When we buy “free and clear” laundry detergent, most of us want overall healthy products. Not detergents that are free of dyes and fragrances, but still filled with harmful chemicals.
Feel good about your laundry detergent, and know that what you’re buying are healthier options based independent, 3rd party, nonprofit health ratings.
21 Free & Clear Laundry Detergents
Rated A or B
Here are 21 laundry detergents rated “A” or “B” on the nonprofit, Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning.
- Attitude Little Ones Laundry Detergent, Fragrance Free – A
- biokleen Free & Clear Laundry Liquid – A
- Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Liquid Cleaner – A
- Fit Organic Laundry Detergent, Free and Clear – A
- Green Shield Organic Laundry Detergent, Free & Clear – A
- GrabGreen 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Powder, Fragrance Free – A
- Meliora Cleaning Products Laundry Powder, Unscented – A
- Nature Clean Laundry Powder, Unscented – A
- Ology 2X Laundry Liquid, Free & Clear – A
- Planet 2x Ultra Laundry Detergent, Free & Clear – A
- Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent Packs, Free & Clear – A
- Sun & Earth 2X Concentrated Laundry Detergent, Unscented – A
- The Honest Co. Honest 4 in 1 Laundry Pods, Free & Clear – A
- 365 Everyday Value Laundry Detergent Pods, Unscented – B
- Dropps 3-in-1 Laundry Detergent Pacs, Scent + Dye Free – B
- Ecover Laundry Powder ZERO – B
- method 8X Laundry Detergent, Free & Clear – B
- OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover, Free – B
- The Honest Co. Honest Oxy Boost, Free & Clear – B
- Whole Foods Market green MISSION Organic 3x Concentrated Laundry Detergent, Unscented – B
- Whole Foods Market Organic Laundry Detergent, Unscented – B
Where can I buy these healthier products?
Healthier products can be found online, health conscious grocery stores, and even some big box stores. I’m not a fan of big box stores due to their overall toxic environments, and advise this as an emergency oh-shit-ran-out-of-detergent alternative to the options below.
Because Health
The folks at Because Health, a non-profit that was started by the Collaborative on Health and the Environment, have links to specific healthy products, sold online. Their article, 17 Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents, identifies detergents using rigorous healthy criteria (including the EWG database). You can use their product links in two ways:
1. Order the product. Because Health has links to products to ensure you’re buying the exact correct product. How much easier can it get?!
Bonus!
Because Health will receive a percentage of your sale, helping to fund their nonprofit (at no additional cost to you). Feel good physically with healthy laundry detergent. Feel good emotionally helping a nonprofit that’s doing good things for our community. A win-win.
2. See what stores carry each product. For example by clicking on the Because Health links you can see that Attitude, Fit and GreenShield laundry detergent (and other products) are sold at Wal-mart. Method products are sold at Target.
Health Conscious Grocery Stores
The grocery stores I’m referring to are usually co-ops or natural stores. While not all of their products may be rated A or B, they typically carry more healthy options for laundry detergent. Take your EWG list along or use the EWG App on your phone.
Big Box Stores
The indoor air of a big box store is usually more toxic than health conscious stores. They typically have more products off-gassing and more chemicals per product. Those chemicals stick to packaging and can lead to fragrances and toxins coming into your home. However, in a pinch it’s more important to get healthy laundry detergent that will be used on hundreds of loads of laundry.
How can I make A and B rated laundry detergents more affordable?
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