Dirty Labs Laundry Detergent Review

I’ve tried a lot of laundry detergents over the last few years in effort to find something that checked all of my boxes. I obviously wanted something that effectively cleaned our clothes but I also wanted one that was less toxic for humans and the environment. I wanted a scent but I didn’t want it to be overpowering. However, I often found that scented low-toxic laundry detergents left behind no scent at all and instead left clothes smelling kind of stale. I have really never found one that was perfect but they did the trick. Then I heard about Dirty Labs laundry detergent in one of my low-toxic living groups and decided to give it a try. I was hesitant and assumed I would be getting a different version of the same thing despite the rave reviews. After using it for a few months now, I have to say I am impressed.

Dirty Labs Laundry Detergent Review

About Dirty Labs Laundry Detergent

Dirty Labs was founded by Dr. Pete He and David Watkins in effort to create a laundry detergent that was not only highly effective but safe for humans, animal life and the environment. In their words they wanted, “a sustainable, biobased approach to cleaning that’s rooted in science and aligned with nature” and with their combined knowledge in chemistry, design, development and manufacturing, they did just that. Their team uses “green chemistry” to develop products that perform while still being safe and sustainable. You can learn more about Dr. Pete and David as well as their mission here.

What Makes Dirty Labs Different?

Most cleaning products use petroleum-based ingredients but Dirty Labs uses “biobased” ingredients and “Phytolase” which is a “5-in-1 enzyme-driven cleaning technology” to provide highly effective cleaning and odor elimination while still being safe for humans and the environment. Dirty Labs fights stains, removes odors rather than masking them, softens clothes without using fats and brightens without optical brighteners. Learn more about the science behind Dirty Labs cleaning products here.

In terms of sustainability, the Dirty Labs team is going all out. They use a holitic approach and keep the impact that cleaning products have on our environment in mind when developing their formulations and packaging. Their products are biodegradeable, cruelty free, the ingredients are responsibly sourced, they utilize responsible manufacturing practices, they work to reduce their carbon footprint and they use sustainable packaging. Learn more about Dirty Labs’ sustainability practices here.

My Personal Experience With Dirty Labs Laundry Detergent

I started using Dirty Labs a few months ago. I like that they use enzyme technology and I also liked that they provide a couple of scented options. The reviews that I was hearing from other customers were really positive and I was cautiously optimistic. I initially bought their signature scent (magnolia, bergamot, cedar) and noticed that it was really sweet and floral but not outrageously overpowering. The bottle was small, only 8.6 ounces ($14) but that will wash 32 average sized loads. The detergent also comes with a silicone beaker for measuring and with options for measuring more detergent for larger and/or dirtier loads of laundry. The idea is to measure out the detergent using the beaker and then put the beaker in the detergent dispenser to be cleaned while the washing machine cleans your laundry, that way you’re not having to wash out the beaker by hand everytime you do a load of laundry. The beaker does not fit in my detergent dispenser so I just put it in the machine with the clothes. I would say the beaker is probably my least favorite part of the detergent. I have lost it a few times in the laundry and the measuring lines are hard to see. You also have to be a bit careful when pouring or the detergent drips down the sides of the bottle. These are not deal breakers for me but I do hope they change this design at some point. The bottom line is that it absolutely works, it checks my most important boxes and that’s what I want. It effectively cleans, removes stains (I still use a stain remover as I would with any detergent), our clothes smell good for longer than just one day and they do not get that weird stale smell that I have noticed with other less toxic detergents. I will say that I was not in love with the Signature Scent (magnolia, bergamot, cedar) because it was a little too floral-sweet but I love the Murasaki Scent (jasmine, matcha, vetiver), which is more of a fresh-floral. They do also offer a free and clear option. I bought their detergent for delicates and it did a great job of gently cleaning a few of my sweaters. See below for all buying options including their 21.6 ounce (80 loads) size and their laundry booster.

Dirty Labs Shopping Links:

Signature Scent (magnolia, bergamot, cedar) 8.6 ounces (32 loads) $14 or 21.6 ounces (80 loads) $26

Murasaki Scent (jasmine, match, vetiver) 8.6 ounces (32 loads) $14 or 21.6 ounces (80 loads) $26

Free & Clear 8.6 ounces (32 loads) $14 or 21.6 ounces (80 loads) $26

Hand Wash and Delicates Detergent (unscented) 8.6 ounces (32 loads) $18

Laundry Booster (unscented) 48 loads $17

My Favorite Budget Friendly Low-Toxic and Non-Toxic Cleaning and Housekeeping Products

The price of everything seems to be going up and many of us are really feeling it, especially if you’re already on a tight budget. If you’re trying to live a less toxic lifestyle, perhaps you’re worried that it’s just going to be too expensive or that you may have to make some significant compromises. When it comes to cleaning and housekeeping there are some really great, highly effective and budget friendly products available. You don’t have to compromise cleanliness but it may mean breaking up with expensive products you’ve been using. The upside is that many of these products and practices save time and waste.

My Favorite Budget Friendly Non-Toxic Cleaning and Housekeeping Products

Hydrogen Peroxide - Hydrogen peroxide can be used for both cleaning and disinfecting around the entire house. It’s incredibly versatile. It can be used to disinfect any hard, non porous surface including kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, sinks, cutting boards, doorknobs, toys, refrigerators and garbage cans. It can used to remove stains from grout and white textiles. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to sanitize beauty and personal care tools like nail tools and even your toothbrush. I’ve seen sources that say to mix 50/50 with water and some that say to use it undiluted. I use it undiluted for household and cleaning purposes. Either way make sure you’re purchasing 3% USP hydrogen peroxide. I buy a gallon jug of 3% USP hydrogen peroxide on Amazon for about $18 and then pour it into a 16-ounce glass spray bottle like these from Sally’s Organics. This is much more cost effective than buying a new bottle of cleaner or disinfectant every time it runs out and needs replacing and it creates a lot less waste.

All Purpose Glass Spray Bottles - I like using glass spray bottles for a variety of cleaning products and also plain water. They last much longer than plastic bottles and can be used over and over again. If the spray trigger breaks then I just replace that. They may cost more initially than plastic bottles but in the long run you save money because they do not have to be replaced as often. I like these from Sally’s Organics on Amazon, $25 for 2, 16 oz. bottles and replacement trigger sprayer for $5.98. Using glass spray bottles also cuts down on plastic usage.

Branch Basics Cleaning Concentrate - I had been hearing about Branch Basics for a while and they have been getting some pretty good reviews for their cleaning concentrate. Not only is it non-toxic, it can also be used for a variety of cleaning needs around the house. It’s also 100% fragrance free, it doesn’t even contain essential oils, which is great for those who are sensitive to all types of fragrance. One bottle of concentrate can be used to make an all-purpose cleaning spray, laundry detergent, hand soap and glass cleaner and floor and carpet cleaner. It can also be used many other ways around the house. The big bottle of concentrate is $55 but you get multiple refills out of this one bottle. How much you get out of that bottle of concentrate and cost per cleaning product really depends on how you use it. However, it’s indicated that one bottle of concentrate makes (3) 16 oz. bottles of all-purpose cleaner, (3) 16 oz. bottles of bathroom cleaner, (3) 16 oz. bottles of glass cleaner, (3) 10 oz. bottles of foaming wash and (1) 32 oz. laundry bottle. I know that if I added up what I normally pay for these individual products, it would be a lot more than $55. Branch Basics Cleaning Concentrate $55 or $49.50 with subscription.

White Distilled Vinegar or Cleaning Vinegar - White distilled vinegar and cleaning vinegar are not the same thing. White distilled vinegar is 5% acetic acid and cleaning vinegar is 6%. Both are affordable but plain white vinegar is definitely cheaper. You also absolutely cannot cook with cleaning vinegar. Both can be used for inexpensively cleaning certain items around your home but, because vinegar is acidic, it cannot be used everywhere. This Real Simple guide is a great way to know how and when to use cleaning vinegar (you can use it as a guide for regular white vinegar too).

Dryer Balls - I’ve been using dryer balls for a few years and I will never go back to dryer sheets. Most conventional dryer sheets are full of fragrance and leave behind a non-biodegradable sheet that ends up in landfills. You also have to buy dryer sheets over and over again. Dryer balls are fragrance free and can be used for up to three years before they need replacing. A set of 3 wool dryer balls costs less than $20, so you can imagine how much you would be saving by no longer having to purchase dryer sheets. Wool dryer balls are also known reduce drying time so that helps by reducing utility costs. If you prefer to not use wool, you can opt for dryer balls made with thermal plastic rubber. Dirty Lab’s Wool Dryer Balls (responsibly sourced) Set of 3 $18 and Nellie’s Dryer Balls (thermal plastic rubber) Set of 2 $14.60

Powdered Laundry Detergent - You can save money by using a powdered laundry detergent instead of a liquid. Nellie’s Laundry Soda is effective and comes out to about $.20 a load depending on what size you get. If you buy their largest size, it comes out to $.13 a load. Nellie’s uses very simple ingredients and no fragrance. You can also try Molly’s Suds. They use clean ingredients but provide a few non-toxic scent options in their powdered detergents. Molly’s runs about $.20 to $.40 per load depending on formulation and size. Powder can be used in both top and front loading HE machines. Shop Nellie’s Laundry or Shop Molly’s Suds Laundry