all free clear Plus+ Laundry Detergent

This is a fragrance-free liquid laundry detergent formulated with biodegradable chelating agents, dual surfactants, and anti-redeposition polymers for dependable everyday stain removal and fabric brightening.

Performance Rating: 7.4

The formula provides solid cleaning efficacy powered by a balanced surfactant system comprising C12-15 alcohols ethoxylated, sodium laureth sulfate, and fatty acid salts. This combination effectively lifts routine soils and oily residues, supported by sodium carbonate for alkalinity and trisodium dicarboxymethyl alaninate for water softening. Specialty polymers like alkoxylated polyethyleneimine and sodium polyacrylate prevent soil redeposition, while an optical brightener visibly enhances fabric whiteness. However, the complete absence of stain-fighting enzymes leaves the detergent less capable of degrading tough enzymatic, protein, or starch stains, keeping its overall performance in a capable mid-tier tier.

Safety Rating: 7.8

The safety profile benefits substantially from using readily biodegradable chelants such as trisodium dicarboxymethyl alaninate, alongside the absence of heavy artificial dyes or harsh chlorines. Solvents like ethanol and mild alkaline builders pose minimal long-term environmental hazards. On the human safety front, sodium laureth sulfate and ethoxylated surfactants present potential for minor skin and eye irritation, with possible trace ethoxylation impurities. Additionally, the preservative benzisothiazolinone is a recognized skin sensitizer and contact allergen. Nonetheless, when used as intended in diluted wash cycles, the product maintains a clean and relatively gentle profile.

Final Rating: 7.6

The overall assessment reflects a cohesive, dependable laundry detergent that delivers strong baseline laundering without introducing excessive toxicological hazards. Its reliance on synergistic surfactants, anti-redeposition polymers, and modern green builders ensures dependable stain removal across typical wash cycles. While the formulation could reach top-tier efficacy with the addition of targeted cleaning enzymes and a milder preservative system than isothiazolinones, it succeeds in balancing effective day-to-day cleaning with sensible ingredient choices. The result is a practical, well-engineered detergent that offers both consistent household functionality and reliable consumer safety.

Verdict

This liquid laundry detergent utilizes a balanced and effective surfactant base consisting of C12-15 alcohols ethoxylated and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). Together with fatty acid sodium salts, this combination delivers robust grease-cutting power, solubilizes body oils, and lifts everyday grime from a wide variety of synthetic and natural fabrics. The inclusion of ethanol serves as a viscosity modifier and formulation stabilizer, ensuring consistent flow and rapid dispersion in both cold and warm wash cycles. The primary cleansing action is powerful yet conventional, making it suitable for standard and high-efficiency washing machines.

Water conditioning and stain suspension are notably strong in this formulation. Instead of harsh phosphates or persistent EDTA, the formula employs trisodium dicarboxymethyl alaninate (MGDA), an eco-friendly and readily biodegradable chelating agent that binds hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium. Working alongside sodium carbonate for optimal alkaline pH buffering, it maximizes surfactant efficiency. Furthermore, modern soil-release agents including polyethyleneimine alkoxylated and sodium polyacrylate actively prevent loosened dirt and oily residues from re-depositing onto clean textiles during the wash, maintaining overall fabric cleanliness across repeat cycles.

For visual maintenance, the detergent includes fluorescent brightener 28 sodium salt, an optical brightener designed to absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible blue light. This masks natural yellowing and keeps white garments appearing crisp, vibrant, and luminous over extended laundering. While effective for brightening light loads, optical brighteners can occasionally alter the appearance of darker or pastel garments over time. Notably, the formula appears completely free of added fragrances or essential oils, which significantly reduces the risk of respiratory irritation and cosmetic scent sensitivities during daily laundering.

Preservation is handled by benzisothiazolinone (BIT), an effective antimicrobial agent that prevents bacterial and fungal contamination within aqueous liquid detergent bottles. While BIT is widely used and safe at regulated low concentrations, it belongs to the isothiazolinone family, which is a known contact allergen for individuals with diagnosed skin sensitivities or atopic dermatitis. Overall, this product represents a well-engineered, fragrance-free detergent that offers dependable cleaning performance, advanced mineral management, and optical brightening, though those with hyper-sensitive skin or cloth diaper routines should exercise caution.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Surfactants / 表面活性剂

🧪 C12-15 Alcohols Ethoxylated / C12-15 脂肪醇聚氧乙烯醚

Purpose: Primary non-ionic surfactant that removes oily and greasy soils while emulsifying dirt in the wash water.

Concerns: May cause skin or eye irritation in high concentrations; potential trace 1,4-dioxane byproduct during manufacturing.

Notes: Effective in cold water and provides good compatibility with anionic surfactants.

🧪 Sodium Laureth Sulfate / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯钠

Purpose: Anionic surfactant that generates foam, lifts particulate dirt, and suspends soils.

Concerns: Can be irritating to sensitive skin; potential trace 1,4-dioxane byproduct during ethoxylation.

Notes: Milder and more water-soluble than sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

🧪 Fatty Acids, C8-18 and C18-Unsaturated Sodium Salts / C8-18及C18不饱和脂肪酸钠盐

Purpose: Natural soap surfactant that aids in detergency and acts as a foam regulator/suppressor.

Notes: Derived from natural vegetable or animal oils and helps prevent over-sudsing in high-efficiency washing machines.

📁 Solvents / 溶剂与防腐剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Solvent and carrier liquid that dissolves and disperses all formula ingredients.

Notes: Typically constitutes the majority of the liquid detergent formulation.

🧪 Ethanol / 乙醇

Purpose: Solvent, viscosity modifier, and formulation stabilizer that prevents phase separation.

Concerns: Flammable in high concentrations; can be drying to skin upon direct prolonged contact.

Notes: Helps maintain liquid clarity and acts as an anti-freezing agent.

🧪 Benzisothiazolinone / 苯并异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Preservative and antimicrobial agent that prevents bacterial and fungal growth in the product.

Concerns: Known skin sensitizer and potential allergen in leave-on or prolonged contact scenarios.

Notes: Used at very low concentrations (ppm levels) to ensure shelf stability.

📁 Active Ingredients / 助剂与功能聚合物

🧪 Trisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate / 二羧甲基丙氨酸三钠

Purpose: Biodegradable chelating agent (builder) that binds hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium) to boost surfactant performance.

Notes: An eco-friendly green alternative to traditional chelators like EDTA and phosphates.

🧪 Sodium Carbonate / 碳酸钠

Purpose: Alkalinity builder and pH adjuster that softens water and optimizes grease-cutting conditions.

Concerns: Can be irritating to eyes and mucous membranes in raw powder form.

Notes: Commonly known as washing soda.

🧪 Fluorescent Brightener 28 Sodium Salt / 荧光增白剂 28 二钠盐

Purpose: Optical brightening agent that absorbs UV light and emits blue light to make fabrics appear whiter and brighter.

Concerns: Low aquatic toxicity concerns and potential mild skin sensitization for very sensitive individuals.

Notes: Deposits onto cellulose fibers during washing to counteract fabric yellowing over time.

🧪 Polyethyleneimine Alkoxylated / 烷氧基化聚乙烯亚胺

Purpose: Specialized cleaning polymer that aids in soil release and grease removal from synthetic fibers.

Notes: Particularly effective in preventing grease and body soil redeposition during cold-water washing.

🧪 Sodium Polyacrylate / 聚丙烯酸钠

Purpose: Dispersing agent and anti-redeposition polymer that prevents suspended dirt from resettling onto clean fabrics.

Concerns: Low environmental degradability, though generally non-toxic.

Notes: Also helps inhibit scale formation in washing machine internal components.