Cleaning & Laundry

Laundry detergent

Laundry detergents and care products without unnecessary perfume, dyes or optical brighteners.

Clothes and bedding do not need a lasting scent to be clean.  We favor fragrance-free formulas and exclude laundry pods wrapped in dissolvable plastic film.  Sheets are considered separately, with PVA disclosed where present.  Choose for the fabric, machine and water conditions and follow the recommended dose.

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Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Cleaning Concentrate — 32 fl oz Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Cleaning Concentrate — 32 fl oz EWG VERIFIEDUSA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: This concentrated detergent gives you a fully disclosed, EWG VERIFIED formula without a dissolvable pod wrapper.  The maker recommends 1–1½ tablespoons for a large HE load, adjusted for the load and machine.  It is scented with fir and spruce oils, so choose an unscented alternative if fragrance bothers you. Materials: plant-derived cleaning agents · fir and spruce oils · sodium benzoate preservative $15.99★ 4.8 · 10,000+ ratings View on Amazon
FEBU Fragrance-Free Enzyme Oxygen Laundry Booster — 2 lb FEBU Fragrance-Free Enzyme Oxygen Laundry Booster — 2 lb USA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: A fragrance-free boost for towels and workout clothes: oxygen bleach and cleaning enzymes help tackle stains without added dyes or optical brighteners.  Use it alongside detergent, not instead of it.  Results vary, particularly with stubborn odors; follow fabric-care directions and keep it off wool, silk and cashmere. Materials: oxygen bleach · washing soda · cleaning enzymes · sodium citrate $24.95★ 4.8 · 300+ ratings View on Amazon
Charlie's Soap Unscented Laundry Liquid, 1 Gallon Charlie's Soap Unscented Laundry Liquid, 1 Gallon EPA SAFER CHOICEUSA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: This EPA Safer Choice-certified liquid keeps the formula short: two detergent cleansers, water and washing soda, with no added scent or enzymes.  The pourable format suits anyone who prefers not to handle laundry powder.  Measure the dose for your load, follow the garment's care label and use water above 55°F, as the bottle directs. Materials: detergent cleansers · washing soda $32.99★ 4.7 · 1,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Nellie's Oxygen Brightener — 50-Scoop Pouch Nellie's Oxygen Brightener — 50-Scoop Pouch Why we recommend it: For towels and clothing that need more than detergent alone, this fragrance-free powder uses oxygen bleach to help lift stains and brighten fabric without chlorine bleach.  The four-ingredient formula is fully disclosed.  Add it alongside your regular detergent, following the care label and package directions; test uncertain fabrics for colorfastness first. Materials: oxygen bleach · washing soda · cleaning surfactant $17.10★ 4.7 · 3,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Nellie’s Unscented Laundry Soda — 125 Loads Nellie’s Unscented Laundry Soda — 125 Loads Why we recommend it: This Canadian-made powder uses four disclosed ingredients to clean laundry without added fragrance or a dissolvable pod wrapper.  Washing soda and a nonionic detergent tackle everyday soil; there are no enzymes or oxygen bleach in this formula.  Suitable for HE machines when dosed as directed. Materials: sodium carbonate · linear alcohol ethoxylate · sodium chloride · sodium metasilicate $28.00★ 4.7 · 11,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Defunkify Free & Clear Laundry Powder — 55 oz Defunkify Free & Clear Laundry Powder — 55 oz USA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: For towels and workout clothes, this powder combines stain-lifting enzymes with oxygen bleach.  The disclosed formula has no added fragrance, dyes or optical brighteners.  Some owners report powder residue or odors that need more than one wash; measure carefully and check that the powder dissolves fully.  Includes a plastic measuring scoop. Materials: washing soda · oxygen bleach · stain-lifting enzymes $28.95★ 4.6 · 2,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Heritage Park Fragrance-Free All-Purpose Laundry Detergent — 32 oz Heritage Park Fragrance-Free All-Purpose Laundry Detergent — 32 oz USA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: For everyday clothing, towels and cotton bedding, this concentrated liquid pairs cleaning agents with stain-lifting enzymes.  The manufacturer lists the full formula, with no added fragrance or optical brighteners.  It is not the brand's enzyme-free silk wash: keep this version off silk, wool and cashmere. Materials: coconut-derived soap · cleaning enzymes · sodium citrate · sodium bicarbonate $26.98★ 4.6 · 600+ ratings View on Amazon
Country Save Powder Laundry Detergent — 100 oz Country Save Powder Laundry Detergent — 100 oz Why we recommend it: A compact powder option for households that prefer laundry without added perfume or optical brighteners.  Its four-ingredient formula combines washing soda with a cleaning agent and mineral builders, and the paperboard box avoids individually wrapped pods.  The 100-ounce box supplies up to 160 HE loads or 80 standard loads at the labeled dose.  Made in Canada. Materials: washing soda · cleansing agents $29.95★ 4.5 · 500+ ratings View on Amazon
Molly's Suds Super Powder — Unscented, 60 Loads Molly's Suds Super Powder — Unscented, 60 Loads USA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: Four enzymes help this unscented powder tackle food stains and everyday grime, while washing soda and detergent cleansers lift soil from fabric.  It offers more stain-cleaning ingredients than Molly's four-salt Original, without added perfume.  Measure it for your load and avoid breathing the powder when filling the scoop. Materials: detergent cleansers · stain-removing enzymes · washing soda $21.99★ 4.5 · 1,000+ ratings View on Amazon
ATTITUDE Unscented Liquid Laundry Detergent — 40 Loads ATTITUDE Unscented Liquid Laundry Detergent — 40 Loads EWG VERIFIED Why we recommend it: For laundry without a lingering perfume, this unscented liquid combines coconut- and sugar-derived cleaning agents in a fully listed formula.  It works in standard and high-efficiency machines, including cold washes.  The Canadian-made detergent comes in a refillable plastic jug rather than individually wrapped pods; measure the dose for your load and water hardness. Materials: coconut-derived cleansing agents · sugar-based cleansing agents · citric acid $19.95★ 4.4 · 5,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Molly's Suds Unscented Liquid Laundry Detergent (100 fl oz) Molly's Suds Unscented Liquid Laundry Detergent (100 fl oz) USA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: Two stain-fighting enzymes help this unscented liquid tackle everyday laundry without a perfume finish.  It can be measured straight into an HE or conventional machine, with no powder to dissolve first.  It contains phenoxyethanol as a preservative, so choose a different detergent if you avoid that ingredient. Materials: detergent cleansers · stain-removing enzymes $37.99★ 4.4 · 5,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Dirty Labs Free & Clear Bio Laundry Detergent (32 Loads) Dirty Labs Free & Clear Bio Laundry Detergent (32 Loads) EPA SAFER CHOICEEWG VERIFIEDUSA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: Five stain-removing enzymes give this concentrated detergent a useful role in everyday laundry without added perfume or dyes.  The Free & Clear formula is EWG Verified, and a standard load needs just 8 ml.  It works in cold water and both HE and conventional machines; follow the garment's care label and measure carefully. Materials: plant-derived cleansers · stain-removing enzymes $20.00★ 4.3 · 5,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Booda Suds of Love Unscented Laundry Soap Powder, 2 lb Booda Suds of Love Unscented Laundry Soap Powder, 2 lb USA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: This unscented laundry powder avoids individually wrapped pods and added fragrance.  Its cleaning base is soap made from olive oil, coconut oil and shea butter, blended with baking soda.  Booda makes it in Bellingham, Washington and lists it as suitable for HE machines.  The selected two-pound paper tube comes without the optional scoop. Materials: baking soda · olive-oil soap · coconut-oil soap $19.00 View product
Marius Fabre Marseille Laundry Soap Cube, 200 g Marius Fabre Marseille Laundry Soap Cube, 200 g Why we recommend it: A simple solid option for hand-washing clothing or rubbing onto a stain before the main wash.  This Marseille cube uses sunflower- and coconut-oil soap, with no added perfume or individual dissolvable wrapper.  It is made in Salon-de-Provence, France.  Lather gently, rinse thoroughly and follow the fabric's care label; it is not a stand-alone detergent for full machine loads. Materials: sunflower-oil soap · coconut-oil soap · glycerin $7.50 View product
Marius Fabre Marseille Laundry Soap Flakes, 750 g Marius Fabre Marseille Laundry Soap Flakes, 750 g Why we recommend it: These French-made flakes offer a fragrance-free laundry option without a dissolvable pod wrapper.  Sunflower- and coconut-oil soaps do the washing, and you dissolve the flakes before use rather than adding them dry.  Follow the fabric-care label and maker’s dilution instructions; this is a soap-based wash, not an enzyme stain remover or bleach. Materials: sunflower-oil soap · coconut-oil soap · glycerin $28.50 View product
Nellie's Laundry Soda with POW Powder, 250 Loads Nellie's Laundry Soda with POW Powder, 250 Loads Why we recommend it: For households avoiding scented detergent and wrapped laundry pods, this loose powder combines detergent, oxygen bleach and a stain-removing enzyme in one scoop.  Its published nine-ingredient formula includes sodium lauryl sulfate rather than hiding the cleaning agents behind a general description.  Made in Canada for HE and standard machines; follow garment-care directions and test items that may bleed or fade. Materials: oxygen bleach · enzymes · washing soda $58.65 View product

What we avoid

These are category-level exclusions when materials or treatments are disclosed.  Each product card explains why we recommend it and lists the disclosed materials.

Chlorine & ammonia Synthetic fragrance Optical brighteners Quats

Common questions

Why do we avoid fragranced dryer sheets?

Dryer sheets are designed to leave softening and fragrance ingredients on fabric.  We prefer unscented wool dryer balls when a reusable mechanical alternative can reduce static and drying time without adding fragrance.

What are optical brighteners?

They are fluorescent ingredients that make fabric appear whiter rather than removing more soil.  Because they are intended to remain associated with fabric after washing, we prioritize formulas that omit them or disclose them clearly.

Are powders always better than liquids?

No. Format alone does not determine formula quality.  We compare the complete ingredient list, dose, performance needs, and packaging, then favor fragrance- and dye-free options with the cleaning chemistry identified.