A teal laundry basket filled with various crumpled clothes against a white wall.

5 Best Laundry Detergents for the Whole Family

Updated March 10, 2025

Keeping up with the laundry for an entire family can feel like a chore that never ends, but having a reliable laundry detergent will ensure that you get the best results from your hard work. We're talking about the most effective laundry detergents that have been there for us through all stages of family life, from sensitive newborns to messy toddlers to smelly teens.

Whether your top priorities are stain removal, sensitive skin or eco-consciousness, we'll have picks on this list that have proven themselves when put to the test by other families.

We know everyone has their own laundry preferences and unique challenges. That's why we invite you to contribute your picks for the best laundry detergents to this list! Share your personal recommendations and reviews below, and help other families discover the perfect detergent for their needs.

5 Recommendations

Sort/Filter :

amazon.com

Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder

Charlie's Soap is a best selling laundry detergent for families, as it's affordable, gentle, and can be used on everything from cloth diapers to delicates. The ingredients are hypo-allergenic, safe for sensitive skin, and leave behind no residue.

amazon.com

Biokleen Laundry Powder

Concentrated laundry detergent powder has a gentle but effective formula with oxygen bleach to fight stains.

Lisa R said: This awesome smelling detergent got my family through 2.5 years of cloth diapering and normal laundry needs. Just a small amount is enough to leave clothes feeling fresh and one box seems to last forever compared to other detergents I've tried. All of Biokleens products are made from plant-based materials, never tested on animals, and packaged in recyclable plastics.

amazon.com

Rockin' Green Laundry Detergent

With different formulas to choose from depending on how hard your water is, Rockin' Green is a gentle detergent that works well on all everyday clothes, including cloth diapers.

amazon.com

Nellie's Laundry Soda

Nellie's powerful family-friendly laundry detergent uses eco-friendly ingredients and dissolves quickly in hot or cold water. It doesn't hurt that the ultra-concentrated formula comes in a nice tin that looks adorable in the laundry room.

amazon.com

ECOS Laundry Detergent Liquid

ECOS laundry liquid delivers powerful, plant-based cleaning that's gentle on sensitive skin, making it perfect for families seeking an effective environmentally friendly laundry detergent.