Most of the detergents below are suitable for both top-loading and front-loading washing machines. Also, they tend to be greener and less toxic than traditional detergents, which is always a plus. If you're sensitive to a specific ingredient, definitely check the labels to ensure that those ingredients aren't in there. Green detergents are generally more gentle, but they're not perfect.
*All of the brands mentioned in this article are cruelty-free, although some are owned by a parent company that tests on animals. This is the case for Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyers, which are cruelty-free themselves but are owned by S.C. Johnson and Unilever respectively.
1. Seventh Generation* Free And Clear (Laundry Detergent)
2. Seventh Generation* Free And Clear (Fabric Softener)
3. Scent + Dye Free Dropps (Laundry Detergent) -- These are capsules you just pop in the washer.
4. Method Fresh Clover (Laundry Detergent)
5. ECOS Magnolia & Lily (Laundry Detergent w/ Softener) -- I'm currently using this one and we purchase it from Costco. It's Leaping Bunny-certified.
6. Mrs. Meyers* Clean Day (Dryer Sheets)
7. Mrs. Meyers* Clean Day Lavender (Laundry Detergent)
8. Mrs. Meyers* Clean Day Lavender (Fabric Softener)
1. Soap Nuts (Laundry Detergent, $32.24 for 1lb) -- 100% natural detergent. I have yet to try this myself, but some people swear by these.
2. Dropps Orange Blossom Scent Booster (Fabric Softener, $28 for 6-pack) -- Abe's stocks many Dropps products.
3. Molly's Suds (Powder Laundry Detergent, $13.99) -- Leaping Bunny-certified.
4. HomeLogic Citrus Grove (Laundry Detergent, $32 for 2-pack) -- PETA-certified. Great reviews.
5. Puracy Free & Clear (Laundry Detergent, $17.99) -- Leaping Bunny-certified.
I hope these suggestions will work out for you! Have you tried any of these brands? Please leave your opinions on the comments!
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Hi there. Have you heard of Norwex cleaning products? Do you know if they are cruelty free? Thank you.
Thank you for compiling all this great info!!
There is a little typo in this sentence:
“*Brands with an asterisk are cruelty-free, but thet ́re owned by a parent company that tests on animals.” — sp. they’re 🙂
F
Hi Thank you for all the information you share! It is invaluable!!!! How does Aldi Australia brands rate for cruelty free? They claim this in their website but I can’t confirm elsewhere??
Any help is much appreciated
You do not have the product line of Thrive …they say that they are cruelty free… Can you tell me whether they are or not please.
“Nature Clean” laundry detergent and fabric softener are PETA certified! 🙂
Some of the companies that are listed as cruelty free are owned by companies that aren’t, like Seventh Generation and Method). I’m trying to be more mindful when it comes to cruelty free, so I am wondering if it’s considered acceptable to still go with these companies (they are typically easier to come by/more affordable) or does the parent company have such a strong hold on them that I’m really only supporting that parent company?
Myers is owned by S.C. JOHNSON.
I used the app Cruelty Cutter today and it showed that the detergent brand ALL is cruelty free as well as Snuggle scent booster. However, a google search showed the opposite and neither is listed here. Who do I believe? I’m so confused.
Hi thanks for the list of products! What about ‘Planet’?
I searched Thrive online as well as the Planet Website. Planet Laundry Products are written as cruelty-free. This company produces a delicate wash detergent as well which I plan to order soon. Does anyone have any further knowledge of the Planet company?
Method and Ecover were purchased by SC Johnson.
We can’t win can we
Or I should say animals can’t win. Wth is wrong with these companies
I can’t keep up. Now Exocet is using lactic acid too! It looks like Molly’s and attitude are the only true ones left sadly.
Mrs. Meyer’s/Caldrea has been owned by SC Johnson since 2008. Even though Mrs. Meyer’s maintains their no animal testing policy, purchasing or endorsing their products benefits SC Johnson and supports their long history of animal testing. There are plenty of other brands that truly are cruelty free and haven’t sold out big mega companies that test on animals.
It looks like what’s happening is unilever and sc Johnson are running scared with the next generations and carefully preparing themselves financially because they’re afraid they’ll lose a lot of money once all the generation’s pass that don’t care about animals and testing. To me this is a good thing. Because it means the world is changing nd big corporate will have to cater to the ones that make or break their bank. So let’s hope these companies phase out animal testing all together. I will still buy seventh generation because I believe it’ll help change the future for cruelty free. The more people that buy cruelty free, the more companies make $ and companies realize it’s the way to go.
I come to bury Dropps, not to praise them. I loved them for years. It seems that the pods don’t dissolve fully in the lower water volume of high efficiency washers, despite their claims. In the past year or so, my laundry started coming out with a sticky pod-sized mark on one item of clothing and a few smaller marks on other clothes. The marks come right out when the clothes are washed again but the pod melts on something else. Next.
Does that mean gain plant-based detergent isn’t cruelty-free?
Gain is owned by Proctor and Gamble.
Here in canada, quebec, we have the brand “Attitude” who’s cruelty-free and they have good products such as laundry detergent! You should check it out!
Method is now also owned by SC Johnson, but I realize this post is from a while ago! I’m interested in trying Dropps and the scent booster! Do you still use the Magnolia & Lily detergent, Suzi? 🙂
You should add Ecover to your list. They are Leaping Bunny certified and they have product for sensitive skin.
I believe Caldrea is cruelty free and is leaping bunny certified. They are sold on Amazon too.
Seventh Generation is owned by Unilever, which is not cruelty free
I find some of my detergents at Marshall’s and TJ Max they are cruelty free. I love animals and no animal needs to die for clean laundry. Not in my lifetime!! <3
Hi There, I’m looking to go cruelty free with my laundry detergent. I’m embarrassed to say I still use products like Woolite, mainly because I do not know what other options there are for delicate clothing and sensitive skin and scared to wreck my expensive clothing. However I know that does not justify the torture animals go through, I guess I have just been naïve and oblivious to the fact that large companies on still testing on animals.
Does anyone know which cruelty free detergent would be good on delicate clothing such as lingerie and items from places like Aritzia, Anthropology, etc.?
i Just learned that the parent company of 7th generation, meyer, method and honest company all animal test!!!!!
Unilever is the parent company of Seventh Generation; I will no long purchase this product. But isn’t Method owned by ecover? Isn’t ecover CF? I have no information regarding the Honest Company.
Do you know of any other unscented fabric softeners that are CF? I purchased the Seventh Generation fabric softener to tide me over (no pun intended) but it was twice the price of a non-CF one. I definitely want a CF product, and need unscented for skin allergies, but need some help finding a more affordable option. Any advice appreciated! Thanks.
Any suggestions for cruelty-free lingerie/delicates detergents? Thanks!
I shopped Whole Foods this afternoon for CF 365 Fabric Softener and browsed this detergent section for CF lingerie/delicates detergents. Spotted a selection of Rebel Green products which included a delicates detergent. Does anyone have further information regarding Rebel Green products? I’ve used Woolite for years but want to replace this products with a CF brand.
The Laundress is cruelty free
Does anyone know if Nellie’s Laundry Soda is cruelty free? They state on HSN that they are but I don’t know for sure.
Thank you!
Hi, I was wondering, are Bounce Dry Cleaner Sheets cruelty-free? Along with Bona floor cleaner? Thank you.
I think Seventh Generation is also owned by a non-CF company, isn’t it? I saw something really recently (like a week ago) about Unilever buying them, or trying to. :< Update maybe?
Seventh Generation was my favorite CF detergent until I read that Unilever bought this Vermont company late 2016. I’ll begin using Better Life; I’m already happy with the Better Life lavender dryer sheets. What about Whole Food’s 365 brand? I’ll check out Whole Food’s detergent and cleaning products tomorrow.
I saw on Bio-Vert web site that they don’t test their products on animals. Do you know if it’s true or not?
I believe that all Shaklee products are cruelty free. Is anyone sure??
I love Mrs Meyer’s; however, they are owned by SC Johnson which does test on animals.
I use Earth Friendly’s lavender laundry detergent and Bio D or Ecoleaf fabric conditioner. I love using these natural products and find they work really well! I’m quite interested in trying soapnuts, too. xxx
http://www.justemma.co.uk – natural beauty, affordable fashion, everyday life
I know right, I want to try soapnuts when I run out of detergent!!
I use soap nuts. I like them.
That’s cool!
I think they are better in warm or hot water. But, then again, I sort of feel that way with all detergent.
I noticed the Kirkland eco friendly and lavender scented laundry detergent advised never animal tested. I haven’t delved further into asking if that means no ingredients have been tested or anything like that. I’m also not sure if they sell in China. Anyone aware?
I just contacted them recently and there’s good news. 🙂 Here’s their statement:
“We appreciate you taking the time to email Costco Wholesale. None of our suppliers test any of the ingredients for any Kirkland Signature products on animals. We hope this information is helpful.”
That’s amazing! Thank you for that info 🙂
But do they have any animal ingredients, I wonder? (obviously I mean their products other than meat, dairy and eggs. 😉 )
They say that they don’t test “any of the INGREDIENTS”. Does that mean that they could test the final product on animals ?
The bottles claim “not tested on animals”, so I specifically asked about their ingredients in that e-mail.
Yes, a woman by the name of Maria just messaged me back from their customer service and said Kirklands Ultra detergent is not tested on animals. I really really want to try it, but the back of the bottle doesn’t SAY it’s not tested on animals, so I’m torn on what to do.
Yay, Dropps! I’ve been using this brand for years. I order online in bulk. My building has a laundry room in the basement and Dropps packets are much easier to carry than a bottle or box of detergent. The scent- and dye-free type has been great to my laundry and my sensitive skin. 🙂
Ooh, glad to hear they’re good for sensitive skin!
It is so hard to believe that we still test on animals even when there are other options available. It is an unnecessary and cruel form of torture. It’s hard to keep track of what is and what isn’t cruelty free, so this is a great example of those little everyday products we forget! MC
Has Seventh Generation been deemed cruelty-free again?
Yes, they never lost their cruelty-free status officially however.
I have been searching and searching for cruelty free detergent and fabric softener, but with allergic contact dermatitis, it’s been nearly impossible. I really wish companies like method and Mrs. Meyers and Seventh Generation would stop using cheap toxic preservatives (methylisothiazolinone)…it’s such a hazard for the skin! Thank you so much for such a comprehensive list, I hope to finally find something here! xx
I hope you find something! I’m not particularly sensitive to any ingredients, but I know it’s a pain to find anything actually “free and clear”.
Have you tried Better Life? I’m extremely sensitive with multiple allergies and it’s been a God-sent.. all products!
Thank you so much! I just looked them up and it looks like that would work for me! It’s hard because my contact dermatitis is to methylisothiazolinone, organge dye, lanolin, and ylang ylang oil. Most CF detergents use methylisothiazolinone and many use ylang ylang but I didn’t see either of those on the better life ingredient label. Appreciate the suggestion! xx
That sucks! Methylisothiazolinone is in so many washing products. They replace one bad preservative with another. First it’s parabens then it’s this ??♀️ I’m shocked how many said “natural” brands still use cheap irritating and potentially toxic chemicals to preserve their products. As for the cruelty free laundry detergent part, I’ve been looking in store for one. Still can’t find it but still looking for one to replace my Gain detergent ?
When I still lived in Belgium I used to buy Ecover, but here in Switzerland they don’t have that brand 🙁
That’s a bummer. I’m so jelly though! I love Switzerland! 🙂