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Top 10 Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents in the UK 2021 (Seventh Generation, Method and More)

Top 10 Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents in the UK 2021 (Seventh Generation, Method and More)

An eco-friendly laundry detergent allows you to give your clothes and bedding the refreshing wash they need, while also making sure you’re respectful to the environment. Whether you prefer liquids or powder detergent, many of the top brands offer greener options which help you skip chemicals and use natural, organic ingredients which are gentler on the planet (and on sensitive skin!), with some even offering plastic-free packaging.

Companies like Ecover, Method and Faith in Nature all create effective detergents which smell fresh and are affordable too. You may even fancy a zero-waste laundry ball which cleans clothes and remains a friend of the Earth. Check out our guide explaining how to pick the best planet-friendly laundry detergent, and browse our ranking of the best options you can buy online from Amazon, eBay and more.

Last updated: 18-02-2021
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How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent – Buying Guide

There are all sorts of excellent laundry detergents available to choose from online nowadays, but which ones really help you do your bit for the environment? Take a look at our handy tips for selecting a product that meets your needs and protects the planet.

Decide Between Liquid and Powder Detergents or Laundry Balls

Though most of us have a preference when it comes to the formula of laundry detergent we use, there are a couple of points worth considering when it comes to how eco-friendly they are. Aside from liquids and powders, there's also a third type to consider: laundry balls. Here's what to weigh up for each type.

If Choosing a Liquid or Powder, Pick Concentrated Formulas Washable on Low Temperatures

Whether you'd prefer a liquid or powder, picking detergents which are highly concentrated will reduce their environmental impact, as they only require a small amount per wash and last much longer per container.

While ultra-concentrated formulas are usually in liquid form, you can check the number of washes for a powder to see how much you'll get out of them. Also, a big draw of powders is that they can be packaged in cardboard rather than plastic.

Concentrated formulas will be able to perform just as well on colder, shorter washing cycles, which means lower carbon emissions overall. Even if a detergent does not mention whether its formula is concentrated, it's still worth checking whether it can efficiently wash your clothes on low-temperature cycles of 30 degrees.

Try an Eco-Friendly Laundry Ball or Egg to Skip Chemicals Completely

By picking a laundry ball instead of liquid or powder detergent, you instantly reduce your plastic and packaging consumption, as these clever little balls last for as much as a year or more. Laundry balls often contain detergent pellets, made with all-natural ingredients with no harsh chemicals.

They can be used without any other product, relying largely on water (which can actually break through urine and even blood), the movement of the washing machine, and the friction from the ball itself. If you'd like your clothes or bedding to smell nice, you can always add a few drops of essential oil to the drum.

Look for Natural, Biodegradable Ingredients Which Will do Less Damage to the Earth and Seas

When choosing an eco-friendly laundry detergent, it’s vital to look for ingredients which will be kind to the environment. That means opting for natural rather than man-made ingredients; plant-based where possible and grown organically. Products made with this type of ingredient should biodegrade easily and won’t contaminate the ground or sea where they end up.

Ingredients to avoid include palm oil, which is responsible for the destruction of huge sections of rainforest and the natural habitat of countless animal and insect species.

Toxic ingredients such as chlorine bleach, synthetic fragrances, dyes, optical brighteners, phosphates, sodium laureth sulphate (SLS) and parabens are also no-nos, as they can all be potentially contaminating, both to your skin and to the planet as they enter the water supply.

Pick Certified Cruelty-Free and Vegan Products Not Tested on Animals

If you care about the planet and those you share it with, your priority should be picking cruelty-free, vegan products; and this applies to your laundry detergent too.

As well as checking out the label (or the brand's website, if you wish), keep an eye out for the following logos:

The PETA-approved bunny logo which guarantees no animal testing was used in the making of a product.
Similarly, the rabbit with a pink heart representing its ears. This is used in the USA but may apply to some products available in the UK.
The leaping bunny, which represents the gold standard in cruelty-free cosmetics and household cleaning products.
The vegan flower symbol, which is proof that a product is certified vegan by the Vegan Society and contains no animal products.

Use Eco-Friendly Certifications as a Guide to Avoid ‘Green-Washed’ Products

As eco-friendly has become a huge buzzword in recent years, many huge brands have started to ‘green-wash’ their products to give the impression of being kind to the planet even when they’re not.

The best way to avoid falling into the trap of buying products that are simply ‘green-washed’ (often literally with the use of green logos and packaging or illustrations of flowers, leaves and so on) is to look out for official stamps which prove the product is certified planet-friendly.

Alongside the aforementioned cruelty-free and vegan seals of approval, another logo worth looking for is the carbon neutral stamp.

This proves a company has taken measures to remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it puts out during the production process. Products made in North America may be USDA certified, meaning the United States Department of Agriculture approves of the methods of production used.

Choose Detergents With Recyclable or Biodegradable Packaging

Just as the ingredients in a detergent that’s safe for the environment should be gentle and natural, its packaging should also be eco-friendly where possible.

To win extra eco-points, look out for laundry liquids and powders which come in plastic-free packaging. Failing that, make sure the bottle or carton is easily recyclable, and if possible, made from recycled materials itself.

Select a Detergent Made in the UK for a Far Smaller Carbon Footprint

An eco-friendly laundry detergent is kind to the planet with more than just its ingredients and packaging. Travelling long air or lorry miles from producer to consumer means a huge CO2 output, which cancels out the benefits of organic, natural ingredients.

A detergent made in the UK is a better option, keeping the carbon footprint of your purchase to a minimum. Of course, the more locally you can shop, the better!

Top 10 Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents in the UK

With all these thoughts in mind, it’s time to have a look at the best environmentally-friendly detergent products we could find on the market today. Every single product on our list is cruelty-free and vegan – hooray! Here’s hoping you’ll spot one that suits your household’s needs and becomes a firm favourite.

amazon.co.uk

Ecos Lavender Laundry Detergent With Conditioner

3 litres

£40.50

View product on Amazon

Lavender-Scented Liquid With Carbon Neutral Approval

This liquid detergent has a lovely lavender scent and leaves clothes clean and fresh at any temperature. It has a built-in fabric conditioner too, saving you buying a second plastic bottle. It's free from any planet-harming phosphates, dyes, or parabens and is biodegradable, as well as carrying many impressive certifications.

In particular, it has the Carbon Neutral seal, and is manufactured in family-owned plants powered by 100% renewable energy which adhere to Zero Waste Business Council guidelines. Sadly, Ecos's products have a considerable carbon footprint if you’re shopping in the UK as they’re made in the US, which also makes this a rather expensive purchase.

Type	Concentrated liquid
Number of Washes	100
Ingredients	Plant-based, free of dyes, phthalates, parabens, phosphates
Packaging	Recyclable plastic
Certifications	Carbon neutral, leaping bunny, Vegan Society, eco control
Made in the UK	No (USA)

amazon.co.uk

Seventh GenerationUltra-Concentrated Laundry Detergent

1.47 litres

£12.00

Skip the Plastic Bottle for Compostable Cardboard

This fragrance-free laundry liquid comes in a compostable and recyclable cardboard bottle and promises no dyes or artificial brighteners in its tried-and-tested triple enzyme, 96% plant-based formula. Though available in UK supermarkets and online, it's unfortunately produced in the States so will have a considerable carbon footprint.

The good news is that this product is approved by the United States Department of agriculture as well as being named as a ‘Safer Choice’ product by North America’s Environmental Protection Agency. It comes leaping-bunny approved too, and is ultra-concentrated to last up to 66 washes.

Type	Ultra-concentrated liquid
Number of Washes	66
Ingredients	Colourant-free, fragrance-free, optical brightener-free, 96% plant-based
Packaging	Compostable cardboard, recyclable plastic cap
Certifications	Leaping bunny, USDA Certified, EPA safe choice
Made in the UK	No (USA)

amazon.co.uk

Super Washing MachineEco-Friendly Laundry Ball

£8.99

Forget Detergent for Good

If you want to save cash and ditch detergent altogether, try this impressively popular laundry ball which you can pop into the machine without adding anything else. It claims to use magnetic ions to draw dirt away from fabric while also reducing the risk of limescale in your machine.

Unfortunately, it cannot be recycled at the end of its life, but it can be used for up to an impressive 1,500 washes. Whether or not you’re convinced by the science, a hundred plus 5-star reviews on Amazon surely can't be wrong!

Type	Laundry ball
Number of Washes	1,500
Ingredients	-
Packaging	Plastic, not recyclable
Certifications	-
Made in the UK	No

tesco.com

Method Peony Blush Laundry Liquid

1.56 litres

£9.00

Best Pick for Sweet-Smelling Laundry

Smelling sweetly of peony flowers, this laundry liquid is for you if you want a fragranced detergent without sacrificing your environmentally-friendly values. Method have the world’s only line of Cradle to Cradle certified cleaning products, which is the highest bar for green product and packaging design, as well as manufacturing process responsibility.

Though its ingredients are 95% natural and 98% biodegradable, it does, unfortunately, contain optical brighteners. On the upside, this popular product will last up to 39 washes, tackling stains and keeping whites white and colours bright on low temperatures of 30 degrees.

Type	Concentrated liquid
Number of Washes	39
Ingredients	95% plant-based, 98% biodegradable
Packaging	Recycled, recyclable plastic
Certifications	Leaping bunny
Made in the UK	No

amazon.co.uk

EcoverNon-Bio Washing Powder

3 kg

£12.50

Tackle Stains Even at 30 Degrees

A winner of a Good Housekeeping Institute award, this powder will clean up to 40 loads of laundry giving them a fresh, naturally-derived scent and comes in a cardboard box to keep plastics to a minimum. It cleans both whites and colours perfectly well at 30 degrees which is great news for the planet.

One downside is that the product isn’t made in the UK, but coming from Belgium means it doesn’t have a colossal carbon footprint like those detergents manufactured further afield. The leaping bunny assures you it’s cruelty-free.

Type	Powder
Number of Washes	40
Ingredients	Plant-based and biodegradable, natural fragrance
Packaging	Recyclable cardboard
Certifications	Leaping bunny
Made in the UK	No (Belgium)

groceries.asda.com

EcoverNon-Bio Laundry Liquid, Lavender & Sandalwood

1.5 litres

£8.00

Beautifully-Scented Liquid Made in a Zero-Waste Factory

There's a reason Ecover is such a big name in environmental cleaning products – or rather, there are several! This concentrated liquid is naturally scented with lavender, sandalwood and amber, and has been certified as suitable for sensitive skin and completely vegan.

Additionally, this detergent has been produced in a completely zero-waste facility whereby 98.1% of the factory waste is diverted from landfill. The bottle is not only recyclable but made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, too. If only it was made in the UK!

Type	Concentrated liquid
Number of Washes	42
Ingredients	Plant-based and biodegradable
Packaging	100% recycled, recyclable plastic
Certifications	Leaping bunny, factory zero-waste certified
Made in the UK	No (Belgium)

amazon.co.uk

Faith in NatureSuper Concentrated Laundry Liquid

5 litres

£20.45

Ultra-Concentrated Bulk Buy With a Dreamy Herbal Scent

Faith in Nature’s super-size bottle of super-concentrated laundry liquid is excellent value for money as it contains 5 litres of detergent but you’ll need just 20 ml for a decent wash. The plastic bottle is big and sturdy enough to be re-used and recycled – check your local zero-waste shop to see if they offer refills.

Better yet, the UK-based factory promises minimal carbon emissions bringing it to you. A certified vegan product with the leaping bunny sign, this delicious rosemary and aloe vera scented wash stands out on our list as effective, delightfully-fragranced and extra long-lasting.

Type	Ultra-concentrated liquid
Number of Washes	150
Ingredients	99% natural, SLS- and paraben-free
Packaging	Recyclable plastic
Certifications	Vegan Society, leaping bunny
Made in the UK	Yes

amazon.co.uk

Bio-D Concentrated Non-Bio Laundry Liquid

5 litres

£22.52

Award-Winning Detergent From a Family Owned-British Company

Another great bulk buy to save on plastics, Bio-D's liquid comes in a large plastic bottle you can easily find a second and third use for. It's also been given the leaping bunny seal of approval as well as that of the Vegan Society, and it's free from chlorine, brighteners and harsh chemicals.

Winner of Ethical Consumer’s Best Buy award, this UK-made product guarantees excellent ethical practice both for the environment and the team involved in making it. Smelling of delicious seaweed and juniper, it promises you as many as 125 washes.

Type	Concentrated liquid
Number of Washes	125
Ingredients	Plant-derived
Packaging	Recyclable plastic
Certifications	Vegan Society, leaping bunny
Made in the UK	Yes

EcoEgg Multi-Use Laundry Egg, Fresh Linen

£12.99

Refillable Laundry Ball Perfect for Sensitive Skin

However sceptical you may be about laundry balls (and eggs), the fact remains that water can break down dirt as tough as blood and urine! Add to this the all-natural cleaning pellets contained inside the eco-egg and you’ve got three years of effective washing costing just 3 pence per wash.

A great pick for anyone whose sensitive skin is irritated by detergents, you can choose from four essential oil-scented fragrances, as well as three different sizes which promise 54, 210 or 720 washes. After this, refill pellets are available online, and even after this, the plastic can be recycled. Try it once and you’ll never look back.

Type	Laundry ball
Number of Washes	210
Ingredients	Hypoallergenic, harsh chemical-free, fragrance from essential oils
Packaging	Recyclable plastic
Certifications	None
Made in the UK	Yes

amazon.co.uk

Bio-DConcentrated Non-Bio Washing Powder

2 kg

£10.92

Live Your Greenest Life

This washing powder provides an exceptional clean, leaves clothes smelling fresh and guarantees a minimal impact on the environment. Ethically above board too, this Bio-D detergent powder is made from safe, natural ingredients that won’t harm Mother Earth.

The paper bag is ideal if you’re aiming to go plastic-free and the leaping bunny and Vegan Society symbols let you know the product is made entirely without animal cruelty. Enough to last you 33 washes, and probably more as it’s powerful stuff, you’re getting great value and can rest safe knowing you’ve done your bit for the planet.

Type	Concentrated powder
Number of Washes	33
Ingredients	Plant-derived
Packaging	Recyclable paper
Certifications	Vegan society, leaping bunny, allergy UK
Made in the UK	Yes

Compare the Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents

Image	1 Bio-D	2 EcoEgg	3 Bio-D	4 Faith in Nature	5 Ecover	6 Ecover	7 Method	8 Super Washing Machine	9 Seventh Generation	10 Ecos
Name	Concentrated Non-Bio Washing Powder	Multi-Use Laundry Egg, Fresh Linen	Concentrated Non-Bio Laundry Liquid	Super Concentrated Laundry Liquid	Non-Bio Laundry Liquid, Lavender & Sandalwood	Non-Bio Washing Powder	Peony Blush Laundry Liquid	Eco-Friendly Laundry Ball	Ultra-Concentrated Laundry Detergent	Lavender Laundry Detergent With Conditioner
Features	Live Your Greenest Life	Refillable Laundry Ball Perfect for Sensitive Skin	Award-Winning Detergent From a Family Owned-British Company	Ultra-Concentrated Bulk Buy With a Dreamy Herbal Scent	Beautifully-Scented Liquid Made in a Zero-Waste Factory	Tackle Stains Even at 30 Degrees	Best Pick for Sweet-Smelling Laundry	Forget Detergent for Good	Skip the Plastic Bottle for Compostable Cardboard	Lavender-Scented Liquid With Carbon Neutral Approval
Price	£10.92	£12.99	£22.52	£20.45	£8.00	£12.50	£9.00	£8.99	£12.00	£40.50
Type	Concentrated powder	Laundry ball	Concentrated liquid	Ultra-concentrated liquid	Concentrated liquid	Powder	Concentrated liquid	Laundry ball	Ultra-concentrated liquid	Concentrated liquid
Number of Washes	33	210	125	150	42	40	39	1,500	66	100
Ingredients	Plant-derived	Hypoallergenic, harsh chemical-free, fragrance from essential oils	Plant-derived	99% natural, SLS- and paraben-free	Plant-based and biodegradable	Plant-based and biodegradable, natural fragrance	95% plant-based, 98% biodegradable	-	Colourant-free, fragrance-free, optical brightener-free, 96% plant-based	Plant-based, free of dyes, phthalates, parabens, phosphates
Packaging	Recyclable paper	Recyclable plastic	Recyclable plastic	Recyclable plastic	100% recycled, recyclable plastic	Recyclable cardboard	Recycled, recyclable plastic	Plastic, not recyclable	Compostable cardboard, recyclable plastic cap	Recyclable plastic
Certifications	Vegan society, leaping bunny, allergy UK	None	Vegan Society, leaping bunny	Vegan Society, leaping bunny	Leaping bunny, factory zero-waste certified	Leaping bunny	Leaping bunny	-	Leaping bunny, USDA Certified, EPA safe choice	Carbon neutral, leaping bunny, Vegan Society, eco control
Made in the UK	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No (Belgium)	No (Belgium)	No	No	No (USA)	No (USA)
Link	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View Tesco View ASDA	View Amazon View eBay View Waitrose	View Amazon View eBay View Tesco	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay View Waitrose	View Amazon

Looking for More Laundry Products?

If you have a big family with a constant supply of dirty clothes that need cleaning, one bottle of detergent won't be enough! Take a look at our other articles for some of the best laundry products to buy online.

Top 10 Best Dryer Balls in the UK 2020

Top 10 Best Laundry Detergents for Sensitive Skin in the UK 2020 (Fairy, Persil and More)

Top 10 Best Fabric Softeners in the UK 2020 (Ecover, Lenor and More)

Summary

Thus concludes our breakdown of the very best laundry detergents you can buy online which are low in chemicals, use minimal plastic packaging and will cause least harm to the environment.

We hope you’ll be able to find an eco-friendly product on our list which will keep your family’s clothes beautifully clean and help you live your best – and greenest – life!

Author: Annie Hopkins