Review roundup: plant-based detergent edition

In 2024, we had back-to-back obsessions with wool-safe detergents and laundry boosters. In 2025, we took a deep dive into detergent capsules. This year, we are firmly in our plant-based detergent era. 

We know that many members are on the lookout for new, sensitive and plant-based detergents. That’s why when we see a new product, we jump on the opportunity to test it. We want them to work as much as you do!

Here’s a quick recap of what passed and what needed far too much babysitting to get consistent results. The hyperlinks go to long-form reviews; you’ll need a Patreon membership to view them. 💎

❌ Attitude Laundry Detergent

❌ Bosisto’s Power+ laundry liquid

✅ Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergent

❌ Earth Choice Ultra Concentrate Liquid

✅ Earthwise laundry capsules (all varieties)

✅ Earthwise laundry liquid (all varieties)

✅ Earthwise Ultra Powder

❌ Eco Planet Laundry Liquid

❌ Ecostore Ultra Power 3 in 1 Laundry Powder

❌ Ecostore Ultra Power 3X Concentrate Laundry Liquid

✅ Method Laundry Detergent

✅ Purex Natural Elements

✅ Seventh Generation Ultra Power+ liquid

✅ Tide Purclean Liquid

The market has more effective plant-based options now than before. Many of the newer plant-based formulations we’ve tested contain quality surfactants and a range of enzymes, and cleaned on par with petrochemical-based detergents. Several of these not only provided a great clean, but did so at an affordable price point. 

However, during testing, we found that a packed ingredients list did not guarantee a solid performance. This is the difference between scraping an ingredients list off of a product website and hands-on testing with real laundry.

Some of the enzyme-based products left us with smells and stains that made us want to terminate the trial midway through the bottle. Even with consistent babysitting, some detergents don’t have the power to clean heavily soiled laundry. They might fare okay if you have a newborn or an infant in day nappies, but in the long term, their lacklustre cleaning abilities will lead to stains, smells, and ammonia. Or in some cases, even after short-term use. After four main washes with Earth Choice Ultra Concentrate liquid, our admin team member opted to sanitise all her inserts to bust through the funk it left behind.

There is certainly more we can talk about regarding plant-based detergents and eco credentials, so watch this space.