Detox Your Life: One Load at a Time

When most of us think about “detoxing,” we picture green smoothies or skipping sugar—not laundry. But here’s the harsh reality: the detergent sitting in your laundry room is often full of chemicals that don’t just stay in your washing machine. They touch your skin, get absorbed into your clothes, and eventually flow into our waterways.

Many mainstream laundry detergents contain:

• Harsh surfactants like SLS and SLES that can irritate skin and strip away natural oils.

• Synthetic fragrances and dyes linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and respiratory issues.

• Optical brighteners that make clothes look “whiter” but can linger on fabric and cause irritation.

• Hidden byproducts like 1,4-dioxane, a probable carcinogen that never even appears on the label.

On top of that, ingredients like phosphates and chlorine bleach wash into rivers and oceans, harming fish, plants, and delicate ecosystems. In other words—what’s marketed as “fresh and clean” can actually leave behind a toxic trail for your body and the planet.

The good news? You don’t have to settle for that. There are safer, effective alternatives that get your laundry just as clean—without the chemical fallout. Here are my top three non-toxic laundry brands, ranked from my #1 favorite down.  (We have tried all of these but my family uses #3)

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🌿 My Top Picks for Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent

🥇 1. Branch Basics  👈Click the link here!

Try their starter kit - Branch Basics Starter Kit - 👈Click the link here!

This is the brand I recommend most because it’s more than just laundry detergent. Branch Basics gives you one bottle of concentrate that you dilute in different ways to replace dozens of cleaning products in your home. (See image above for all its uses—countertops, bathrooms, floors, even pet areas!)

• Why I love it: One safe formula replaces a shelf full of cleaners. It saves money and cuts down on plastic waste.

• Key Ingredients:

  • Coconut- and sugar-based surfactants → powerful cleaners, gentle on skin

  • Baking soda → deodorizes naturally

  • Plant-based enzymes → break down stains

• Free from: SLS, synthetic fragrances, dyes, phosphates, and optical brighteners

• Best for: Anyone who wants an all-in-one safe, eco-friendly system for their whole home.

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🥈 2. Molly’s Suds 👈Click the link here!

For the powdered version - Molly Suds Laundry Powder 👈Click the link here!

Molly’s Suds was created by a mom who wanted a truly safe alternative after losing her child to chemical exposure. It has a short, simple ingredient list and is one of the cleanest powders you can buy.

• Why I love it: Minimal ingredients, effective cleaning, and safe even for cloth diapers and sensitive skin.

• Key Ingredients:

  • Sodium carbonate (washing soda) → natural water softener

  • Baking soda → odor eliminator

  • Epsom salt → boosts cleaning power

  • Organic peppermint oil → light, refreshing scent (optional)

• Free from: Dyes, optical brighteners, and synthetic fragrances

• Best for: Families with sensitive skin or those who want the simplest formula possible.

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🥉 3. Truly Free 👈Click the link here!

This is the product that my family uses because of the deals and overall price for the refills.

✨Try their Every Day Cleaner!  (It cuts right through grease on my stove top)👈Click the link here!

Truly Free focuses on two things: safe ingredients and reducing plastic waste. They send you refill pouches so you can reuse your bottles, cutting down on single-use plastic.

• Why I love it: Their mission to eliminate plastic is inspiring, and the detergent itself is safe and effective.

• Key Ingredients:

  • Plant-based surfactants (coconut-derived) → strong cleaners, gentle on fabrics

  • Mineral-based water softeners → reduce buildup naturally

  • Optional essential oils → light, natural scent

• Free from: SLS, phosphates, synthetic fragrances, and dyes

• Best for: Eco-conscious households that want to detox their laundry routine and reduce waste.

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✅ The Bottom Line

All three of these brands are excellent choices for ditching toxic detergents and embracing a safer laundry routine. For me, Branch Basics takes the top spot because it’s not just about laundry—it simplifies your whole home by replacing multiple cleaners with one safe concentrate.

But whether you choose Branch Basics, Molly’s Suds, or Truly Free, you’ll feel good knowing your laundry is clean without the harsh chemicals.

Stay tuned for the next post in this Detox Your Life series, where we’ll cover another hidden source of toxins in everyday life and how to swap it out for a safer option.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on a product link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I truly use and believe in.