When it comes to green cleaning, few names pop up as often as Seventh Generation. But with so many brands claiming eco-friendliness these days, how can you tell who’s walking the talk—and who’s just greenwashing?
As a sustainability-focused company, we’ve reviewed countless “eco-friendly” products over the years. In this Seventh Generation detergent review, we’re doing something different. Instead of breaking down each product, we’re taking a closer look at the brand itself—its environmental mission, how its detergents are made, and whether its values align with truly sustainable living.
From plant-based ingredients to biodegradable packaging, Seventh Generation promises a lot. But does it deliver?
We’ll explore the brand’s core sustainability practices, certifications, manufacturing ethics, and whether its detergent line deserves a spot in your eco-conscious laundry routine.
What is the Seventh Generation Detergent?
Seventh Generation Free & Clear laundry detergent is one of the brand’s most recognized products—made from 97% plant-based ingredients and free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, and artificial brighteners. Designed for sensitive skin and eco-conscious households, it’s also biodegradable and USDA Certified Biobased at 96%, meaning it breaks down safely in the environment.
But the detergent is just one part of a much bigger mission.
Seventh Generation was founded in 1988 in Vermont with a bold goal: to protect the health of the next seven generations. As a Certified B Corporation, the company meets rigorous standards for social and environmental responsibility, from transparent supply chains to fair labor practices.
Their detergents are produced using renewable energy, and the company is Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free—they never test on animals. Even the packaging is designed with sustainability in mind, using recycled cardboard and bottles made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic.
Seventh Generation also advocates for climate justice and ingredient disclosure, pushing for industry-wide transparency in cleaning products. They don’t just market green—they invest in environmental causes and lead policy advocacy through partnerships with organizations like the Sierra Club and Climate Voice.
While many online reviews praise the brand’s green credentials, I wanted to see for myself if their detergent truly lived up to the promise—so I put it to the test.
Spoiler alert: after the testing, we had to put it on our best eco-friendly laundry detergents list.
Seventh Generation Detergent Benefits
What I like about the Seventh Generation Free Clear natural laundry detergent is it doesn’t contain any dyes or scents, so people like me who have very sensitive skin can use it just fine.
And since my baby has sensitive skin as well, I use this stuff to wash her cloth diapers all the time.
I also like that it’s plant based, meaning that it uses plant enzymes instead of nasty chemicals to clean stains.
This assures me that it’s mostly biodegradable and better for the environment.
And while plant-based detergents are not usually a match for normal laundry detergents when it comes to removing stains, Seventh Generation is one of the better ones.
The Seventh Generation Free Clear laundry detergent is also free and clear from animal products, which is something I like to hear. However, this is the case for most eco-friendly detergents these days, so it’s not much to write home about.
Overall this stuff is good If you’re dealing with everyday stains and smelly clothes. If you’ve got more complex stains to conquer, however, you might be better reaching for something like Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent.
Pros
- USDA certified product
- Made from 97% plant-derived ingredients
- Formula is hypoallergenic
Seventh Generation Detergent Shortfalls
If you’re using the “Free and Clear” version of this product, be aware that your clothes won’t have a particularly exciting smell when they come out of the machine.
It’s hard to describe, but they just sort of smell musty and neutral.
If you really want your clothes to have a nice floral scent, you can always try out other Seventh Generation laundry detergents or super-concentrated products like Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent.
Another thing I noticed is if I’m tackling a red wine stain or a very messy cloth diaper, I have to pre-treat the stains for a while and let them soak first. This isn’t ideal, as I’ve used stronger natural detergents where I didn’t need to bother doing this.
If you’re going for that authentic eco-friendly vibe, it’s worth noting that Seventh Generation also uses new plastic bottles for all of its detergents. While it’s not the biggest crime on the face of the Earth, it is creating demand for new plastic bottles to be created.
Of course, you can recycle many of these bottles, but it would be great if they had some kind of refill system that created less demand for such large volumes of single-use plastics.
It’s also worth noting that this company only has 3.5/5 trees on Growing A Green Family — a rating system that’s designed to test the “greenness” of so-called green companies.
Cons
- Smell isn’t amazing
- Stocks always run out fast
- Not as concentrated as other cleaners
- Adds new plastic bottles to the waste stream
- No eco-friendly refill system
- Company only has 3.5/5 trees eco-friendly rating
Things To Consider Before Buying An Eco-Friendly Detergent
Before buying an eco-friendly laundry detergent, here are some key criteria you should watch out for:
Scents
Many eco-friendly detergents are free from scents, which is good for many people. However, this can leave your shirts smelling musty and weird. Some detergents, like Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent, use subtle safe scents that help give you that “fresh” feeling you’re used to without damaging your skin.
A Lack of Synthetic Chemicals
Many of the chemicals used in regular detergents are bad for the environment and toxic to humans. Many of them also aggravate conditions like eczema and allergies.
The laundry detergent ECOS and Seventh Generation produce (among others) contain very few synthetic ingredients.
100% Biodegradable
Seventh Generation, and many other eco-friendly detergents like the Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent, are biodegradable. This means that once they re-enter the environment in wastewater facilities, they will naturally break down in a manner that doesn’t pollute the earth.
Why Seventh Generation Still Leads in Sustainable Laundry Care
In a market flooded with green claims, Seventh Generation stands out by putting real sustainability into action. Their detergents aren’t just plant-based—they’re backed by environmental certifications, cruelty-free standards, and a transparent ingredient list that speaks volumes.
For eco-conscious shoppers, this isn’t just about clean clothes. It’s about clean values. Whether it’s their commitment to zero-waste packaging or their stance on climate justice, Seventh Generation’s detergent line reflects a brand built for the future of green living.
If you’re looking for a detergent that’s effective, planet-friendly, and aligns with your sustainability goals, Seventh Generation is still one of the most trusted names in the game.
