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Jan 06, 2024

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It's taken a lot of trial and error to find a laundry detergent that doesn't trigger my sensitive skin or leave a waxy layer of residue over my clothes. Many, if not most, of the ones you see lining

It's taken a lot of trial and error to find a laundry detergent that doesn't trigger my sensitive skin or leave a waxy layer of residue over my clothes. Many, if not most, of the ones you see lining your grocery stores and collecting dust at the laundromat feature a TL;DR list of ingredients that reads more like an elaborate science experiment than anything else.

Ones like sodium borate and sodium lauryl sulfate (a common surfactant used in personal care products) will strip clothes of dirt and odors but dry out your skin, blue dyes can make your whites appear brighter but also set off a gnarly case of hives, while softening agents will do a Madame Tussauds job on your favorite shirts—rendering them just a little waxier and stiffer with each wash. And don't even get me started on the synthetic fragrances loaded into popular detergents, which turn your soiled underwear into a field of blooming lavender. Not only is the smell overpowering and totally artificial, but the perfuming process often produces a filmy layer that causes your clothes to deteriorate faster over time.

My mainstay through most of my twenties were the oh-so-convenient laundry detergent pods, which left my clothes feeling prickly and stripped down my fancy, plush towels into rags over time. So, I did my fair share of exploring alternative laundering methods. I went all-natural with vinegar, only to discover that the smell was just a little too ripe for my liking. I also went super old-school and used plain ol' baking soda which turned out to be way too harsh for skin (same applies to most natural deodorants, go figure). More recently, a colleague's rave review tipped me off to something new: a baby blue detergent, featuring a Betty Draper lookalike, that has become my holy grail.

$14.00, Amazon

Over the years, more sustainably-minded brands like Nellie's have introduced detergents that cut out all the filler, leaving only what you actually need to effectively clean. Their hero product, the Laundry Soda, comes in a concentrated powder formula rather a watery liquid detergent, so a little goes a long way for your clothes—and your wallet. If the retro appeal doesn't hook you, the extremely short list of ingredients might. Nellie's promises to leave your clothes fresh and soft using just four ingredients (sodium carbonate, linear alcohol ethoxylate, sodium chloride, and sodium metasilicate).

After using about a half to one cap's worth for each load (thankfully I rewired my brain to understand that more suds does not equal a deeper clean), my clothes, bedding, and towels in emerged looking far better than when they went in for a dip. The baggy chinos I wear weekly turned up clean and crisp while feeling buttery-smooth to the touch. My go-to mesh shorts for breathlessly running around the park still look basically brand new, and free from surprise stains and mystery scents incurred from a noxious mix of synthetic fragrances and sweat. The powder also fully dissolves in hot and cold water so you can get an effective clean whether it's a darks or a lights day, and without any gritty residue left over. Oh, and as my colleague mentioned, it's also super effective at gently removing surface stains.

In a crowded laundry detergent market, Nellie's Laundry Soda is a clean beacon of hope. There's the OG formula for standard fare along with an extra-sensitive baby mix if want to play it extra safe. Elsewhere, you'll find pre-measured laundry nuggets if you're too lazy to simply measure out a cup, and if all of this sounds just a little too au natural for you, there's even a ‘fresh scent’ formula. If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're looking for a laundry revolution of your own—or at least detergent that doesn't repel you from the items you bought with your cold hard cash. Let this be your sign to take the first step (read: click on the links below and Prime this stuff ASAP).

$16.00, Amazon

$17.00, Amazon

Originally Appeared on GQ

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