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    The Best Natural Laundry Detergent Ingredients to Look For

    Posted By: Jenay Zhyrov

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    Posted On: 9/20/2025

    Here are the common toxic chemicals found in everyday laundry detergents: 

    • Optical Brighteners in Laundry Detergent: These colorless dyes make clothes appear “cleaner” and “brighter,” but leave toxic film on fabric.


    • Toxic Surfactants in Laundry Detergent: Some surfactants, such as alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), can harm your hormones and cause fertility issues. They’re also toxic to aquatic life and are banned or restricted in Europe and Canada.


    • Formaldehyde in Laundry Detergent: Used as an antibacterial agent, formaldehyde is a carcinogen that can cause respiratory and skin irritation, as well as cancer, when inhaled. It’s so hazardous that it earned an F score from the Environmental Working Group.


    • Toxic Chemical Fragrances in Laundry Detergent: Scents like “fresh linen” or “blossom” are concocted with mixtures of undisclosed toxic chemicals that disrupt hormones and cause allergic reactions. They’re usually lumped into a single word on the label as “fragrances.”

    Gentle, Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent Ingredients That Work

    Switching to a clean ingredient laundry detergent doesn’t mean your clothes will be any less clean. The right blend of natural ingredients can freshen up your laundry and banish messes, all while protecting you and your family from inflammatory toxins. Here’s a breakdown of some of the safe, highly effective compounds we use in Truly Free Home Laundry Wash.

    Salts

    Truly Free Home’s Laundry Wash uses patented Quadrasalt technology that’s gentle on skin but still tough on stains and odors. 

    • Sodium Citrate: Derived from citric acid, sodium citrate helps detergents perform better by neutralizing the minerals in hard water and maintaining an optimal pH for cleaning. 
    • TetraSodium Salt: A hard water softener that breaks down dirt and grease, making it easier to remove.
    • Sodium Carbonate: Also known as soda ash or washing soda, it breaks down stubborn stains and neutralizes acids for a more powerful clean.
    • Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate: A foaming agent that helps create a rich lather and lift oils and dirt so they rinse off easily.


    Plant- and Sugar-Based Surfactants

    These surfactants, derived from natural, renewable sources, are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.  

    • Alkyl Polyglucoside: Sourced from sunflowers, this cleaning agent helps remove dirt and grease without leaving behind toxic chemical residue.
    • Sodium Cocoate: Derived from coconut oil, this ingredient helps break down dirt and oils so they can wash away easily.


    Natural Oils

    Love the smell of fresh laundry? You can still enjoy it without toxic chemical fragrances. 

    Essential oils and plant-based fragrance oils are extracts from natural sources. We use them for our Laundry Wash Signature Scent, which features a subtle blend of lavandin grosso, lime, eucalyptus, fir needle, and clove leaf oils. 

    A Safer Natural Laundry Detergent for Your Next Load

    You don’t have to sacrifice your well-being for clean laundry. Choosing natural, eco-friendly products gives you peace of mind that every load is safe for your family, your fabrics, and the planet. Truly Free Home’s science-backed, non-toxic formulas make it simple to get the job done, every time.