Seventh Generation Free & Clear

February 2009. Seventh Generation laundry detergents are the best-known eco-friendly detergents. Seventh Generation soaps use plant-based cleaning agents rather than petroleum-based chemicals. The Free & Clear formula is fragrance- and dye-free with no phosphates. In tests of cleaning ability, Seventh Generation laundry detergent falls in the middle, but for many, the slight loss in performance is an acceptable trade-off for a detergent that has less environmental impact. Seventh Generation laundry detergent can be used in standard or high-efficiency washing machines. If you're looking for a detergent that cleans even better, reviewers point to Tide 2X Ultra Concentrated with a Touch of Downy (*est. 31 cents per load). A less expensive eco-friendly option is Country Save HE Laundry Detergent Powder (*est. 9 cents per HE load), which has a strong consumer fan base, though it has not been included in comparison testing and can be hard to find.

Seventh Generation Free & Clear was the top-rated detergent in a comparison test at Grist.org, an environmental website. Amazon.com carries many Seventh Generation laundry products, and they all receive very good reviews. Seventh Generation Free & Clear wins high praise for its cleaning ability and because it does not aggravate allergies. Consumer Reports also includes Seventh Generation Free & Clear in its test of 11 HE laundry detergents.