The Best Brands of Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent

Allavare Laundry Powder (use code ENGLAND99465 for 10% discount) is made locally, sold in a brown paper bag, with discount subscriptions (it also makes oxygen bleach which is activated with warm water, then remainders can safely be poured down sinks and drains, to biodegrade).

And stain removal bars, if you want to bundle up.

Choose unscented laundry detergents if pregnant/nursing and for baby/pet bedding (use higher temperatures for weak immunity and oxygen bleach for stains. Use a microfiber filter, for synthetic fabrics. 

You can bin empty containers of chemical laundry liquids (don’t rinse). For half-full items, take them to hazardous waste at the refuse centre.

Most ‘biodegradable laundry sheets’ contain PVA (plastic polyvinyl alcohol) that still leaches up to 40% plastic into the sea (one expert says to trust such items, she would want to know the precise times and temperatures which can’t be promised).

Made with just 4 unscented ingredients, each bag gives up to 60 washes, sold alongside a coconut oil stain bar (just rub with warm water on fabric to watch stains disappear – also use for hand washing delicate garments)

Miniml Refillable Laundry Liquid (with Yorkshire water)

Miniml is a fab laundry brand, made in Yorkshire with local water (unscented or natural linen and coconut scents).  Just send empty bottles in bulk (scan the QR code for a returns label) or drop off at your local post office for collection (or enter postcode to find refill stations).

Hexwash: A Laundry Detergent Alternative

Hexawash (use code ENGLANDNAT10 for 10% discount) is an organic laundry detergent that lasts for 300 loads. Made from organic cotton offcuts, just throw the pouch in the machine with your laundry, and the magnesium pellets mix with water to form hydrogen gas and magnesium hydroxide, to generate an alkaline solution that is the ideal PH to lift dirt and oil from clothes.

Proven 10 times more effective than laundry detergent to remove stubborn stains, use Hexwash in soft or hard water at any temperature, it’s safe for use with all washing machines.  If your washing machine has no soak function, soak for an hour in a covered bucket first, for best results.

If you launder weekly, this invention should last a year, as the magnesium pellets gradually dissolve. You can then bin, compost or even bury it in the garden, where the organic cotton will break down, as will the magnesium which can fertilise the soil.

Bio-D Unscented Laundry Powder

Bio-D Unscented Laundry Powder is sold in a small cardboard box, to avoid shipping you fresh air! This fragrance-free laundry powder is accredited by Allergy UK, and is highly effective. One box offers 212 washes!

To use, add 1 to 2 tablespoons directly to the washing machine drawer, for a standard load. For hand-washing, dissolve a similar amount in warm water, ensure the powder is dissolved before soaking the garments, and rinsing thoroughly.

A Friendly Washing Powder from Yorkshire!

Friendly Laundry Powder is by a company in Yorkshire, known for making soaps. Now it’s turned its attention to making household products. Each pack gives 25 washes. It’s suitable for hand or machine-washing.

Blueland: Plastic-Free Laundry Detergent

Blueland Laundry Detergent is plastic-free, sold as a starter kit with a blue tin, and then just buy refills (the fragrance is naturally derived, and there’s a fragrance-free version too for pregnancy, babies, pets etc).

Along with oxygen bleach boosters and refills. Just add one tablet to the washing machine, or two tablets for heavy loads. We only recommend their unscented items, as scented ones contain fragrance oil.

Greenscents: Refillable Laundry Liquids (no palm oil)

Greenscents is a great laundry liquid (in glass bottles, so don’t handle with wet hands). In Nonscents or natural scents (with essential oils), you can send empty bottles back to be washed and refilled. Not just good for the planet, but also good for your wallet, as you get discounts on further orders.

You can replace this laundry powder with twice the volume of their organic castile soap on a hot wash, to brighten whites, no need for optical brighteners! If using for laundry, they are to replace (don’t use with the laundry liquid – it’s either/or, to avoid mixing acids and alkaline products.

Delphis Commercial Eco Laundry Powder

Delphis Eco Laundry Powder (also in a commercial use version) is formulated to give incredible results, working out at just 30p per wash. The powerful cleaning action is tough on heavy stains, but gentle on fabrics, leaving laundry with a pleasant aroma.

Minml White Vinegar (an eco-friendly fabric softener)

Visit any supermarket and you’ll find an aisle packed with toxic fabric conditioners, all made with artificial fragrance and sold in plastic bottles (most are also tested on animals and contain palm oil).

But here’s the truth – you don’t need them. You can easily make clothes softer and reduce static cling, with other methods. Fabric conditioners also reduce absorbency (so not good for washable cloth nappies and feminine pads). And when tumble-dried, can even increase flammability of fabrics.

There’s a simple alternative to chemical fabric conditioners. Just add half a cup of unscented cleaning vinegar (not malt vinegar!) to the dispenser or final rinse cycle. The smell dissipates, so your clothes won’t smell like a bag of chips!