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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3 litres
£40.50
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) |
1.47 litres
£12.00
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) |
£8.99
Type | Laundry ball |
---|---|
Number of Washes | 1,500 |
Ingredients | - |
Packaging | Plastic, not recyclable |
Certifications | - |
Made in the UK | No |
1.56 litres
£9.00
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 |
3 kg
£12.50
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) |
1.5 litres
£8.00
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) |
5 litres
£20.45
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 |
£12.99
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 |
2 kg
£10.92
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 |
Image | 1 ![]() Bio-D | 2 ![]() EcoEgg | 3 ![]() Faith in Nature | 4 ![]() Ecover | 5 ![]() Ecover | 6 ![]() Method | 7 ![]() Super Washing Machine | 8 ![]() Seventh Generation | 9 ![]() Ecos |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Concentrated Non-Bio Washing Powder | Multi-Use Laundry Egg, Fresh Linen | 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 | 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 | £20.45 | £8.00 | £12.50 | £9.00 | £8.99 | £12.00 | £40.50 |
Type | Concentrated powder | Laundry ball | Ultra-concentrated liquid | Concentrated liquid | Powder | Concentrated liquid | Laundry ball | Ultra-concentrated liquid | Concentrated liquid |
Number of Washes | 33 | 210 | 150 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 1,500 | 66 | 100 |
Ingredients | Plant-derived | Hypoallergenic, harsh chemical-free, fragrance from essential oils | 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 | 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 | 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 | No (Belgium) | No (Belgium) | No | No | No (USA) | No (USA) |
Link |
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.
Author: Annie Hopkins
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications