Best + Worst Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents (In the UK)
Looking for an eco-friendly laundry detergent that works (and isn’t greenwashing)? This post will help you make an informed choice about products advertised as sustainable.
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Figuring out which laundry detergents are eco-friendly can be tricky.
The ingredients look like something only a scientist can read… and that’s if they even share it with you.
Would you believe that cleaning brands are allowed to keep the ingredients a secret in the UK?
This makes it super easy for companies to fool you.
Greenwashing is when a brand pretends to be more sustainable than it is. Like in August 2022 when Persil’s detergent advert was banned for saying it was “kinder to the planet” without any being able to provide any evidence of this.
The problem with ingredients is that the majority of surfactants (which remove dirt from clothes in water) are derived from petrochemicals.
These are fossil fuels which are the main contributors to climate change and cause a devastating amount of pollution.
Sustainable cleaning brands use surfactants that come from plants, like coconut, instead.
Natural resources can still be exploited so I have also checked every company’s palm oil policy.
If you’re feeling unsure about RSPO palm oil, it’s worth remembering that small brands tend to use significantly less than multi-national corporations with thousands of products.
Whether it’s plastic or palm oil, we all have different opinions on what area of the environment we want to prioritise, so the goal of this list is to help you make an informed decision about the products that meet your individual needs.
I have read the ingredient lists (that were available) and sustainable credentials of every brand listed here and put them into different categories.
Unfortunately, the previous categories (best, better, eco-ish, and worst) didn’t help you understand which products were effective.
In 2024, I have updated these categories to group the ones with similar ingredients together to make it easier to work out what is best for you.
The new categories are laundry detergents made with:
Natural soap surfactants
Plant-based surfactants
Alcohol ethoxylated surfactants
Petrochemical surfactants but fewer chemicals
Mainstream detergents (for comparison)
I know this will confuse a lot of people, but I’ve explained in simple terms what this means at the start of the section.
If you’re looking for a brand that is popular but not on this list, like Sesi, they have not been included because they either refuse to disclose their ingredients to me without making me sign a contract, or they have not responded to my emails.
Does eco-friendly laundry detergent work?
There are lots of different types of eco-friendly laundry detergents available. Some have focussed on natural, non-toxic ingredients, while others have excellent closed-loop systems to prevent waste.
Therefore, I like to think there is a sustainable detergent for everybody.
While some people have successfully made the switch to eco-friendly detergents, other people say it is not strong enough for their needs. Especially if their kids are covered in heavy stains or if reusable nappies are used.
Ultimately we have to do what works for us in the phase of life we are currently in.
If that means using laundry detergents with controversial ingredients, then it's best to focus on making changes in different areas.
I wrote this post to help people make an informed choice about the products they buy, not to make you feel guilty.
This is another reason why I thought it would be helpful to change the categories.
COMING UP
Good vs bad ingredients
Is PVA biodegradable?
What makes a detergent eco-friendly?
[Category one] Natural soap detergents
[Category two] Plant-based detergents
[Category three] Eco brands with ethoxylated surfactants
[Category four] Conscious brands with controversial ingredients
Are Persil, Daz and Ecover eco-friendly?
Frequently asked questions about sustainable laundry
Is powder more eco-friendly than liquid?
Which eco-friendly brands have biological detergent?
How can I do laundry more sustainably?
Quicklinks
1. Good vs bad Ingredients
✅ Ingredients responsibly derived from plants, like coconut and sugarcane.
❌ Ingredients derived from petroleum, like Alkylbenzene Sulfonates, Acrylic Copolymer, and PET
✅No palm oil, or sustainable palm oil with a solid policy
❌An optical brightener is a light-reflecting chemical that gives the illusion of whiteness on your clothing. They do not biodegrade and can be found in rivers where they are harmful to fish and aquatic plants, like algae.
✅Fragrances that are free from phthalates. Unscented products.
❌Propylene glycol (PEG) with no information about sourcing. This is typically a petroleum derivative, however, it can now be derived from plant sources.
✅ Vegan enzymes in bio detergent have no negative impact on the environment
❌ Animal fat
More information about ingredients to avoid
Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS)
This is the main surfactant used by the detergent industry. It is derived from crude oil and is not anaerobically biodegradable (which means it will not biodegrade unless oxygen is present).
Currently, the EU does not require surfactants to be anaerobically biodegradable, even though oxygen isn’t present in wastewater treatment and UK water companies dump untreated wastewater straight into the sea.
If an ingredient can biodegrade when oxygen is present it can be labelled readily biodegradable.
Acrylic copolymer/liquid polymers
Acrylic copolymer dissolves in water but is often referred to as a liquid microplastic due to its poor biodegradability.
Liquid polymers were not included in the microbead ban, and do not fall under the biodegradability rule like surfactants (according to Code Check).
2. Is PVA biodegradable?
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is the dissolvable plastic film that coats laundry and dishwasher pods and tablets. It is also what laundry strips are made from.
There are contradicting opinions and studies on whether or not this is biodegradable enough or harmful to the planet.
Many companies claim PVA is biodegradable, but a study by Arizona State University found that the specific conditions needed for biodegradation are not met during water treatment.
The study found that 75% of PVA goes untreated in the U.S. each year leading to 8,000 tons being released into waterways and land.
While this hasn’t been studied in the UK, I think it’s important to remember that in 2022 there were over 399,864 discharges of untreated sewage into UK rivers.
While the EU has restricted microplastics, plastics that turn into liquid are not regulated yet.
There is not enough research on the environmental impact of PVA as a pollutant, but it is underway.
It kind of bothers me that brands say it is biodegradable as if it just vanishes without a trace.
Research shows:
PVA is plastic
When it dissolves it can release ethylene, which is a fossil-fuel-based chemical. Ethylene could impact plants and crops.
PVA can sequester heavy metals and alter gas exchanges which may negatively impact ecosystems
Interestingly, another study found there was no cause for concern because PVA is not persistent in the environment.
What is clear is we need more research on the impact of PVA on the environment and aquatic life once it has passed through water treatment plants (or in the UK’s case, been dumped straight into rivers).
As there is no perfect choice when it comes to choosing laundry detergent, I have still included laundry strips and pods in this list.
It is up to you to decide what is most important to avoid. We all have different opinions on whether plastic bottles, petrochemicals, dissolvable plastics, or harmful chemicals are worse. I’m just here to help you make a more informed choice.
3. What makes laundry detergent eco-friendly?
As “eco-friendly” is an unregulated term, it seems fair that I tell you what factors I’m looking at when deciding which laundry detergents are the most sustainable.
Do they use surfactants from petrochemical sources or plants, like coconut, corn, sugarcane or palm oil?
Are they palm oil-free? If their suppliers sometimes substitute palm derivatives, is the palm oil certified by the RSPO?
Does the detergent contain microplastics or liquid polymers (like acrylic copolymer/ PET)? Like plastic, liquid polymers are non-biodegradable
Does the brand offer a refill or reuse service to reduce plastic packaging and waste?
Is it vegan or cruelty-free? Sustainably Lazy will never recommend products with ingredients that have been tested on animals.
Is the manufacturing local to reduce the carbon footprint?
NOTE: If there is an eco brand missing from this list, it is because they wouldn’t disclose their surfactants to me (or I haven’t had time to email them yet). If you are an eco company and want to be featured, send me an email.
natural soap detergents
This category is suitable for people who want the most natural laundry detergent. It’s for my readers whose goal is reducing toxic chemicals in their homes.
The main ingredient used to clean clothing in these detergents is soap. This is considered the most non-toxic ingredient by many, however, it is not as effective at cleaning as other detergents.
I have used liquid soap and washing soda to clean my (adult) clothing with success.
The washing soda is important in hard water areas because when the minerals combine with soap, they create soap scum. This can clog up your washing machine and cause issues over time.
I’d also recommend doing a monthly maintenance cycle to ensure your machine stays clean inside.
If you are washing heavily soiled items, like reusable nappies, I would avoid soap-based detergents because it is very unlikely they will give a good enough clean.
It also won’t have very good stain-removal powers, so doing laundry may be a bit less convenient.
If you’d prefer something with a stronger clean that is still plant-based, check out the section after this one.
Sodasan
🧺Non-bio liquid or powder
📍Made in Germany with renewable energy
📦Plastic bottles made from 100% recycled materials and cardboard boxes
🌴Palm oil derivatives certified RSPO or organic
🍃Powder surfactant is soap, liquid is soap and a plant-based surfactant
✅Certified by the Vegan Society, cruelty-free
✅Certified organic by Ecocert
✅Transparent about ingredients
✅Natural fragrances or fragrance-free
Mulieres
🧺Non-bio liquid soap
📍Made in Estonia
📦Cardboard bottle with a plastic bag inside (this can be recycled with carrier bags)
🌴❌No policy on palm oil (contains glycerine which usually contains palm oil derivates).
🍃Made from olive oil soap - no surfactants
✅Ideal for sensitive skin/skin conditions
✅70% less plastic than a bottle
✅Vegan Society-approved and cruelty-free
✅No 1,4-dioxane
✅Certified by Ecocert
✅Natural fragrances or fragrance-free
Dri Pak
🧺Non-bio liquid soap
📍Made in the UK
📦Plastic bottle - ❌ only 30% recycled
🌴Free from palm oil
🍃Made from sunflower and coconut oil soap
✅Unscented
✅Ideal for sensitive skin/skin conditions
✅Vegan and cruelty-free
✅Budget-friendly
laundry detergents with plant-based surfactants
The following eco-friendly laundry detergent contains surfactants that are from plant sources, like sugarcane and coconut. They do not contain soap so will work better in a hard water area.
Miniml
🧺Non-bio liquid, fabric softener
📍Made in the UK
📦Choose between refillable glass and recycled PET bottles
♻️ Refills available online or in zero-waste shops
🌴Doesn’t use palm oil as an ingredient, but any palm oil derivatives have been certified by the RSPO
🍃Contains plant-based surfactants (I noted the liquid ingredients down before they took the list off their website)
❌I have no ingredient information about the laundry powder, Miniml does not reply to emails
❗Possibly contains ethoxylated thickener
✅Vegan and cruelty-free
✅Sulfate-free
✅Natural fragrances only
✅Closed loop system - all packaging can be sent back and reused
Tru Earth
🧺Non-bio laundry strips
📍Made in Canada
📦Cardboard packaging
🌴Palm oil free
🍃Contains plant-based ingredients
✅Free of 1,4-dioxane, as certified by independent laboratory tests (contains ethoxylated surfactants + ingredients)
❗Made from Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
✅Transparent ingredients
✅Vegan + Cruelty-free
✅Plastic-free, compostable packaging
✅Hypoallergenic fragrance-free option available
✅Low carbon footprint due to weight
❌Contains mineral oil on the ingredients list, however, the company says it is only used as a processing aid during manufacturing.
*ANDKEEP5 will get you 5% off
Eco Max
🧺Non-bio liquid
📍Made in Canada with renewable energy
📦Plastic bottle ❌only contains 30% recycled materials
🌴Doesn’t contain palm oil, but if a supplier substitutes the coconut for a palm oil derivative then it will have been certified by the RSPO
🍃Contains surfactant decyl glucoside
❗Contains small amount of ethoxylated thickener
✅Certified by the Vegan Society, cruelty-free
✅Plant-based surfactants
✅Transparent about ingredients
✅Natural fragrances or fragrance-free
laundry detergents with ethoxylated surfactants
The detergents in the category have great ethics. They have been separated from the above category for containing alcohol ethoxylate - a surfactant that is currently allowed under Ecocert’s “natural” certification in a restricted amount. I’m going to quickly explain why I’ve done this.
The process of ethoxylation makes an ingredient less irritating to your skin. For example, when sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) gets ethoxylated, it becomes Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). SLES is used in many cleaning products because it is cheap and mild.
The problem is that this process can lead to the formation of small quantities of 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide in the final product.
These substances are not added intentionally, so under current regulations, do not have to be tested for or listed as ingredients.
what’s the issue with ethoxylation?
It is not the ethoxylated ingredient itself that is a concern, but the byproducts 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide which have been linked to cancer in animals.
As they are in very small quantities in laundry detergents, the products are still considered safe to use. The issue is the amount we are putting into our water system due to the large quantities of cleaning and toiletries we collectively use.
1,4-dioxane has been identified as a Substance of Very High Concern in the EU and UK after Germany found it in its rivers. It is not biodegradable and spreads rapidly across water sources.
It is more of a concern in America where it has been identified in one-fifth of US drinking water supplies, but data about its presence in England and Wales is lacking.
One European study discovered it was difficult to remove from wastewater and posed a risk to drinking water.
According to the DWI, there are frequent detections of 1,4-dioxane in England and Wales yet there is no current data available about our drinking water.
Once more is known, they will decide whether to regulate it or not.
Why are eco-friendly brands using ethoxylated ingredients?
Firstly, it is likely that many brands are not even aware of the problems with 1,4-dioxane because there are no restrictions and regulations on them.
So please don’t assume they are greenwashing or do not care about the environment. The brands I’ve included here are ethical, give back, and are doing their best to reduce their impact.
The problem is the lack of available alternatives.
The type of detergent considered the most “natural” by some consumers who are mindful of the ingredients they use is soap. This includes ingredients, like conkers and soapnuts, that create saponins.
Unfortunately, soap isn’t a very strong detergent, can build up in washing machines in hard water areas, and may not remove stubborn stains.
If you need a stronger detergent than soap-based ones then you will probably need to use a product with an ethoxylated ingredient.
Currently, and until there are more alternatives available, EU Ecocert will permit ethoxylated ingredients under its “natural” (not organic) certification. It reduced the amount allowed in 2023.
We appear to be a long way behind America in this area, and because it isn’t being talked about in the UK, very few brands appear to be testing or removing 1,4 dioxane.
So don’t feel bad for using an ethoxylated detergent because there aren’t many alternatives yet. Instead, you could send an email to your favourite brand to see if they will consider testing and removing it from their products.
Sources:
Report for DWI: “Persistent, mobile, and toxic substances; risk to drinking water. Phase 2”
EWG Tap Water Report 2017
Campaign For Safe Cosmetics - ethoxylated ingredients
UK REACH
EU ECHA
Friendly Soap
🧺Non-bio powder
📍Made in the UK
📦Cardboard box
🌴Palm oil free
🍃Contains plant-based ingredients
❗Contains a small amount of ethoxylated surfactant
✅ Transparent ingredients
✅Certified by the vegan society + cruelty-free international
✅Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic
✅Ethical Consumer Best Buy
Eco Mate
🧺 Non-bio liquid
📍Made in the UK
📦Bottle is made from paper lined with plant latex sap and a bamboo cap (100% plastic-free)
🌴Palm oil free
🍃Contains plant-based surfactants and soap
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactant
✅Vegan and certified cruelty-free
✅Compostable packaging makes it zero-waste
✅Natural fragrance or fragrance-free
Buy Laundry Liquid - use discount code LAZY25 for 25% off
Simple Living Eco
🧺 Non-bio laundry sheets
📍Made in the UK
📦Cardboard - please note they have changed the packaging
🌴Palm oil free
🍃Contains plant-based surfactants, including SLS
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactant
❗Made from Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
✅Vegan and certified cruelty-free
✅Compostable packaging makes it zero-waste
✅Small and lightweight which lowers the carbon footprint
✅Natural fragrance from essential oils
❌Poor customer service, will not respond to my ingredient questions
Fill (liquid)
🧺Non-bio liquid
📍Made in the UK
📦Recycled glass bottle with aluminium lid
♻️Refillable through bulk buying - closed loop system
🌴Any palm oil derivatives have been certified by the RSPO
🍃Contains plant-based ingredients
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactant + ingredients
✅Transparent ingredients
✅Vegan + cruelty-free
✅Natural fragrances (confirmed by Fill) or fragrance-free option
✅Member of “1% for the planet”
✅Certified by Allergy UK
✅Living wage employer and B Corp certified
Bio-D
Bio-D is short for biodegradable, not biological enzymes
🧺Non-bio liquid and powder
📍Made in the UK
📦Recycled plastic bottle + refills ❌powder packet is lined with plastic
♻️Refillable through bulk buying
🌴Contains RSPO palm oil derivatives
🍃Contains plant-based ingredients
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactant
✅Transparent ingredients
✅Vegan and certified cruelty-free
✅Certified by Allergy UK
✅Fragrance-free options
Bower Collective
🧺Non-bio liquid
📍Made in the UK
📦Plastic reusable bottles and refill pouches that get returned and reused
♻️Bower is an online refill store that sends you eco products and refills on a subscription
🌴Any palm oil derivatives have been certified by the RSPO
🍃Contains plant-based ingredients
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactant
✅Responds to emails about ingredients
✅Vegan and Cruelty-Free
✅Closed loop system for cleaning refills
✅Fragranced with essential oils (fragrance-free option)
✅Suitable for wool
Buy Bower Collective laundry liquid*
DISCOUNT: 15% off for your first order, AFF5 for 5% off for existing customers, AFF10 for 10% off full price items
Earth Breeze
🧺Laundry strips
📍Made in China
📦Cardboard packaging
🌴Palm oil free
🍃Contains plant-based ingredients and SLS
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactant (polyethylene glycol, fatty alcohol surfactant)
❗Made from Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
✅Transparent ingredients (except for undisclosed fragrance)
✅Vegan and certified cruelty-free
✅Compostable packaging
✅Small and lightweight which lowers the carbon footprint
Ecover
🧺Bio or non-bio powder and liquid
📍Made in Belgium with renewable energy
📦Recycled plastic bottles, cardboard box for powder
♻️Bulk options available
🌴Any palm oil derivatives have been certified by the RSPO
🍃Contains plant-based ingredients
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactant (Laureth-7)
✅Transparent ingredients
✅Vegan and certified cruelty-free
✅Natural fragrance or fragrance-free “zero range” (I find the liquid fragrance quite strong)
✅Concentrated formula
❌Parent company is SC Johnson which tests on animals and avoids taxes
Faith In Nature
🧺Non-bio Liquid in 5 or 20 litre bottles
📍Made in the UK
📦Plastic packaging (not recycled but 1x 5L is the equivalent of 12.5 small bottles)
♻️Send the container back to Faith in Nature for free to be reused
🌴Contains RSPO-certified palm oil
🍃Contains plant-based ingredients
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactant (Laureth-7)
✅Transparent ingredients
✅Containers are 5 litres to reduce plastic
✅Vegan and certified cruelty-free
✅Excellent reviews
Ecoleaf
🧺Non-bio liquid and powder
📍Made in the UK
📦Recycled plastic packaging
♻️Bulk options available for refilling
🌴Free from palm oil (other products contain RSPO derivatives)
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactant
✅Transparent ingredients and respond to emails
✅Vegan and certified cruelty-free
✅Owned by Suma, an ethical worker’s cooperative
❌Contains preservative Benzisothiazolinone, a skin sensitiser and allergen
❌Contains Lilial - a synthetic carcinogenic fragrance that has been banned in cosmetics in the EU since 2022 - fragrance-free option available
Conscious brands with multiple controversial ingredients
The following laundry detergents have plenty of positive features, like sustainable packaging or a low carbon footprint, but they contain more controversial ingredients than the others I’ve listed.
For example, the same petrochemical surfactants and liquid polymers that mainstream brands use, but in smaller quantities.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t use them. They might work better for you if you need something stronger than the previous detergents. I’m here to help you make an informed choice.
Smol
🧺Bio and non-bio capsules
📍Made in Europe
📦Cardboard box
♻️Subscription service
🌴Uses palm oil derivatives that have been certified by the RSPO
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactant
✅Transparent ingredients
✅Vegan and certified cruelty-free
✅Small packaging lowers carbon footprint in transit
✅ Claims it uses fewer chemicals than mainstream detergents
❌Contains liquid polymers/acrylic copolymer
❌Contains optical brighteners
❌Contains petrochemical surfactants
Ecozone
🧺Bio and non-bio liquid
📍Made in the UK
📦Plastic packaging
♻️Bulk buy 5 litres
🌴❌Ecozone has no palm oil policy some products contain palm oil derivatives
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactants
✅Transparent ingredients
✅Vegan and certified cruelty-free
❌Some products contain an acrylic copolymer which is considered a microplastic by the Plastic Soup Foundation
❌Some products contain propylene glycol with no sourcing information
Ocean Saver
🧺Laundry sheets
📍Made in China
📦Cardboard packaging
🌴Palm oil free
❗Contains lots of ethoxylated surfactants
❗Made from Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
✅Transparent ingredients
✅Vegan and cruelty-free but still no certification despite telling me for over 3 years they were getting it
✅Plastic-free, compostable packaging
❌Same petrochemical surfactants and ingredients used in mainstream brands - possibly a smaller quantity
❌Unknown secret fragrance - assume it is synthetic because their other products have synthetic fragrances that they refused to disclose to me in the past
Splosh
🧺Non-bio powder or liquid
📍Made in Europe
📦Plastic bottle, plastic pouches, metal tin
♻️Splosh take plastic refill pouches back to reuse or recycle
🌴Laundry liquid is free from palm oil, other products contain derivatives that are certified by RSPO
❗Contains ethoxylated surfactants
✅Vegan and cruelty-free
✅Closed loop system
❌The powder contains a petrochemical surfactant
❌Contains optical brighteners
❌Splosh will not disclose the ingredients in the liquid so I cannot recommend this at all
Method
🧺Bio liquid
📍Made in the UK
📦Recycled plastic packaging
🌴Uses RSPO palm oil and derivatives in its products
✅Vegan and certified cruelty-free
✅Certified cradle to cradle
❌Contains microplastic (polypropylene terephthalate) which isn’t biodegradable
❌Method is owned by SC Johnson (who tests on animals and avoids taxes)
❌A lawsuit against Method was filed in America for falsely calling its products “non-toxic”
❌Contains optical brightener
❌ Contains Lilial - carcinogenic fragrance that’s been banned in cosmetics in the EU
Laundry brands that aren’t eco-friendly
The following laundry detergents have made my “worst” list because they test on animals, contain ingredients derived from fossil fuels, are owned by unethical corporations, and produce a vast amount of plastic as a company.
Each one scores between 1 and 3.5 out of 20 on Ethical Consumer Magazine.
Worst-rated brands
Persil (Unilever)
Surf (Unilever)
Daz (Proctor and Gamble)
Ariel (Proctor and Gamble)
Bold (Proctor and Gamble)
Fairy (Proctor and Gamble)
Almat (Aldi)
I currently cannot recommend any other supermarkets because their ingredient lists are not disclosed. Considering they are big corporations that sell many unsustainable products, I am making the assumption that they contain petrochemicals unless I’m shown otherwise.
To avoid being repetitive, I’ve chosen one brand by each corporation to expand on.
Persil
🧺Bio and non-bio liquid and capsules
📍Made in the UK
📦Plastic packaging, the bottle contains some recycled materials
🌴❌ Liquid contains palm oil, most is RSPO certified but not all
✅Goal to eliminate fossil fuel derived chemicals by 2030
❌Uses petrochemical surfactants
❌Contains acrylic copolymer
❌Owned by Unilever, an unethical corporation that tests on animals and avoids taxes
❌Not vegan
❌Not cruelty-free
More information about Persil below
Almat (Aldi)
🧺Bio and non-bio powder, liquid and capsules
📍Made in the UK
📦Plastic and cardboard packaging
🌴❌Aldi uses RSPO-certified palm oil but has received Ethical Consumer’s worst rating for lack of transparency. Companies that earn over 100 million annually are expected to provide a list of palm mills and Aldi does not.
✅Certified cruelty-free but only in the UK
❌Not vegan
❌Contains Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAS), a cheap petrochemical surfactant
❌Almat is owned by Aldi which is not an ethical company due to poor worker’s rights in its supply chain, inadequate animal welfare policies, and for being accused of profiting from genocide by sourcing cotton from Xinjiang.
Daz
🧺Bio powder, capsules and liquid
📍Made in the UK
📦Plastic and cardboard packaging
🌴❌P&G use palm oil and claims that 96% is now certified by the RSPO (2021). However, a 2021 report has linked P&G to deforestation and human rights abuses.
❌Owned by Proctor and Gamble, an oil and gas corporation that tests on animals, avoids taxes and manufactures toxic chemicals
❌Not vegan, not cruelty-free
❌Uses petrochemical surfactants and polymers
❌Not transparent about ingredients
❌At least 3 products are packaged in plastic with no refill or reuse scheme
Is Persil eco-friendly?
Persil has taken some steps to improve its environmental impact, like including recycled materials in its plastic packaging. Unfortunately, Persil still uses non-biodegradable liquid polymers and petrochemical surfactants in its cleaning products so it is not eco-friendly.
In August 2022, a Persil television advert was banned by the ASA for greenwashing. The advert claimed the product was “kinder to the planet” but as Persil couldn’t provide evidence of this they were made to take it down.
Persil is owned by Unilever which score 1/20 based on its ethics by Ethical Consumer Magazine and is listed as a cleaning company to avoid.
Is Persil laundry detergent vegan and cruelty-free?
Animal fat is a common ingredient used in laundry detergent, so you’re may be wondering if Persil contains animal ingredients.
Persil is not cruelty-free and it does not claim that its laundry detergent is vegan so it is likely it has animal-derived ingredients inside.
Unilevel, Persil’s parent company, is not cruelty-free. It states that it tests ingredients on animals only when required by law, however, its old animal testing statement (which is no longer available to read) said that it tested “novel” ingredients to ensure they were safe.
Persil is sold in mainland China. Companies that sell in China, where animal testing is required by law, are choosing to exploit animals so they can make bigger profits.
Further reading:
Unilever tests diet pills on pregnant rabbits
Cruelty-Free Kitty - Unilever test on animals
Is Daz washing powder eco-friendly?
Daz washing powder is not eco-friendly just because one product is packaged in cardboard. Daz produces a massive volume of plastic packaging, is not cruelty-free, and contains petrochemical ingredients and polymers.
Daz has not disclosed its full list of ingredients but you can find safety data sheets online.
Is Daz washing powder vegan and cruelty-free?
No, Daz has not claimed to have vegan or cruelty-free washing detergents. It is owned by Proctor and Gamble, a large corporation that openly tests on animals and manufactures oleochemicals.
Why is Ecover on the “better” list?
Ecover was bought by the unethical corporation, SC Johnson, so you may be wondering why Ecover made the “most eco-friendly” list.
While I have factored in the parent company, this list also focuses on the sustainability of the products after analysing ingredients, packaging and refillable schemes.
If Ecover wasn’t certified by Cruelty-Free International (leaping bunny), PETA, and claimed all products are 100% vegan then they would not have made the better-rated brands.
I agree that it is a shame that Ecover sold out, but this list is here to help you make an informed choice rather than telling you what to buy.
If you are avoiding all brands that are owned by big corporations (like supermarkets, Amazon, and mainstream food and drinks companies) then you now know that Ecover is one to avoid, however, most people find it too difficult to avoid buying products from corporations.
Is Ecover really better for the environment?
As one of the first plant-based cleaning brands in the UK, Ecover scores highly for its products. It is also one of the only eco brands to offer a biological detergent which is what some people are looking for.
Ecover ticks many of the boxes for product sustainability - its plastic packaging is made from 100% recycled waste and refill options are available. It’s been replacing its RSPO-certified palm oil with European rapeseed oil and has a patented eco-friendly surfactant.
FAQ about sustainable laundry
Is powder or liquid more eco-friendly?
There are pros and cons to both laundry liquid and powder, but washing powder is considered more environmentally friendly. This is because it has a lower carbon footprint and is more likely to be plastic-free.
However, not all powder products are the same and many brands that produce liquid detergent have found various ways of reducing their environmental impact, like through refill schemes.
Other factors that should be considered are:
Where the product was made and how far it has had to travel
What ingredients are in them, and if they are derived from fossil fuels
If it is concentrated
If the company has a refill scheme in place to prevent waste
The best-rated sustainable brands on my list that offer powder are:
At the time of writing, Ecoleaf small packets of powder are out of stock and Miniml has just come back into stock after a supply issue.
Which eco-friendly detergents are bio (contain enzymes)?
You may have noticed that most eco-friendly laundry detergents in the UK are non-bio and do not contain enzymes. The following laundry detergents are the only ones that are bio:
The second two brands were included on my “could be better” list, however, the list is designed to help you make an informed choice based on your values so it is up to you which works best for your situation.
How can I do laundry more sustainably?
It is estimated that the average UK household does 260 loads of laundry each year which uses a large amount of water and energy.
The best modern washing machine uses 33 litres per wash while the worst machines use 72 litres.
The following tips will help you to do laundry more sustainably:
Don’t wash clothes unless they are actually dirty or smelly. Hang them back up or make a “clean” basket in your bedroom if you don’t do well at folding before bed.
Wash clothes at low temperatures
Use an eco-friendly laundry detergent to reduce the petrochemicals and liquid microplastics being washed into the ocean.
Synthetic clothing shed microfibers when it’s washed. Choose natural clothing when you need something new to reduce the microfibers going into the ocean.
Hang clothes to dry instead of using a tumble drier.
Which detergents are the most eco-friendly and sustainable?
Most ethical brand: Miniml
Most affordable detergent: Bio-D
Most natural ingredients: Mulieres laundry soap
Best for baby clothes: Eco Max
Strongest fragrance: Ecover liquid bio
Low carbon footprint: Simple Living Eco laundry sheets
Works with cloth nappies: Fill (but make sure you prewash + wash at 60)
10 Best-rated eco-friendly detergents:
I will keep adding brands as I learn more information about what’s inside, so bookmark this page if you’re interested.
Did you find an eco-friendly laundry detergent to try today? Let me know in the comments which brand you think is the most sustainable.
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