8 Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents for Babies (Tested by an RN Mom)
Looking for a baby-safe laundry detergent— that actually works??
I’ve used probably a dozen laundry products in the last few years and today i’m sharing the one i’m currently using and loving 👏
When people want to adopt a "non-toxic lifestyle" there are generally two easy points of entry that I recommend first: swap your deodorant and find a better laundry detergent. That is because these products (amongst dozens of others) come into contact with your skin every single day.
The good thing is that a lot of companies are hearing the demand from customers who want healthier, cleaner options, without sacrificing efficacy. This post shares the best non-toxic laundry detergents and products that are safe for the whole fam-- even your baby's skin.
TLDR: Kaelyn’s Quick Review
After years of trialing many different healthier laundry alternatives, here are my faves ✨
My Everyday Favorite: Attitude Living Unscented(code KAELYN15 saves 15% off any Attitude orders)
Best Value Choice: Molly’s Suds
Best for Sensitive Skin: Attitude Baby Leaves
Table of Contents:
Healthier Laundry Options I’ve Tested
As a board-certified registered nurse, health coach, and mom, the products I bring into our home are extremely important to me. I want to make sure that they are supporting our holistic health and wellness as much as possible.
Over the years, I have been able to try many “healthier” laundry options. Here are some of the ones that I’ll feature in this post:
Attitude Living (My top recommendation ✨)
Attitude Living has really expanded their product line over the last couple of years, and I have consistently been impressed with how they work! From shampoo to hand soap to house cleaners, Attitude Living is in more rooms of my home at this point.
Pros:
EWG verified
simple ingredient list
gentle for sensitive skin
Cons:
The brand carries an unscented option and their “Baby Leaves” line, which is specifically made for babies. This can be kind of confusing. If you are looking for a detergent specifically made for babies, the Baby Leaves option is a great choice. Personally, I am comfortable using the normal Attitude Living detergent for babies too! I know families have been confused by this in the past.
Ingredients worth noting:
sodium coco-sulfide and glucosides
Who It’s Best For:
Best for families looking for a great, reliable overall detergent that is safe for the whole family.
Attitude generously gave the code KAELYN15 saves 15% off any Attitude orders ✨
What’s the difference between their standard unscented detergents and their baby one? The baby one has a slightly higher concentration of surfactants and does not include potassium sorbate.
That said, I am comfortable using the “regular” detergent for my kiddos too. Even with their sensitive skin and eczema, we have never had any skin irritation 👏
Molly’s Suds
I love Molly’s Suds and think it is a great, economical option for families! My only complaint is that I felt the powder didn’t always dissolve well, and I was sometimes left with spots on our clothes. It just was not the most consistent! That said, I am someone who throws in my clothes and then turns on the water and adds detergent. I’ve thought before that if I filled up the water, added the powder, and then added clothes, it would maybe work better?? 🤷🏻♀️ If you do this, I would love your feedback 😅
Pros:
affordable option
super simple ingredient list
Cons:
powder doesn’t always dissolve great
Who It’s Best For:
Families looking for an affordable option with a very minimal ingredient list, but don’t mind powder detergents!
Branch Basics
Branch Basics was one of the first “non-toxic” brands that I tried when I started my wellness journey years ago. They offer a single concentrate that can be mixed in different ratios to be used for laundry, house cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and mirror cleaner.
Pros:
single concentrate for the whole house
Cons:
expensive upfront cost
mixing concentrate isn’t everyones fave
Who It’s Best for:
Best for families who want one versatile product for the whole house (you then just mix up the Branch Basics concentrate into their own bottle with the given ratios)
Truly Free
Truly Free is a popular subscription-based company that has taken over quite a few online spaces in the last few years. I am always seeing ads pop up recommending their products. And while they are good, it’s just not my fave.
Pros:
reduced waste by sending “refill packs”
Auto ships products on a customizable schedule
Their laundry stain stick works great for a pre-treatment option!
Cons:
I found that the laundry detergent would separate in the jug and never fully mix. That left clumps of detergent in the bottle and inconsistent cleaning.
I kept finding what looked like grease spots or oil stains left on my clothes
Who It’s Best for:
If you love having things on auto-ship and not needing to order more cleaning products, this could be a good option for you.
Healthy Baby
When my kids were little, we enjoyed the Healthy Baby diapers— the brand’s commitment to safety was superior to many other brands on the market. So, when they launched a laundry product, I was super interested to try it out!
Pros:
EWG verified
convenient pump dispenser
Comes in glass bottle!
Cons:
Pricier option compared to others on the list
Who it’s Best for:
Best for families looking to reduce plastic use wherever possible. Also, if you use Healthy Baby diapers, this can conveniently be added to your subscription!
Meliora
Meliora is another popular powder detergent with a super clean ingredient list!
Pros:
affordable laundry detergent option
very minimal ingredient list
Cons:
another powder option that didn’t always dissolve the best IMO
Who it’s best for:
Best for families looking for an affordable option!
Seventh Generation Free & Clear
Seventh Generation is a brand that is a little controversial in the “non-toxic” space.
Pros:
Available at most stores
Dye and fragrance-free, and a step up from many conventional detergents in terms of ingredients
Cons:
EWG rating of C
Who’s It Best for:
Best for families looking for a cleaner option from box stores
How I Chose the Best Baby Laundry Detergents
Wanting to ditch the harmful chemicals for natural ingredients? And maybe even replace all the products in your laundry room with more natural products? You're in the right place.
Unfortunately, many products that look clean are actually green-washed. Meaning they use strategic marketing tactics to appear cleaner and more natural than they actually are. This means that rather than looking at the front of the package, you need to actually look at the ingredient label to know what's inside. Because some are just as harmful as some of the conventional detergents that are frequently being recalled.
Or simply, find someone (like this blog for instance 😉) to do the heavy lifting for you and recommend great, non-toxic products that actually work.
Through this post, you’ll see the exact framework of what I look at when choosing laundry products for my family! Including what ingredients I avoid, why I choose certain brands, and why I skip others…
And as always, I follow an 80/20 approach to all things health and wellness. So, you’ll find that I try to avoid more irritating ingredients and opt for cleaner ones where possible, but I also don’t lose sleep over it!
I don’t want to invest in natural fabrics for my family, only to wash them in potentially irritating ingredients— but like, I also want them to actually be clean.
Is Baby Laundry Detergent Actually Necessary?
There are lots of laundry detergents that are marketed specifically towards babies and children. But is this actually necessary? Should you be adding these products to your baby registry?
Personally, I don’t think so.
Instead, I would rather have a safe product for my whole family!
Children’s skin is different than adults’, making it potentially more sensitive to inflammation and irritation.One dermatologist says that their skin is “up to 30% thinner than adults,” making it more sensitive.
That said, dermatologists and pediatricians recommend that young kids and babies avoid artificial dyes and artificial fragrances. If you want the full list of AAP recommendations, you can check out this post.
Those recommendations are in line with my personal priorities for home and beauty products. So, even before having children, we were using products that were considered “baby-safe laundry products”.
Related Reads:
What Ingredients I Avoid In Detergent
When it comes to choosing a laundry detergent, many people are unaware of the ingredients found in conventional options and popular detergent brands that some people choose to avoid. These substances can not only impact the environment but also have adverse effects on our health.
I remember when I first started eliminating harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, my allergies would immediately flare up when I walked by that aisle in the grocery store... and it was crazy that I used to be accustomed to all those ingredients!
Here are some common ingredients to avoid and why they should be kept out of your laundry routine:
1. Phosphates
Phosphates are often used to soften water and enhance cleaning power. However, they are notorious for causing environmental damage, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. When phosphates enter water bodies, they can lead to excessive algae growth, which depletes oxygen in the water and harms marine life.
For humans, phosphates can be irritating to the skin and eyes, and prolonged exposure can contribute to nutrient imbalances. This page by Environmental Working Group (EWG) shares some of the research studies on phosphates if you're interested in digging a little deeper.
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
These surfactants are used to create the foaming action in detergents. (It's the same ingredient that makes conventional shampoo lather up). Despite their effectiveness in removing dirt and grease, SLS and SLES can be harsh on the skin, leading to irritation, dryness, and even eczema. Both my babies have eczema and this is such a big trigger for their skin to become flared up and angry-- so it's something we are really strict about avoiding.
Another thing to note, SLES is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen, during the manufacturing process. So it's just a good idea to stay away from this one
3. Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances in laundry detergents are designed to leave clothes smelling fresh. However, these fragrances are often made from a mixture of chemicals, many of which are not disclosed on the label. These undisclosed chemicals can cause allergies, skin irritation, respiratory problems, and may even disrupt the endocrine system. (source)
Opting for fragrance-free or naturally scented detergents can mitigate these risks.
This is especially important for a baby laundry detergent! Babies and artificial fragrance do not mix-- especially since babies use smell to bond with caregivers and eat.
4. Parabens
Parabens are used as preservatives in many personal care and household products, including laundry detergents. They have been linked to hormonal disruptions because they can mimic estrogen in the body.
Long-term exposure to parabens may increase the risk of breast cancer and reproductive issues.
5. Optical Brighteners
These chemicals are added to detergents to make clothes appear whiter and brighter by reflecting light. While they create an illusion of cleanliness, optical brighteners can cause skin irritation and are not biodegradable, contributing to water pollution and harming aquatic life.
6. Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach is effective at whitening and disinfecting but is also highly corrosive and can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. When mixed with other cleaning agents, chlorine bleach can produce toxic gases. Additionally, it releases harmful byproducts, such as dioxins, into the environment, which are persistent pollutants that accumulate in the food chain.
7. Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs)
NPEs are used as surfactants in detergents but are highly toxic to aquatic organisms. They are known endocrine disruptors, which means they can interfere with hormone function in humans and wildlife. NPEs are also persistent in the environment, breaking down into more toxic compounds over time.
My Favorite Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent for Babies, Kids (and everyone else too!)
For the past year, my family has exclusively been using Attitude Living Unscented laundry detergent. We’ve also been using their stain pre-treatment spray when there are some tough stains!
I have found that from all the detergent options on this list, Attitude consistently works the best. It keeps our clothes clean and fresh, doesn’t have a weird after-smell in your clothes, despite the product being unscented.
It also does the best at cleaning every day spots and marks from kiddos! I felt like so many of the other brands needed everything pre-treated 🥴
Since my whole family prefers fragrance-free detergent, we use the same product for the whole family. If I were to opt for one of their naturally-scented options, I would grab their Baby Leaves line for my kiddos with sensitive skin to avoid any fragrance!
Frequently Asked Questions??
What about Stubborn Stains??
Babies and kids are just… messy. Whether it’s diaper blow-outs, spit-up, spills, or dirt, stains are something parents are always looking for help with! Here are some of my favorite stain pre-treatment options:
Little Miss Messy Mouth’s stain spray (you can get this one on amazon)
What is the best non-toxic laundry detergent for babies?
I love the Attitude Living Baby Leaves line for a non-toxic laundry detergent for babies— that also works really well.
What is the safest laundry detergent for babies?
Attitude Living Baby Leaves is EWG verified, fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin! As a registered nurse and health coach, I feel confident in the safety and efficacy of this detergent.
Do babies need a special laundry detergent?
Usually no. That said, newborns have fragile, more sensitive skin. If you are not already using a sensitive, fragrance-free option, introducing a baby into your home may be a great time for the whole family to swap to a healthier option!
Is fragrance-free laundry detergent better for babies?
Generally, pediatricians, dermatologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend avoiding artificial fragrances in the products you use for little ones.
Is Deft actually Non-toxic?
Dreft remains a popular baby detergent, but it contains fragrance and several ingredients that many parents trying to minimize synthetic additives prefer to avoid. If you're specifically looking for a fragrance-free, plant-based detergent, there are several options I personally prefer.
Can I wash the whole family’s clothes in baby detergent?
Yup. I’ve never had a “kid-specific” detergent. I want all of our home products (or as much as is reasonable) to be safe for the whole family. Currently, our whole family is using the unscented Attitude Living laundry detergent.
That said, if you prefer a scented option, I would make sure you are using a fragrance-free one for your little ones. (Or just avoid fragrance for the whole fam 😉)
How much laundry detergent should I actually use?
Believe it or not, more detergent does not mean your clothes are washed better. Actually, it can lead to residue over time. If you feel like your clothes aren’t clean after washing, you may actually be using too much detergent. If you want to tackle tough stains, try pretreating with one of my fave options below!
Final Thoughts
Laundry detergent is right up there with deodorant as one of the first healthy swaps I’d recommend. Laundry detergent is something that we are exposed to every single day through the clothes we wear, the sheets we sleep on— you name it.
While every family has different convictions and preferences, this list has healthier options for everyone.
What are your favorite healthier laundry products? I’d love to hear what you use and love!
Kaelyn
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