*Updated from a previous post on 7/2021

Laundry is inevitable. If you have a family, you’re probably doing laundry several times a week or even everyday, so it’s important that your laundry products do the job and do it right. Unfortunately, most conventional laundry products, including detergents, stain removers and fabric softeners, contain heavy amounts of synthetic fragrance, harsh cleaning agents and synthetic dyes. Many people are starting to look for alternatives because they are concerned about the safety of these ingredients and the impact on human health and the environment. Switching can seem overwhelming especially if you’re also concerned that your laundry won’t get properly cleaned or smell as fresh as with your conventional products. The good news is that there are more low and non toxic options now than ever and they do work. They remove stains, dirt and odors, but don’t leave behind a heavy fragrance or any residues that might cause irritation or an allergic reaction.

The Ultimate Low and Non Toxic Laundry Products Guide

Detergents

Defunkify Laundry Detergent - Defunkify uses a combination of non-toxic natural/botanical and synthetic ingredients to remove stains and odors. Their claim to fame is in their name; they aim to safely remove those funky odors and stink that many laundry detergents can leave behind (think all of that synthetic athletic wear). You can buy in both liquid and powder and it comes in free and clear, fresh air, lemongrass and lavender scents. All scented formulas are made using essential oils. Get all the details on the company and their products on their website.

Truly Free - Truly Free is a company out of Michigan dedicated to creating innovative, powerful and safe products for the home. Their laundry detergent comes as a kit with a plastic jug and a refill pouch. When you run out of detergent, all you have to do is purchase the refill pouch, add it to the empty jug, add water and you’re good to go for another 50 loads. The laundry detergent is non-toxic and comes in unscented and their signature scent made from a blend of essential oils. They have a full line of products including stain removers, oxygen boosters and dryer sheet alternatives. Ingredients, reviews, shipping options and pricing are all available on their website.

Branch Basics - Branch Basics is another company dedicated to creating safe and effective cleaning products for the home, including laundry products. If you’re looking for a simple, streamlined, all purpose cleaning solution then Branch Basics may be just what you are looking for. One concentrated cleaning solution and an oxygen booster are all that you need to clean your entire home, including your laundry. Just like Truly Free, you purchase the starter kit(s) and then buy the refills when you run out. Branch Basics products are non toxic and Made Safe® certified. You can learn all about Branch Basics and their products by visiting their website.

Nellie’s - Nellie’s detergent is a powdered laundry soda that is formulated without water and other fillers so that a little goes a long way. If you’re looking for a simple, fragrance free detergent, this is good choice. There are only four non-toxic ingredients and every product is made with the health of humans and the planet in mind. They offer the powdered soda as well as travel-friendly laundry nuggets in addition to other planet and human-friendly cleaning products. Learn more about Nellie’s company and products here.

Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder - A great basic laundry detergent option and Molly’s Suds keeps coming out with new scents like lotus and peony, rosé and citrus grove, along with their traditional scents peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus and unscented. This is a great formula for lightly to moderately soiled laundry but you might need their Super Powder Laundry Detergent for heavily soiled laundry. Again, this formula is not going to leave a heavy scent behind because they do not use heavy-duty synthetic fragrances. Due to the nature of this powder, it does need to be used with only warm or hot water washes or dissolved in hot water before adding it to a cold water wash (super powder can be used in cool, warm or hot water).

Aspen Clean - Aspen Clean is available in either liquid or pods and checks every box you can possibly imagine. EcoCert® certified, EWG verified, biodegradable, Leaping Bunny certified, safe for babies and pets, septic safe, container is recyclable and made from 100% post-consumer resin, vegan and made from all natural sustainable ingredients. They offer several scents including unscented as well as an oxygen booster.

Delicates and Baby

Molly’s Suds Baby Laundry Powder - An extra gentle version of Molly’s powdered detergent formulated to remove all of those typical baby stains. Non toxic Sweet Baby Shea scent.

Nellie’s Baby Laundry Soda - The baby version of the Nellie’s laundry soda. Safe for infants and sensitive skin. Unscented.

Honest Hypoallergenic Baby Detergent - A gentle, fragrance-free formula with four stain-flighting enzymes.

Molly’s Suds Delicate Wash - Formulated to remove dirt, debris, oil and stains but gentle enough for silk, spandex, rayon, wool, cashmere, merino, mohair, and other delicate fabrics. Available in unscented and lavender.

Activewear

Defunkify - Defunkify’s odor fighting odor eliminating formula is effective at removing odors from regular laundry as well as activewear.

Molly’s Suds All Sport Activewear Detergent - Eliminates athletic wear stink from odor-causing bacteria and tough stains while preserving fabric integrity, including SPF. Can be used for machine and hand washing. Comes in their original citrus scent and unscented as well as a powdered version.

Stain Removers and Whiteners

Molly’s Suds Oxygen Whitener - Removes stains, whitens and brightens. Chlorine free. Four ingredients including fragrance from essential oils. Available in original lemon, basil, eucalyptus and lavender scents.

Molly’s Suds Stain Remover - Enzyme-powered to break down and eliminate tough stains. Unscented, dye free and safe for all washable fabrics. Effective on pet and baby stains.

Nellie’s Oxygen Whitener - Brightens colors and whitens whites without chlorine bleach. Hypoallergenic, color-safe and septic-safe. Fragrance free.

Nellie’s Wow Stick Stain Remover - A powerful multi-stain remover in stick form. Dye free, but does contain sweet orange and lemongrass essential oils to combat stain odors.

Truly Free Oxy Boost - The perfect bleach alternative. Whitens whites and brightens most colors. Can also be used in other areas of the home like the bathroom.

Truly Free Stain Stick - A non-toxic option for stain removal for clothing and other textiles.

Laundry Drying and Softening

Molly’s Suds Wool Dryer Balls - By far the most non-toxic, eco-friendly, cost saving alternative to dryer sheets. Many companies offer wool dryer balls, but I’m linking to Molly’s Suds. Wool dryer balls can be used for up to 3 years, they shorten drying time and fluff and soften fabrics.

Molly’s Suds Dryer Sheets - If you just can’t live without dryer sheets, Molly Suds offers a non-toxic, biodegradable dryer sheet that is scented using essential oils. They offer unscented, lavender and peppermint scent options.

Nellie’s Wool Free (Rubber) Dryer Balls - Works the same as wool dryer balls but they are made of rubber.

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After 20 years of marriage, many of our beloved kitchen gadgets and appliances are breaking down or becoming obsolete. There are also several items that just need to be replaced on a regular basis (I’m looking at you dingy dish towels and stinky, stained cutting boards), so I thought it would be a good time to give our kitchen a little refresh. This time, I am being much more conscious about materials regarding both sustainability and safety. I’m selecting products made with glass, stainless steel, cast iron, wood, bamboo and other non/low-toxic surfaces as much as I possibly can without sacrificing functionality or completely breaking the bank. It’s impossible to avoid every single toxin and concerning chemical in the kitchen but you can definitely reduce your exposure with some thoughtfully chosen items.

Ten Essentials I’m Buying For My Fall Kitchen Refresh

Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor - After 20 years of use, our old Cuisinart food processor finally broke down. We need a new one because we use it multiple times a week and after a lot of research, I decided to stay with the Cuisinart brand. I like the large capacity and the fact that it lasted 20 years says a lot about its quality. It comes with multiple blades for slicing, mixing, chopping and shredding. There are food processors that use glass or stainless steel instead of plastic. However, they just can’t compete with the Cuisinart capacity and they now use BPA-free plastic, which is not perfect but it’s better. Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor $249.95 on Amazon with options for paying over time.

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Cookware Set - After years of research and buying and trying different pans, I decided to go back to good old-fashioned cast iron. However, now you can buy pre-seasoned cast iron and avoid the hassle of cooking and cleaning unseasoned cast iron cookware. Yes, the pre-seasoning is non-toxic and much safer than any non-stick cookware on the market right now. Lodge 5-Piece Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Cookware Set $106.34 on Amazon with options for paying over time.

Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 - My son has been bothering us to get an air fryer for a while now and we also need to replace our toaster oven. I like this particular model because it also functions as a toaster oven which means I can replace our old one and get an air fryer without taking up any additional counter space. It also has nearly 9,000 5-star reviews, so I feel I can buy with confidence. Special note: This air fryer does come with a Prop 65 warning but it refers to BPA in the cord which does not affect the food in any way. Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 $165 on Amazon.

Greener Chef Organic Bamboo Cutting Board - My larger cutting boards are getting old and breaking down and I want to replace them with bamboo. I like that bamboo is renewable and this one, by Greener Chef, is non-toxic. It’s free of dyes, stains, chemical resins, plastic and formaldehyde. The larger size is perfect for meal prep but small enough that I can store it away when I’m not using it. Greener Chef is another small business that sells their products on Amazon and I like supporting small business as much as possible. This cutting board has over 11,000 5-star reviews, so this one makes it on my list. Greener Chef Organic Bamboo Extra Large Cutting Board $19.99 on Amazon.

Joseph Joseph Nest Prep & Store - This set of four mixing bowls are made with stainless steel and include lids so that you can easily go from prep to storage. I’m eyeing the larger bowl as good storage for soups and other leftovers that may not fit into our regular storage containers. The nesting design allows both the lids and bowls to fit neatly together for efficient storage. The bowls also have non-slip bases and we know how helpful that is. Joseph Joseph Nest Prep & Store $100 at Williams-Sonoma.

Williams-Sonoma Stainless Steel Salad Spinner - We need another salad spinner and I like that the inner part that holds the greens is stainless steel and can be used as a strainer for other food items. The strainer holes are small enough so that you can spin dry smaller greens like sprouts and micro-greens without them falling through or getting caught. The outer plastic parts that have little to no food contact are made of BPA-free plastic. Salad spinners help dry your greens so that dressing stick to them better and they also work as a good storage vessel! Williams-Sonoma Stainless Steel Salad Spinner $69.95 at Williams-Sonoma.

Williams-Sonoma Spider Skimmer - Have you ever had a tool mysteriously disappear from your kitchen? Perhaps we lost in our move a few years ago or maybe it broke and someone forgot to let me know. In any case, I have needed a new one of these for a while. Skimmers come in handy for a variety of kitchen tasks including deep frying, stir frying and sauteing. Made of non-reactive stainless steel. Williams-Sonoma Spider Skimmer $39.95 at Williams-Sonoma.

Chef’n Glass Mandoline - A mandoline is so handy to have in the kitchen for slicing and other cuts like crinkle cuts and julienne but the one we own is large, clunky and hard to use. I love this one by Chef’n because it’s small and easy to use and I can store it right in the drawers in my island for easy access. It’s also made of glass and stainless steel (the pusher part is made of plastic). Chef’n Glass Mandoline $109.95 at Williams-Sonoma.

Set of 6, Weck Tulip Jars (35.9 ounce) - Weck glass jars are one of the best things to happen to my kitchen in a long time. They are so incredibly versatile. They are originally designed for canning but can be used so many other ways. I want this set of larger jars for larger amounts of soups, sauces and broths as well as dry items in my pantry but I know they will have so many more uses. I do recommend buying the plastic or wooden lids as they are much easier to use than the canning lids. I will link those here as well. Set of 6, Weck Tulip Jars (35.9 ounce) $34.95 at Williams-Sonoma and lids are linked here (you will need lids in the LARGE size for these particular jars).

Dish Towels - My kitchen towels definitely need a refresh since we use them so often for so many things and they get dingy fast. I like to take my old kitchen towels and use them for rags in other areas if the house like the bathrooms. I’m going to link a couple towel options; one is really inexpensive and great for dirtier kitchen tasks and the other is higher quality, nicer looking and really absorbent. Both options are 100% organic cotton and use non-toxic dyes and both are sold by small businesses. Full Circle Organic Cotton Dish Towels, Set of 3 for $8 and Coyuchi Organic Waffle Kitchen Towels, Set of 6 for $58.

*The Quiet Life Chronicles partners with several affiliate programs, meaning that I can earn a commission from purchases/clicks by those who visit this site at no additional cost to you!