Your detergent doesn’t rinse out the way you think it does. A little stays behind. Then it sits on your skin all day. So I created this guide of the best non-toxic laundry detergents for babies and sensitive skin. These picks ditch the usual culprits (fragrance, sulfates, brighteners, harsh preservatives) and still handle real messes—milk, sweat, food, and mud.
Ingredients to Avoid in Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent
To understand what makes the best non-toxic laundry detergents for babies and sensitive skin, you need to know what to avoid. A lot of mainstream detergents, and even some “natural” ones, still use ingredients that can irritate skin or leave residue behind. If you’re shopping for a fragrance-free laundry detergent or a baby laundry detergent that won’t trigger eczema, start here:
The best non-toxic laundry detergents avoid these problem ingredients and still clean well. Next, I’ll share the options that made the cut, plus a quick comparison so you can choose fast.
Before You Shop…
Many of the items below ship with Amazon Prime. Not a member yet? Prime Trial offers new customers a 30-day trial for Prime or a 6-month trial for Prime for Young Adults.
Comparison Table: Top 10 Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents
To make your non-toxic laundry detergent selection easier, here’s a quick overview of our top picks, their format, certifications, and standout features:
Certifications key: EWG Verified (meets strict safety criteria), MADE SAFE© (verified non-toxic ingredients), ECOCERT (natural origin content certified), USDA Certified Biobased Product (verified % biobased content), Leaping Bunny (cruelty-free). All products are synthetic-fragrance-free and avoid the ingredients listed above.
Now let’s break down each non-toxic laundry detergent and why it made the list—ingredients, certifications, and how it holds up for baby and sensitive skin laundry. I’ll also share which one I actually use at home with my own family.
1. Pronounce Laundry Powder
Pronounce Laundry Powder is a mom-founded brand that set out to create a detergent with only ingredients you can actually pronounce! It’s also the laundry detergent I currently use in my own home for my family.
The result is this ultra-clean powder: it contains just five base ingredients – washing soda, baking soda, epsom salt, soapberries, and enzymes – and nothing else. In fact, Pronounce lists every ingredient proudly on the front label (talk about transparency!). It was designed specifically for families with eczema, allergies, and chemical sensitivities in mind.
👍🏼 Why it’s great:
Pronounce may be a newer brand, but it’s quickly gaining a loyal following for how gentle yet effective it is. The inclusion of soapberries (soap nuts) and plant-based enzymes means it can tackle stains naturally, while rinsing completely clean so no irritants are left on clothes. When I’m washing sweaty clothes or stained kid stuff, I add their oxygen boost powder to the wash for extra stain-lifting power.
It’s safe for HE washers and septic systems, and because it’s a concentrated powder, you only need 1 tablespoon per load – a single pouch washes about 120 loads. Absolutely zero synthetic chemicals (even many “natural” detergents can’t say that), and its simplicity goes beyond EWG’s criteria.
Pronounce is not yet EWG Verified (small brand) but every ingredient scores an A in safety. We love that it’s packaged in a minimal-waste pouch instead of a plastic jug. It’s also a budget-friendly option at ~$0.25 per load.
👎🏼 Downsides:
As a powder, it works best in warm or hot water (you can dissolve it first for cold washes). The brand specifically recommends warm water for heavy soil.
2. AspenClean Laundry Detergent (Liquid)
AspenClean is a Canada-based brand with some of the strongest third-party credibility in the “clean laundry” space. If you’re looking for a non-toxic laundry detergent for baby clothes or reactive skin, their Unscented Laundry Detergent is EWG Verified® and ECOCERT certified.
👍🏼 Why it’s good:
AspenClean cleans with plant-derived glucoside surfactants (like decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside) and mineral boosters (like sodium carbonate/washing soda). It also avoids big irritant categories, including SLS/SLES and ethoxylated ingredients.
For the most sensitive skin, go with Unscented. If you want a natural scent, AspenClean also offers options scented with organic essential oils (like Lavender or Eucalyptus)—not artificial fragrance.
👎🏼 Downsides:
AspenClean costs more per load than basic “free & clear” detergents. Availability also depends on where you live. In the U.S., many shoppers find it’s more reliable to order online than to hunt for it in local stores. Also, the ingredient list includes sodium citrate. If you avoid citrates along with citric acid, you may want to skip this one.
3. Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Powder
Molly’s Suds has become a classic in the non-toxic laundry world. Founded by a mom and pediatric nurse, this powder detergent was created in memory of her daughter Molly, with the mission of truly safe ingredients.
Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Powder has only 4 ingredients: sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), unrefined sea salt. Unfortunately, if you prefer scented laundry detergent, only the Peppermint scent is made with organic essential oil. All other scents contain “natural fragrance”, which I recommend avoiding (the Unscented version contains no added scent at all).
👍🏼 Why it’s good:
It contains no SLS/SLES, no optical brighteners, no phosphates, no enzymes, and no allergens. It’s gentle enough that many cloth diapering parents swear by it, and it doesn’t leave any residue.
Molly’s is very affordable (around $0.15–$0.20 per load) and available in bulk. It’s easy to find – you can buy it on Amazon, Thrive Market, or even Target. This is a perfect starter non-toxic detergent if you’re transitioning from conventional brands.
👎🏼 Downsides (and my honest take):
This is one of those powders people seem to love or hate. I’m in the middle. I love the ingredient list and brand ethos, but it never became my personal favorite in terms of results. (Some loads came out perfect, and others needed a boost.)
Also, if you’re strict about fragrance for sensitive skin, I’d stick to Unscented or Peppermint and skip the scents made with “natural fragrance.”
For hard water or stubborn stains, the brand recommends hot water and/or using a laundry booster like their Oxygen Whitener.
4. Meliora Laundry Powder
If you’re looking for plastic-free and people-safe, Meliora checks all the boxes. This Chicago-based small business makes a non-toxic laundry powder that’s as eco-friendly as it is skin-friendly. It comes in a steel canister with a minimalist formula: sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and organic coconut oil soap form the base.
The Unscented version has just those ingredients – nothing more. (Meliora also offers versions scented only with certified organic essential oils like lavender or lemon, no synthetic fragrance.) There are no preservatives, no sulfates, no optical brighteners, no dyes in this powder. It’s one of the rare detergents that earned both an EWG A-rating and MADE SAFE certification for its purity.
👍🏼 Why it’s great:
Meliora is Latin for “better,” and we agree. The ingredients are simple and disclosed directly on the front and the cleaning power is solid, thanks to the coconut soap.
It generates low suds (good for HE machines) and rinses clean. We also love Meliora’s company ethics: everything is palm-oil-free, cruelty-free, and Made Safe© Certified (meaning independent experts have verified it contains zero known toxicants). The powder is safe for infants, sensitive adults, and even pets (if you wash pet bedding).
I love the plastic-free packaging. You can even order refill bags to pour into the original steel tin, cutting waste. Meliora is cost-effective at about $0.20 per load.
👎🏼 Downsides:
Because it’s a powder, it needs the wash water to get warm enough to fully activate and dissolve (some “tap cold” cycles can be too cold). If your household is extremely sensitive, stick to unscented. Even essential oils can be a no-go for some people. Availability also varies by location: you can find it online easily, but in-store depends on your local natural retailers.
5. Branch Basics Laundry Concentrate
Branch Basics isn’t just a laundry detergent. It’s a whole-house cleaning system built around one fragrance-free concentrate you dilute for different jobs, including laundry. It’s a popular pick for anyone searching for a non-toxic laundry detergent for sensitive skin, especially if you want to simplify your entire cleaning routine.
Branch Basics Concentrate uses a short ingredient list: purified water, plant-based surfactants (like decyl glucoside and coco-glucoside), baking soda, sodium citrate, sodium phytate, and chamomile extract. It contains no synthetic fragrance (“parfum”), dyes, or optical brighteners. It’s also MADE SAFE® certified, and EWG rates the concentrate as an “A” in their cleaning guide.
👍🏼 Why it’s good:
This is one of the cleanest “multi-use” options out there. If you’re trying to cut out a cabinet full of products, Branch Basics lets you replace a bunch of cleaners with one concentrate. For laundry, it leaves clothes truly scent-free and tends to rinse clean, which can be a big deal for eczema-prone or reactive skin. For tougher stains, you can pair it with their Oxygen Boost for more stain-lifting power.
👎🏼 Downsides (and an important note):
You do have to dilute the laundry solution first, so it’s not a “grab-and-pour” detergent. If you use it for laundry and cleaning, you will go through the concentrate fast. It’s also easiest to buy online, since in-store availability depends heavily on your area.
And yes—this is the bummer for ultra-sensitive households: Branch Basics contains sodium citrate, which is derived from citric acid. If you’re avoiding citric acid and citrate salts based on personal reactions, this one may not be a fit, even though the overall formula is very clean.
6. GreenShield Organic Laundry Detergent
GreenShield Organic is a USDA Certified Organic laundry detergent made for people who want a fragrance-free liquid with a straightforward ingredient list. The brand launched its organic cleaners in 2009 and was started by a dad named Adam.
The Free & Clear version is fragrance-free and sulfate-free, and the company markets it specifically for sensitive skin. It’s a soap-based formula built around organic soapberries and saponified organic coconut oil, plus simple minerals like sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. You’ll also see soothing extras like organic aloe and a few natural gums (xanthan/guar/acacia) to keep the liquid stable.
👍🏼 Why it’s good:
This is a strong pick if you’re searching for a fragrance-free laundry detergent for sensitive skin and you prefer USDA Organic. EWG rates this specific Free & Clear detergent an “A”. It’s also HE + standard machine safe, septic-safe, and packaged in a recyclable sugarcane-based bottle.
👎🏼 Downsides:
About the “gums”: GreenShield uses xanthan/guar/acacia gum as thickeners. They’re common and usually low-risk, but if your skin reacts to plant gums (or you want the most minimalist formula possible), you may prefer a gum-free laundry detergent.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Choosing a non-toxic laundry detergent is one of the easiest and best swaps you can make for a healthier home. Not only will your skin (and your little one’s skin) thank you, but you’ll also be reducing pollution and plastic waste.
The non-toxic laundry detergents we’ve rounded up prove that you don’t need harsh chemicals to get fresh, clean clothes – from simple powders with just a handful of ingredients to innovative enzyme liquids, there’s an option here for every household.
Many of these brands also take extra steps like sustainable packaging, refills, or multi-purpose use, so you’re supporting companies that care about your family and the planet.
As you transition to a natural laundry routine, remember a few tips: using the right water temperature and pretreating stains naturally (e.g. with a bit of baking soda or a safe stain remover) can boost performance of any gentle detergent.
Dryer balls can replace toxic dryer sheets to soften clothes. And don’t be afraid to mix and match – for instance, use a super gentle detergent for baby clothes and a stronger enzyme one for athletic gear.
Here at Naturally Non-Toxic, we believe knowledge is power – and you’re now equipped to wash your laundry without washing your family in chemicals. Happy green laundering!
join the newsletter
Want more non-toxic guides? Subscribe today.
