We talk a lot about going natural on THE/THIRTY, whether it's looking for remedies for allergies, changing up our period products, or testing out the latest natural deodorants. Making the switch to something more natural, whatever it is, can be beneficial to your health and also the environment, reducing your carbon footprint. For us, the term "natural," means products with no chemicals or artificial ingredients, which are better for the environment, whether they're biodegradable or recyclable.
One other opportunity to go natural is in your pile of dirty clothes. There are so many natural laundry detergents out there, but it's hard to tell which ones will actually get your clothes clean. And that's especially important when you're dealing with a load of smelly workout gear. You definitely don't want to be that person at the gym or fitness class who's literally stinking up the place.
We did some of the homework for you and rounded up some of the best natural detergents out there. Take a look and see if you're ready to make the switch.
Mrs. Meyer's products are a personal favorite of mine—all of its cleaning supplies get the job done and then some. This formula is made of plant-derived ingredients that fight dirt and grime and is biodegradable. One Amazon reviewer said, "I love this detergent! It smells wonderful and it lasts for so long. I've been using the same bottle for two months now, and it's a little more than halfway gone, and I do quite a lot of laundry. It doesn't take much to get my clothes clean and smelling nice."
This Seventh Generation detergent is hypoallergenic and scent-free, so it works well for anyone with sensitivities. It contains plant-derived enzyme stain removers so your clothes will come out looking clean. Plus, it's designated as an EPA Safer Choice Certified Product.
This laundry detergent powder is made from six eco-friendly ingredients: sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate peroxide, sodium citrate, and enzyme. Each bag can wash up to 70 loads.
Another EPA Safer Choice product, ECOS laundry detergent is greywater- and septic-safe. It doesn't have dyes, parabens, phosphates, and phthalates. An added bonus? It has built-in fabric softener to reduce static cling.
Amazon has its own brand of natural detergent, with this one being 95% bio-based and lightly scented with essential oils. The gentle formula was designed with baby's clothing in mind, but it works well for adult's clothes, too. One reviewer wrote, "It's great. I can get stains off with this if I run a little and soak. Gets chocolate, blood, berry, and other stains off. Works for both standard and HE [high-efficiency] machines."
Formulated for sensitive skin, Molly's Suds laundry powder is made with five eco-friendly ingredients. You can use it in all water temperatures, and it's septic-safe. One reviewer raved (but had one caveat): "The best natural laundry detergent in my opinion. The peppermint scent unfortunately is not left on clothes after washing. But I've become accustomed to the plain unscented-ness of my laundry. It's just clean, not overly-perfumed like a lot of the other stuff. I've used this for years and won't ever stop!"
Method's laundry detergent formula is hypoallergenic and biodegradable—it contains no formaldehyde, parabens, chlorine, phosphates, and phthalates. Plus, the detergent bottles themselves are made from recyclable materials.
Want to go green but don't want to miss the convenience of laundry pods? These from Grab Green are your answer. They contain a bio-based formula no phosphates or dyes and come in recyclable packaging.
Made with plant-based surfactants and extracts of citrus and grapefruit, this detergent will leave your clothes sparkling and smelling good. You can recycle or compost the bottle after use. A reviewer wrote, "I love how many loads I can do with this for the price. It's got a great scent and seems to clean pretty well so far, unless it's a very large load in which case I need to add double the detergent."
This one's another baby laundry detergent that adults can use, too. It has four stain-fighting enzymes to clean your clothes, and it's designed for sensitive skin. Plus, it also has the EPA Safe Choice seal.
This laundry powder is septic-safe and biodegradable. The formula is also EPA Safer Choice certified and is said to help remove fats, oils, greases, and odors from sewer lines, so you're also helping your community every time you do laundry (an added bonus!). And if you trust reviews, you'll be happy to know that this has over 2000 ratings and 4.5 stars on Amazon.
Nellie's laundry powder is made from just four ingredients: sodium carbonate, linear alcohol ethoxylate, sodium chloride, and sodium metasilicate. You just need to put in one tablespoon of the powder for a regular-sized load, so depending on how often you do laundry, this one tin can last you a while.
Vegan and cruelty-free, this rose-scented laundry detergent is made with plant-based cleansers. It's also septic-safe and contains no parabens and dyes. Plus, the bottle itself is made from recycled materials and is recyclable after use.
Next up: 21 Easy Swaps for a More Sustainable Home
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
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