I tested the cleaning power of 13 different brands. Here’s the lowdown on the top 6.
We’re all looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint. My family has already made changes, like eating less meat and avoiding unnecessary car trips. Yet, on busy days, it can be hard to make sustainable choices when convenience seems to take priority.
Washing clothes is no exception. Recently, I discovered an eco-friendly alternative to bulky liquid detergent jugs: laundry sheets. They’re compact, easy to use and mess-free.
However, I wanted to see whether laundry sheets could compete with the cleaning power of liquid detergent. To find out, I conducted an informal experiment at home, testing 13 popular detergents—including sheets, liquid, powder and pods—that claim to be environmentally friendly.
I’ll guide you through my testing process and give you a full breakdown of the pros, cons and bottom line for the top 6 detergents I used. Although HeySunday laundry detergent sheets were a clear winner for me, this list features other great eco-friendly products, and I’m confident you’ll find one that works for your family.
My Top Picks for an Easy and Eco-Friendly Laundry Day
Best Overall: HeySunday Laundry Detergent Sheets
Runner Up: Dropps
Third Place: Seventh Generation
Other Detergents to Consider:
How I Tested Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents
Admittedly, my laundry room is not a scientific laboratory. However, I tried to make my testing process fair and accurate. I used each laundry detergent in my family’s laundry for two weeks, from my work clothes to my son’s muddy soccer shorts.
Here are the criteria I used to compare the detergents:
- Stain Removal: How well did the detergent lifts everyday dirt and stains like grass, coffee, tomato sauce and chocolate?
- Residue: Did the detergent leave any residue on the clothes after washing?
- Scent: Was the detergent’s scent pleasant? Overpowering? Nonexistent?
- Ingredients: Are the ingredients biodegradable, non-toxic and gentle on the skin?
- Cost: What is the price per load? Are there any notable discounts?
During the testing period, I carefully noted how the laundry detergents performed. I gave the products a rating of 1-5 for each criterion and then averaged their performance to produce an overall rating.
The 6 Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Brands
With so many brands claiming to be good for the planet and little oversight to verify those claims, it’s essential to do your research before assuming that a particular product deserves to be described as “eco-friendly” or “sustainable.”
For this article, I set out to unravel the truth about whether the leading eco-friendly detergents can clean as effectively as mainstream brands. I also wanted to check their claims about non-toxic ingredients, biodegradability, recycled or compostable packaging and more.
Let’s take a closer look at what I discovered from testing these popular eco-friendly detergent brands.
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HeySunday Laundry Detergent Sheets
Price per load: $0.23 with subscription, $0.33 without subscription
By a considerable margin, HeySunday laundry detergent sheets were my favorite of all the products I tried and are still stocked in my laundry room. Their cleaning power was particularly impressive, especially for an eco-friendly product. While using HeySunday sheets, my family’s laundry looked clean, smelled fresh (the Ocean Breeze scent is very pleasant) and felt soft, without any residue on the clothes. Whether in a hot or cold water wash, these sheets were excellent at lifting dirt and fighting stains for whites or colors. They even worked great for pre-soaking, particularly stained clothes.
It’s hard to imagine a better product than HeySunday for both convenience and eco-friendliness. Rather than using heavy, rigid plastic jugs that will take hundreds of years to degrade in a landfill, HeySunday’s laundry sheets arrive in a recyclable cardboard envelope. They are incredibly compact, great for traveling and hardly occupy any laundry room space. My entire family enjoyed using them because they are pre-measured without the messiness of laundry liquid. They’re suitable for all types of washing machines; just place the required number of sheets inside the drum.
I was pleased to see that HeySunday laundry sheets have been third-party tested and found free from 1,4-dioxane, phthalates, phosphates, bleaches and dyes. Instead of harsh chemicals, HeySunday uses seven plant-based surfactants and an enzyme. The detergent ingredients are non-toxic, certified biodegradable, and cruelty-free, and the Fragrance-Free option is especially suitable for sensitive skin.
HeySunday offers fast, free shipping, a money-back guarantee and flexible subscription options. A one-time purchase of 60 sheets is $20, which works out to $0.33 for a medium-sized load. I highly recommend opting for the monthly or bi-monthly subscription for a 30% discount. This lowers the price to $14, or just $0.23 per load, comparable to many leading liquid detergents.
Pros
- Excellent cleaning power, including on tough stains
- Ingredients feature seven powerful plant-based surfactants
- Gentle, skin-friendly formula
- Sheets dissolve quickly without leaving residue, even in cold water
- Free from 1,4-dioxane, phosphates, phthalates, bleaches and dyes
- Suitable for all washing machines and clothing types
- Affordable, especially with a subscription
- Packaged in a thin cardboard envelope
- Mess-free and easy to store (or travel with)
Cons
- Not available in stores or from Amazon
- You may need to use more than one sheet for large or heavily soiled loads
- Ocean Breeze scent is delightful but somewhat faint
Verdict:
HeySunday’s non-toxic, biodegradable laundry sheets are just as effective as concentrated liquid at lifting tough stains and leaving clothes fresh and clean without residue while also being gentle on the skin and skipping harsh chemicals. With my subscription, which offers excellent value at $0.23 per load, the pre-measured laundry sheets are delivered to my door in a thin cardboard envelope—what a contrast to the plastic jugs I used to buy!
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Dropps Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent Pods
Price per load: $0.30 with subscription, $0.41 without subscription
Laundry pods, less messy and bulky than liquid detergents, have become a familiar concept in recent years. Dropps pods set themselves apart from other brands, focusing on sustainability and eco-friendly ingredients. The company is a Certified B Corporation and was recognized as an EPA Safer Choice Partner in 2017.
Unlike many pods on the market, Dropps pods do not use plastic packaging. Instead, the pods are contained in a recyclable cardboard box. While this is great for reducing plastic waste, it concerned me for another reason: reading about the dangers of children ingesting brightly colored laundry pods. Dropps pods are easy to access, so parents should transfer them to a child-safe container before placing them in the laundry room.
Dropps laundry pods are available in several formulations: Stain & Odor for everyday laundry, Active Wash for sportswear and performance fabrics and an enzyme-free Sensitive Skin formula. Customers are spoiled for choice with cent options like Fresh Air, Lavender Eucalyptus, Orange Blossom, Rose Energy and Unscented.
Regarding cleaning power, I found Dropps pods similar to conventional laundry detergents but with a gentler list of ingredients. I also appreciated that the Dropps website explains why most ingredients were included.
Although I generally had a good experience with Dropps, a few things could have been better. Pods are more travel-friendly than laundry sheets, and I came across several reviews that mentioned burst pods or detergent residue on clothes, though I had never had this experience.
However, the price is the biggest obstacle to my family switching to Dropps. The standard Stain & Odor pods are $26 for a 64-count package, though you can save 25 percent with a subscription, bringing the price per load down from $0.41 to $0.30. However, this is still more expensive than HeySunday and Earth Breeze. Surprisingly, there are few savings when buying in bulk. And if you’d like the additional power of Active Wash, you’re looking at $28 for a one-time order or $21 with a subscription.
Pros
- Wide product range (Stain & Odor, Sensitive Skin, Active Wash) that performs well
- Various scent options
- Very convenient to use
- Comprehensive discussion of ingredients on Dropps website
- Recyclable, plastic-free packaging
- No animal testing
- Made in the U.S.
- Certified B Corporation
- EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year (2017)
Cons
- Some customers have reported burst pods
- Not as travel-friendly as sheets
- Somewhat expensive, even when buying in bulk or with a subscription
- Packaging is not child-safe
Verdict:
After reviewing the ingredients and certifications and using Dropps pods with my family’s laundry, I agree that the company’s reputation for effective, eco-friendly cleaning is well deserved. However, the pods (especially Active Wash) are more expensive than the products I reviewed.
3. Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent
Price per load: $0.22 at Walmart (though retailers’ prices vary significantly)
Seventh Generation has long been at the forefront of the push for eco-friendly cleaning products. Their laundry detergent has stood the test of time and garnered numerous safety and environmental certifications, including Leaping Bunny, USDA Certified Biobased 97 percent and EPA Safe Choice Certified. I was excited to try this detergent and see whether it worked as well as traditional detergents despite its lack of harsh chemicals.
Seventh Generation offers a vast range of cleaning products, unlike newer eco-friendly companies focusing on just one or two items. When it comes to picking a laundry detergent, you almost have too many choices. Besides the standard liquid detergent, there is a concentrated version, an ultra-concentrated EasyDose version (more like a gel), powder and capsules. To further refine your selection, you can choose from multiple fragrance options (plus unscented Free & Clear), Baby and Power+ products.
I used the liquid detergent, which looks like a traditional detergent but has a much gentler list of ingredients, mostly plant-based. There are no toxic chemicals, dyes, or optical brighteners. Regarding cleaning and stain-fighting ability, I thought that Seventh Generation performed as well as other liquid detergents I have used in the past. I suspect that the Power+ product line performs even better. Nevertheless, I still needed to pretreat the most heavily stained items, which was somewhat time-consuming. Seventh Generation liquid detergent is suitable for all washing
machines and is a good choice for cold cycles. I tried Free & Clear as well as Fresh Lavender (made with essential oils and extracts) and felt that my family’s clothes smelled clean with both options.
However, liquid detergent, even eco-friendly, has some clear limitations. Thankfully, the container is made from 100 percent recycled plastic and recyclable, which is less ideal than compostable packaging. I had to pour and measure the detergent using the cap, and it took effort to ensure I was using the correct amount, as the fill line was difficult to see. Having tried multiple brands of laundry sheets and pods, going back to a liquid reminded me of just how messy laundry day can be—the liquid often dripped down the sides of the bottle after I screwed the cap on.
Pros
- Well-established brand with numerous certifications
- Company ethos prioritizes sustainability
- Most ingredients are biobased
- Free & Clear, Baby and Power+ options
- Good cleaning power, even in cold water
- Work with all washing machine models
- Widely available in stores and online
Cons
- Plastic container is recyclable but not compostable or biodegradable
- Not as convenient as pods or sheets; liquid must be poured and measured
- Messy, as detergent drips down the sides from the cap
- Pre-treating required for heavily stained items
- Prices vary significantly among retailers
Verdict:
Seventh Generation is a pioneer of eco-friendly cleaning products with a good track record of corporate responsibility. The laundry liquid, available in various scents, concentrations and formulations, is notable for its focus on plant-based ingredients without harsh chemicals. Unfortunately, using Seventh Generation liquid detergent can be a very messy experience, and plastic bottles, though recyclable, are certainly less eco-friendly than biodegradable cardboard.
4. Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets
Price per load: $0.20 with subscription, $0.33 without subscription
In recent years, Earth Breeze has built a reputation for social and environmental responsibility thanks to its involvement in tree planting and ocean cleanup projects. Through the “Buy One Give Ten” program, Earth Breeze donates laundry detergent to various charities as a percentage of its sales.
Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets share many similarities with HeySunday, with some notable differences. Like HeySunday, they use biodegradable packaging and are committed to being cruelty-free. A quick look at the ingredients raised one red flag, though. Although the product appears free from harsh chemicals, it contains primary alcohol ethoxylate, a common non-ionic surfactant. While considered safe for household use, this synthetic substance can build up in wastewater, leading to chronic exposure and potential toxicity for certain aquatic organisms.
Overall, I was pleased with how well these sheets performed on my family’s laundry. Having read some Earth Breeze reviews about sheets that hadn’t dissolved, I tore mine into smaller pieces, which seemed to do the trick.
As long as I used a suitable amount for the load size, the Earth Breeze sheets could handle typical dirt and minor stains, though I made sure to pre-soak clothes that needed extra stain-fighting power. Although a medium-sized load is supposed to require only half of a sheet, our loads are on the larger side and usually require at least one full sheet. This achieved a more effective clean, but it’s not very economical. With a subscription, a half-sheet costs just $0.20, but if you use a whole sheet or even two sheets each time, the price per load rises significantly.
Earth Breeze Eco Sheets can be purchased at certain stores around the U.S. or through the company’s website. One-time and subscription orders are available. Earth Breeze offers free shipping and a satisfaction guarantee, though some customers have reported lengthy shipping times.
Pros
- Affordable, especially with a subscription
- Good cleaning power for everyday laundry
- Dermatologist-tested, vegan, cruelty-free
- Zero-waste packaging
- Numerous philanthropic efforts
- Fresh Scent and Fragrance-Free options
- Mostly plant-based ingredients without harsh chemicals
- Free shipping and money-back guarantee
- Can be purchased from certain stores
Cons
- Although the package advertises 60 loads, that’s only for small to medium-sized loads or lightly soiled clothes
- You may need to rip the sheet into smaller pieces to avoid it sticking to your machine
- Severe stains will require pre-soaking
- Contains primary alcohol ethoxylate
Verdict:
Earth Breeze is involved in an impressive range of philanthropic efforts, and the company seems genuinely committed to offering safe, eco-friendly products at an affordable price. However, their signature Eco Sheets don’t provide as much cleaning power as HeySunday’s, and you may need multiple sheets to get results.
5. Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Powder
Price per load: $0.21 (70-load package)
I wanted to be blown away by Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Powder, as there is much to love about the product and the manufacturer. I was immediately impressed by the extensive discussion of the ingredients used in Molly’s Suds products on the website; it was the most transparent and comprehensive of any I had encountered. The company’s flagship product, Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Powder, has just five ingredients (four if you choose unscented), the most important being washing soda and baking soda.
Although I wasn’t thrilled about the plastic pouch, it’s hard to get more “natural” than Molly’s Suds, and I appreciated the fresh scent of peppermint oil on my clothes. There’s no question that the ingredients are non-toxic, and this would be a promising option if anyone in your household has particularly sensitive skin. However, if you’re expecting a really good clean from Molly’s Suds, you’ll need to take extra steps and possibly use additional products.
Laundry powder works best in warm or hot water, so if you want to use a cold cycle, you’ll need to dissolve the powder in very hot water first to avoid getting residue all over your clothes. This is not particularly convenient, but it’s probably preferable to running an expensive hot wash cycle, which also produces more carbon emissions.
If your laundry is particularly soiled or stained, you’ll almost certainly need to pre-treat it with Molly’s Suds Oxygen Whitener and/or Stain Remover Spray. Alternatively, consider switching to a different Molly’s Suds product with more ingredients, such as the All Sport Activewear Detergent or the Super Powder with active enzymes.
Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Powder is reasonably priced at $14.99 for a 70-load package, which is just $0.21 per load. Opting for the 120-load size or setting up a subscription will earn you additional savings. Remember, though, that there will be added expenses if you purchase other laundry products or use a hot cycle every time you wash your clothes.
Pros
- Scents are derived from plant essences and oils
- Only four or five total ingredients
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Suitable for all washing machines
- Lives up to the “natural” hype
- Reasonably priced for an eco-friendly product
- Good choice for sensitive skin
Cons
- Packaged in a (recyclable) plastic pouch
- Lacks stain-fighting power
- Not suitable for cold washes
- Additional laundry products may be needed
- Powder must be measured
Verdict:
Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Powder has an incredibly simple list of natural ingredients and is a good choice for people with very sensitive skin. However, you’ll need to use a hot wash cycle and purchase additional products to completely remove stains and odors, which increases both the environmental footprint and the cost per load.
6. Clean People Laundry Sheets
Price per load: $0.28 for 192 loads/$0.34 for 96 loads/$0.47 for 32 loads
Clean People laundry sheets are popular with individuals who want to ditch harmful synthetic ingredients and plastic packaging. They are easy to order online, either through the Clean People website or on Amazon, in 32-load, 96-load, or 192-load packs.
A close examination of Clean People’s ingredient list backs up their eco-friendly credentials. Their formula is similar to HeySunday, which is my top choice. I was pleased that the strips are suitable for all washing machine types, wash cycle temperatures and even septic tanks. Manufactured in the United States and Canada, Clean People products are described as “hypoallergenic” and “cruelty-free.” However, the company seems to have fewer third-party certifications than some competitors, like Seventh Generation.
Clean People laundry strips are easy to use and dissolve well in my washing machine, even on cold washes. Somewhat confusingly, if you order a 32-load pack, your Clean People box will contain 16 laundry detergent sheets. Each sheet has a perforated line down the middle, so it can easily be divided into two strips. One strip is supposed to be enough for a medium-sized load, but I sometimes used twice the suggested amount to achieve a reasonable clean. I also boosted Clean People’s laundry strips by pre-treating clothes with stain remover as needed.
Doubling the detergent strips meant we quickly got through our Clean People boxes. These sheets are already expensive, at $0.47 a load for a 32-strip box, though buying in bulk is better. Using two strips (one full sheet) each time doubled the cost per load.
Pros
- Can be purchased from the Clean People website or Amazon
- Other plant-based household cleaning products are available
- Free of toxic chemicals, dyes, phosphates, parabens and bleach
- Better value when buying bulk
- Strips dissolve well in both hot and cold water
- Free shipping on all orders to the U.S., Canada, Germany, France, Australia and the United Kingdom
- Made in North America
Cons
- 32-count and 96-count boxes are expensive
- Somewhat bulky cardboard packaging
- Most loads of laundry will require two strips
- Stain remover is highly recommended
Verdict:
Clean People laundry sheets have an admirably eco-friendly and gentle-on-skin formula. They’re compact, easy to use, and dissolve well in all washing cycles. However, they’re much more expensive than comparable products from HeySunday and Earth Breeze, and you may end up using twice the suggested number of strips (plus a stain remover) to get your clothes completely clean.
How to Find the Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents
Though many of us share the goal of making our household more environmentally friendly, it can be surprisingly challenging. Many products claim to be “eco-friendly,” with little explanation of why they deserve that title. On the other hand, some cleaning products made with non-toxic ingredients have a reputation for underperforming.
When looking for an eco-friendly laundry detergent, it’s essential to look carefully at labels, check for third-party testing and read customer reviews. Here are some key areas to focus on when choosing the best product for your family’s laundry needs:
Green Ingredients
Familiarize yourself with what to look for (and what to avoid) in a laundry soap. Try to find cruelty-free brands that use a high proportion of plant-based ingredients rather than synthetic ones derived from petroleum. Certain ingredients should immediately raise red flags, including dyes, bleach, phosphates, optical brighteners and phthalates. Make sure that your detergent has undergone third-party testing to back up any claims, including the assertion that it is free from 1,4-dioxane. This chemical byproduct does not biodegrade and is considered a possible human carcinogen.
Packaging and Shipping
When choosing an eco-friendly detergent, considering the packaging materials and shipping options may be just as important as the ingredients themselves. Look for plastic-free packaging, such as cardboard envelopes or sleeves. Laundry sheets are becoming increasingly popular as they are just a fraction of the size and weight of plastic jugs containing liquid detergent. This helps to reduce both shipping costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Most laundry sheets (and some pods and powders) use compostable or recyclable packaging, a dramatic improvement from the hundreds of millions of plastic jugs in U.S. landfills yearly.
Suitable for Sensitive Skin
Certain ingredients in conventional detergents have an unfortunate record of causing skin irritation and even allergic reactions. Chlorine bleach, dyes, preservatives and optical brighteners are among the biggest culprits so you won’t see those ingredients in the best eco-friendly products. Many people with sensitive skin opt for an unscented option to avoid potential reactions to artificial fragrances. Choose a product that won’t leave residue on your clothes, ensure you don’t use too much detergent, and always complete it. This chemical byproduct protects your skin. Ideally, look for labels that say “dermatologist tested” and have the certification to back this up rather than simply calling themselves “hypoallergenic” without further explanation.
Concentration and Water Waste
Using a highly concentrated detergent gel, sheet, or pod will produce significantly less water waste and have a much smaller carbon footprint from your laundry. Another way to reduce water waste is to ensure your detergent is low-suds. Besides requiring significantly less water, low-sudsing detergents provide more efficient cleaning power yet leave less residue on clothes.
Cleaning Efficiency
Not every eco-friendly product will perform well on your family’s laundry, and you may discover that some ingredients are more effective than others. Customer reviews are probably your best source of information about cleaning efficiency. However, remember that many variables can affect how the product works, such as the type of stain, the size of the laundry load, the amount of detergent used, the water hardness and the washing machine model. It may be worth trying a few brands to see how they compare.
Price and Convenience
Although eco-friendly products tend to be more expensive than conventional ones, this isn’t always the case. Several products on this list, including HeySunday and Earth Breeze detergent sheets, are comparable in price to popular brands on supermarket shelves. Many customers opt for the convenience of ordering their detergent online and choosing a subscription over a one-time purchase can make products significantly more affordable. Take note of the price per load, but remember that you may use twice that amount of detergent for larger or heavily soiled loads.
Other Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips
Whether you ultimately go with laundry soap, sheets, strips, liquid, or pods, by choosing an eco-friendly, non-toxic laundry detergent, you’re implementing a small change that could significantly impact by keeping potentially harmful chemicals away from your family and out of our waterways. ‘
Besides your choice of detergent, you can take other practical steps to minimize your environmental footprint while keeping your clothes clean. Here are my top tips for a greener laundry day:
Tip #1: Skip the dryer
Air drying your clothes on an outdoor clothesline or an indoor drying rack will significantly reduce the energy needed to do laundry. After all, dryers can use up to 10 times more energy than washing machines. By skipping the dryer, you’ll save money, reduce carbon emissions, protect your clothes, and hopefully achieve that lovely scent from air-drying your garments on a sunny day.
Tip #2: Opt for sustainable fabrics
The next time you go shopping, take some time to read clothing labels. Whenever possible, choose natural fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp and wool over synthetic ones like polyester, acrylic and nylon. Natural fabrics tend to last longer than synthetic fabrics, require less frequent laundering and release fewer microplastics during washing. Recycled or organic materials are usually excellent choices and purchasing garments secondhand reduces the water and energy usage involved in manufacturing new clothes.
Tip #3: Wash on cold
This may be common knowledge, but it’s worth reiterating. Most of your washing machine’s energy usage goes towards heating the water, which usually isn’t necessary to clean your clothes. Most non-powder detergents, including the ones reviewed here, dissolve just as well in cold washes. The cold cycle is also better for extending the life of your clothes.
Final Thoughts
For this article, I spent over six months researching and testing 13 different eco-friendly detergents, and I consider those six months well spent. The testing process helped me discover that HeySunday detergent sheets are ideal for my family’s laundry needs. They successfully tackled tough stains and odors and easily dissolved in our washing machine, thanks to vegetable-based surfactants and natural ingredients like citric acid, sunflower and tea oil.
While I love HeySunday laundry sheets and plan to continue using them in the foreseeable future, many other great products are on this list, including liquid, pods, and powder. Though some may be more suited to your lifestyle, needs and budget than others, all of the laundry detergents featured in this article have taken a massive step in the right direction by prioritizing sustainability and clean, non-toxic ingredients.
Members of the editorial and news staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal were not involved in the creation of this content.