(And How to Make the Switch Without Sacrificing Clean Clothes!)

1. The Problem: Your Laundry Detergent is a Cocktail of Hidden Toxins

Most conventional laundry detergents contain synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, and surfactants that leave behind a toxic residue on clothes. These chemicals can irritate skin, disrupt hormones, and even affect respiratory health.

Unexpected Solution:

Switch to a truly non-toxic, residue-free detergent made with simple, safe ingredients like castile soap and mineral-based boosters. The key? Ditching unnecessary additives that do more harm than good.

Benefit:

Your clothes will be clean without exposing your skin (or your kids’) to harmful chemicals, reducing allergic reactions and long-term health risks.

💡 Three Quick Tips to Get Started:

• Check the ingredient list for SLS, phthalates, and optical brighteners—if they’re there, ditch it!
• Try washing a load with only hot water—if suds appear, that’s detergent residue left behind.
• Swap to a concentrated, plant-based detergent like MamaSuds to clean effectively without toxins.

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2. The Problem: "Free & Clear" Isn't Actually Free of Toxins

Many detergents labeled “free & clear” still contain synthetic preservatives and hidden irritants like formaldehyde-releasing agents.

Unexpected Solution:

Look for brands that fully disclose ingredients instead of hiding behind vague labels like “proprietary blend.” A good rule of thumb? If you can’t pronounce it, don’t use it!

Benefit:

You'll avoid hidden irritants, reducing skin flare-ups and allergic reactions for your entire family.

💡 Three Quick Tips to Get Started:

• Research your detergent on EWG’s Skin Deep Database to see how safe it really is.
• Switch to a detergent made with only mineral and plant-based ingredients (like castile soap).
• Test your current detergent—wash a shirt with just hot water and smell it. If it still has fragrance, it's leaving behind residue.

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3. The Problem: Fabric Softeners Are Just Chemical Coatings

Fabric softeners and dryer sheets leave a layer of artificial chemicals on clothes that mimic a “soft” feel but don’t actually improve fabric quality.

Unexpected Solution:

Use vinegar in the rinse cycle and wool dryer balls instead of toxic softeners—your clothes will be naturally soft and static-free.

Benefit:

Your laundry will smell fresh, feel soft, and be free from unnecessary chemical exposure.

💡 Three Quick Tips to Get Started:

• Add ½ cup of vinegar to your washer’s rinse cycle instead of fabric softener.
• Toss wool or up cycled dryer balls in with your clothes to reduce static and soften fabric naturally.
• Avoid synthetic “clean scents” by using essential oil-infused wool balls for a light, natural fragrance.

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4. The Problem: Your "Fresh Laundry" Smell is Actually Synthetic Fragrance

The artificial scent in most detergents is made from a cocktail of undisclosed chemicals that can trigger allergies, asthma, and headaches.

Unexpected Solution:

Ditch fake fragrances and embrace true freshness by washing with unscented, residue-free detergent. If you love a scent, add a few drops of pure essential oil to wool dryer balls instead.

Benefit:

Your laundry will actually smell clean instead of masking odors with harmful chemicals.

💡 Three Quick Tips to Get Started:

• Choose unscented detergents to avoid hidden synthetic fragrances.
• Add a few drops of lavender or lemon essential oil to wool or up cycled dryer balls for a natural scent.
• Air-dry your clothes outside when possible—the fresh air works wonders.

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5. The Problem: Residue from Conventional Detergent is Trapped in Your Clothes

Most detergents don’t fully rinse out, meaning chemicals stay on your clothes and transfer to your skin all day long.

Unexpected Solution:

Run a detox wash by stripping your clothes with castile soap, oxygen powder, borax, and washing soda to remove built-up detergent residue.

Benefit:

Your clothes will feel truly fresh, and your skin won’t be absorbing leftover chemicals.

💡 Three Quick Tips to Get Started:

• Fill your washer with hot water, add ½ cup borax + ¼ cup washing soda + ¼ cup oxygen powder, and ½ of castile soap, and let it soak for an hour.
• Switch to residue-free detergent to keep clothes truly clean.
• Use an extra rinse cycle to remove any lingering detergent.

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6. The Problem: Your Detergent Might Be Killing Your Microbiome

Harsh detergents strip away natural oils from clothing and destroy good bacteria on your skin, leading to irritation.

Unexpected Solution:

Choose a gentle, residue-free detergent that cleans without stripping natural protective oils from your skin or clothes.

Benefit:

Your skin will stay healthier, and clothes will feel softer without unnecessary wear and tear.

💡 Three Quick Tips to Get Started:

• Look for residue-free detergents that won't leave behind unwanted ingredients.
• Avoid antibacterial detergents—they kill good bacteria too.
• Wash clothes in cooler water to preserve fabric and skin microbiomes.

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7. The Problem: Your Baby’s Clothes Are Covered in Harsh Detergent Residue

Baby skin is extra sensitive, yet most baby detergents still contain sulfates and synthetic softeners.

Unexpected Solution:

Wash baby clothes with the same non-toxic detergent you’d trust for yourself—no need for separate products!

Benefit:

Fewer rashes, less irritation, and peace of mind knowing your baby’s clothes are truly clean.

💡 Three Quick Tips to Get Started:

• Wash baby clothes in hot water first to strip off any factory residues.
• Use a clean-rinsing, non-toxic detergent without sulfates or fragrances.
• Skip dryer sheets—air-dry or use wool/upcycled dryer balls to keep baby clothes soft.

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8. The Problem: DIY Laundry Detergents Don't Actually Work Well

Many DIY recipes lack proper surfactants and leave buildup, leading to dingy clothes over time.

Unexpected Solution:

Instead of DIY, use a concentrated, eco-friendly detergent with effective yet safe ingredients.

Benefit:

You'll get truly clean clothes without buildup or ineffective washing.

💡 Three Quick Tips to Get Started:

• Look for a detergent with saponified oils (like castile soap) for real cleaning power.
• Avoid borax-heavy DIY recipes—they can be harsh on clothes. A little bit of borax goes a long way.
• Test your detergent by soaking a clean shirt in warm water—if the water turns murky, it’s leaving residue.

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9. The Problem: Liquid Detergents Waste Water & Plastic

Most commercial liquid detergents are 90% water and require heavy plastic packaging.

Unexpected Solution:

Use concentrated refills or powdered detergents to reduce waste.

Benefit:

Less plastic waste, lower carbon footprint, and a cost-effective laundry routine.

💡 Three Quick Tips to Get Started:

• Buy laundry concentrate refills instead of bulky plastic jugs.
• Store detergent in a glass jar to eliminate single-use plastic.
• Use a pre-measured scoop to avoid wasting detergent.

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By switching to a non-toxic, residue-free detergent like MamaSuds, your clothes, skin, and home will be cleaner, healthier, and safer—without the scary chemicals hiding in mainstream brands. 🚀 💚

Are you tired of laundry soap that leaves residue on your clothes and fails to deliver that sparkling freshness you love? Look no further! In this ultimate guide, we will help you find the best clean laundry soap that will leave your clothes looking and smelling clean.

At MamaSuds, we understand the importance of having clothes that not only look clean but also feel clean. Our mission is to provide you with a laundry soap that tackles even the toughest stains, while still being gentle on your fabrics.

With so many options available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right laundry soap for your needs. That's why we have done the research for you. In this guide, we will break down the key factors to consider when selecting a laundry soap, such as ingredients, fragrance options, and eco-friendliness.

So, whether you're looking for a laundry soap that is free of harsh chemicals, has a delightful fragrance, or is environmentally conscious, we've got you covered. Say goodbye to dingy clothes and hello to a fresh, clean wardrobe with our ultimate guide to finding the best clean laundry soap.

• Make laundry detergent from MamaSuds Castile Soap, with rubber / nitrile gloves, face mask, measuring cup, spoon and airtight container (Powdered Laundry Soap)
• For Powdered Laundry Soap: grate 1 cup of MamaSuds Castile Bar Soap, mix 2 cups of Washing Soda (sodium carbonate) and 1 cup of Borax (sodium borate), mix in soap flakes and store in airtight container
• Use 2-3 Tablespoons per load for regular washer; use 1 Tablespoon or less for HE Washer
• For Liquid Laundry Soap: dissolve 1/2 cup Borax and 1 cup of Soda Wash into warm water on a stove while stirring; add essential oils for scent if desired; add to 2 cups of MamaSuds Castile Soap; let cool completely
• Use 1/4 cup per load for regular washer; use 1-2 Tablespoons or less for HE Washer

One of our most FAQs for our Laundry Soap is:

My Laundry Soap is thinner/thicker/darker/lighter/cloudy, is something wrong with it? 

Answer: MamaSuds does not use ANY synthetic ingredients in our products and there are no natural products that make the soap the exact same consistency that we are willing to use. Some companies use calcium chloride or calcium formate which we don't use. Other ingredients that stabilize the color or viscosity are: diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, ethanolamine, monoethanolamine, PEGs, propylene glycol, and sodium bisulfite are just a few.

We also don't add dyes to hide color variations.

So what IS happening? Cold weather (as many of you saw this year in particular) is the biggest culprit. If your soap was "gloppy" or cloudy or looked like it needed to be mixed then the cold weather cause a physical reaction. The soap is still in working order, it just looks.... well like snot. The soap will perform exactly the same as your last visually perfect bottle. 

 

• HE logo stands for 'High Efficiency' and is a cue to use the product in a high-efficiency washing machine.

• High-efficiency machines require special detergent with less water than traditional washers.

• MamaSuds Laundry Soap is HE safe, indicated by the logo on the back of the labels.

• For best results, put soap directly in with laundry – not in automatic dispenser – to prevent wastage and soap residue build-up on clothes.

Answer: Maybe you're thinking to yourself, it's on the product page isn't it?

Actually it's on there twice but that's not the point.

The point is that you are all feeling totally over the "duped again" feeling, am I right? You think you have found a clean laundry product then you get the product and it's not the same as what was listed on the website (or some variation of this).

So even though it's on our website a lot, we don't mind ingredient questions at all (we love them) and totally understand why it's asked so much.

Here is the entire ingredient list: water (distilled or RO), potassium olivate which is also called saponified olive oil (our very own castile soap), sodium carbonate, and sodium borate.

If you get the lemon or lavender scent then we use pure essential oils (nothing synthetic). 

 

That's it! 

This article focuses on 1,4 Dioxane, an environmental contaminant which has been classified as a likely human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This chemical is often found in skincare and beauty products, such as those containing ingredients like PEG-100 stearate and polyethylene glycol (PEG) compounds. It can also be released during the manufacture of other products such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Cocomide MEA and DEA. In order to avoid exposure to 1,4 Dioxane, it is important to read labels carefully in order to identify potential sources. Additionally, natural alternatives like MamaSuds Laundry Soap are available that are completely free of this chemical so those with sensitive skin can feel confident about using them. By being aware of this hazard and taking steps to avoid it, we can help protect ourselves and our loved ones from its potentially dangerous effects.

Toxic chemicals may be hiding in your laundry detergent. Find out what you need to know to stay safe and healthy and get your laundry clean. 

Doing the Laundry is the Worst. Okay, so maybe a few people like one aspect of laundry. But most hate it. I like putting my laundry into the washer and starting it. But then that's when I wish the Laundry Fairy would finish the job for me! Who can relate? 

Unless you live in a nudist colony, your skin is touching fabric 24/7, so what you use to wash your laundry is important to your health. Conventional laundry detergent (and many greenwashed "natural" ones too!) contains many unhealthy ingredients that can severely impact your health. In fact, your laundry room products are some of the most toxic cleaning chemicals in your house! 

With so much to sort through on product labels (if your detergent lists the ingredients on the label at all), it can be hard to sort through the good, the bad and the greenwashed. We have some ingredients to steer clear of when you are looking at a safe and healthy detergent.

1. Fragrance

Fragrances in laundry products can lead to skin irritation (which can be the cause of rashes, eczema, and itching). A big problem with fragrance is that companies can list them as one ingredient without listing all the components. Why does this matter? Most fragrance is synthetic and contains both phthalates  and petrochemicals (which is bad for the environment) which do not have to be disclosed. These components can cause headaches, asthma attacks, and skin irritations that don't always show up right away. They build up in our system and cause a gradual overload.

“Fragrance is considered to be a trade secret, so brand formulas are proprietary and the individual ingredients are not required to be listed on the label,” explains Tonya Harris, an award-winning environmental toxin expert and the creator of the Slightly Greener Method. “Fragrances in detergent can be made up of dozens of ingredients, of which some may be allergenic [and] toxic to the brain and nervous or respiratory system.”

Bottom line: stick with essential oils (real ones!) or go unscented, and stay clear of the word FRAGRANCE and PARFUM. 

2. Ingredients that end in "-ETH"

Ethoxylated ingredients are treated with ethylene oxide (a known carcinogen) when it's processed. A by-product of this process is 1,4-dioxane (another carcinogen) which is absorbable through the skin. 1,4-dioxane won't be listed as an ingredient on your products so it's important to stay away from ingredients that when processed create 1,4-dioxane as a by-product. Companies use ethoxylated ingredients to stabilize their formula so the ingredients won't separate. 

Bottom line: steer clear of ingredients that end in "-eth", polysorbates, phenoxyethanol, and PEGs. 

3. Sulfates

We have been conditioned in the last 100 years to believe that soap/detergent must foam or lather in order to clean. Sulfates are found in so many everyday products; everything from shampoo to toothpaste, and laundry detergent. They are a skin irritant that doesn't always show up as an immediate reaction.

Bottom line: avoid sodium laurETH sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate.

• Castile soap laundry detergent is a biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning detergent made from vegetable oils which has free-floating charged atoms that attracts grease, dirt, and germs.
• Its gentle on skin properties combined with powerful dirt-grabbing abilities make it an ideal clothes cleaner.
• It contains no synthetic compounds, chemicals, or other unwanted substances into your laundry.
• It is also useful as a pre-treatment to tackle stains with just a few drops of the liquid version rubbed directly on them.
• Additionally, it is eco-friendly and safe for clothes and skin.
• Mama Suds provides Castile soap household cleaning products including a mixture specially designed for high efficiency machines without any chemical additives.