Next, Norwex researches that ingredient against global regulatory agencies like Europe’s REACH, European Union Cosmetics Directive, US EPA, and OekoTex list to name a few. This helps to eliminate mutagens, known carcinogens, and reproductive toxins, including endocrine disrupters. These 2 stages alone identify more than 2400 ingredients that Norwex will NOT use in formulations. Norwex also evaluates ingredients by other scientific data and analytical tools. Each product claim (including Biodegradability, Biobased) is substantiated with 3rd party testing according to the highest regulatory or industry standards available.
If you have any questions about specific ingredients in Norwex products, I would be happy to help you out. I hope this helps to shed some light on any misinformation you may have been given. Thanks!
Hi Jenee. Can you please provide me with a link on this information at Norwex? After that, I’ll be happy to discuss with Leah if we can change the positioning of your products. Thank you.
Hi Gina,
Thanks for your consideration. I’d be happy to provide you with those ingredient lists.
Could you provide me with your email address? Feel free to e-mail me, if that’s easiest.
(When I input my comment I was asked for my e-mail address, so I assume you have it, but if not, it’s my first and last name at gmail.)
Thank you!
I am thinking about trying Attitude laundry detergent. Is the laundry detergent and fabric softener 2 in 1 a safe option? It’s mountain Essential scent. They have it on Amazon. Thanks!
Hi Gina,
I would still love to send you or Leah that information about the Norwex detergent ingredients.
Please email me at jeneelamberton at gmail and I’ll send it your way.
Thank you! 🙂
This list is a prime example how nasty rumors get started. Your “best” list is full of fragrance. I don’t know if it’s a error or you or getting a kickback but, this list is totally misleading.
If you do not know what a product contains, you should leave it off. Easy research would have given you the ingredients.
Zero frabric softners would be the safest. Dryer balls only.
Please revamp this list or make some type of disclaimer because this list is a fairy tale.
Rule #1. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Rule #2. Blogs fall on a scale of 1-2 out of 5 for truth and being biased, meaning, they are not a good resource . Why am I pointing this out? There are many of these that are falsely rated and listed. It seems as though not much research was actually put into this and is falsely rating some companies and detergents. Which clearly shows by the corrections in the comments and a quick Google search.
Please remove Norwex from your list of you are not aware of what it contains. Posting something as ‘bad’ when you aren’t even aware why is unprofessional and inappropriate. If you don’t know what’s in specific items, leave them off your lists or create a list that indicates you are doing further research. Slandering a product is so very wrong!
I see by several comments your contradicting a lot of what is written above and honestly you can’t deem a product as worst if you don’t know all the ingredients inside. Yet u wrote one that says has secret ingredients but u still put it on the better option. How does that make sense. Maybe you should delete this and try again because this wasn’t fully thought out plus you did not have all the info.
a good option https://bit.ly/2FvEyO4
What about Persil?
Hi Chris. Persil contains undisclosed fragrance (even their “perfume-free” Sensitive Skin formula) and numerous surfactants.
Thanks for this review! Such great info. A few of the brands I have been using are not on any lists. Just curious if you know anything about them: Dansoap, and Rockin’ Green. Thanks!
Tricia, here’s what I found on Rockin’ Green, I’ll check Dansoap next: Rockin’ Green looks good if you stick to their Platinum Series Dirty Diaper & Active Wear Detergents. They won’t disclose Funk Rock ingredients and Class/Hard Rock detergents have whiteners, surfactants, and undisclosed fragrance.
Tricia, I’ll be adding Dansoap to “best”.
Hello
I’m Aimee from Shanghai xisi Nonwovens Products Co., Ltd .Shanghai Xisi base mainly is household non-woven products, such as color grabber sheet, bleach sheet, dish-cleaning wipes, steamer cloth, oil absorbing cloth, tea bags, filter bags etc.
we saw your blog talk about for the laundry detergent, Do you know XISI brand . this products are safety to both baby and pregnant woman. you can try to look our website if you have any of need or doubt ,pls don’t hesitate to contact us .
Best Regards
Aimee
How about Rocking green? I’ve heard of folks safely use it on cloth diapers.
Hi Anu, Rockin’ Green looks good if you stick to their Platinum Series Dirty Diaper & Active Wear Detergents. They won’t disclose Funk Rock ingredients and Class/Hard Rock detergents have whiteners, surfactants, and undisclosed fragrance.
Curious as to why Norwex is on the better and not best list. ????????
Hi Marnie, Norwex does not list ingredients so I cannot add it to any lists. If you have an image of ingredients, I’m happy to research.
Hey Gina,
Please email me for the ingredients for both the Liquid and Powder Norwex detergents.
Although ingredients are not required to be on the package either in part or in full. Norwex is redesigning all of their packaging to include the ingredients in all of their products, including the laundry detergents.
Is Mrs. Myers really a best? I’ve not used because I thought they had undisclosed fragrance also, and it’s the strongest scent ever (almost unnaturally so).
Hi Staci! I apologize…in reading the list, I saw that they listed their essential oils and didn’t realize that they ALSO separately list fragrance, and claim they are only essential oils. I will change to the Better list. Thanks for the catch!
How does Simple Truth Free & Clear land on this list? Ingredients: sodium carbonate, sodium methyl 2-sulfolaurate and disodium 2-sulfolaurate,alkyl glucoside, xanthan gum, sodium chloride, seed oil surfactant, potassium sorbate, sodium citrate.
Hi Brad! I’m unfamiliar with this brand but a quick search shows it belongs on our “Best” list. I will add it – thank you!
Amway Detergent does not have those ingredients. Kindly remove Amway from you list please.
Nope Leave On The List. Powder detergent: Sodium Carbonate, C10-16 Alcohol Ethoxylate, Citric Acid, Fumaric Acid, Hydrated Silica, Water, Sodium Carboxymet hyl Cellulose, Sodium Chloride, Sucrose, Fragrance, Triazinyl diaminostilbene disulfonic acid, sodium salt, Starch, Protease Enzyme, Sodium Sulfate.
Liquid detergent:
Water, C10-16 Alcohol Ethoxylate, Hexylene Glycol, Whole Cut Fatty acid
(C8-18 and C18-unsaturated), C12-14 Alcohols Ethoxylated Propoxylated, Propylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Potassium Hydroxide, fragrance, Triazinyl diaminostilbene disulfonic acid, sodium salt, Subtilisins
(proteolytic enzymes), Glycerin, Citric Acid, Alpha-amylase (amylolytic enzyme), Liquitint Blue HP
Undisclosed fragrance and propylene glycol means it can’t make the better or best list
Would like you to include Melaleuca’s laundry detergent in this as well please. TIA
As good or bad?
I did add it. Melaleuca made the “better” list.
Another great investigation!! So happy I made the switch in 2017 to Grab Green Stoneworks.
I’ve been using Grab Green for a few years now, their detergents and dryer sheets… they work just as well, if not better than what I grew up on!
Glad to hear that Elle!
I love that my two favorites are on the best list— young living thieves and grab green stoneworks. As far as stoneworks goes, is it all of the scents? I am specifically inquiring about the oak moss scented pods as those are my favorite!
Thanks Victoria! Glad to hear that.