Earth911 has updated its guide on sustainable laundry detergents and practices, incorporating new 2025 research on energy savings and microfiber pollution. The article emphasizes cold water washing and avoiding toxic ingredients to reduce environmental impact. It recommends verified products amid growing consumer demand for greener options.
The updated Earth911 article, originally published in 2021 and revised in October 2025, addresses the environmental challenges of laundry amid rising concerns over carbon footprints and plastic pollution. Laundry contributes 8% of household greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with 90% of those emissions stemming from heating water, according to life cycle analyses. Switching to cold water washing can reduce energy use by up to 90% and save households about $200 annually on electricity bills, as a 2025 study found. Modern detergents perform effectively at temperatures as low as 60°F (15°C), thanks to improved enzymes, and cold water also cuts microfiber shedding by 30%, helping mitigate marine plastic pollution.
Key recommendations include selecting unscented detergents to avoid hidden toxic fragrances and volatile organic compounds. Consumers should steer clear of optical brighteners, which can cause skin irritation and are toxic to marine life, and 1,4-dioxane, classified by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen that may lead to nausea, drowsiness, and respiratory irritation. Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), harmful surfactants that degrade into persistent toxins affecting fish, have been phased out by Procter & Gamble and restricted in the EU, with California proposing further action in 2024.
To combat microfiber pollution—estimated at millions of tons entering oceans yearly, accounting for 85% of shoreline debris—tips include using full loads, front-loading machines, and filters that capture up to 90% of fibers for $14 to $20 per machine. The Fighting Fibers Act of 2025 proposes mandating such filters in the U.S., following France's 2025 requirement and Australia's 2030 deadline. For products, Environmental Working Group-verified options like AspenClean, Blueland, and healthynest stand out, alongside plastic-free sheets from Earth Breeze. Packaging analysis favors concentrated liquids in HDPE bottles over pods, though liquidless formats excel overall. The guide urges efficient appliances and minimal detergent use for maximum impact.