Earthley Wellness Really Clean Laundry Soap Review
Quick Take
Overall Score: 8.6/10
Earthley represents the extreme end of non-toxic laundry—just three ingredients with nothing synthetic whatsoever. The soap berry (saponin) base provides natural cleaning power that works surprisingly well for everyday laundry. For families who want to minimize exposure to everything, including plant-derived surfactants found in other "clean" detergents, Earthley delivers.
The Verdict: The cleanest ingredient profile available in a ready-to-use laundry product. Performance is adequate for everyday laundry but may require boosters for heavy-duty cleaning. Best for families prioritizing ingredient minimalism over maximum cleaning power.
Safety Analysis
Earthley's ingredient list is remarkably short:
- Organic soap berries (Sapindus mukorossi): Natural saponins that create cleaning action
- Sodium carbonate: Washing soda
- Sodium bicarbonate: Baking soda
That's it. No surfactants (even plant-derived ones), no essential oils, no preservatives. This is as minimal as commercial laundry products get.
The Soap Berry Reality
Soap berries contain saponins—natural compounds that foam and clean when agitated in water. They've been used for laundry in Asia for centuries. However:
What to expect:
- Less visible suds than conventional detergent (suds don't equal cleaning)
- Gentler cleaning action that works through agitation
- No scent added—clothes smell neutral
What may surprise you:
- Everyday laundry comes out genuinely clean
- The washing soda provides significant cleaning boost
- Works in all water temperatures
Cleaning Performance
Everyday Laundry (8/10)
Daily wear, light dirt, and typical family laundry clean well. The combination of saponins and washing soda handles normal soil effectively.
Heavy Stains (6/10)
This is where soap berry formulas struggle. Ground-in dirt, grease, and protein stains may need pre-treatment or supplementation with oxygen bleach.
Baby Clothes (9.5/10)
Ideal for newborn and baby laundry. Nothing to irritate sensitive skin, and the neutral scent means no fragrance transfer.
