Sheets that smell better than your best clean perfume? Luxury scents are coming to natural laundry detergents and these are the best ones to try.
Shopping for laundry detergent is about as fun as doing laundry. Or, at least, it used to be. There’s a new crop of laundry detergents that do away with the chemical nasties in conventional products and deliver scents that deviate from the generic “fresh” and “floral” fragrances that even natural brands fall victim to. You’ve spent two years in the same pair of sweatpants — isn’t it time to give them a detergent makeover?
What is laundry detergent?
Some things we just don’t question. But when it comes to detergents, we absolutely should be asking questions. First of all, what is laundry detergent? And is it safe?
According to clean laundry brand Kind Laundry, prior to the 1950s, most laundry detergents were made with soap — the same kind we deem safe enough to use on our bodies. Pure soap is made via saponification, a natural process involving lye and oils, sometimes animal fats — quite harmless overall, Kind Laundry says. “So what happened to the non-toxic laundry detergents? War. During the war these fats and oils became required elsewhere, leading to the creation of synthetic alternatives,” the company says on its website. “These synthetic laundry detergents derived from petrochemicals leapt ahead in popularity. Since then the chemicals lurking in your laundry detergents have only gotten more complex, dangerous and toxic.”
Modern detergents can contain some not-so-clean ingredients linked to a number of health issues. Ingredients like 1,4-Dioxane, a solvent common in commercial detergents, have been linked to a host of illnesses from vertigo to liver and kidney damage and some forms of cancer. Detergents can also contain sodium laurel sulfate, ammonia, phenols, formaldehyde, and phosphates, among other harmful chemicals that cause skin irritation, respiratory conditions, and other acute and chronic health issues.
While some of these chemicals are added for their cleansing properties, some are added to extend the lifetime of fragrances. This is why clothes can smell like they just came out of the dryer for months after washing. Then, there’s the case of The Laundress, which was the leading label for luxury scented clean detergent until it had to recall its products after bacterial contamination caused some people to become quite sick.
Traditional detergents are typically filled with a cocktail of chemicals that are harmful to human health and the planet. Phosphates can damage aquatic life when they reach rivers and lakes, causing an overgrowth of algae known as eutrophication. Synthetic surfactants help cut through grime but can persist in the environment. Some are toxic to aquatic life, contributing to water pollution long after your wash cycle ends. Though they give that ‘fresh laundry’ smell, many fragrances contain phthalates. These chemicals can interfere with the endocrine system and are often not listed on the product labels.
Benefits of eco-friendly laundry detergent
Trading in your old laundry detergent for a green alternative has several benefits, not just for the planet but for you.
Eco-friendly detergents are often free from phosphates, synthetic surfactants, and hidden fragrances, making them less harmful to aquatic life and reducing water pollution. With fewer harsh chemicals, an eco-friendly laundry detergent can improve your skin and respiratory health, reducing the chances of allergic reactions or irritation.
Many green detergents use minimal or even zero packaging, reducing waste and making recycling easier if needed. The production, transportation, and disposal of eco-friendly detergents often consume less energy and emit fewer greenhouse gases. Likewise, green detergents are often designed to break down safely in the environment, leaving less residue behind.
How to choose the right eco-friendly laundry detergent
The best eco-friendly detergent will depend on your needs and preferences. For example, those with sensitive skin may want a fragrance-free option. And no need to throw out what you’ve already got. Use up your existing detergent before bringing in the green alternative.
Ingredients: Always read labels to ensure the product is free from harmful substances like phosphates and synthetic surfactants.
Certifications: Trustworthy eco-labels or certifications can vouch for a product’s environmental friendliness.
Packaging: Opt for minimal, biodegradable, or recyclable packaging detergents.
Label claims: Be aware of greenwashing. If a product’s ‘green’ claims seem vague or unsupported, it might be wise to do some extra research.
How much laundry detergent should you use?
While the amount of detergent needed varies by brand and concentration, according to The New York Times Wirecutter, less is more when it comes to detergent. “Though it seems counterintuitive, the more detergent you use past a certain point, the dirtier your clothes become,” the Wirecutter’s Elissa Sanci explains.
She says to effectively clean your clothes, you need to use “only 2 tablespoons per load at most — and that’s for big loads weighing 12 pounds or more.” In many cases, 1 tablespoon is enough “to thoroughly clean an average load, which usually weighs around 8 pounds.” If you’re handwashing, you can use even less. “When it comes to laundry detergent, a little will go a long way.”
Wirecutter also warns that while the back of the bottle might recommend using more than tablespoons per load, that’s often not really true. “Some detergent manufacturers are going to lie on the label,” says this Wirecutter video about laundry stripping. “But remember, they’re selling a product, and they want you to buy more of it.”
What are the best clean laundry detergents?
From DIY-ing your own laundry formulas to soap nuts and other clean detergent brands there are a number of products free from harmful chemicals. But if you’re looking to give your laundry a serious upgrade, consider the newest trend that sees elevated fragrances.
Tangent GC Oud Perfumed Denim Wash
This organic, vegan detergent cleanses your garments without eating into the cotton fibres as it’s free from corrosive alkalis. No fossil fuel-based surfactants, no animal testing, and an unforgettable oud fragrance that comes from the world’s most expensive wood—agarwood.
Fer à Cheval Marseille Concentrated Laundry Liquid
Made in Provence with all-natural plant-based oils, seawater, ash, and lye, Fer à Cheval undergoes a ten-day boiling procedure under the supervision of a soap master and artisan soapmakers. Free of artificial anything, this soap has a light, fragrant olive scent that conjures hillsides and sunny afternoons.
Dedcool Dedtergent 01 “Taunt”
Dedcool is in the fragrance business with scents for all genders and needs. This cruelty-free, vegan, and organic detergent boasts “23 beneficial organic extracts that’s good for you.” And we’re not going to argue with that statement. The first “dedtergent” fragrance is a keeper—bergamot, amber, and vanilla offers a light but grounding scent so pleasing we won’t tell if you dip a little detergent behind the ears.
Topanga Scents
Topanga Scents’ has developed a cult following for a reason — its natural laundry detergents smell less like your average soap and more like something you’d spritz on your wrists before heading to dinner in Malibu. Inspired by California landscapes, its fragrances, ike Paradise Cove with sea salt, fig, and sandalwood, or Laurel Canyon’s mix of cardamom, iris, and leather, are clean, phthalate-free, and undeniably chic. With long-lasting aromas that cling to clothes like high-end perfume, the detergent has been praised across TikTok and Reddit not just for how well it cleans, but for how good it makes your laundry smell — a rare feat for a natural formula.
Dirty Labs Bio Signature Detergent
Don’t let the name fool you. There’s nothing dirty happening at Dirty Labs. The company uses a special scientific enzyme technology that removes stains naturally. Not only are the cleaning ingredients an upgrade from normal detergent but the scent is elevated, too, with hints of bergamot, cedar, and magnolia.
Kind Laundry Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
You’ll need to add your own fragrance to this one, but the trade-off is worth it. Kind Laundry’s laundry detergent sheets are made with zero-waste packaging, biodegradable ingredients, and no harsh chemicals.
L’Avant High-Performance Laundry Detergent
L’Avant swaps bleach, dyes, phthalates, phosphates, and parabens for biological enzymes that clean gently but thoroughly. A 5x concentrate means you can use less while still getting all the cleaning power of a conventional cleaner. But its gentle detergent base means your clothes, towels, and bedding will last longer without losing color. Try the soft Fresh Linen scent that carries notes of geranium, ylang-ylang, and bamboo.
L’Alchimiste Marseille Soap Liquid Laundry Detergent
Minimalism comes to detergent with this handcrafted in Provence French laundry detergent. Made for delicate clothes, this detergent is gentle and brings a natural fragrance from the soap itself. Add your own or let the scents of the French countryside be your new signature scent. Made from recycled or reused materials, this is a truly sustainable detergent for all your washing needs.
Frey the Detergent
Frey detergent is fully biodegradable and lasts for 50 loads of laundry. It takes its scent cues from “top fragrances” using natural essential oils of Cedarwood, Oakmoss, and Amber. Your nose will love it, and so will your clothes, says the brand. “We designed this concentrated blend of gentle washing detergents and natural fragrances to soften and reduce wrinkles and eliminate odors, stains, and dirt.”
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