If you’re trying to switch to a non toxic laundry detergent, you already know how overwhelming it can be. Marketing claims. Greenwashed labels. Confusing ingredient lists. And products that promise to be “natural”… but don’t actually clean your clothes.
So I did what every overwhelmed mom (with a scientific background) eventually does:
I tested the top non-toxic laundry detergents myself — on kids’ clothes, sweaty gym clothes, towels, bedding, stains, everything.
I am going to give each brand an overall performance score based on: cleaning agent performance and ‘clean
smell’ performance.
Here’s what actually worked (and what didn’t).
My #1 Pick: Root and Splendor
(The only detergent I’m rebuying.)
Overall Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Root and Splendor was the clear winner! It performed better than the rest. not just a little better than the rest, but on a completely different level.
Why I Chose to Try Root and Splendor in the First Place
Before I even talk about performance, I have to share why I bought Root and Splendor.
The brand’s founder, Kristen Fracchia, is a mom of four boys who went through the exact same thing so many of us are going through — searching for a truly non-toxic laundry detergent that actually works. Her story immediately resonated with me.
And here’s what sealed the deal:
I reached out to every single company on this list with questions about safety and ingredients… and Kristen was the only one who personally responded.
Despite being a small business owner with four kids and (I’m sure) a million things on her plate, she took the time to reassure me, share evidence, and answer every question.
That level of transparency and care says a LOT about a brand.
Why I Fell In Love With This Non Toxic Laundry Detergent
- My clothes actually felt clean. Not coated, not filmy… CLEAN.
- Plant-based Ingredients and no harsh chemicals: Ingredients are sourced from nature. There are no synthetic ingredients and zero harsh chemicals.
- Powerful but gentle. Worked on toddler messes and my sensitive-skin baby’s clothes.
- Not watery. Not diluted. It feels like a true concentrated formula.
- Clothes smelled “clean”, “fresh” and “good” — That “just clean” smell? Major win.
- Truly low-tox. Their ingredient transparency is leagues better than most brands.
After I used it for a few weeks, everything else just felt… meh. My towels felt cleaner. My clothes didn’t have that leftover musty smell after workouts. Even my husband noticed, which says a lot.
Visit the Low Tox Mama Shop for more swaps!
Truly Free
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ 3/5
Truly Free is everywhere on Instagram, and I’ll be honest — I was influenced. An influencer I trust shared a discount code, so I bought the full laundry bundle thinking it would be a game-changer.
Unfortunately, it did not perform well for my family.
My experience using Truly Free
The detergent comes as a powder you’re supposed to mix with water using the provided container. I followed the instructions, used the recommended amount, and the first load came out… smelling and feeling dirty.
So the next time, I used more. And more. And more — until I was practically using half the bottle just to get my clothes to feel clean.
And using that much product felt incredibly wasteful and honestly defeated the point of buying a “concentrated,” eco-friendly detergent.
I know it’s popular online, and I know a lot of people love it — but for me and my home, it simply didn’t clean effectively with the recommended amount.
I hate being harsh, but if you’re switching to non toxic laundry detergent and you want performance, I can’t recommend this one.
Visit the Low Tox Mama Shop for more swaps!
Branch Basics (Powder + Concentrate)
Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ 2/5
I wanted to love Branch Basics. I really did. Their branding is beautiful, they’re well-known in the low-tox or non toxic cleaning space, and the ingredient list is safe. And I love using their concentrate to clean my entire house!
But for laundry? It just didn’t perform for me.
Here’s the issue with Branch Basics Laundry Detergent:
The big caveat: it is not a heavy-duty stain fighter on its own. You must pretreat any stain with the full-strength concentrate for it to work. It also performs best in soft water. If you’re willing to make pretreating a habit, it’s 100% worth it. If you want a zero-effort detergent, you might be disappointed.
- My clothes didn’t smell clean. Not bad — just… not that clean, good, and fresh smell that you are used to.
- Powder struggled to dissolve well. Especially in cold water. I didn’t like
- Didn’t remove odors. Workout clothes still smelled “off.”
- Didn’t lift stains the way I expected.
Some people swear by Branch Basics. But for families with kids, husbands who sweat, or anyone with actual stains — I don’t think it’s strong enough.
Visit the Low Tox Mama Shop for more swaps!
ECOS Laundry Sheets
Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ 2/5
I love the IDEA of laundry sheets — low waste, mess-free, easy to travel with. But performance matters.
And unfortunately… ECOS sheets under-delivered.
What happened:
- Clothes didn’t feel fully clean.
- Odors lingered, especially on towels and kids’ clothes.
- Struggled with stain removal.
- Sheets sometimes didn’t dissolve fully in cooler water.
If your laundry is light — maybe one adult, no messy kids — it might work. But for a busy home? You’ll probably notice the same results I did.
Visit the Low Tox Mama Shop for more swaps!
So… Which One Should YOU Choose?
If you want a truly non toxic detergent that actually WORKS, my clear recommendation is:
Root and Splendor — my 2026 detergent.
Everything else I tried felt diluted, underpowered, or simply unable to make my laundry truly smell and feel clean.
Choose Root and Splendor if you want:
- fragrance-free but fresh-smelling clothes
- powerful cleaning without harsh chemicals
- something safe for babies, sensitive skin, and families
- a formula that isn’t watered down
Switching detergents is one of the EASIEST ways to reduce toxins in your home — and this one makes it simple.
This blog post was all about the non toxic laundry detergents that I tried and tested so you don’t have to!
