up&up Free & Clear Unscented Liquid Laundry Detergent

A heavy-duty, enzyme-powered liquid laundry detergent formulated to deliver deep cleaning and stain removal, featuring a robust blend of surfactants, stain-lifting enzymes, and optical brighteners.

Performance Rating: 8.8

The high performance rating of 8.8/10 is justified by a powerful cleaning system. It features a robust blend of anionic and nonionic surfactants, including sodium laureth sulfate, sodium c10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate, and c12-15 alcohols ethoxylated, which effectively lift grease and dirt. The addition of protease and amylase enzymes ensures targeted removal of tough protein and starch stains. Water-softening builders like sodium citrate and tetrasodium iminodisuccinate boost surfactant efficiency, while sodium polyacrylate prevents dirt from redepositing on clothes, and fluorescent brightener 5 keeps fabrics looking vibrant.

Safety Rating: 4.4

The safety rating is a low 4.4/10 primarily due to the inclusion of methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT), which are well-known, potent skin allergens and sensitizers that can cause contact dermatitis. Additionally, triethanolamine can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Surfactants like sodium laureth sulfate can also be harsh on sensitive skin and carry risks of trace manufacturing impurities.

Final Rating: 6.5

The final rating of 6.5/10 reflects a compromise between excellent cleaning capabilities and notable safety drawbacks. While the formulation is highly effective at stain removal and fabric brightening, the presence of strong preservatives like CMIT/MIT and potential irritants makes it less suitable for users with sensitive skin or those seeking a more eco-friendly, gentle product.

Verdict

This liquid laundry detergent is formulated as a highly effective, heavy-duty cleaning agent designed to tackle stubborn stains, grease, and everyday grime. The backbone of its cleaning power lies in a potent combination of anionic and non-ionic surfactants, including sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate, and C12-15 alcohols ethoxylated. Together, these surfactants break down surface tension, penetrate fabric fibers, and lift away stubborn, oily soils. This cleaning action is significantly boosted by the inclusion of active protease and amylase enzymes, which specifically target and break down difficult organic stains like proteins (blood, grass, and food) and starches (gravy, pasta, and sauces). Additionally, the presence of fluorescent brightener 5 ensures that whites look exceptionally bright and vibrant by reflecting blue light, while sodium polyacrylate acts as an anti-redeposition polymer, ensuring that suspended dirt does not settle back onto fabrics during the wash cycle. However, while this formula is undeniably powerful on dirt, it comes with several critical caveats regarding skin sensitivity and environmental footprint. The most notable concern is the use of methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT). These compounds are highly effective biocide preservatives, but they are also notorious contact allergens and skin sensitizers that can easily trigger contact dermatitis, eczema flare-ups, or severe itching, particularly if detergent residue remains on clothing after rinsing. Furthermore, the inclusion of ethoxylated ingredients like SLES means there is a potential for trace contamination of 1,4-dioxane, a manufacturing byproduct and suspected carcinogen, though typically present in legally compliant, negligible amounts. The formula also utilizes triethanolamine, which serves as a pH adjuster and stabilizer but can cause localized skin irritation and respiratory discomfort in sensitive individuals. In summary, this detergent is an excellent choice for those seeking a maximum-strength clean that can confidently handle heavily soiled garments, muddy activewear, and dull whites. It operates highly efficiently in both hot and cold water temperatures thanks to its biodegradable builder tetrasodium iminodisuccinate and stabilizing calcium chloride. However, due to its harsh chemical profile, it should be strictly avoided by households with infants, young children, or anyone suffering from sensitive skin or known allergies to standard synthetic preservatives.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 water / 水

Purpose: Acts as a carrier and dissolving agent for all other active ingredients in the liquid formulation.

Concerns: No known health or environmental concerns.

Notes: The primary component of most liquid laundry detergents.

📁 Surfactants / 表面活性剂

🧪 c12-15 alcohols ethoxylated / C12-15 醇聚醚

Purpose: A nonionic surfactant that helps lift and dissolve oily and greasy soils from fabrics.

Concerns: Can cause skin and eye irritation. Can be toxic to aquatic life depending on the concentration.

Notes: Highly effective at removing grease and oil in a wide range of water temperatures.

🧪 sodium laureth sulfate / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯钠

Purpose: An anionic surfactant that creates foam and helps lift, suspend, and wash away dirt.

Concerns: May cause skin or eye irritation. May contain trace amounts of manufacturing byproducts like 1,4-dioxane if not properly purified.

Notes: A very common detergent surfactant, but should be rinsed thoroughly by individuals with sensitive skin.

🧪 sodium c10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate / C10-16 烷基苯磺酸钠

Purpose: A heavy-duty anionic surfactant that provides deep cleaning and emulsification of tough dirt and stains.

Concerns: Known skin and eye irritant. Moderately toxic to aquatic organisms with long-lasting effects.

Notes: Widely used in mainstream liquid laundry detergents for its superior dirt-suspending power.

🧪 fatty acids, c8-18 and c18-unsaturated sodium salts / C8-18 及 C18 不饱和脂肪酸钠盐

Purpose: A soap-based anionic surfactant that assists in soil removal and acts as a natural defoaming agent to control excess suds.

Concerns: Highly biodegradable and safe. Can form soap scum in very hard water if no chelators are present.

Notes: Derived from natural fats and oils, offering a mild cleaning benefit.

📁 Builders & Chelators / 助洗剂与螯合剂

🧪 sodium citrate / 柠檬酸钠

Purpose: Binds to calcium and magnesium ions in hard water (chelating/building agent) to prevent them from interfering with surfactant performance.

Concerns: Extremely safe, non-toxic, and readily biodegradable.

Notes: An eco-friendly alternative to phosphates and EDTA.

🧪 tetrasodium iminodisuccinate / 亚氨基二琥珀酸四钠

Purpose: A chelating agent that captures heavy metal ions and hard water minerals to improve detergent performance and prevent soil redeposition.

Concerns: Safe and non-toxic.

Notes: A highly biodegradable, green chelating agent used to replace traditional EDTA.

📁 pH Adjusters, Dispersants & Stabilizers / pH调节剂、分散剂与稳定剂

🧪 triethanolamine / 三乙醇胺

Purpose: Used as a pH neutralizer to keep the formulation stable and optimize cleaning efficiency, and also helps stabilize surfactants.

Concerns: Can cause contact dermatitis and skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Potential risk of forming carcinogenic nitrosamines if combined with specific nitrating agents.

Notes: Commonly used in liquid formulas to buffer pH and keep other ingredients compatible.

🧪 sodium polyacrylate / 聚丙烯酸钠

Purpose: An anti-redeposition agent and dispersant that prevents suspended soil in the washing water from settling back onto clean garments.

Concerns: Low toxicity to humans, but has poor biodegradability and can persist in water treatment systems.

Notes: Crucial for keeping whites white and preventing clothes from looking gray and dingy over time.

🧪 calcium chloride / 氯化钙

Purpose: Acts as an enzyme stabilizer, ensuring that protease and amylase enzymes remain active and do not degrade in the liquid formulation.

Concerns: Very low hazard at consumer dilution levels, though concentrated powder forms can be irritating.

Notes: An essential ingredient to preserve enzyme efficacy during storage on the shelf.

📁 Enzymes / 酶制剂

🧪 protease enzyme / 蛋白酶

Purpose: A bio-catalyst that specifically targets and breaks down protein-based stains such as blood, grass, milk, and sweat.

Concerns: Can act as a skin sensitizer or respiratory irritant if inhaled in powder form during manufacturing, but safe when dissolved in liquid detergent.

Notes: Allows for effective stain removal at lower washing temperatures, saving energy.

🧪 amylase enzyme / 淀粉酶

Purpose: A bio-catalyst that targets and breaks down starch-based stains such as pasta, chocolate, baby foods, and gravies.

Concerns: Potential mild skin sensitizer, but safe for consumer usage in liquid products.

Notes: Improves overall laundry efficacy by targeting food-related stains.

📁 Optical Brighteners / 荧光增白剂

🧪 fluorescent brightener 5 / 荧光增白剂 5

Purpose: Absorbs invisible ultraviolet light and emits blue-violet light to optically mask fabric yellowing and make fabrics appear brighter.

Concerns: Can trigger contact allergy or irritation on sensitive skin. Poor biodegradability; can accumulate in aquatic environments.

Notes: Does not actually clean clothes, but creates a visual trick to make white clothes look whiter.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂

🧪 methylisothiazolinone / 甲基异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Prevents bacterial and fungal contamination inside the water-based detergent bottle.

Concerns: A well-known skin allergen and sensitizer (can cause contact dermatitis/eczema).

Notes: Often referred to as MIT. Users with highly sensitive skin or eczema should use with caution.

🧪 methylchloroisothiazolinone / 甲基氯异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: An antimicrobial preservative used to prevent microbial growth in liquid products.

Concerns: Highly sensitizing; known to cause contact allergies and skin irritation.

Notes: Often referred to as CMIT and typically used in combination with MIT in a 3:1 ratio (known commercially as Kathon CG).