After beating cancer, I moved to more strict measures in our home with what products I use to clean our clothes. Your skin is your largest organ, so everything that touches your clothes touches you. With this in mind, I found some great non-toxic laundry swaps that our family is really loving, and I think you’ll really love them too!

Amazon List of my favorite non-toxic laundry swaps!

Aimee doing laundry with non-toxic products

The Hidden Toxins in Typical Laundry Products

Typical store-bought detergents and softeners often contain synthetic fragrances, endocrine disruptors, and residues that can linger on fabric. Here are some specific ingredients we stay away from:

Fragrance = a cocktail of undisclosed chemicals linked to hormone disruption. Fragrances can still be enjoyed, but in a more natural form, such as essential oils.

Optical brighteners make clothes look “whiter” but coat fibers in petrochemicals. I have a great alternative for this as well!

Softeners + dryer sheets release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air and your skin. I’m not into wool dryer balls, but I’ve found a better alternative.

SLS/SLES + phosphates can irritate sensitive post-chemo skin and disrupt microbiome balance. Stay far away from these ingredients!

What “Non-Toxic Laundry” Really Means

When looking for a non-toxic laundry detergent, I’m looking for clear ingredients on the label with words that I can pronounce. It’s important to find “fragrance-free” (minus essential oils), dye-free, sulfate-free, plant-based or mineral-based, and biodegradable.

I have tried homemade laundry detergents, and I’ve purchased clean brands as well. My favorite is definitely purchasing a clean brand that only costs roughly $0.15 per load or less. I’ve found it!

The Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent Swap

Molly’s Suds is my favorite non-toxic laundry detergent. It’s baking soda and mineral-based, and it’s perfect for sensitive skin. We’ve tried a few of their fragrances and loved them all. Our favorites are peppermint and lavender.

Molly’s Suds Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4oaSVLz

molly's suds the best non-toxic laundry detergent after cancer

I have found the best price on Amazon, and oftentimes they go on sale during Prime Sale Days, and that’s when I stock up. That typically makes each load cost $0.13!

Skip Fabric Softener & Try This Instead

For 8+ years, I have skipped fabric softener, and I’ve never looked back. Instead, I use white vinegar. I purchase the vinegar from Costco or Sam’s Club. It’s much cheaper to purchase vinegar from these stores. In the fabric softener of your washing machine, add 1/4 cup of vinegar. This simple trick will reduce loaders, and keep your clothes sparkly clean.

Want to elevate your laundry even more? Infuse your vinegar with citrus rinds, mint leaves, or fresh lavender. Essential oils can also be used, but marinating vinegar is a lot of fun and beautiful!

Watch this Instagram Reel for a visual of what I’m talking about.

Non-Toxic Stain and Odor Remover

Aimee using miss mouth's stain remover for non-toxic laundry products

This is by far the best stain-treating formula I’ve used. You can visually see the stain lifting! I’ve used this for years now, and I finally bought the bigger bottle, than the smaller travel sizes. I highly recommend this stuff, and it also goes on sale most every time Amazon offers a Prime Day Sale! Definitely check it out!

Miss Mouth’s Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4mSJ8c0

miss mouth's stain treater non-toxic after cancer

Upgrade Your Washing + Drying Habits

It’s easy to get in the habit of using the dryer, but I also like to hang dry clothes to keep them in better condition. I don’t do this with all clothes, but here’s my strategy. For pants and tops, I will put them in the dryer for 5 minutes, then I pull them out and let them air dry the rest of the way. This helps pull out wrinkles, but also keeps the colors from fading faster.

drying racks in back yard non-toxic laundry

This photo was taken at our last home, and I would hang all our laundry during the hot summer months. These drying racks were lifesavers when it was hot outside. I highly recommend investing in drying racks to save your clothes and your electricity bill.

Wash in cold water to protect fabric and save energy.
Avoid overloading the machine (it traps soap residue).
Air dry when possible — sunlight kills bacteria naturally.
Regularly clean your washing machine with vinegar + baking soda cycle.

I personally am not a wool ball lover, I actually can’t stand them! I went on the hunt for a better alternative to dryer sheets, and I found them! The key is not letting your dryer get too hot, so you won’t have static issues.

Molly’s Suds Dryer Sheets Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4odZY6m

High Quality Washer & Dryer That’s Worth The Splurge

For years, my husband and I have purchased the cheapest washer and dryer models to save money, but there is something completely different when using these GE front-load washer and dryer. They are magically different.

I have noticed a big difference in the cleanliness of our clothes by using this set. It’s pricey, but if you are able, I do recommend.

Lowe’s these GE UltraFresh Front Load Washer and Dryer.

Affiliate link HERE

Healing doesn’t stop at food; it extends to everything that touches our bodies. Making these swaps has helped give me peace of mind when I do laundry for our family. Start with one swap this week. It could be as simple as adding 1/4 cup of vinegar to your washer, or purchasing this laundry detergent when you run low. Feel the difference of using non-toxic laundry swaps in your home.