For most people, laundry is a pretty mundane chore. You sort your clothes, throw them into the washing machine, add some detergent, and run the selected wash cycle. However, if your home has a septic system, doing laundry requires a little bit more effort, especially when it comes to choosing the right detergent.
Septic systems contain bacteria that break down waste. But introducing harsh chemicals into the system by using the wrong detergent can be problematic as the bacteria aren’t able to work as effectively.
So how can you get clean clothes that smell great without putting your septic system at risk? Below you’ll find a guide to the 21 best laundry detergents for septic systems. These detergents are not only safe to use, they’re formulated with powerful ingredients that get rid of dirt and stains, leaving your clothes smelling great.
- Loni Labs Bio Detergent
- Dropps Laundry Detergent Pods
- All Liquid Laundry Detergent OXI + Odor
- Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergent
- ECOS Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder
- Method Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets
- Gain Botanicals Plant Based Detergent
- Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent
- Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Tide Zero Soft Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Rosey Laundry Detergent
- Boulder Clean Laundry Sheets
- Clean Cult Laundry Detergent
- Persil ProClean Intense Fresh Power Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Ecover Laundry Detergent
- Clean People Laundry Detergent Sheets
- Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder
- Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Odor Blasters Laundry Detergent
- Biokleen Laundry Powder
Keep reading to learn more about each of these top 21 detergents so that you can find one that best cleans your clothes without harming your septic system.
1. Loni Labs Bio Detergent
At the top of the list is Loni Labs Bio Detergent. This premium, hypoallergenic, non-toxic detergent is a great option to clean your clothes without harming your septic system. It's made with bio-based ingredients and offers a hyper-concentrated formula, which means a little goes a long way in tackling the toughest stains, messes, and odors.
Because it doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances, Loni Labs Bio Detergent is safe for you, your family, and the environment.
2. Dropps Laundry Detergent Pods
Dropps Laundry Detergent Pods offer a convenient and eco-friendly approach to laundry care. These pre-measured pods dissolve in water, which means no measuring. Just pop one into your washing machine and let the detergent do the hard work.
Made with plant-based ingredients, Dropps Pods get rid of stains and odors without any harsh or toxic ingredients.
3. All Liquid Laundry Detergent OXI + Odor
All Liquid Laundry Detergent OXI + Odor is a trusted solution for tackling tough stains and odors. OXI power is well-known for its ability to remove stains while also neutralizing and eliminating odors. This detergent is safe for all fabric types.
All Liquid Laundry Detergent OXI + Odor ensures a thorough and fresh clean for your laundry, leaving your clothes smelling great and looking bright for many washes to come.
4. Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergent
Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergent is a high-performance, environmentally friendly detergent. It’s made using biodegradable ingredients that clean your clothes, leaving behind a fresh scent that you’re sure to love.
It doesn’t contain any toxic or potentially harmful ingredients, so you can have peace of mind each time laundry day rolls around. With its powerful cleaning abilities and eco-friendly composition, Dirty Labs offers a reliable and responsible choice for your laundry care routine.
5. ECOS Liquid Laundry Detergent
ECOS Liquid Laundry Detergent is a top choice in the eco-friendly detergent world. It’s specially formulated using powerful plant-based ingredients that get rid of tough stains and odors without using any harsh chemicals.
ECOS Liquid Laundry Detergent is hypoallergenic, making it a safe option for anyone with sensitive skin or allergies. Tackle your laundry without impacting your septic system or the environment with this high quality, bio-based detergent.
6. Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder
Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder is a powerful and eco-friendly detergent option. It features all natural ingredients that effectively clean and remove stains from your clothes. This detergent doesn’t contain any artificial fragrances, dyes, or phosphates, so you can feel good about using it.
Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder is biodegradable and contains no harsh chemicals, ensuring a gentle and effective clean. It’s suitable for all types of fabrics and can be used in both standard and high-efficiency washing machines.
7. Method Liquid Laundry Detergent
Method Liquid Laundry Detergent is a reliable choice for clean and fresh laundry. This detergent is formulated with plant-based ingredients that tackle the toughest dirt, stains, and odors. It’s formulated without any harsh chemicals, including artificial fragrances, making it a safe option for anyone with sensitive skin.
Method Liquid Laundry Detergent comes in all sorts of amazing, long-lasting scents, including ginger mango, fresh air, lavender, and beach sage.
8. Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets
Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets make laundry more convenient than ever before. These pre-measured sheets are made with plant-based and biodegradable ingredients that effectively remove stains and dirt from your clothes without any harsh chemicals.
These detergent sheets are gentle on the skin and hypoallergenic, making them a great option for the whole family. With their compact and lightweight design, Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets are perfect for travel and on-the-go laundry needs.
9. Gain Botanicals Plant Based Detergent
Formulated with 65% plant-based ingredients, Gain Botanicals Plant Based Detergent is a great option for anyone looking for a safe clean for their clothes. This detergent is bio-based, biodegradable, and doesn't contain any harmful ingredients like phosphates, dyes, or brighteners. With plant-based cleaning power, this detergent will have your clothes looking and smelling great.
Gain Botanicals Plant Based Detergent features an irresistible white tea and lavender scent that is subtle yet strong enough to keep your laundry smelling fresh between washes. This detergent is gentle on skin and is an eco-friendly choice.
10. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent
Looking for a laundry detergent that’s safe for your septic system and sensitive skin? Check out Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent. This detergent doesn’t contain any dyes, fragrances, or artificial brighteners, making it gentle on the skin but still tough on stains and odors.
It’s formulated with plant-based ingredients and is biodegradable, making it a sustainable option to clean and freshen your clothes. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent is compatible with both standard and high-efficiency washing machines and is septic system safe.
11. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Laundry Detergent
Made with hard working yet gentle cleaning agents, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Laundry Detergent keeps your clothes looking and smelling their best. This detergent is highly concentrated and is infused with essential oils that leave a lingering scent that you can enjoy between washes. It's made without any harmful ingredients and is 100% plant-based.
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Laundry Detergent is available in a wide range of amazing scents, including lavender, honeysuckle, peony, and even basil.
12. Tide Zero Soft Liquid Laundry Detergent
Get a gentle yet powerful clean without any of the bad stuff with Tide Zero Soft Liquid Laundry Detergent. This detergent is tough on stains but is formulated to be safer for your family. It's made without any dyes, phosphate, or chlorines, and features a soft lavender scent to keep your clothes smelling great.
Tide Zero Soft Liquid Laundry Detergent is also EPA Safer Choice certified, which means that you can have total peace of mind when using this detergent. The best part? It's suitable for all water temperatures.
13. Rosey Laundry Detergent
Get clean clothes without exposing yourself to harmful compounds with Rosey Laundry Detergent. This stain-fighting detergent offers a 3x concentrated formula to keep your clothes clean, fresh, and brilliant. It's made without synthetic fragrances, dyes, or SLS.
Formulated with plant and mineral-based compounds, Rosey Laundry Detergent delivers a gentle yet highly effective wash, making it a great option for light and heavily soiled loads.
14. Boulder Clean Laundry Sheets
Enjoy clean clothes that smell great in the most convenient way possible with Boulder Clean Laundry Sheets. These pre-measured sheets are an eco-friendly alternative to liquid and powder detergents. They’re easy to use, as you don’t need to measure at all! Simply drop one sheet into your laundry and the sheet quickly dissolves, releasing a powerful cleaning solution.
Boulder Clean Laundry Sheets are made with plant-based ingredients and don’t contain any harmful compounds that could irritate sensitive skin. Because they’re natural, these sheets are a great option for households with a septic system.
15. Clean Cult Laundry Detergent
Clean Cult Laundry Detergent is a sustainable and eco-friendly way to clean and deodorize your clothes. This detergent is plant-based and is formulated with biodegradable compounds, making it gentle on your clothes, your skin, and the environment.
Though gentle, this detergent is tough on stains and odors, leaving your clothes crisp and clean without using harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances. Clean Cult Laundry Detergent doesn’t contain any dyes or phosphates, making it a safe choice all around.
16. Persil ProClean Intense Fresh Power Liquid Laundry Detergent
Dirt, grime, stains, and odors are no match for Persil ProClean Intense Fresh Power Liquid Laundry Detergent. This powerful detergent delivers exceptional cleaning results for a trusted clean each time. It's formulated to remove the toughest stains and dirt, providing a deep clean to keep your laundry smelling amazing.
Persil ProClean Intense Fresh Power Liquid Laundry Detergent can be used in both traditional and HE washing machines.
17. Ecover Laundry Detergent
Ecover Laundry Detergent is a popular choice for anyone looking for an eco-friendly detergent. It’s made with plant-based and biodegradable ingredients, which means that it has a minimal impact on the environment. This detergent is specially formulated to effectively clean and remove stains from your clothes while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Ecover Laundry Detergent doesn’t contain any harmful or irritating ingredients, making it a great choice for those with sensitivities or allergies. It’s safe to use in all washing machine types and won’t harm your septic system.
18. Clean People Laundry Detergent Sheets
Clean People Laundry Detergent Sheets are a quick, easy, and convenient way to tackle your laundry. These sheets are pre-measured and compact, making them easy to use and perfect for travel or small spaces.
With a biodegradable and hypoallergenic formula, Clean People Laundry Detergent Sheets are gentle on the skin and the environment, as well as your septic system. The sheets dissolve quickly in both hot and cold water, effectively removing stains, dirt, and odors from your clothes.
19. Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder
Clean your clothes naturally with Molly's Suds Laundry Powder. This eco-friendly and septic system safe detergent is made using earth-derived ingredients and doesn’t contain any harmful or toxic compounds. The gentle yet effective powder cleans your clothes without leaving behind residues that could irritate sensitive skin.
Molly's Suds Laundry Powder is designed to tackle tough stains and odors so that your clothes look, feel, and smell great.
20. Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Odor Blasters Laundry Detergent
Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Odor Blasters Laundry Detergent is a powerful detergent that is infused with powerful stain-fighting compounds that can handle even the toughest messes and stains. It’s specially designed to eliminate tough odors, leaving your clothes smelling fresh and clean.
This detergent is effective in removing dirt, stains, and unpleasant odors, making it suitable for heavily soiled items. With its advanced formula, it provides a deep clean while keeping your colors bright and your darks vibrant.
21. Biokleen Laundry Powder
Biokleen Laundry Powder is an eco-friendly detergent that is best known for its biodegradable and plant-based formula. Not only is it safe for sensitive skin and the planet, it’s also septic system friendly.
Free of harsh chemicals, this detergent effectively removes stains, dirt, and odors to keep your clothes looking right. The phosphate-free and chlorine-free formula doesn’t contain any artificial fragrances or colors. Getting clean, fresh smelling clothes has never been easier.
