The 15 Best Laundry Detergents for Skin Sensitivity and Allergies

Everyone uses laundry detergent but for some this necessary product can cause skin problems like contact dermatitis and chemical sensitivity symptoms like headaches and stuffy noses due to fragrances and ingredients. 

Irritant contact dermatitis can be caused by laundry detergents that irritate the skin by wearing down the skin's oily, protective layer on skin surface resulting in itchy, dry skin. The most common detergent ingredients that cause the problem are dyes. These chemical dyes serve...MORE no purpose in cleaning clothes.

All Free Clear is a mid-priced laundry detergent that is readily available in the United States on most laundry detergent aisles. Manufactured by Sun Products, it is a good all-purpose laundry detergent that performs well in removing laundry soil but heavy stains will require additional stain removal treatment.

Babyganics is a line of products that includes laundry detergent, dryer sheets and cleaning products. The products are available in mass marketers that specialize in children's products like Babies R Us and online. 

The laundry detergent performs well in removing most stains except oily stains and can be used for the entire household. For the most protection against allergy issues, choose the fragrance-free version.

Charlie's Soap, manufactured by a small family-owned company in North Carolina, is available in both powder and liquid formulas. Made with natural ingredients, it is an effective laundry detergent for the entire family and can safely be used on cloth diapers. 

Charlie's Soap has limited availability in stores but is available online.

Country Save is a hypoallergenic laundry detergent that contains no optical brighteners, fragrances or dyes. It is available in liquid and powder formulas. The detergent is actually included in military care packages due to its safe ingredients.

While available in some retail outlets in the Pacific Northwest where it is manufactured, it is readily accessible for the rest of the world online.

Dropps Laundry Detergent is offered in single-dose packets in several formulas. The Dropps Scent + Dye Free and Dropps Baby (the formulas are the same) are best for anyone with skin and allergy issues. Both perform well on most stains and everyday laundry.

Dropps was awarded the 2017 EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for outstanding achievement in formulation and product manufacturing of both consumer and institutional/industrial products.

Dropps...MORE has limited distribution nationwide but is readily accessible for online purchases.

Ecos laundry products are available in liquid and single dose formulas, including baby laundry stain remover. The entire line contains natural ingredients and is available nationwide in most mass merchandisers. While the scented varieties contain natural fragrances and no dyes, opt for the unscented versions for the most protection.

Ecos is a very good stain remover and is an excellent choice for the entire household's laundry.

Grab Green laundry products offer two formulas that are scent free - one for delicate laundry and one for everyday loads. All Grab Green products including household cleaners are ammonia, chlorine, formaldehyde, phosphate, solvent and dye-free. The company follows  EPA (United States Environmental Protective Agency) Green Chemistry standards.

The products have limited availability in stores nationwide but can be found in most natural and health-food stores and always online.

Honest Laundry Detergent is available in liquid and single-dose formulas. The detergent was created by actress Jessica Alba and partners as part of a green line of diapers and cleaning products for use around children.

Honest works well on light soil but does not remove heavy stains. It is available at some Target stores and online.

Method Laundry Detergent is a highly concentrated laundry detergent that is offered in scented and unscented formulas (neither contains dyes). It is a very effective detergent in removing normal soil and heavy stains.

Method is available in the laundry aisle of most mass markets and online.

Molly's Suds is an all natural line of laundry products including powdered detergents, liquid sports detergent and wool dryer balls. The products are hypoallergenic and perform well on light soil but need additional products to remove heavy stains.

Available in select health food markets in select cities, Molly's Suds can be ordered online.

Puracy Laundry Detergent and it's companion Puracy Stain Remover are all natural liquid laundry products. These products deliver effective cleaning due to the enzymes that are incorporated into the formulas.

Puracy is based in Austin, Texas and available in local stores as well as online.

Puretergent is an all-natural laundry detergent that is available in several formulas. While not scented, there is a distinct odor of herbs to the product. These disperse after washing. 

Puretergent works quite well at removing the usual laundry soil and heavy stains. Most of the retail sales are in limited stores on the West Coast, however, Puretergent is easily ordered online.

Purex Free & Clear is manufactured by Henkel and is one of the few unscented and dye-free laundry detergents readily available on mass marketing shelves. A mid-priced detergent, Purex Free & Clear is available in liquid and single dose pack formulas.

The product works well on normal laundry soil but needs an additional stain removal product to tackle heavy stains.

The Seventh Generation company offers a huge line of cleaning, laundry, baby and feminine products that are all natural and plant-based. Laundry products are offered in scented (natural essential oils) and unscented formulas. The free and clear detergents can be purchased as powder, liquid or single dose packs.

Seventh Generation detergents offer excellent cleaning for lightly and heavily soiled laundry loads. They can be purchased at most mass market stores and online.

Vaska offers both scented and unscented laundry detergent in liquid and single dose tablet formulas. The detergents are plant-based and clean well for most laundry problems.

Vaska has limited distribution on the West Coast but can be ordered online.​