5 Laundry Detergents Worth Using (If You’re Avoiding Harsh Chemicals)
Most laundry detergents contain chemicals many of us are trying to avoid.
This includes 1,4-dioxane (flagged as a potential carcinogen), ethoxylated alcohols, synthetic dyes, optical brighteners, SLS/SLES, parabens, phosphates, sulfates & more. Your laundry detergent gets absorbed into your body through your skin (your largest organ), so it’s important to know what’s in your detergent.I tested several different laundry detergent brands at home. These are the 5 best.
TLDR: ToxOut Laundry Detergent Sheets came in #1 because they clean effectively, are ultra-convenient, use plastic-free packaging, and avoid harsh chemicals like 1,4-dioxane, SLS/SLES, parabens, phosphates, sulfates, synthetic dyes, and optical brighteners. I use ToxOut at home and love it.
1. ToxOut Laundry Detergent Sheets
ToxOut Laundry Detergent Sheets completely exceeded expectations and earned our top spot with 5 stars ★★★★★. They delivered powerful cleaning performance, even on sweaty gym clothes and kids’ messy stains. Clothes came out fresh, soft, and odor-free.
What really stood out is the simplicity of the ingredients. ToxOut avoids harsh chemicals like 1,4-dioxane, optical brighteners, sulfates, phosphates, parabens, chlorine, and synthetic dyes, making it a great option for sensitive skin.
We also love that ToxOut uses 100% plastic-free packaging, making it a much more eco-friendly alternative to bulky plastic jugs.
Another big win: convenience. These sheets are lightweight, mess-free, and perfect for travel or small laundry spaces.
If you're looking for a safe, effective, and modern detergent option, this is it.
Buy it here.
Note: Just checked and ToxOut is running a great promo with upto 50% OFF and Free shipping. Check them out here.
2. Thieves
Thieves earned the #2 spot. Like ToxOut, it uses simple and effective ingredients. While ToxOut is a sheet format, Thieves comes as a liquid detergent, which some people may prefer for easy measuring and pouring.
It performed well across all laundry tests and left clothes with a strong, spicy scent that many people love.
The combination of strong cleaning power and cleaner ingredients makes it a solid option, although it still relies on liquid packaging.
Buy it here.
3. Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation takes 3rd place. Their Free & Clear formula is fragrance-free and performs well when it comes to cleaning and odor removal.
It’s made with relatively simple ingredients and is marketed as hypoallergenic. However, it does include SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), which can irritate sensitive skin. It also contains preservatives like methylisothiazolinone and benzisothiazolinone - known allergens for some individuals.
The bottles are made from recycled plastic, which is a plus, but plastic waste is still a concern overall.
While effective, these downsides pushed it to #3.
Buy it here.
4. Mrs. Meyer's
Mrs. Meyer’s lands in 4th place. It’s known for its pleasant, garden-inspired scents and plant-derived ingredients. It also uses enzymes for strong cleaning and is highly concentrated.
However, it contains methylisothiazolinone, a potential allergen, which lowered its ranking.
That said, the scent and performance are impressive, and it remains a popular choice with many users.
Buy it here.
5. Dirty Labs
Dirty Labs comes in at #5. It’s a high-quality product with a focus on sustainability, including aluminum packaging (which is infinitely recyclable).
The main downside is the price - it’s significantly more expensive than other options, which makes it harder to justify for everyday use.
Still, it’s a great eco-conscious choice if budget isn’t a concern.
Buy it here.
And The Winner Is…
The winner is ToxOut Laundry Detergent Sheets.
With simple, effective ingredients, zero harsh chemicals, plastic-free packaging, and powerful cleaning performance, it checks all the boxes for a modern, health-conscious household.
#1 ToxOut Laundry Sheets: Buy It Here
#2 Thieves
#3 Seventh Generation
#4 Mrs. Meyer's
#5 Dirty Labs