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ICON DECODER

COMPANY RATINGS
Praises, no criticism
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Praises, some criticism
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Criticisms

Note: Ratings are based on company record, including parent companies. They are not a comment on the product itself.
> more about ratings

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Laundry Detergent

The Guide > Household > Laundry > Laundry Detergent 

Cleaning Products

Most cleaning products don't list ingredients. However, you can learn something about a product's hazards by reading its label. 'Danger/ Poison' - most hazardous; 'Warning' - moderately hazardous; 'Caution' - slightly toxic. Ingredients vary in the type of health hazard they pose. These include skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic, or long-term, effects such as cancer.  [EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning]
  • Avoid:
  • chlorine or ammonia, listed as active ingredients
  • formaldehyde, terpenes, phenols, chlorine, organic mercurials, balsams, aluminium complexes, chlorine, organic mercurials, balsams, and aluminium complexes. These are known to have carcinogenic effects.
  • detergents containing alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) - do not degrade completely and are known hormone disruptors.
  • detergents containing phosphates - cause algal blooms in water ways
  • Look for:
  • biodegradable to AS4351, or better still, an international standard
  • plant-based ingredients, instead of petroleum-based
  • concentrated form
  • specific ingredient information (such as solvent-free no petroleum-based ingredients solvent-free, no petroleum-based ingredients) rather than unregulated greenwash claims (such as natural and eco-friendly)

Alternatives beyond the mainstream

Dirt.  [more info]
Features: Australian owned & made. Cruelty free and vegan. 50% profits donated. Free from chemical nasties
Australian owned and made laundry detergent is 8 X concentrated to reduce packaging. Refill and return available. 50% of their profits are donated to The Ocean Cleanup. PETA certified vegan and cruelty free. All ingredients are 100% biodegradable.
Manufacturer: The Dirt Company
Miessence  [more info]
Features: Certified organic, cruelty free, Australian owned, carbon neutral
Miessence has an extensive range of certified organic products for skin, hair, body, cosmetic and oral. Available online.
Manufacturer: Miessence
Miracle Wash Laundry Balls  [more info]
Features: Non-toxic, No Petrochemicals
No Sodium Lauryl Sulphate; No Petrochemicals; No Harsh Detergents; No Toxic Chemicals; No Animal Testing
Manufacturer: Envirocare
SimplyClean  [more info]
Features: 100% Australian owned & made, cruelty free, vegan, palm oil free, non-toxic
SimplyClean launched in 2012. All their products are made in Northern NSW. Their range of environmentally friendly cleaning products are non-toxic, palm oil free, vegan, cruelty free (accredited by PETA) and grey water safe. Available from selected wholefood stores and independent supermarkets.
Manufacturer: SimplyClean
Tri Nature  [more info]
Features: 100% Australian owned & made, cruelty free, plant-based, non-toxic
Founded in 1989, Tri Nature's award winning range of eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products are Australian-owned and made, plant-based, accredited cruelty free, grey water safe and free of nasty chemicals.
Manufacturer: Tri Nature
About these listings
Find farmers' markets, food coops, farm gate products at Local Harvest
BRAND COMPANY OWNED RATING
ecostore  Ecostore   NZL  Praises, no criticism1
Bosisto's  FGB Natural Products   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Cove  Natures Organics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Earth Choice  Natures Organics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Purity  Natures Organics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Undo This Mess  Natures Organics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Aware  Aware Environmental   Australian Owned  No rating3
Orange Power  Aware Environmental   Australian Owned  No rating3
Organic Choice  Aware Environmental   Australian Owned  No rating3
Almat  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Green Action  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Laundrite  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Trimat  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Cold Power  Henkel Australia   (Henkel) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Dynamo  Henkel Australia   (Henkel) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Fab  Henkel Australia   (Henkel) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Hurricane  Henkel Australia   (Henkel) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Lovables  Henkel Australia   (Henkel) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Spree  Henkel Australia   (Henkel) GER  Praises, some criticism4
BioZet Attack  Kao Australia   (Kao Corporation) JPN  Praises, some criticism4
Duo  PZ Cussons Australia   (PZ Cussons) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Radiant  PZ Cussons Australia   (PZ Cussons) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Seventh Generation  Seventh Generation   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Drive  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Omo  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Surf  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Ion  Coles Supermarkets   (Coles Group) Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Ultra  Coles Supermarkets   (Coles Group) Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Lux  Pental   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Sunlight  Pental   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Velvet  Pental   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
White King  Pental   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Amolin  Bayer Australia   (Bayer) GER  Criticism, some praise5



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